Home

Business Culture in Saudi Arabia

Find out about business culture, protocol, customs and business etiquette in Saudi Arabia. Learn about doing successful business in Saudi Arabia, marketing, corporate structure, negotiating, establishing connections and finding your partner. Receive latest information on Saudi Arabia business organization, manners, building relationship, correspondence and traditions. Get practical tips on meeting protocol, business entertainment, communication, social customs and much more.

Business Customs and Protocol in Saudi Arabia

During an initial meeting with a Saudi counterpart, small talk is necessary before the discussion can progress to business. Keep the conversation general--inquire about health and family but do not pry. It is appropriate to move on to business after tea or coffee is served. The typical business day in Saudi Arabia includes an afternoon break between 1:00 and 4:00 or 5:00 PM, with a resumption of business for another three hours after the break. One negotiating tactic that has proved particularly successful for some US companies involves taking advantage of their Saudi counterpart's daily schedule. Try to get your Saudi counterpart carry through the day and avoid taking the afternoon break. Usually this disrupts the rhythm of their system and places you in an advantageous position for negotiations. ... » » » MORE

Personal respect is very important. This is one of the most important things for foreign business people to work on when visiting Saudi Arabia. Generally speaking if you show respect you too will be respected. For example - getting the names right. It is a good idea to review them with a native speaker to get the pronunciation right. Avoid in your own mind the use of stereotypes. Consider getting on a plane and traveling to Riyadh when it might just be as easy to send a fax or at least use the phone to establish a personal link. Translate key portions of your presentation into Arabic. Do your homework. Learn some of the history of Saudi Arabia. ... » » » MORE

Successful Business Meetings in Saudi Arabia

Upon arrival at the destination, the visitor may confront one of three distinct environments. He might enter a Western-type office, or find himself in the majles milieu, or perhaps even encounter the diwaniyah system (described below). Whatever the approach, the first challenge to the visitor's patience now arises. Appointments tend to be approximate. Hours, perhaps even days, may constitute a normal waiting period. The typical Arab deals first with relatives, then with countrymen, then with foreigners. Modern officials tend to honor dates, but the old priority system surfaces again and again. The Arab is not intentionally putting the visitor off; it is simply that other priorities exist in his mind and in his culture. ... » » » MORE

© BusinessCulture.com