The following are some business tips for doing business with Italy, for more tips, visit www.executiveplanet.com

Making appointments

• Given the choice, Italians would prefer to do business with even a superficial acquaintance rather than a complete stranger. Since familiarity is so important in Italian business culture, ensure that you find a well-connected contact who can establish the right introductions on your behalf.
• In Italian business culture, punctuality is not as much of a priority. As a visitor, however, it's usually a good policy to arrive on time. Be prepared to wait 15-45 minutes before your Italian counterpart appears or lets you into his or her office. Consequently, you may want to bring work, a book or another diversion to fill the time while you wait.
• Northern business hours for small businesses, shops and public offices are usually 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Also, a lot of businesses are open Saturday mornings. Larger companies usually work from 8.30 /9.00 until 6.00/6.30 with an hour or so for lunch. This lunch break will be significantly longer when eating out at a restaurant with guests.
• In central and southern Italy, business hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. then 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturday. The southern business pace is usually less intense.
• In many cities, such as Rome, there is a long break lasting as long as two hours, from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Business is often discussed during this break, over lunch.
• Generally, the best times to plan appointments are between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., and after 3:00 p.m.
• Be aware of summer vacation periods. Most firms are closed in August. If you write for an appointment in mid-July, you may not receive a satisfactory reply until September.
• Many Italian public holidays follow those of continental Europe but are usually different from the U.S., U.K. and Canada. It is worth checking while planning a trip that a public holiday does not fall in the middle of it as the company and whole region may close down that day.

Business Dress

• Dressing well is a priority here. Your clothing will be perceived as a reflection of your social standing and relative success, as well as your competence as a businessperson.
• Generally, dress tends to be on the formal side for both men and women, whether in business or social situations. Do your best to make clothing choices that are both tasteful and stylish.
• An Italian would never wear scuffed, unshined or unfashionable shoes. If in doubt, wear the best pair of shoes you possess [that go well with your outfit].
• While you should make every effort to look your best, you'll probably find it difficult to “out style” the Italians, especially the Milanese. Moreover, many consider Milan to be the very center of the fashion and design world.
• Men should wear expensive, sophisticated ties and well-cut dark suits.
• Men often wear accessories such as cuff links, tie clips, and stylish watches.
• Choose only quality fabrics, such as light-weight wools and silks.
• Women are advised to dress simply and with elegance. Accessorizing is also widely practiced here.
• The most commonly worn colours are darker, subdued shades. Brighter colours should be reserved for accessories.
• It is usual for women not to wear stockings in the summer.
• Perfumes and colognes are frequently used by both men and women.
• When you receive an invitation stating “informal” dress, don't assume that you'll be welcome arriving in a t-shirt and sweatpants. For a social gathering, informal more often than not means tastefully coordinated clothes, sometimes including a jacket and tie for men.
• An invitation stating “formal” dress usually means formal evening wear, which is very dressy by American and northern European standards.
• Shorts are unacceptable in public [they are reserved only for foreign tourists]. You may not be admitted into a church wearing shorts, a sundress or even a sleeveless top.
• On the street, jeans and sneakers can be acceptable leisure wear [especeially for young people], although this kind of clothing is often reserved for the gym or the beach. This attire is not considered suitable in any business context.
• Summers can be very hot and humid, while winters are damp and cool in the south and can be very cold in the north. With the exception of the mountain regions, however, there is little snow.