MINDING YOUR BUSINESS - CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette - page 320

OFFFICE SPACE
Offices may be rented or purchased as a leasehold. If you
purchase office space, be sure to select an appropriate notaire .
Whether buying or renting, use a commercial, rather than
Do's and Don'ts in Business Situations
Do make an effort to understand how the French
culture and way of life differ from your own.
Read as much as you can before you make your
business contacts.
Do make an effort to speak French, at whatever
level you can. Without fluency in French, you will
be at a disadvantage next to your EU colleagues
and competitors.
Do learn how the French do business, for it may be
very different from the business customs of your home
country. Hierarchical structures persist, and the French
are formal, legalistic and extremely courteous in their
business dealings.
Do your homework. Find out all particulars about the
companies you wish to deal with and write or call the
appropriate contacts before arriving in Paris to set up
meetings; confirm these meetings one day ahead.
Do write all initial letters in French. If that is not
possible, have someone translate them for you.
Also, acknowledge all letters promptly and follow
up a meeting with a letter, whether mailed, faxed or
emailed, as appropriate.
Do ensure that presentation materials are in French.
If your French is not adequate, bring an interpreter to
initial meetings or presentations.
Do arrive on time for a business meeting. Remember
that France uses the 24-hour clock. Thus, your
business meeting set for 15h is at 3:00 pm.
Do be formal in initial greetings (by letter, telephone
or a face-to-face meeting), use the appropriate titles
when addressing business partners.