Canadian Business Culture: Negotiating with Business Partners

Running head: PROJECT MILESTONE 1
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Part 1
Culture is defined as the accepted values, norms and traditional behaviors of a group.
Each country has its values, activities and beliefs of conducting business. Culture is a vital
element in business and it has a significant influence to the direction of the business (Zhangwen,
& Hoque, 2018). Culture impacts on business decisions, management and all business functions
such as production and accounting. This paper will investigate Canada and its business culture in
negotiating with business partners.
Generally, the business culture of Canadians is polite and slightly more reserved. The
Canadian business values are based on respect, good governance and peace. Therefore, for a
business partner to successfully operate with Canadians they should treat all people with respect
and courtesy particularly individuals with authority, but is not supposed to extremely humble
(Zhangwen, & Hoque, 2018). In this light, to secure a deal with a Canadian business partner one
has to learn fundamental Canadian business etiquette.
The fundamental Canadian business etiquette aspects include meeting and greeting,
introductions, protocol and customs, and negotiation. Meeting and greeting: Canadian people
consider a firm handshake as a typical contact when one meeting a business associate for both
males and females. Nevertheless, for female they can acknowledge a business associate by
nodding the head instead of handshake. Introductions it is based on business rank. In Canada an
individual’s authority is directly related to their position. Also, when speaking to a business
associate one has to maintain eye contact but one should not stare (Weber, Sparks, & Hsu, 2017).
Canadians believe that lack of direct eye contact is an indication of lack of interest or boredom.