Linnea Bevan

BUS 302, Professor Hoang
Sweden

[Linnea Bevan @BevanLinnea]

@NedaSohrabi1 @Professor_Hoang Very interesting. Lunch is the most common mealtime during which to conduct business negotiations in Sweden. Lunchtime is between 11.30 am and 1.30 pm and the Swedes do not like spending more than one hour for lunch. Similarly in Sweden, alcohol is seldom consumed during lunch.

[Linnea Bevan @BevanLinnea]

#BUS302 @Professor_Hoang

[Linnea Bevan @BevanLinnea]

The Swedes tend towards modesty. They even have a term for downplaying one’s individual accomplishments: jantelagen. Bragging about past accomplishments is seen as short-sighted and self-absorbed. When giving speeches, always make sure to acknowledge everyone’s accomplishments.

[Linnea Bevan @BevanLinnea]

@BriannaGiuntoli In Sweden, when eating at someone’s home it is polite to try everything served. When a person has finished their meal, it is etiquette to place the knife and fork side by side at 5:25 position, on the plate.

[Linnea Bevan @BevanLinnea]

@BriannaGiuntoli @Professor_Hoang Interesting! When out for dinner or entertainment in Sweden it is common to have toasts. Until the host has given a toast it is not at all polite to take a drink. It is respectful to look into the eyes of the person being toasted and to say, ‘skohl’.

[Linnea Bevan @BevanLinnea]

The Consensus Process, in Swedish this is called förankringsprocessen. If Swedes mention the word ‘process’ you better not be in a hurry. There’s a process for everything which means everybody is involved in everything. The Swedes meetings are short but many!

[Linnea Bevan @BevanLinnea]

@katiemorita1 @Professor_Hoang Wow, that is interesting! In Sweden, even though people dress casually to work, people would prefer wearing closed toe shoes.

[Linnea Bevan @BevanLinnea]

Sweden is one of the European countries where a casual dress code is the most popular in the work place. However, for business appointments you should dress more conservatively. Swedes value quality and that is also true when it comes to clothes.

[Linnea Bevan @BevanLinnea]

@LambSaskia Similarly, in Sweden conflicts are resolved by compromise and negotiation and Swedes are known for their long discussions until consensus has been reached.

[Linnea Bevan @BevanLinnea]

@katiemorita1 @Professor_Hoang In Sweden, punctuality is so important. Especially when doing business and making social engagements. However, it would be interesting to see if punctuality is also important to Australians. Do you show up right on the dot?

[Linnea Bevan @BevanLinnea]

Sweden, is an Individualist society. The employer/employee relationship is a contract based on mutual advantage, hiring and promotion decisions are supposed to be based on merit only, management is the management of individuals. #BUS302 @Professor_Hoang

[Linnea Bevan @BevanLinnea]

The number of temporary workers in Sweden is very high. Swedes that are temporarily employed find it very challenging to move on to permanent employment. Most people on temporary contracts are young people, foreigners and those working in the service industries.

[Linnea Bevan @BevanLinnea]

In Sweden, punctuality is very important both when doing business and making social engagements. You should never be late. If you must be late for any reason it is polite to phone and let someone know. Being late is seen as poor etiquette.

[Linnea Bevan @BevanLinnea]

#BUS302 @Professor_Hoang

[Linnea Bevan @BevanLinnea]

Swedish leadership is democratic, with delegation and trust as central themes. The team approach in Sweden very much puts the boss at the same levels as everyone else, and leadership is adapted accordingly. We like consensus, sometimes so much we delay making the decision.