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United States of America: Doing business & staying in touch
Doing business in United States of America
American business culture tends to be direct, informal, and time-conscious, with an emphasis on efficiency and results. Punctuality is important—arriving late to meetings is generally seen as unprofessional, and time-wasting is frowned upon. Meetings often begin with a brief exchange of pleasantries but get down to business quickly.
Communication is typically straightforward and assertive, and it's acceptable to express opinions openly, even with senior colleagues. Business attire varies by industry and region: conservative dress (suits or smart business wear) is standard in finance, law, and government, while tech and creative sectors often lean towards business casual.
First names are used early and frequently, even in professional settings, and a firm handshake with good eye contact is the usual greeting. Titles and hierarchy exist but are often played down in favour of a collaborative atmosphere. However, decision-making tends to rest with those at the top, and proposals should be well-prepared and focused.
It's worth noting that date formats differ in the United States: the standard is MMDDYY, which can be confusing for visitors used to the DDMMYY convention. Additionally, paper sizes in the U.S. follow the American system—'Letter' size (8.5 x 11 inches) is standard, not A4. This can affect how documents are printed or displayed, so adjustments may be needed when working with American colleagues or printers.
Networking plays a key role in American business, and informal events—like business lunches or after-hours drinks—can be just as important as formal meetings. Follow-up emails and thank-you notes after meetings are appreciated and help reinforce a professional impression.
The United States has the world's largest economy, characterised by its diversity, innovation, and global influence. It is a highly developed, mixed-market economy driven by a strong private sector, robust consumer spending, and a tradition of entrepreneurship. The country is home to many of the world's most recognisable brands and leading multinational corporations, particularly in sectors such as technology, finance, healthcare, entertainment, and manufacturing.
The U.S. economy is also notable for its regional variation. Cities like New York serve as global financial hubs, Silicon Valley leads in tech and innovation, Los Angeles is a powerhouse of media and entertainment, and the Midwest remains a centre for agriculture and heavy industry. Meanwhile, energy production, including oil, natural gas, and renewables, plays a significant role in several states, notably Texas.
The country enjoys a relatively low unemployment rate (in normal conditions), a flexible labour market, and a high level of productivity. However, economic inequality remains a subject of ongoing national debate, with disparities in income, healthcare access, and educational opportunities.
Machinery and electrical equipment, aircraft and aerospace products, vehicles, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, agricultural products, oil and petroleum products, and services such as finance, software, education, and intellectual property.
Consumer electronics, vehicles, machinery and industrial equipment, pharmaceuticals and medical goods, clothing and footwear, crude oil and petroleum, and food and beverages.
Keeping in Touch in United States of America
Though usage is declining payphones are still relatively common in the US. Most are coin operated. For emergency police, fire or medical services in major cities, dial 911. The following codes denote toll-free (freephone) numbers: 800, 855, 866, 877 and 888.
Foreign mobile telephones only work if they are tri-band or quad-band; charges are high. Visitors can also hire a mobile telephone. Pre-pay cell phones can be purchased from a variety of retail outlets, including drug stores.
Most hotels, restaurants and public buildings offer free Wi-Fi. There are Internet cafés in most urban areas, and an increasing number of Wi-Fi hotspots in larger towns and cities.
There are numerous post offices throughout the states. Stamps can also be bought at stamp machines in hotels and shops. Airmail to Europe takes up to one week.
Freedom of expression in the US is guaranteed by the constitution. The USA has the most highly developed mass media in the world. Public broadcasting is partly government-funded, but also supported by private grants.
Freedom of expression in the US is guaranteed by the constitution. The USA has the most highly developed mass media in the world, publishing more newspapers than any other country. Public broadcasting is partly government-funded, but also supported by private grants. High readership papers include Los Angeles Times and The New York Times. The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and the Washington Post are also popular. The high degree of self-government of each state means newspapers tend to be region specific.
Top TV networks include ABC (American Broadcasting Corporation), CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System), CNN (Cable News Network), FOX (Fox Television Network) and NBC (National Broadcasting Corporation). National radio networks include ABC Radio Networks, National Public Radio, Fox News Radio and CBS operates Westwood One and American Radio Network.
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