Paris Business Travel Advice - business tips and advice for Paris, France business trips

Paris - Business Tips

Economy

Paris is one of the engines of the global economy. Its economy is diverse and unlike similarly powerful cities, such as Los Angeles or New York, has not yet adopted a specialisation inside the global economy. In population terms, Paris' urban area is approximately only the 20th largest urgan area in the world. Nevertheless, its GDP is the fifth-largest in the world after Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Today it is essentially a service economy, with business and financial services generating nearly half of the Paris Region's GDP. Its manufacturing base has declined since its pre-1970s heyday, generating less than 10% of the region's GDP, though a shift from traditional to high-tech manufacturing coupled with the sheer size of its economy means the Paris Region still remains one of the manufacturing powerhouses of Europe.
Although in terms of population the urban area of Paris is only approximately the 20th largest urban area in the world, its GDP is the fifth-largest in the world after the urban areas of Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Paris Dress Code: Casual but smart clothing outside of business is the norm, with the possible exception of the more exclusive restaurants and hotels, which may stipulate a jacket and tie. For business meetings, both men and women wear suits.

Greeting Someone in Paris: A friendly handshake is the normal greeting for business associates in Paris. It is not customary to use first names unless formalities are mutually disregarded. Visitors are advised to be slightly cautious when addressing women. The decision to use madame, or alternatively mademoiselle, can cause avoidable friction. The very best advice is to keep alert and listen carefully to introductions and follow the example given.

Paris Business Hours and Banking: Both government and commercial offices operate between 09:00 and 17:00. Generally banks in France are open weekdays from 09:30 to 16:30, and some banks are also open on Saturday. Most take a one-hour, or even a 90-minute, lunch break, except for those in central Paris. Banks at the airport and main train stations open as early as 06:30 and close as late as 22:30.

Paris Smoking: Smoking, although more widely accepted in France than in many English-speaking countries, has recently become an issue. Expect to find no-smoking signs in many public places, although most cafés and restaurants will allow smoking in at least part of their premises. The non-smoker may find this difficult, as so many people do smoke. If this is so, their only recourse is to make their feelings known!

Etiquette

A firm and assertive demeanour is required for successful business dealings in Paris. At the first meeting, non-French speakers should apologise for their inability to speak French, and address colleagues with the appropriate Madame, Monsieur, Professeur or Docteur followed by the surname and a handshake. Business cards (preferably in French and English) should be presented. All marketing brochures should be provided in French. Small talk is an essential part of doing business, so it is wise to do a quick refresher on French politics and culture prior to the meeting and not to rush straight to talk of business. Smart, conservative dress is recommended.

Standard business hours are Monday to Friday 08:30/09:00-18:00/19:00. Lunches may last for two hours or more - it is best for one to schedule meetings at 11:00 or 15:00, unless for lunch itself. Business lunches, working dinners and breakfast meetings are common. In recent years, there has been a move away from boozy long lunches towards shorter less indulgent affairs. Conducting business in August (during the Parisian exodus to the south) is nigh on impossible.

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