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Business Etiquette
A common characteristic of business organisations in Australia is a non-hierarchical egalitarian culture. Status is not automatically ascribed to someone based on their title or stature, but instead gained through achievement. It is therefore important to ensure that you treat everyone equally regardless of their position.
Australians are generally warm, friendly and open and have a much less formal approach to business interactions perhaps than most of their international counterparts. First names are generally used in all business situations however you should address your Australian counterparts by their surname and title upon your initial meeting. Humour is very much welcomed and is commonly used by Australians in business situations, even at what might seem an inappropriate time. It is important to forge personal relationships with those you are conducting business with to build good rapport.
In terms of communication Australians can be very direct and matter of fact. Australians expect people to say what they mean in a literal sense and appreciate brevity. They do not like too much detail or inflated sales pitches. Debate and open discussion is encouraged in business meetings and you will generally find that Australians are very receptive to new ideas and opinions.
Punctuality is very important for business meetings in Australia. Handshakes upon meeting should be firm and quick and you should also shake hands at the end of a meeting. Do not announce your title or present yourself in any way as an important or senior person. Trivial small talk (sport is always a good topic) is often customary before a meeting begins. You should maintain a good level of eye contact whilst speaking to help build trust.
