Tips On Arab Culture For Successful Business In The Middle East

The Middle East is unique and it holds great opportunity, but it takes insight to get it right. While many companies want to break into the Middle East, many of them fail because they just don’t understand the culture. To make things more challenging, it’s a moving target because the Middle East is in a time of transition. Coming from a history of many years linking East and West, the region is now adapting to many changes, and perhaps the most exciting of these are the include shifts in global commercial power. Because of due to these opportunities, many companies are eyeing the region.

Cities like Dubai, Abu-Dhabi, Riyadh and Doha identify just as much with international business hubs as they do with their own deep historic roots, so don’t let the modern buildings fool you! The Arab culture is such a strong force that the word modernization doesn’t properly describe business today. Fundamentally, the Arab outlook on the world is different from that of other cultures. To hone your business acumen of the region, here is what you need to know about the Arabic culture to be successful in business.

The Arab world doesn’t exist! Looking at cultural, ethnic and national differences shows this region to be far more diverse than Europe in many ways. Think regionally, but act locally. Family is always a priority, even in business. You have to understand someone’s family in order to really understand a person and to do business with them. Hierarchy is important. Aim high! It’s nearly impossible to avoid dealing with the top of any organization. A relationship at the top of an organization is required in order to do solid business in the region.

Arab organizations are often bureaucratic but not in a Western and distinctive manner. Western bureaucracy is characterized by following rules and procedures in an impersonal manner. On the contrary, Arab bureaucracy is entirely personal. Find subtle power shifts. Unless someone is disloyal, it is very rare that in a local organization that a person will be fired or demoted for not performing well. To be successful, executives need to keep constant contacts with the client so they can be sure they are dealing with the decision-maker.

Primary motivations include the pursuit of honor and the avoidance of shame. Arabs grow up learning that prestige and social standing are very important in life. Therefore, acknowledging the person’s status in the Middle East is very important. It has to be the best! Quality standards have to be at a high international standard. Next, the protocol service needs to be localized.

In the Middle East timing is everything. Oftentimes a negotiation can go on and on for months and it’s obvious that it isn’t going anywhere. Then, all of a sudden, a breakthrough can happen and there’s a certain pressure for everyone to act under deadlines that seem near impossible.

Oral communication should be emphasized. The modulus, a consultative council is a central institution in the Arab culture. Usually, Arabs learn through the interaction that involves the exchange of ideas, arguments and observations. Most of the time Arab executives prefer taking in new information verbally; therefore, long readings and presentations are inappropriate.

Language is a compliant tool and everything is negotiable. Arabs have a long history of trading and therefore, they view people who take advantage of commercial opportunities as smart, not underhanded. It is appropriate that contracts be signed quickly when verbal agreements are positive and recent. Written legal agreements need to be thorough and legally correct or else they are viewed as worthless.

Try to learn the language! If you have the possibility, try to learn a few common Arabic words. Your business partners will see this as an extra effort from your side and they will appreciate the fact that you are trying to embrace their culture.common Arabic words

In conclusion, get it right and you will be rewarded with great opportunity and exciting business environment. As always, if you want to see more tips on how to learn Arabic language, please feel free to check Kaleela.com, where we always make it our business to help.learn Arabic languageKaleela.com