Business culture of Azerbaijan

Placed at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Azerbaijan is a country of rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes and diverse traditions. Since independence, the state has enjoyed impressive economic growth. Foreign investment is welcomed and encouraged here, creating a friendly and hospitable business environment for starting and doing business.

Languages used in business

• Azerbaijani is the official language of business.
• Russian is widely spoken and understood.
• English is becoming more common, but proficiency remains limited outside the oil and gas sector.

Hierarchical society

• Azerbaijan is a hierarchical society and status is important in business relationships.
• Decision making can be a time-consuming process that requires patience from customers.

The importance of relationships and trust

• Building relationships and earning trust are critical to doing business in the country.
• Azerbaijanis prefer to work with those they know and trust, often relying on personal recommendations when concluding business transactions.

Communication

• Information should always be presented diplomatically and delicately so as not to lose face.
• Although direct communication is seen as a positive thing in Azerbaijan, caution should be exercised when using such directness.
• The level of directness you can use depends on who you are talking to.
• If this is a new, formal or important relationship, diplomacy is critical.

Business cards

• There is no formal ritual for exchanging cards.
• Give and receive cards with your right hand.
• Providing a business card with information in Azerbaijani on one side and an English or Russian translation on the other side can be very helpful.
• It is recommended to bring plenty of printed information with you, as this is still the main means of storing contact information, as opposed to electronic means.

Business meeting

• To organize a meeting in Azerbaijan, you need a letter of recommendation describing your company, history and purpose of your visit.
• It is always useful to translate such correspondence into Azerbaijani to ensure understanding. This gesture is also one of appreciation and will present you in a positive light.
• There is a certain protocol that needs to be followed in meetings as Azerbaijani culture is quite formal, meaning that Azerbaijanis tend to be sensitive to status, title, who sits first, who enters the room first, etc. It is best to follow suit.< /li>
• Politeness is important and part of the relationship building process.
• Discussions often start slowly, over tea, and the topics of discussion may be completely irrelevant. However, this is a crucial part of your relationship: if you cannot establish mutual understanding, the chances of doing business together are slim.
• Always maintain eye contact during a conversation, as Azerbaijanis perceive this as a sign of sincerity.
• Decisions are made slowly.
• Never be impatient or try to rush an Azerbaijani into making a decision.
• Expect a lot of negotiations and haggling. Azerbaijanis — good traders and tough negotiators.

Working hours

• Standard opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00 or 10:00 to 18:00.
• Some government offices are open on Saturdays.

Gift Giving Etiquette

• Azerbaijanis mainly exchange gifts on birthdays, weddings and anniversaries.
• In the culture of a country, the thought behind the gift is important, not the price.
• When accepting a gift from your Azerbaijani partner, it is customary to refuse at least twice before accepting it. Always insist that it is too much and the giver should not worry.
• If you are invited to dinner with an Azerbaijani, bring flowers or pastries to the hostess. It is considered polite to return hospitality with a small gift.
• Always give an odd number of flowers. Even numbers of flowers are usually given at funerals.
• Do not give alcohol unless you are sure your host will accept it.
• Gifts are generally not opened upon receipt.

Dining etiquette

• Remove your shoes before entering the house. They may offer you slippers.
• Punctuality is not of paramount importance. Arriving within 30 minutes of the scheduled time is acceptable.
• Dress casually but tastefully. Never wear tight or revealing clothing.
• If there are a lot of people present, shake everyone's hands.
• Table manners are quite formal. When in doubt, look at what others are doing.
• Remain standing until you are invited to sit. You may be taken to a specific place.
• While eating, keep your elbows away from the table and your hands above the table.
• The food is usually served by the hostess. The elderly are served first, then guests and finally children.
• Use your right hand only for eating and passing things.