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Business Culturein Turkey

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Population77,804,122 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate1.272% (2010 est.)

Ethnic groupsTurkish 70-75% Kurdish 18% other minorities 7-12%

LanguageTurkish (official) Kurdish, other minority languages

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Brief HistoryCapital cityAnkara

GovernmentParliamentary representative democracy

The largest cityİstanbul

EconomyWorld’s 15th largest GDP and17th largest Nominal GDP also Member of G-20

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Business CultureCurrent conditions zone by zone

RegionsDivided into seven census regions with 81 cities

DifferencesThere are visible differences between the 7 regions in business

East side vs West sideDifferences in business culture

Domestic vs Foreign InvestmentsDrawbacks for the East Side

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Meeting and GreetingDoing Business in Turkey

MeetingShake hands firmly

DepartingPractised occasionally

Business contexMost women will shake hands

AddressingCommon method is to call a man by his first name

Doğukan Yol Doğukan Bey

Elwira Oury Elwira Hanım

Professional TitlesDoctor, Lawyer, Engineer

Lawyer Avukat

Engineer Mühendis

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Initial Meetings

Questions

Football

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EntertainingTurks enjoy food and the meal

HospitalityHost always pays for the meal

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Business EtiquetteDress, Patient, Eye contact

Types of DressTurkish dress is similar to the accepted mode of dress in Western Europe.For men - a suit, tie and white shirt. For women - a skirt of conservative length is recommended.

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Business EtiquetteDress, Patient, Eye contact

Eye ContactDO maintain eye contact with your Turkish counterpart whilst speaking, as Turks take this as a sign of sincerity.

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Business EtiquetteDress, Patient, Eye contact

Be PatientDON’T use deadlines or high pressure tactics during business negotiations with your Turkish colleagues as they will be counterproductive. Be patient during negotiations as decision making can be slow.

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Business EtiquetteDress, Patient, Eye contact

GiftDON’T offer gifs that are too lavish or personal and be sure to check that your Turkish counterparts drink before giving alcohol. The exchanging of gifts is not a predominant feature of Turkish business culture. However, if a gift is given it will be gratefully accepted.

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Business EtiquetteDress, Patient, Eye contact

Schedule of important daysDo not schedule meetings during Ramazan (known in other Muslim countries at Ramadan). This is a month of fasting. Please do not schedule meetings from June-August. Many Turks are away on vacation during this time to spend more time with families.

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Business EtiquetteDress, Patient, Eye contact

Business CardPlease use both hands when exchanging business cards. Print one side in Turkish and one in English. Please have all printed materials available in Turkish and English. Go that extra mile and impress your Turkish colleagues by getting a Turkish Translation of all pertinent documents.

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Business EtiquetteDress, Patient, Eye contact

ShakingUpon initial meeting, shake hands with everyone in the room. Please wait for a woman to offer her hand. Greet the most senior member of the company first.

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Business CultureNegotiation Business in Turkey

Key of Success-Well present purposal-Effective personal relationship

Business is personalFamily owned and run

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Business CultureNegotiation Business in Turkey

Trust

Long term relationship

Feel comfortable

Oral and Visiual CommunicatorsStatistics ProjectionsPresent Information as VocalMaps, Graphs, Charts

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Business CultureNegotiation Business in Turkey

Matters (Not financial benefit)-Power-Influence-Honour-Respect-Other non-monetary incentives

DONT use deadlines or presure tactics as the Turks will use this to their advangate and reserve the tactic by threatining to cancel agreements or end negotiations. Be patient!

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• Burak Güldiker

• Thanks for your patience