The art of business communication

Foreigners may believe that the UK resident is overly formal and focused on etiquette, with conversation based almost entirely on the weather.

However, in reality the communication culture of the UK business world is more open and relaxed than many imagine, with efforts to extend a work relationship into the realms of informality or even friendship.

Reading between the lines

Cross cultural solutions website Kwintessential.co.uk notes that UK businesspeople employ a unique style of conversation, unlike their European or American counterparts.

"The British have an interesting mix of communication styles encompassing both understatement and direct communication," the site suggests.

While stating that some, especially older, members of the community still use quite formal language, the website points out that the British tend to use qualifiers such as ‘possibly' or ‘it could be' to avoid making exaggerated claims.

Overwhelmingly, the British conversational style is more understated than direct.

The British dislike animated or heated discussions and tend to avoid raised voices or over-enthusiastic body language.

As Executive Planet points out: "A pensive ‘hum' may convey enthusiasm or hostility - or indifference.”

A pensive ‘hum' may convey enthusiasm or hostility - or indifference

Executive Planet

"This may be disconcerting for foreigners, especially Americans, who are more accustomed to a forthright directness that Britons find embarrassing.

On the whole though, communication in the UK is reasonably relaxed, friendly and informal.

Kwintessential reveals that workplace conversations can be about personal issues in addition to business matters.

This means that relationships between colleagues can often approach friendship more than relationships found in other countries, with individuals who have frequent contact through business conversing about their families and leisure activities.

The British sense of humour and the…weather

According to Executive Planet, humour is also prized by the British and seen as a positive addition to communication.

The culture of ‘banter', or short, humorous exchanges, is an established tradition in the UK, which may seem strange to those more accustomed to a thoroughly formal working environment.

Occasionally, these exchanges can display inappropriate levity, although this is very unlikely to occur in a serious business encounter and is more likely to happen between two people who are quite familiar with each other.

The culture of ‘banter', or short, humorous exchanges, is an established tradition in the UK, which may seem strange to those more accustomed to a thoroughly formal working environment

However, individuals should not feel compelled to make jokes of their own or strive to be overly witty - for the British, humour is something that flows naturally into conversation and is not forced.

In addition to discussing the business at hand, there are a wide range of topics that the visitor can bring up to further a conversation, claims Executive Planet.

While cliched, the weather is always a good starting point and will promote a response.

Sport is another major topic of conversation, with many UK residents following a football team.

Current affairs and music are also areas that will lead to an engaging conversation, while commenting on the good points of the UK will also be welcomed.

Topics to avoid

There are topics to avoid, reveals Executive Planet, with the most notable ones including religion, political issues and questions that may be deemed too personal.

This openness in communication causes differences in the usual British meeting to its international equivalent, according to Kwintessential.

By improving your business meeting etiquette you automatically improve your chances of success

Kwinessential.co.uk

Like the rest of the world, meetings in the UK have a serious purpose and typical conventions such as arriving in good time and dressing in an appropriate manner still apply.

"Business meetings are one arena in which poor etiquette can have negative effects," the website says.

"By improving your business meeting etiquette you automatically improve your chances of success," it continues.

Attendees to the meeting will usual undertake a degree of small talk before the proper start, with any greetings, handshakes and introductions being made as necessary.

Once the meeting starts, it will be chaired by the most senior person present - although the proceedings are not conducted in as hierarchical a fashion as found in other countries.

Business meetings in the UK are more of an open forum than a top-heavy setting of the agenda.

Objective criticism and free discussion of the topic at hand are encouraged more than they are in other cultures, with individuals allowed to express their views and ideas as appropriate.

While in a meeting, show good manners by being attentive to what is said.

“If presenting, use clear communication, backing up the pitch with facts and figures rather than emotion”, suggests Kwintessential.co.uk.

In essence, business communication in the UK is a balance between formality and openness.

Key points to remember are respect and friendliness, with the usual customs of etiquette, such as a neat appearance, a handshake greeting and good manners, increasing the chances of a successful business encounter.