ELSTI Business Training Culture Modules: Enhancing Language Skills, Cultural Understanding, & Business Etiquette

1. www.eurobusinesslanguageskills.net • The portal that offers your students the opportunity to: • acquire new knowledge and improve their proficiency and communication skills in Business Language for English, French, Italian and Spanish; • learn more through the Business Culture Modules about the economic and social environments of 10 European countries (France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom); • boost their motivation through a module on Personal Development and On-line Study Motivation. The ELSTI project has been carried out with the support of the European community. The content of the project does not necessarily reflect the position of the European Community or the Romanian National Agency for Community Programmes in the Field of Education and Vocational. Training , nor does it involve any responsibility on their part.

2. ELS Business Training Culture modules The ELSTI project has been carried out with the support of the European community. The content of the project does not necessarily reflect the position of the European Community or the Romanian National Agency for Community Programmes in the Field of Education and Vocational. Training , nor does it involve any responsibility on their part.

3. Aim of Business Training Culture modules The Business Training Culture modules help the user become aware of differences and degrees of appropriacy in Business Culture across 10 different European countries.

4. Countries in Focus FRANCE NORWAY GERMANY ROMANIA GREECE SLOVAKIA ITALY SPAIN LITHUANIA UNITED KINGDOM Each Business Training Culture module is available in English and in the national language of the country in focus.

5. Structure of the Modules The 10 Business Training Culture modules have a similar structure and consist of 10 units, each focusing on a different aspect.

6. Index • Unit 6 • Negotiating • Unit 7 • Entertaining • Unit 8 • Public behaviour • Unit 9 • Regional differences • Unit 10 • How to start a business in ...... • Unit 1 • Making appointments • Unit 2 • Telephone etiquette • Unit 3 • Receiving clients • Unit 4 • Business dress code • Unit 5 • Addressing others Index of the Business Training Culture modules

7. Unit 1: Making Appoinments (French Business Culture module) Lunch is still an important part of the day for French people, especially in the provinces. Avoid suggesting appointments at 12.00, unless you intend to invite your contact for lunch at the same time! The famous « two-hour lunch-break is gradually disappearing, mainly in the larger towns and cities, but it is still wise to suggest appointments after 2.30 pm, just to be on the safe side. Lunchtime The “Questions” button allows the user to send an e-mail to the course tutor. The “Menu” button allows the user to return to the Course Index.

8. Unit 2: Telephoning (Italian Business Culture module)

9. Unit 3: Receiving clients (Greek Business Culture module) Receiving clients Clients are always greeted with a smile. Receptionists have a graceful appearance, are kind and well mannered, and above all skilled in dealing with difficult situations (e.g. complaints etc). The “Attachments” button allows the user to access a document with additonal information on the topic in focus.

10. Unit 4: Business Dress Code (Lithuanian Business Culture module)

11. Unit 5: Adressing others (Italian Business Culture module)

12. Unit 6: Negotiating (Romanian Business Culture module) Principles and Rules for Negotiation Do not make proposals until you have analysed them in depth. Do not start negotiations before carefully planning your strategy.

13. Unit 7: Entertaining (German Business Culture module)

14. Unit 8: Public Behaviour(British Business Culture module)

15. Unit 9: Regional differences (Spanish Business Culture Module)

16. Unit 10: How to start a business in… (Greek Business Culture module) How to start a business in Greece Starting a business in Greece requires a number of legal documents, but these are not totally different to those in other countries: • Company Regime: Legal framework – Law 2190/1920 for S.A. Companies, Law 378/1968 for shipping Companies, Law 89/1967 for Off-shore companies and Law 3190/1955 for Limited Liability Companies (EPE). • Types of Companies: capital companies (corporations) and personal companies (partnerships).

17. Example of the “More” section in the How to start a business in… unit (Greek Business Culture module) Taxpayer Object of Taxation Foreign companies operating in Greece (in any corporate form) and all foreign organizations The income or profit from a source in Greece, as well as the net profit arising from their permanent establishment and operation in Greece, irrespective of the way in which profits are appropriated. Different criteria apply, however, if there is an agreement for avoidance of double taxation between Greece and the country in which the foreign company is based. Foreign companies and organizations, which are administered from Greece, regardless of whether or not their registered office is located abroad The company’s total income (acquired in Greece and abroad). The net profit realized in Greece by a foreign company, which is permanently established in Greece is calculated after deductions of administration, organization and operating expenses incurred by the company’s registered office, which cannot be in excess of 2% of the gross income realized in Greece. How to start a business in Greece The “Back” button allows the user to return to the main slide

18. Each Business Training Culture modules contains a Final Test where users can test their knowledge of the business environments of the selected European country. Each test consists of multiple choice questions and users can check their answers on completion.

19. Example of the Final Test (British Business Culture module)

20. To access the ELS PORTAL, you must first subscribe to the course/s of your choice by clicking on “Courses” on the right of your own personal homepage (once you have registered and logged on to the portal).

21. For further information, please see the “User Guide” available on your own personal homepage (once you have registered and logged on to the portal).

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