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Average wages in European countries
This is a map and list of countries containing monthly (annual divided by 12 months) gross and net income (after taxes) average wages in Europe in their local currency and in euros. The chart below reflects the average (mean) wage as reported by various data providers…
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The length of December 22 day in different cities of the world
The following tables contain information on the length of the day on the winter solstice of the Northern Hemisphere and the summer solstice of the Southern Hemisphere (i.e. December solstice). The data was collected from the website of the Finnish Meteorological Institute…
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List of countries by population in 2012
This is a list of countries by population. The list includes independent
countries and inhabited dependent territories based on the ISO standard
ISO 3166-1. Also given in percent is each country's population compared
to the population of the world, which according to the United States
Census Bureau population clock is estimated at 7.055 billion…
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the full article…
How to do business in Australia
With strong economic power, various ethnic groups, and cultural
diversity, Australia is attractive to foreign businesses. However,
Australia has many social and cultural differences when compared
to the United States. Be prepared before pursuing business relationships
in Australia…
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the full article…
How
to do Business in South Africa
Are you currently doing business in South Africa,
or are you planning to in the near future? Consider this…
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the full article…
How
to do business in Thailand
Are you currently doing business in Thailand,
or planning to in the near future? Consider this…
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the full article…
How
to do business in India
India’s professional landscape has changed drastically
in the last two decades due in part to the technology boom, the
film industry, and tourism. Though the decision-making process for
many businesses has sped up, traditional in-person meetings, networking
events, and taking the time to develop relationships continue to
boast higher levels of success…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Spain
Currently doing business in Spain, or plan to in the near future?
Consider this.
- Spanish is the world's second most spoken language.
- Spain has an incredible tourist industry as one of the top 5 most
visited countries in the world. In 2007, there were nearly 60 million
foreign visitors…
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the full article…
Libya:
History, facts, and culture
Libya, with the name and borders we know today, only came into being
in the twentieth century, but this area of North Africa has been
a crossroads of civilization for thousands of years. The earliest
inhabitants are believed to have been nomadic Berber tribes. The
seafaring Phoenicians established trading relations with the Berbers
and other peoples in the area and exported goods such as olive oil,
ivory, animals, and wine to the rest of the Mediterranean and Africa…
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the full article…
Germany:
History, government, and culture
Germanic and Celtic tribes, hailing originally from Russia, were
living in the region now known as Germany by 1000 BC. These tribes
were continually at war with the Romans. In AD 400, a group called
the Franks defeated the Romans…
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the full article…
Brazilian
Business Practices
Brazilians do business through personal relationships. If you want
to do business in Brazil, you must first reach out to an appropriate
Brazilian contact within your industry to introduce you to the right
people. A great place to start is through the U.S. Department of
Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce in Brazil…
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the full article…
Japan:
History, facts, and culture
In the mid-nineteenth century, following two decades of stability
and isolation from foreign influence, Japan opened its ports and
began to swiftly modernize and industrialize. Over the next hundred
years, Japan became one of the world’s most technologically and
militarily advanced countries, taking on the forces of both China
and Russia…
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the full article…
Countries
by credit rating
This is a list of countries by credit rating, showing
long-term sovereign credit ratings as reported by the three major
credit rating agencies: Standard & Poor's, Fitch and Moody's…
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the full article…
Agop
Hacikyan's A Summer without Dawn
A flock without its shepherd, lost and struck down... Invisible
but violent surges shake the miserable history of the life of my
people. The callous hunters have caught the defenseless fish in
their net. The atmosphere is filled with poison. There is no escape.
Destruction, horror, and violence on the one hand, and indifference
and dirty hearts on the other hand...Our bodies have rotted, our
souls desecrated, life is coated with corpses...". This is how the
prominent Armenian composer and musicologist…
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the full article…
My
flat in Prague
I originally wrote this page as part of my first lingering efforts
to get out of Prague. It was a blast the first eight years, but
slowly the village mentality started creeping in and gossip seemed
to increasingly abound like moldy mushrooms after a rainy day. Not
only the expats seemed to change, but the locals as well, who underwent
an interesting transition from communism to capitalism as I wrote
about in my reflections of the Czech Republic…
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the full article…
Traveling
through Bulgaria
So, I guess you might already know this, but I'm officially on my
first trip this year and second trip with Misha. We were trying
to figure out where to go while fitting into my tight expense limitations.
We were originally talking a lot about going to Portugal. We both
knew people there and it looked promising, since we could stay places
for free and people would suggest things to do…
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the full article…
Czech
Republic: My Reflections
When I first came to the Czech Republic, things felt exciting. I
imagined that the conversion from communism to capitalism was like
turning over one of those glass balls so that it looks like snow
is falling on a village. Everything was overturned, things were
changing very fast, and everyone seemed to be filled with hope.
Even those who came from abroad and who felt hope in developing
a successful business here. It was often compared to Paris after
the second world war, when the inflow of American money helped create
a robust and joyful atmosphere…
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the full article…
Poland
Here are a few interesting facts about Poland.
1. The population of Poland is 39 million people.
2. The six biggest cities in Poland are Warsaw, Lodz, Krakow, Wroclaw,
Poznan, and Gdansk…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Poland
Established as an independent nation in the
middle of the 10th century, Poland reached its political and military
zenith in the 16th before internal fighting combined with external
influence provoked its partition. Poland briefly regained its independence
in 1918 only to see it lost again following the invasion by German
and Soviet troops in 1939…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Turkey
Turkey is strategically positioned at the crossroads
of Europe, Asia and the Middle East and the U.S. is Turkey’s fourth
largest trading partner…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Sweden
Sweden is a predominantly middle class country
with one of the most far-reaching social security systems in the
world. Patriotism is important to Swedes, who are very proud of
their nation, towns and regions…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Norway
Olga Pechnenko Kopp, our Oil and Gas accounts
manager, briefly interviewed one of her clients for some current
takeaways for anyone wanting to do business in Norway, from an Oil
and Gas industry perspective. This is followed by more in-depth
information about the Oil and Gas industry in Norway, and then we
wrap things up with our usual brief notes on business cultural etiquette…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Estonia
Tallinn (recent historical name: Reval) is the
capital city and main seaport of Estonia. It is located on Estonia’s
north coast to the Baltic Sea, 80 kilometres south of Helsinki…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
In February of this year, President Bush faced
a storm of criticism over a decision to let a subsidiary of United
Arab Emirates (UAE) government-controlled maritime management firm
Dubai Ports World run ports in several U.S. cities…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Chile
Chileans are very nationalistic and are proud
of their country, as well as of their literacy — the 95% rate puts
them among the best educated in the world. Predominantly Roman Catholic
(89%), family is the primary structure of society…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Austria
Austrians are proud of their contributions to
world civilization. They see themselves as modern, liberal and cultured.
Austrians have a great love for the outdoors (i.e., walking, skiing,
climbing, etc.)…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Belgium
Belgium is comprised of two primary cultural
groups. The Dutch-speaking Flemings live in Flanders, in the north,
and make up 55% of the population. The French-speaking Walloons
live in Wallonia, in the south, and make up 33% of the population…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Luxembourg
Luxembourgers cherish their independence and
separate identity in Europe. Modesty, friendship and strong national
pride are valued. They enjoy a slower pace of life than most of
northern Europe. Family is very important. Parents influence every
aspect of their children’s lives; however, this is weakening as
more young people leave the country to study/work abroad…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Greece
Families are very important in Greece. Elders
are highly respected, and children care for their elderly parents.
Children are disciplined firmly, but parents (even those who are
poor) spend a great deal of their income on feeding, clothing and
educating their children…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Philippines
Filipinos are casual, fun loving, sensitive
and hospitable people. Personal and family honor are stressed, as
well as dignity and pride. Education is highly valued and families
make great sacrifices to educate their children. Hiya (shame) is
instilled in Filipinos at an early age. To be shamed is the greatest
form of disgrace…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is very sophisticated and cosmopolitan,
blending the cultures of Asia and Europe. Its people are highly
educated, very motivated and westernized. Hong Kong is 98% Chinese
(Cantonese), but the people view themselves as different from other
Chinese. Cantonese habits and customs are dominant…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in the USA
Throughout most of its history, the United States
has had influxes of immigration. The ethnic mix is 83% white (generally
of European descent, but also from the Middle East and Latin America),
12% African-American, 3% Asian and about 1% Native American. Today
the biggest immigrant groups are from Latin countries…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Portugal
Portugal is a self-styled country comprised
of generally reserved and understated people. The Portuguese are
traditional and conservative. People do not quickly embrace change
and innovation. The Catholic Church has a strong influence on people’s
lives…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Malaysia
Malays are proud of their country, their ancestral
background and their economic success. Ethnic tensions exist between
Malays (60%) and Chinese (31%) over preferential quotas. Chinese
feel these policies make them second-class citizens; Malays support
these policies, which they feel are their only way to overcome traditional
dominance…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Turkey
Turks are extremely patriotic. They are proud
of their ancestors and of the achievements of their modern society.
The family is the most important social unit. Each person is dependent
upon and loyal to the family. Rural life is still traditional, but
in cities women frequently work outside the home…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Switzerland
The Swiss value cleanliness, honesty, hard work,
and material possessions. Motto: “Unity, yes; Uniformity, no.” They
are very proud of their environment and have a long tradition of
freedom. They value sobriety, thrift, tolerance, punctuality and
a sense of responsibility. They are very proud of their neutrality
and promotion of worldwide peace. The Swiss have a deep-rooted respect
for saving and the material wealth it brings…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Australia
Home to nearly five million immigrants from
160 countries, Australia is rich in cultural diversity. Australians,
or “Aussies,” enjoy an easy-going lifestyle and are generally friendly
and relaxed. Modesty and equality are valued…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Ireland
The Irish are interested in people and place
great value on the individual. They are naturally courteous, quick-witted
and will go out of their way to welcome visitors to their country.
Don’t rush the Irish. Although they work very hard, the Irish are
dedicated to a less stressful lifestyle that allows time for friends
and family, a visit to the pub, a cup of tea, or just a bit of a
chat on the corner…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Germany
Germans value order, privacy and punctuality.
They are thrifty, hard working and industrious. Germans respect
perfectionism in all areas of business and private life. In Germany,
there is a sense of community and social conscience and strong desire
for belonging…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Finland
Loyalty, reliability, self-sufficiency and independence
are highly valued. Finns are proud of their heritage and current
society (they are leaders in peace conferences and international
peace initiatives). They enjoy nature and proudly protect their
environment, which is one of the cleanest in the world…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in United Kingdom
Four countries make up the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland—England, Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland. Residents of any of these countries may be called
“British.” Use “English,” “Scot” or “Scotsman,” “Welsh” and “Irish”
or “Northern Irish” only when certain of a person’s heritage…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in South Korea
South Korea is a strong economic power with
a huge global presence. Koreans in the business sector are often
highly educated in Western customs and traditions, but continue
to uphold their own nation’s strong conservative and traditional
values, so don’t overestimate their tolerance and understanding
of Western culture…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Korea
Korea is one of the most homogeneous countries
in the world, racially and linguistically. It has its own culture,
language, dress and cuisine, separate and distinct from its neighboring
countries. Hard work, filial piety and modesty are characteristics
esteemed by Koreans…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Argentina
Argentines are very proud of their country and
culture. They are well-educated and sophisticated and like to be
viewed as cosmopolitan and progressive. Because 85% of Argentina’s
population hails from Italy, Spain, Austria, France, Germany, Great
Britain, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Poland and the Middle East,
Argentines tend to identify with Europeans…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Italy
Long a world-renowned destination for tourists,
Italy also holds abundant opportunities for business travelers.
However, it also has many social and workplace customs that are
quite different than what you find in the United States. By highlighting
some of these key differences, let's look at ways to prepare you
for your next Italian business trip…
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the full article…
Spotlight
on Italy
Cultural achievement is Italy’s greatest source
of pride. Inventiveness, imagination, intelligence and education
are prized. Personal relations are scrupulously maintained with
loyalty highly valued, especially in families…
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the full article…
Czech
Culture
The Czech Republic is an incredibly beautiful
country with a rich history, fascinating people and an abundance
of business opportunities. Yet the country remains relatively obscure
and unknown to Americans, many of whom still call it “Czechoslovakia.”…
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the full article…
Spotlight
on Canada
The vast majority of Canadians claim European
ancestry. Four in nine Canadians claim some British ancestry and
a little less than one in three have some French ancestry. Eighty
percent of the residents in Quebec have French ancestry. Eighty
percent of native French speakers live in Quebec…
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the full article…
Spotlight
on India
India is one of the most diverse countries in
the world. It is a sophisticated, modern, industrial leader that
is home to many primitive tribes and millions of poor people. Religion
and language separate people. The caste system limits social mobility
(600,000 people belong to the lowest caste). Because of disparities
in distribution of wealth, a wide gap separates the few wealthy
from the many poor…
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the full article…
Country
Profile - Taiwan
The people of Taiwan value hard work, patience,
humility, friendliness and respect for others. They are highly motivated
and centered around the extended family, their most important economic
resource. They dislike loud, showy and unrefined behavior. Bringing
shame on anyone ("loss of face") brings shame to the entire
family…
Read
the full article…
Country
Profile - The Netherlands
The Dutch society is egalitarian and modern.
The people are modest, tolerant, independent, self-reliant, and
entrepreneurial. They value education, hard work, ambition and ability.
The Dutch have an aversion to the nonessential. Ostentatious behavior
is to be avoided. Accumulating money is fine, but spending money
is considered something of a vice…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Singapore
Singapore is a conglomeration of Chinese (76%),
Malay (15%) and Indian (6%) cultures. In the past, this racial mixture
has led to some conflict. However, today most Singaporeans enjoy
racial harmony and national unity. Each group works hard to maintain
its cultural traditions while building a modern, cohesive society…
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the full article…
Country
Profile - France
The French adhere to a strong and homogeneous
set of values. They cherish their culture, history, language and
cuisine, which is considered an art. The French have been and are
today world leaders in fashion, food, wine, art and architecture.
They embrace novelty, new ideas and manners with enthusiasm as long
as they are elegant…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Brazil
Brazilians are friendly and free-spirited, with
an incredible zest for life. They are very risk-oriented and very
creative. Predominantly Roman Catholic (73%), families are large
and often include extended family members. Family, educational and
socioeconomic backgrounds are important to Brazilians…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Russia
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia
languished through several years of chaos and unrest. It has now
emerged as an economic and political powerhouse, a powerhouse full
of opportunity for foreign investors and companies…
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the full article…
Country
Profile: Russia
Russia has had a long history of totalitarianism,
which has resulted in a rather fatalistic approach to living. The
desire to work individually under personal initiative was suppressed
by the Czarist and Communist states…
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the full article…
Ten
things you didn't know about China
In 2005, Chery (its English translation should
have been “Cheery” but there was a mistake in the translation process
and it was decided by the company to not correct the error) was
upgraded to ISO/TS 16949:2002 production quality, the highest and
strictest quality control system in the global auto industry…
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the full article…
Learning
how to negotiate with the Chinese
Whenever a client of ours comes back from their
first trip to China to negotiate a deal I always ask “Did you remember
not to say when you were returning?”
The three pillars of successful negotiating are: time, power, and
knowledge. You can make a better deal for yourself if you have all
three in your favor. The only thing I can really help a client with
is knowledge…
Read
the full article…
Going
local in China
Clientside News recently interviewed Shinichi
Kojima, Country Manager of TOIN China, to get an insider’s perspective
on how China and the general emergence of Asia is impacting the
localization industry…
Read
the full article…
How
to Do Business in China, Article 1
Two things commonly considered when doing business in China are
that it is a hierarchical system and that Internet use is not as
widespread as it is in other areas of the world. But do you know
why? The hierarchical system stems from the teachings of Confucius.
Though China’s government encourages atheism, its constitution guarantees
religious freedom…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in China, Article 2
Are you currently doing business in China, or are you planning to in the near future? Consider this…
Read
the full article…
China
Deeply rooted in Chinese society is the need
to belong and conform to a unit, whether the family, a political
party or an organization. The family is the focus of life for most
Chinese. Age and rank are highly respected. However, to the dismay
of older people, today's young people are rapidly modernizing,
wearing blue jeans and sunglasses, drinking Coke and driving motorbikes…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Indonesia
Indonesia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
for 2006 was US$364 billion (US$960 bn PPP). In 2006, nominal per
capita GDP was US$1,640, and per capita GDP PPP was US$4,752 (International
Dollars). The services sector is the economy’s largest and
accounts for 45.3% of GDP (2005). This is followed by industry (40.7%)
and agriculture (14.0%). However, agriculture employs more people
than other sectors…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Sweden and Finland
The four major Scandinavian languages - Danish,
Swedish, Norwegian and Icelandic - are closely related.
Finnish, on the other hand, is not a Germanic language, and is completely
different from the others. While a Swede and a Dane often understand
each other fairly well in a conversation, neither of them would
understand Finnish…
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the full article…
Spotlight
On Japan
Japan is a highly structured and traditional
society. Great importance is placed on loyalty, politeness, personal
responsibility and on everyone working together for the good of
the larger group. Education, ambition, hard work, patience and determination
are held in the highest regard. The crime rate is one of the lowest
in the world…
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the full article…
How
to Do Business in Mexico
There are plenty of great business opportunities with our neighbors
to the south, but there are also plenty of potential pitfalls, not
to mention lots of cultural differences between the USA and Mexico…
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the full article…
Spotlight
on Mexico
Mexico is a very class-conscious society where
social stratifications are well-defined. Upper class Mexicans will
not dirty their hands with tasks they find beneath them. A sense
of fatalism is quite strong among many Mexicans, who feel that their
path through life is largely preordained. Macho attitudes are inculcated
in Mexican males almost from birth, and machismo plays a pervasive
role in shaping Mexican culture…
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the full article…
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