Business Etiquette
Twan M. Doan
University of Phoenix

Business Etiquette
About Israel
Israel is perhaps the most fascinating, intriguing and complex country in the world. Geographically tiny, the country’s social, historical, economic and geographical matrix represents a singular association of contrasting attributes unique among the world’s nations and cultures. Snow covered mountains and tropical sea resorts, technology hotbeds and Byzantine churches, socialist-style settlements and free market corporations, Ethiopian traditions and Polish cuisines, BMW's and camels all exist together in a bustling, hyper-energetic, egalitarian, extroverted and impassioned caldron a mere 262 miles long and, in some areas, 10 miles wide.
The powerful Romans regarded ancient Israel as one of their most strategically important locations. Great roads and aqueducts interconnected bustling cities vital to the empire’s financial strength and political stability. For two thousand years, the Crusaders, Ottomans and other world powers regarded this region as crucial for their economic and strategic vitality.
In today’s global environment, modern Israel is once again becoming a vital element in the international strategies of both large and small US businesses. Long considered a critical region, the Near East has transformed into an attractive wellspring of commercial opportunity. As geopolitical change continues to unfold, Israel is rapidly assuming stature as an ideal gateway to vast, largely untapped, and highly lucrative markets.
A highly westernized nation located at the gateway to eastern cultures, Israel is positioned to become a commercial hub for numerous multinational companies. A Mediterranean country with a distinct “Western Suburban” flavor, a friendly, outgoing population, and a mild sun-belt climate, Israel has always been a premier attraction for travelers seeking to experience humanity’s cradle and has lately become the focus for an influx of global corporations seeking to establish a foothold in the region.

Government
Israel is an avid democracy with a Parliamentary government. Israelis are enthusiastic participants in the country’s political process and tend to immerse themselves in each and every political issue du-jour. Political discourse is encouraged and propagated by Israel’s media and savored as a hiatus from the rigors of day to day life and a social pastime among professional colleagues, friends, and relatives. Israel’s Parliament, the Knesset (a biblical term meaning Assemblage) is composed of numerous parties with Liberal, Centrist and Conservative platforms and representing the country’s multiple ethnic and cultural groups including Israel’s 16% Arab population who are Israeli citizens. As in many other democracies, Israelis elect Members of Parliament and majority party coalitions compose the governing cabinet headed by a Prime Minister.
Business Dress
Business dress in Israel is in general Euro-American and usually classified as casual. Non-religious Israelis will tend to be very tolerant and indifferent to attire gaffes. Israeli stores and boutiques carry all the well-known American and European clothing brands and Israel is well known for its globally recognized designers and fashion brands. Israelis expect foreign guests to dress in higher quality, visibly branded items that reflect their own country's standards for high-end business-casual attire.
In the banking, financial, legal and political sectors, day to day men€™s wear is mainly jackets, open collared long sleeve shirts and slacks. Dress for formal events in this environment is mostly jacket and tie and suits are reserved for the most official and high-level venues. Female executives regularly wear designer dresses and pant suits.
In most Israeli business environments outside the above, business attire is much more casual “jackets and ties are reserved for the most formal events. Most Israeli men will wear polo shirts, short or long-sleeved fabric shirts and cotton trousers, and women, dresses and blouse-pant combinations.
Although geographically small, Israel has significant weather variations and visitors should consider where in the country they will be staying and working. Winter weather in the northern and mountainous areas can be cold and blustery and requires coats, sweaters and wool clothing. Sweaters and lighter coats are fine for the milder winters along the coast. Desert nights year round can be cold. Summers along the coast are hot and humid and dictate light business casual attire. Summers in the north and mountains are typically very hot during daytime and rather cool at night “so some heavier wear is required for evening wear.
Foreign visitors who will be interfacing with Israel's religious population should invest time in researching their host’s dress codes. Women in the traditional/religious communities typically wear modest non-revealing clothing with elbow length sleeves and dresses that must extend past knees or even ankles. Men frequently wear dark jackets, white, open-collared long-sleeved shirts, dark slacks and black shoes.
Guests invited to weekend or family oriented events should follow their own leisure-time dress codes. For sightseeing day trips jeans and tennis shoes are fine.
Appointment Alert
In general, Israel is a country with few business protocols. There are almost no unique cultural/behavioral codes governing protocols and social interface during business interactions in Israel. Basically, follow routine western US style conventions paying attention to unique local subtleties.
Dress code is casual unless meeting with top government personnel, high level executives at Israel's top 50 companies, bankers, and prominent lawyers. There are no well-defined guidelines and it is always useful to inquire with local hosts. Business casual is the norm but formal attire can be an effective tool for achieving specific objectives.
Provide an agenda to your hosts, clearly outlining your objectives and timetables. It is always good to reconfirm pre-planned appointments since Israelis tend to multitask according to hurried, tumultuous sometimes diffuse schedules. .
Observe national holidays and routine workday hours. Business hours are typically 8AM to 5PM Sundays through Thursdays. Fridays are typically reserved for private activities such as shopping and family activities but Israelis will accommodate business activities during Friday mornings if necessary. Plan to be on time for scheduled business meetings and activities - transportation can be problematic due to heavy traffic. Being moderately late is common and tolerated but you may forfeit some positional leverage in the process.
Test the language skills of your hosts. Adjust speech flow and content accordingly. In any case use simple sentences and repeat complex ones in several explanatory ways. Do not shy away from asking if something is clearly understood if it involves complexity. Do not use idioms or acronyms - Israelis are notoriously under-equipped to comprehend such language.
Handshaking is routine including with women. Business card exchange is common although Israelis are at times less observant of the protocol. Always provide your business card early on, and courteously request one in return (if important and not offered).
Seating arrangements are not protocol or culture driven.
Dry-marker and chart boards are accepted, commonly present and should be used to the greatest extent. Inquire ahead about other visual aids such as video and presentation projectors that are less commonly used.
Addressing by first names is common and important for creation of a comfortable communicative atmosphere. Shift to a first name basis as soon as situation allows.
Secretaries (usually women "Gatekeepers) are still very predominant. Respect and acknowledge their function and presence.
Refreshments are always an important element in Israeli business hospitality. Let’s discuss this over coffee - a common business framework.
Business gifts are always appreciated. Desktop items and other gadgets are widely available in Israel. Gifts that are distinctly foreign will be appreciated and will serve as testimony to the hosts association with overseas business partners.
Lunch in Israel is usually heavier than in the US. In large companies, lunch is the main daily meal, similar in content to dinner, and may be served in the corporate dining room. Typical Lunch hours are 1 PM to 3 PM.
If you are invited to lunch or dinner - make your preferences known. Israelis are sensitive to their guest’s culinary enjoyment and fulfillment (a Jewish mother syndrome). If you invite Israeli guests to a local restaurant - reciprocate accordingly and if possible, maximize their experience.
Israelis appreciate humor and also closely follow many global current events. Humor, especially reflecting on popular issues (in the US) can be used to your advantage but diligently refrain from word plays that may not be understood and sensitive issues such as race, religion and politics (that have to do with Israel).
Although Israelis are not renowned drinkers, modest alcohol consumption has become somewhat of a status attribute among contemporary Israeli businesspersons. They will enjoy being invited to an American style happy hour at a local bar (few available).
Israelis do not strictly separate between business and pleasure frameworks. Conversation will frequently gravitate towards work issues even during more social occasions, which can be diligently used to achieve communicative and business objectives.
Israelis are proud of their country and routinely offer to accompany their guest on a sightseeing tour or arrange for one to be provided by a professional. The country is small and most tours are short and interesting. Try to accept such offers even if on a tight schedule - your acceptance will be appreciated and valued as a token of your interest in the heritage, history and importance of the land and people. In addition, a joint tour can be an excellent venue for more relaxed business communications.
Thank you letters are very much appreciated by Israelis who view them as Foreign Graciousness. Such letters can be very effective. Business summaries and documentation should be sent separately.