Business culture in Italy – guide and tips Part 2
Managerial style
- middle level managers rarely make final decisions, as the decision process in Italian business is directed from the top level management who will approve of any decision before it is made. Managers in Italy are authoritative, but need to listen to their subordinates and be fair (if they do not want to face revolt) and to be flexible to adapt to a constantly changing environment. There is still a very low number of women is senior management positions.
Meetings
– in Italy meetings are often informal and no real decision is ever made, as important decisions are made during pre-meeting sessions where mangers consult each other. The atmosphere can be a bit chaotic with frequent 
interruptions, side conversations and flexible agendas (Italians like flexibility and dislike rigid predefined arrangements).
Italian communication style
– In Italy speaking is considered more important than communicating in writing. Also, rhetoric is very important and used to convince other people. Italians can debate passionately and, to an outsider, this can look like aggression. However, in Italy this is normal and if somebody is not animated during conversations people will think that he/she is not committed. When asking a question to an Italian, do not necessarily expect a straight answer. Italian people do not believe in absolute truth, but prefer to see things holistically and flexibly. Persuasion, insistence and follow ups are very important in Italian business.
Dress code
– managers are always well groomed in Italy and wear expensive, good quality clothes. Appearance is always very important in Italy and even more so in Italian business culture.
Return to Page 1 of Italian business culture guide.
