The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Its history can be traced back to the 9thcentury when it was part of the Great Moravian Empire. In the following centuries, the country experienced several wars and crusades and was under the dominance of different kingdoms and empires.
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The Czech Republic Today
The Republic of Czechoslovakia was formed in 1918 but underwent a nonviolent ‘velvet divorce’ in 1993 separating into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The Czech Republic has a robust democratic tradition, a highly-developed and stable economy and a rich cultural heritage. It attracts tourists to some of the finest Baroque, Art Nouveau and Cubist buildings in Europe. This inspirational nation situated at the crossroads of Central Europe reveals a broad spectrum of cultural, religious and political influences. These influences have created a rich culture that has contributed to every aspect of modern day Czech life.
Czech Culture – Key Concepts and Values
Indirect communication – One of the most underlying and inherent features of the Czech culture is their polite and humble approach to life. Czechs are both formal and indirect in their communication. This is also reflected in the distinction made between formal and informal language use. During business dealings a direct ‘no’ will often be replaced by an expression such as ‘it might be difficult’ in order to avoid confrontation and maintain a certain level of politeness.
Family – The family unit is the focal point of the Czech social structure and as such, family ties are closer and deeply rooted. A Czech’s highest priority is essentially an obligation to the family so despite being a hardworking nation, family always comes before work in the Czech Republic.
Uncertainty Avoidance – This relates to the level of tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity within a society. Overall, the Czech Republic has a low tolerance for unstructured situations. As a result, the Czechs are likely to adhere to rules and regulations and allow for careful planning in order to reduce the amount of uncertainty.
Doing Business in The Czech Republic
The collapse of Soviet authority in 1989 brought an end to this nation’s turbulent political history, establishing democracy in Czechoslovakia. Since the separation of the Czech and Slovak Republics in 1993, the Czech Republic has moved closer towards western-style models of political and economic reform, showing a constant upward trend. Today the Czech Republic is one of the most affluent of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Its export earnings mainly come from the automotive industry and suppliers. The Czech Republic’s accession to the EU in 2004 combined with its Central European location gives the country further potential for expanded markets and an ideal environment for foreign trade and business investment opportunities.
Czech business Part 1 - Working in the Czech Republic: Working practices in the Czech Republic
Structure and hierarchy in Czech companies
Working relationships in the Czech Republic
Czech business Part 2 - Doing business in the Czech Republic: Business practices in the Czech Republic
Business etiquette (Do’s and Don’ts)
DO expect to participate in some form of small talk and introductory conversation before entering into business discussions with your Czech colleagues.
DO try to distinguish between formal and informal language and situations that will allow you to select appropriate forms of address and greetings.
DO respect your Czech counterpart’s sense of personal space. Close personal contact with business acquaintances is frowned upon and should be avoided at all times.
DON’T interrupt or raise the level of your voice during business discussions with your Czech colleagues as this behaviour may be perceived as distracting or rude.
DON’T be surprised if your Czech counterparts ask you about your personal earnings. This is still an acceptable enquiry of strangers in the Czech Republic.
Czech Culture Quiz – true or false
1. When invited by your Czech host to dinner, it is customary to take flowers. An odd number of flowers should always be given, but not 13 as this is considered unlucky.
2. It is quite common to strike up a conversation with a stranger in the Czech Republic.
3. If, during business discussions, your Czech counterpart lowers their eyes and becomes silent, this is a sign that they are listening and considering what is being said.
4. If you enter a Czech home, be sure to remove your shoes as Czechs value cleanliness in their private environment.
5. Czechs celebrate what is known as a ‘name day’.
Czech Culture Quiz – Answers
1. True.
2. False. Initiating contact with strangers, even smiling, may be perceived as a genuine sign of affection or an invasion of a Czech’s personal boundaries.
3. False. This non-verbal communication relays a sense of discomfort with the situation or what has been said.
4. True.
5. True. Czechs celebrate both name days and birthdays. Each day in the year is assigned a Czech name, a greeting is then expected: ‘Vse nejlepsi k svatku’ (happy name day). Children are given small gifts.
The Czech Republic Today
The Republic of Czechoslovakia was formed in 1918 but underwent a nonviolent ‘velvet divorce’ in 1993 separating into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
The Czech Republic has a robust democratic tradition, a highly-developed and stable economy and a rich cultural heritage. It attracts tourists to some of the finest Baroque, Art Nouveau and Cubist buildings in Europe. This inspirational nation situated at the crossroads of Central Europe reveals a broad spectrum of cultural, religious and political influences. These influences have created a rich culture that has contributed to every aspect of modern day Czech life.
Czech Culture – Key Concepts and Values
Indirect communication – One of the most underlying and inherent features of the Czech culture is their polite and humble approach to life. Czechs are both formal and indirect in their communication. This is also reflected in the distinction made between formal and informal language use. During business dealings a direct ‘no’ will often be replaced by an expression such as ‘it might be difficult’ in order to avoid confrontation and maintain a certain level of politeness.
Family – The family unit is the focal point of the Czech social structure and as such, family ties are closer and deeply rooted. A Czech’s highest priority is essentially an obligation to the family so despite being a hardworking nation, family always comes before work in the Czech Republic.
Uncertainty Avoidance – This relates to the level of tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity within a society. Overall, the Czech Republic has a low tolerance for unstructured situations. As a result, the Czechs are likely to adhere to rules and regulations and allow for careful planning in order to reduce the amount of uncertainty.
Doing Business in The Czech Republic
The collapse of Soviet authority in 1989 brought an end to this nation’s turbulent political history, establishing democracy in Czechoslovakia. Since the separation of the Czech and Slovak Republics in 1993, the Czech Republic has moved closer towards western-style models of political and economic reform, showing a constant upward trend. Today the Czech Republic is one of the most affluent of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Its export earnings mainly come from the automotive industry and suppliers. The Czech Republic’s accession to the EU in 2004 combined with its Central European location gives the country further potential for expanded markets and an ideal environment for foreign trade and business investment opportunities.
Czech business Part 1 - Working in the Czech Republic: Working practices in the Czech Republic
Structure and hierarchy in Czech companies
Working relationships in the Czech Republic
Czech business Part 2 - Doing business in the Czech Republic: Business practices in the Czech Republic
Business etiquette (Do’s and Don’ts)
DO expect to participate in some form of small talk and introductory conversation before entering into business discussions with your Czech colleagues.
DO try to distinguish between formal and informal language and situations that will allow you to select appropriate forms of address and greetings.
DO respect your Czech counterpart’s sense of personal space. Close personal contact with business acquaintances is frowned upon and should be avoided at all times.
DON’T interrupt or raise the level of your voice during business discussions with your Czech colleagues as this behaviour may be perceived as distracting or rude.
DON’T be surprised if your Czech counterparts ask you about your personal earnings. This is still an acceptable enquiry of strangers in the Czech Republic.
Czech Culture Quiz – true or false
1. When invited by your Czech host to dinner, it is customary to take flowers. An odd number of flowers should always be given, but not 13 as this is considered unlucky.
2. It is quite common to strike up a conversation with a stranger in the Czech Republic.
3. If, during business discussions, your Czech counterpart lowers their eyes and becomes silent, this is a sign that they are listening and considering what is being said.
4. If you enter a Czech home, be sure to remove your shoes as Czechs value cleanliness in their private environment.
5. Czechs celebrate what is known as a ‘name day’.
Czech Culture Quiz – Answers
1. True.
2. False. Initiating contact with strangers, even smiling, may be perceived as a genuine sign of affection or an invasion of a Czech’s personal boundaries.
3. False. This non-verbal communication relays a sense of discomfort with the situation or what has been said.
4. True.
5. True. Czechs celebrate both name days and birthdays. Each day in the year is assigned a Czech name, a greeting is then expected: ‘Vse nejlepsi k svatku’ (happy name day). Children are given small gifts.