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Business Culture in Denmark

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

Doing Business in Denmark

As with other deal-oriented cultures, an introduction can be helpful but is not necessary. Danes are relatively open to dealing with foreigners. For example, one U.S. exporter of telecommunications equipment contacted five potential Danish distributors directly by fax and met with one of them the next week near Copenhagen. The two companies reached agreement a few weeks later, whereupon the Danes placed their initial order. In contrast, the same U.S. company required two years of correspondence and meetings to make its first sale with the relationship-focused Japanese. ... » » » MORE

When meeting your partner for the first time, you are not expected to bring a gift. Making a good impression in Denmark does not depend on gifts and this is especially true at a first meeting. Danes will judge you by your seriousness, directness, and stubbornness. Your first visit may include meeting several people from the company. Usually, one will stand out as being your liaison and you will meet with him or her on your next visit. This second visit will be less formal and it is appropriate to bring a small gift as a token of your budding business relationship. A bottle of wine would likely be appreciated as alcohol is highly taxed in Denmark. It is best to inquire discreetly beforehand about your counterpart's taste. In general, business gifts should not be too lavish or your counterpart may think you are offering a bribe. This is considered a "Southern European habit" and is frowned upon. ... » » » MORE

Business Customs and Protocol in Denmark

In Denmark it is not necessary to show special deference or overt respect to people of high status. Danes tend to address each other informally and often dress relatively informally even for business meetings. In Copenhagen it is common for male taxi passengers to sit in the front seat next to the driver -- an interesting example of the egalitarian spirit of Denmark. Visitors encounter relatively few etiquette rituals in Denmark whereas more formal, hierarchical societies value rituals as ways to ease interaction between strangers and to show appropriate respect to high-status persons. A Rigid-Time Business Culture ... » » » MORE

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