Business Norwegian: How to Survive a Business Meeting

When you step into Norwegian commerce, you’re not just engaging in transactions; you’re immersing yourself in a milieu that prizes forthrightness, punctuality, and egalitarianism. To not just get by but to excel in a Norwegian business meeting, a well-rounded repertoire of Business Norwegian terms and an understanding of cultural etiquette can set you apart.

 

Embracing Cultural Insights

The cultural fabric of Norwegian business is intricately woven with threads of transparency and communal decision-making. These cultural tenets are mirrored in the language and interaction styles prevalent in business environments. ‘Likestilling‘ (equality) is not just a concept but a practice in Norwegian meeting rooms.

 

Language as a Key to Success

While proficiency in English is widespread, showcasing a sincere attempt at Norwegian signals respect and effort. Grasping phrases beyond the basics conveys that you are not just a visitor but a serious participant in the Norwegian business arena.

 

The Art of Introductions

A firm, confident handshake and a ‘Gleder meg til å jobbe med deg‘ (Looking forward to working with you) can set the stage. Addressing counterparts with the polite ‘De‘ form, as in ‘Hvordan har De det?‘ (How are you?), until a more familiar relationship is established, is considered good practice.

 

Engaging in ‘Småprat’

Norwegian small talk, or ‘småprat‘, is a prelude to the main agenda. It’s often brief but can be pivotal in establishing rapport. ‘Har De hørt om…?‘ (Have you heard about…?) followed by a recent event or a neutral topic can be a good starter.

 

Punctuality and Structure

Being timely is non-negotiable. ‘Beklager forsinkelsen‘ (Sorry for the delay) should be an exception, not a norm. Once the meeting starts, a concise ‘Skal vi begynne?‘ (Shall we begin?) from the meeting leader sets the tone for a structured and focused discussion.

 

Constructive Discussions

In conversation, express understanding with ‘Jeg forstår poenget ditt‘ (I understand your point), and agree with ‘Det er jeg enig i‘ (I agree with that). To interject with a suggestion, ‘Kanskje vi kunne vurdere…‘ (Perhaps we could consider…) is polite yet assertive.

 

The Consensus Approach

Norwegian meetings often seek ‘enighet‘ (consensus), so suggesting ‘La oss finne en felles løsning‘ (Let’s find a common solution) can be a diplomatic way to encourage collective decision-making. Inquiry about others’ positions with ‘Hva synes de andre?‘ (What do the others think?) reinforces this collaborative spirit.

 

Effective Meeting Closure

Concluding a meeting effectively can be as critical as the discussion itself. Sign off with ‘Takk for et konstruktivt møte‘ (Thank you for a constructive meeting), ensuring that you acknowledge the collective effort. Confirm action items and next steps by asking ‘Hvem skal gjøre hva innen hvilke tidspunkter?‘ (Who is doing what by what times?).

 

Post-Meeting Protocol

Following up is a sign of professionalism. A detailed ‘referat‘ (minutes) sent out with a ‘Takk for en god diskusjon‘ (Thank you for a good discussion) affirms that you value the meeting’s outcomes and your Norwegian counterparts’ time.

 

Social Business Encounters

In less formal settings such as a ‘lunsjmøte‘ (lunch meeting), the conversation may be more relaxed, but the professional undertone remains. Offer compliments on the meal with a heartfelt ‘Maten var utmerket‘ (The food was excellent) to acknowledge the hospitality.

 

Ongoing Language Mastery

Adopt an attitude of continuous learning; familiarize yourself with sector-specific vocabulary and current business terms. Asking ‘Kan vi ta opp tråden neste gang?‘ (Can we pick up the thread next time?) shows anticipation for future dealings and an eagerness to maintain engagement.

 

Conclusion

Excelling in a Norwegian business meeting goes beyond linguistic preparedness; it encompasses a full engagement with the cultural and communicative norms. Arm yourself with a nuanced vocabulary, such as ‘Jeg ser fram til et fruktbart samarbeid‘ (I look forward to a fruitful collaboration), and you’ll transition from surviving to thriving in the world of Norwegian business.

 

 

Norwegian Business Vocabulary

1. Forretning – Business
   • Example: Vi skal diskutere forretningen. (We will discuss the business.)
2. Møte – Meeting
   • Example: Når starter møtet? (When does the meeting start?)
3. Kontrakt – Contract
   • Example: Kan du underskrive kontrakten? (Can you sign the contract?)
4. Fortjeneste – Profit
   • Example: Selskapet rapporterte høy fortjeneste. (The company reported high profits.)
5. Investering – Investment
   • Example: Dette er en god investering for fremtiden. (This is a good investment for the future.)
6. Likestilling – Equality
   • Example: Likestilling på arbeidsplassen er viktig. (Equality in the workplace is important.)
7. Gleder meg til å jobbe med deg – Looking forward to working with you
   • Example: Jeg gleder meg til å jobbe med deg på dette prosjektet. (I look forward to working with you on this project.)
8. Hvordan har De det? – How are you? (formal)
   • Example: Hvordan har De det siden sist? (How have you been since last time?)
9. Småprat – Small talk
   • Example: La oss starte med litt småprat før møtet. (Let’s start with some small talk before the meeting.)
10. Beklager forsinkelsen – Sorry for the delay
    • Example: Beklager forsinkelsen, det var mye trafikk. (Sorry for the delay, there was a lot of traffic.)
11. Skal vi begynne? – Shall we begin?
    • Example: Alle er her, skal vi begynne? (Everyone is here, shall we begin?)
12. Jeg forstår poenget ditt – I understand your point
    • Example: Jeg forstår poenget ditt, men har du vurdert…? (I understand your point, but have you considered…?)
13. Det er jeg enig i – I agree with that
    • Example: Det er jeg enig i, det er en god ide. (I agree with that, it’s a good idea.)
14. Enighet – Consensus
    • Example: Vi må nå enighet om denne saken. (We must reach a consensus on this issue.)
15. La oss finne en felles løsning – Let’s find a common solution
    • Example: Dette er et komplekst problem, men la oss finne en felles løsning. (This is a complex issue, but let’s find a common solution.)
16. Hva synes de andre? – What do the others think?
    • Example: Det var et interessant forslag, hva synes de andre? (That was an interesting proposal, what do the others think?)
17. Takk for et konstruktivt møte – Thank you for a constructive meeting
    • Example: Takk for et konstruktivt møte. La oss gjøre dette igjen snart. (Thank you for a constructive meeting. Let’s do this again soon.)
18. Referat – Minutes (of a meeting)
    • Example: Vil du sende referatet fra møtet til alle deltakerne? (Will you send the minutes of the meeting to all participants?)
19. Lunsjmøte – Lunch meeting
    • Example: Kan vi diskutere dette videre under et lunsjmøte? (Can we discuss this further during a lunch meeting?)
20. Møtereferat – Minutes (of a meeting)
    • Example: Jeg skal skrive møtereferatet etter at vi er ferdig. (I will write the minutes after we are finished.)
21. Tilbakemelding – Feedback
    • Example: Vi setter pris på din tilbakemelding på rapporten. (We appreciate your feedback on the report.)
22. Oppfølgingsmøte – Follow-up meeting
    • Example: Skal vi sette opp et oppfølgingsmøte neste uke? (Shall we set up a follow-up meeting next week?)
23. Markedsandel – Market share
    • Example: Vår markedsandel har økt betydelig dette året. (Our market share has increased significantly this year.)
24. Konkurrent – Competitor
    • Example: Vi må analysere strategiene til våre konkurrenter. (We need to analyze our competitors’ strategies.)
25. Tillit – Trust
    • Example: Bygging av tillit mellom oss er essensielt. (Building trust between us is essential.)
26. Partnerskap – Partnership
    • Example: Dette nye partnerskapet åpner mange dører for oss. (This new partnership opens many doors for us.)
27. Samarbeid – Collaboration
    • Example: Gjennom samarbeid kan vi oppnå bedre resultater. (Through collaboration, we can achieve better results.)

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How important is it to know Norwegian in a business meeting in Norway? While many Norwegians are proficient in English, knowing Norwegian is highly beneficial. It demonstrates respect and commitment to your Norwegian colleagues and business partners.

2. What is ‘likestilling’ and why is it significant in Norwegian business culture? ‘Likestilling’ means equality and is a core value in Norwegian society, including in business practices. It signifies the importance of treating everyone equally and making decisions collaboratively.

3. Can you suggest a polite way to start a meeting in Norwegian? A polite way to start a meeting would be to say, ‘Skal vi begynne?‘ which means ‘Shall we begin?’

4. What is the Norwegian word for ‘consensus’ and why is it important? The Norwegian word for ‘consensus’ is ‘enighet.’ It is important because Norwegian business culture often aims for decisions that have the collective agreement of all participants.

5. How should I conclude a meeting in Norwegian? You can conclude a meeting by saying, ‘Takk for en konstruktiv møte,’ which means ‘Thank you for a constructive meeting,’ and confirm action items with ‘Hvem skal gjøre hva innen når?‘ (Who is doing what by when?).

6. Is punctuality important in Norwegian business meetings? Yes, punctuality is critical in Norwegian business etiquette. Arriving on time shows respect for everyone’s schedule and is considered a sign of professionalism.

7. What does ‘småprat’ mean and is it considered appropriate in a business setting? ‘Småprat’ means small talk and it is considered an appropriate and useful way to build rapport before delving into the main agenda of a business meeting.

8. How should I address my Norwegian business colleagues? Initially, it is best to address colleagues with the formal ‘De’ until a more familiar relationship is established. Using the first name can be considered after a relationship has been formed.

9. What phrase can I use to express agreement in a meeting? To express agreement, you can say, ‘Det er jeg enig i,’ which translates to ‘I agree with that.’

10. What is the appropriate follow-up after a business meeting? Sending out the minutes of the meeting (møtereferat) promptly and thanking the participants for their contributions (Takk for en god diskusjon) is considered appropriate follow-up.

11. Are there specific phrases I can use to build a connection during a business lunch? Complimenting the meal with ‘Maten var utmerket‘ (The food was excellent) is always appreciated and can help build a connection in a less formal business setting.

12. What is a good way to continue business discussions at a later date? To suggest continuing discussions, you could say, ‘Kan vi ta opp tråden neste gang?‘ which means ‘Can we pick up the thread next time?’

 

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