Doing Business
Business Etiquette
- Address business associates using titles and surnames. Use someone's first name
only if you've been invited to do so or know him or her extremely well
- Both men and women are expected to wear professional attire at business meetings
and lunches. Generally, men wear suits and ties, women elegant and simple
clothes
- A firm handshake begins and ends meetings
- English is generally accepted in business, but don't assume that all
companies are equipped or happy to negotiate in a foreign language. Find out in
advance, and prepare proposals in English and Italian. Hire an interpreter if
necessary
- Hierarchy is important in Italy. Senior executives handle decision-making, and
Italians prefer to conduct business with high-ranking associates
- Trust counts as much as proposals in business. Third-party introductions and
networking will help build strong relationships
- If you have a university degree title, ensure it appears on your business card
- Don't interpret loud conversation as a sign of anger. People often
raise their voices simply to be heard over others
Chambers of Commerce
American Chamber of Commerce
Address: Via Cantù 1, 20123 Milan Telephone: +39 02 86 90 661 Website: American Chamber of
Commerce
French Chamber of Commerce
Address: Palazzo Cagnola, Via Cusani 5, 20121 Milan Telephone: +39 02 72 53 71 Website: French Chamber of
Commerce
Italian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Address: Piazzale Biancamano 1, 20154 Milan Telephone: +39 02 86 27 65 Website: Italian-Chinese Chamber
of Commerce
Milan Chamber of Commerce
Address: Via Meravigli 9/b, 20123 Milan Telephone: +39 02 85151 Website: Milan Chamber of
Commerce
Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce
Address: Via Silvio Pellico 8, 20121 Milan Telephone: +39 02 8699 6738 Website: Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce
Spanish Chamber of Commerce
Address: Via Torino 51, 20122 Milan Telephone: +39 02 861137 Website: Spanish Chamber of
Commerce
Embassies & Consulates
American Consulate General
Address: Via Principe Amedeo 2/10, 20121 Milan Telephone: +39 02 290351 Website: American Consulate
General
Chinese Consulate General
Address: Via Benaco 4, 20139 Milan Telephone: +39 02 5520306 Website: Chinese
Consulate General
Czech Consulate General
Address: Via G. B. Morgagni 20, 20129 Milan Telephone: +30 02 7420160 Website: Czech Consulate
General
French Consulate General
Address: Via Mangili 1, 20121 Milan Telephone: +39 02 65 59 141 Website: French Consulate General
Mexican Consulate General
Address: Via Cappuccini 4, 20122 Milan Telephone: +39 02 76 02 05 41 Website: Mexican Consulate
General
Netherlands Consulate General
Address: Via San Vittore 45, 20123 Milan Telephone: +39 02 4855841 Website: Netherlands Consulate
General
Panamanian Honorary Consulate
Address: Via Montenapoleone 23, 20121 Milan Telephone: +39 02 7600 5220
Russian Consulate General
Address: Via Sant'Aquilino, 20148 Milan Telephone: +39 02 400 92 113 Website: Russian Consulate
General
South Korean (Republic of Korea) Consulate General
Address: Via G. Murat 17, 20159 Milan Telephone: +39 02 45408532
Spanish Consulate
Address: Via Fatebenefratelli 26, 20121 Milan Telephone: +39 02 632 88 31 Website: Spanish Consulate
Business Centers
Most major hotels and several independent executive centers have business facilities,
including the following:
Milan Duomo (Regus)
Address: Piazza Duomo, Via Torino 2, 20123 Milan Telephone: +39 02 72546 1 Website: Regus
Milan Montenapoleone (Regus)
Address: Via Monte di Pietà 21, 20121 Milan Telephone: +39 02 86337 1 Website: Regus
Leonardo da Vinci Hotel Congress Centre
Address: Via Senigallia 6, 20161 Milan Telephone: +39 02 64071 51 Website: Leonardo da Vinci Hotel
Conference & Exhibition Centers
Fiera Milano
Address: Strada Statale del Sempione 28, 20017 Rho (Milan) Telephone: 800 820029 (within Italy) or +39 02 4997 1 (from overseas) Website: Fiera Milano
Fiera Milanocity
Address: Piazzale Carlo Magno 1, 20149 Milan Telephone: 800 820029 (within Italy) or +39 02 4997 1 (from overseas) Website: Fiera Milano
World Trade Center Italy S.R.L
Address: Via Tamburini 13, 20123 Milan Telephone: +39 02 4856161 Website: Prague Convention Bureau
Translation Services
Berlitz (Milano Duomo)
Address: Via Larga 8, 20122 Milan Telephone: +39 02 869 08 14 Website: Berlitz
Courier/Messenger Services
DHL Worldwide Express
Address: Via Agnello 15, 20121 Milan Telephone: 199 199 345 (within Italy) or +39 02 824 70288 (from
overseas) Website: DHL Worldwide Express
FedEx
Address: Via Alberico Albricci 10, 20122 Milan Telephone: 800 123 800 (within Italy) +39 02 21887651 (from overseas) Website: FedEx
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