Unit 12: Products

Presentig the product

Good morning Dear audience! Today i'm going to tell you about our new product -Porsche 911 Turbo S.

Now, let me tell you about its special features. For decades , Porsche 911 Turbo S has been the stuff of legends , and it remains so today. With a monstrous 580 hp on tap and a seven speed dual clutch automatic doing the shifting .

Another feature of this product is that: all-wheel-drive supercar can hit 100km/h in less than three seconds. The exterior styling is gorgeous, and it's luxurious interior makes this precious road rocket a genuine pleasure to drive on any road at any time.

It's ideal for travelling , because the car's average consumption is 9.2l/100Km.

Another advantage of this sport car it is that the connect plus module shows you real-time traffic information . The online navigation also includes the services Google street view and Google Earth.

An interesting fact about New 911Porsche Turbo S is that the roof of the car can be painted , made of glass, or made of carbon fiber .

The price of this jewelry is around 160.000$ , but the first ten people who will buy the car after the presentation will have a discount of 20%.

Unit 7 Cultures

The United Arab Emirates consists of seven smaller “emirates” similar to states: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah and Umm al Qaiwain. 80% of the population is made up of foreign workers, so it is likely that if you work in the UAE you will encounter many different cultures.

Work Hours The official weekend in the UAE is on Friday and Saturday. Some smaller private companies only close on Friday.

Government offices open at 7.30 a.m. and close at 3.00 p.m. Private offices tend to keep longer hours, adopting either “straight shift” or “split shift.” The former normally requires eight working hours beginning between 7:30am and 9:00am with a lunch break lasting 30 minutes to an hour. The latter involves commencing between 9:00am and 10:00am and ending between 8:00pm and 9:00pm, with a three- to four-hour break in between. During Ramadan, working hours shorten by two to three hours, with most of the work accomplished in the early hours of the morning or much later in the evening after the day’s fast is broken (at sunset).

Language

Although Arabic is the official language, English is widely used in business transactions in the UAE. Print business cards in English and Arabic and make sure that all brochures and presentation material are full-color and well produced.

Cultural Norms

Good manners and courtesy are prized attributes. Always arrive on time for a meeting, however, know that punctuality is not considered a virtue in the Arab world, and people are often kept waiting before, or during, a meeting. Be patient, and do not take it as a lack of respect.

Greet the most senior person first when meeting a group of people. You will always be offered refreshments in an Arab home or office. Frequently, this will be Western-style tea or coffee. However, people serve a sweet, milkless tea or a light Arabic coffee flavored with cardamom. You should accept at least one cupful, as it may be considered discourteous to refuse.

Take the time to chat and drink the coffee, tea or soft drink and use it as an opportunity to establish relationships.

Do not be concerned if your meeting is interrupted by other guests or telephone conversations. The upfront, hard-hitting approach is generally not welcome, so once again, be patient.

Be aware that what may seem like evasiveness on the part of your host is usually an unwillingness to say no to your face.

Nevertheless, once a deal is made, orally or otherwise, an Arab businessperson’s word is his or her bond and you are also expected to perform accordingly, even if the agreement is a verbal one only.

Hospitality is a way of life in the Arab world and business is frequently conducted over lunch or dinner – more than likely in a hotel or restaurant. It is considered polite to return the invitation.

Dress conservatively:

For Men - Formal and smart attire. Local Men may wear the traditional dishdasha or kandura or a suit or just formal pants and shirt. For foreigners, conservative suits and ties are common for initial meetings. Darker colors are the way to go. Business casual attire is becoming more and more acceptable in many industries.  

For Women - Local women usually wear hijab or burkha while others wear formal business attire like trousers and knee length skirts. For foreigners, conservative yet stylish is a good choice. For initial meetings, avoid wearing overly expensive accessories, dresses/skirts cut above the knee, low necklines and sleeveless attire. Pants are acceptable.

Greetings

Acknowledge and greet the most senior person in the room first – doing so is a sign of respect in the Muslim culture. It’s appropriate for non-Muslims to greet their Arab hosts with “assalamu alaikum,” which means “peace be upon you” and return the greeting with “wa alaikum assalam,” meaning “peace be upon you, too.” When exchanging business cards, it’s best to give and receive cards with your right hand.

Conversation

Initial meetings are all about relationship-building and developing trust. It’s important to get to know the individual with whom you’re doing business. In conversation, it is always good to ask about the health and well-being of a counterpart’s family (being careful not to directly ask a question about a wife or daughter). Appropriate questions include “How many children do you have?” and “Where do they study?”

Status is important and must be acknowledged by using the correct title when addressing someone. It is customary to use terms such as: Sheikh (chief) (or Sheikha for a woman), Sayed (Mr.), Sayeda (Mrs.), etc. Keep in mind that Arabs generally address people by their first names, so John Smith will be addressed as Mr. John. Islam is deeply ingrained in the United Arab Emirates and casual conversations are peppered with religious expressions, such as “in’shallah,” which means “God willing.”

Helpful hint: It’s also a good idea to make an effort to learn some additional key words prior to your trip – doing so will help make a good impression

Gifts

It is appropriate, although not expected, to give a small token or gift to your host upon introduction. Suitable gifts include an enjoyable book or a company memento. Keep in mind; something personal can be a very meaningful touch – therefore, a gift related to your host’s background or hobbies is an even better idea.

Gifts are not necessary but they are highly appreciated. If a gift is offered, it will only be opened in private. There are some prohibited gifts: perfumes on alcohol base, articles made from porc leather, objects representing dogs, knives or gold jewelry. If a gift is offered to you, it is very impolite to refuse it. It should be taken with the right hand

Meetings & Negotiations

Middle Easterners often have a relaxed attitude when it comes to business meetings and may arrive late. It’s important not to follow suit as punctuality is expected of Westerners.

Refreshments such as coffee and pastries are commonly served at meetings – remember, it is proper etiquette to accept what you’re offered and to compliment your host on the food and his hospitality.

Other notable tips:

Though it may seem like an odd rule of thumb, be careful not to show the bottom of your shoes when sitting in a meeting. This is a sign of great disrespect and is a common mistake by Westerners.

Meetings can be chaotic, so always be prepared to exercise patience. Cell phone calls and/or text messages are often taken during meetings and people may enter the meeting room unannounced and proceed to discuss their own agenda.

Decision-making can be slow and bureaucratic formalities tend to add to delay – keep this in mind throughout your business transactions.

Visiting Cards:

Visiting cards are common but not obligatory. It is recommended to have an Arabic version of the card. Often, one side of the card is printed in English and the other side in Arabic. It is also possible to print both the versions on the same side or have two separate cards (one in English and one in Arabic). Card must always be offered with the right hand.