Global Markets

Mayrik have established security and commercial partners in many countries where cultural and business etiquette is critical to the development and success of business deal's, in order to help our clients progress their business opportunities we would like to share the information below with you, please click on the map points highlighted for an insight into the business etiquette of the countries we and our partners, have experience in.

Mayrik, helping our clients by understanding the differences and bridging the gaps

Poland

Introduction

Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived around the middle of the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century. During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry and internal disorders weakened the nation.

In a series of agreements between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland amongst themselves. Poland regained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state following the war, but its government was comparatively tolerant and progressive.

Labour turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, but Poland currently suffers low GDP growth and high unemployment. Solidarity suffered a major defeat in the 2001 parliamentary elections when it failed to elect a single deputy to the lower house of Parliament, and the new leaders of the Solidarity Trade Union subsequently pledged to reduce the Trade Union's political role.

Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004.

Religion

Religion in Poland has changed throughout centuries of history, currently most Poles, by far; adhere to the Christian faith, with about 88% belonging to the Roman Catholic Church (according to the official state statistics for year 2006).

Catholicism plays an important role in the lives of many Poles and the Roman Catholic Church in Poland enjoys immense social prestige and political influence. Nonetheless, the church is widely respected by both believers and nonbelievers, who see it as a symbol of Polish heritage and culture.

The rest of the population consists mainly of Eastern Orthodox (about 506 000), Jehovah's Witnesses (about 220 000) and various Protestant (about 159 000, with about 76 000 in the largest Evangelical-Augsburg Church in Poland) religious minorities.

Cultural Awareness

Cultural awareness or cultural knowledge is becoming increasingly important in today's global economy. The sentiment that because the "world is getting smaller" our differences are becoming less obvious is recognised as flawed. As people interact and do business across cultural boundaries more often, cross cultural differences become more acute.
Businesses now accept that equipping people with the appropriate cultural awareness can and does impact business operations positively. This guide to doing business in Poland offers a taste of some of the information a cultural awareness briefing would provide.
In this guide we provide some very basic tips for people doing business in Poland. It is important to bear in mind that all we offer are generalisation of Polish culture and society and do not in any way mean to stereotype the Polish people.

Meeting & Greeting:

When doing business in Poland a firm handshake with good eye contact is important when meeting. If meeting or departing from a group ensure each individual is addressed separately rather than a wave for the group. It is polite to wait for women to extend her hand upon initial meetings.
Poland is a rather formal and hierarchical culture. As a result first names are rarely used initially in the business context. Address people with Pan (Mr.) and Pani (Mrs.) plus the surname. If a relationship warms up to the degree where first names can be used, always await the other party to signal that this is the case.

Communication:

Before doing business in Poland note that it is very much a relationship driven culture. Sincere trust does not usually extend beyond the family circles. The family or the relationship will usually take precedence over work, rules and decisions. Therefore the key to success in the country relies on a strong relationship based on mutual benefit and trust.
Relationship building may be done over food. Never talk business at such occasion unless it is brought up by the other party. This time should be used to get to know your counterpart better and vice-versa. When invited to a restaurant, the host usually pays the bill; however, it is also polite for the guest to offer. If you plan on being the host speak with the manager or headwaiter and explain that you, and only you, will be paying the bill.

Meetings & Negotiations:

Presentations should be a blend of well organised information backed with statistics and case studies plus a feel-good factor relating to you as a person, your experience and the proposed relationship. This is because Poles make decisions not only based on evidence but also on their own experience, beliefs and sense of right and wrong.
Due to the hierarchical nature of business it will be obvious if the meeting you are in is for exploration or finalisation. If the decision makers are present in a meeting then decisions can be made; otherwise, the meeting will be considered for information sharing and discussion.