Conducting Business with Australia

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As being the world's smallest continent and the sixth largest country with the lowest population density in the world, Australia is often overlooked as being a major place to conduct business with. However, over the years Australia has proven itself to be an appealing and profitable market for American companies, with its few barriers to entry and straightforward business culture.
Australia is relatively easier for the United States to conduct business with than other countries such as China, France, etc., as there is no need for translators. Australians speak English, although it does have a distinctive accent and vocabulary.
The first step in conducting business with Australia is making an appointment. Appointments are easy to schedule and should be made at least one month in advance. Personal assistants are usually the ones who schedule appointments, and one should never insist on speaking with an executive. Australia's core business hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. People interested in doing business with Australia should always arrive to appointments on time, but should understand that Australians have a more casual attitude toward time. Most business deals in Australia are made in a social environment. It is not unusual to conduct a meeting over a meal or even in a coffee shop.
The best time to visit Australia is between March and November. Australia's summer season lasts from December to February, and there are many holidays between these months. For example, Christmas, New Year's Day, Australia Day, and Boxing Day all occur in the summer season. Most business offices operate on a "skeleton staff", so you should avoid scheduling visits around this time.
Looking the part for a business...

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...syndrome." This means that Australians try to avoid standing out from a group, or being a tall poppy, which is a type of flower.
A moderately firm handshake is expected when meeting someone for the first time. Women should only be shaken hands with if the woman initiates it. When Australian women get to know people better, it is common for them to kiss a man or another woman on the right cheek, though men do not kiss men.
When initially greeting someone, it is preferred that you address the person by Mr/Mrs/Miss followed by the person's surname. Australians tend to move quickly to a first name basis, though one should wait for them to initiate the transition. Boasting a title is seen as showy, as professional titles are not prominent in Australian business culture. It is common to call someone a "mate" in Australia. It refers to anyone of one's own sex.

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