Starting to do Business in Turkey
From International Business Wiki
A good first impression is crucial when meeting new people, particularly in business relationships. A key factor in the business environment is to establish a loyal bond with the customer, as it can be helpful in retaining clients for years to come. The first impression established with your new Turkish contact will lay a valuable foundation for such desired enduring relationship. This holds true whether your business strategy is to become a supplier to Turkish-based companies, or simply establishing a branch of your company in Turkish territory. Devoting the necessary time and effort to understand the social habits of the Turkish people will be a crucial step in building good relationships with your contact.
The language of correspondence is an important aspect in positive communication with the new contacts. The predominant languages spoken are Turkish, Arabic, and Kurdish; however, the English language is widely used in business affairs. Additionally, French and German are also spoken throughout the country. Another tool for creating a successful first impression is to conduct appropriate business practices from the beginning. Appointments are necessary, and should be scheduled well in advance.
The Turkish people, as in many other cultures, tend to display favoritism towards other Turkish nationals; therefore, a personal introduction letter from a Turk may be helpful in establishing a first contact. It is also important to conduct business negotiations with the highest-level management individual in your field, since personnel with lower managerial authority may be incapable to decide in particular matters.
Once an appointment has been arranged, the next important step is an introductory meeting. The proper attire is commonly western-style and conservative; men should wear a suit and tie, and women should be in a suit with high heels. Businessmen in Turkey expect punctuality, but can be sympathetic to the common problem of traffic delays. However, strict punctuality must be met if the negotiations involve any government entity. While entering the meeting, is appropriate to say “Gunaydin” (“good morning”), carry plenty of business cards, and make sure to give a card to everyone in the group, including the receptionist. Additionally, the correct pronunciation of Turkish names may be rather challenging, but one should not hesitate to ask for clarifications.
The meeting usually begins with a casual conversation, while enjoying a strong cup of Turkish coffee. Turks have strong patriotic believes, and consider their culture to be very modernized; therefore, it is important to avoid criticisms of past or present cultural conflicts, such as the Kurdish rebellion of 1920 and the Darsim rebellion of 1937. Topics such as work, family, or hobbies are appropriate for such type of casual discussions. It is also important to use both hands in passing things to one another, since the use of only the left hand may be interpreted as an insult to the more conventional Turks. If such mishap inadvertently takes place, a quick apology would most certainly be accepted with no further implications. Furthermore, cigarette smoking is a national passion in Turkey, and any non-smoking remarks may be considered to be offensive to the Turkish culture.llll
