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Business Business Profile Traditionally, Cracow has been a busy trading city at the hub of north–south and east–west trade routes, but this suffered under the Communist regime. The enduring economic legacy of Communism remains in the state factories of the Nowa Huta (New Town) suburb to the east of the city. Although once meant to be model examples of the socialist industrial ideal, nowadays they are notoriously inefficient and the pollution that visibly belches out is a constant reminder of this, as well as a major concern. The main industries in Cracow are metallurgy, tobacco and pharmaceutics but Cracow is only the fourth most important industrial city in Poland. In many ways, its saving grace has been the emergence of mass tourism, which now dominates much of the city’s economy and tourist-related service industries employ many of its workers. The dictates of tourism have also led to curbs on industrial pollution and a successful attempt to clean up much of the Old Town. Thousands of local people are employed either directly or indirectly in tourism – and many employed in this sector earn a lot more than the average Polish monthly wage, which is around US$50 in 2002. Other up-and-coming sectors include the financial and high-tech industries, helped no doubt by the city’s impressive brain trust – there are 15 universities and colleges here, with over 100,000 students. Running at 18% (January 2002), unemployment is currently a major problem in Poland, as the global slowdown and austerity measures designed to ease Poland’s entry into the European Union have combined to put pressure on the embryonic capitalist economy. As long as tourism holds up, the city looks well placed to weather the storm. One massive project currently at the planning stage is a US$800 million development of a ‘New Town’ in the land around the Central Station, the first stage of which may be completed as early as 2005. While most major business is done in Warsaw, global players with a presence in Cracow include PricewaterhouseCoopers, McDonalds and Hertz. The Cracow Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ulica Florianska 3 (tel: (012) 422 8907), can provide information on a range of business matters. Lingua Expert, Wszystkich Swietych 10/11 (tel: (012) 422 6038), is a reputable firm of translators who reputedly helped director Steven Spielberg when he was working in the area. Business Etiquette Letters of introduction are extremely useful for establishing contact with businesses in Poland, where practices are still quite formal. Meetings should be by appointment. Presentations should be thoroughly prepared and, at a minimum, the executive summary should be translated into Polish. Decisions are often by committee, so negotiations may be protracted and a deal cannot be confirmed until all parties have signed. Until familiarity has been established, a person’s title and surname should be used in addressing them. Handshaking is customary and business cards (preferably translated) should be exchanged with all participants at a meeting. To make a good impression, the wearing of conservative business suits is recommended. Breakfast meetings are rare, despite the fact that the business day begins early, but business lunches and dinners are popular (Poles love to stay up late, talking and drinking). The person who issues the invitation is generally the one who pays the bill. It is important for visitors to make sure that if giving a gift of flowers, there should always be an odd number. Government offices are open 0830-1630. Traditionally, offices in major industries were open 0700-1500, but many are now adapting to more Western business hours (even 0830-1700). Some businesses may open on Saturday morning as well. |
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