Marketing a Business in Slovakia

1. Slovakia >
2. Starting a Business >
3. Marketing a Business

Marketing

The international transition of a business is more than just costs and procedures. It's more cultural acclimatisation than calculatory acumen. It's making sure your product or service fits the inclinations and idiosyncrasies of a nation; finding a way to culturalise your business in order to reap the same results your business has achieved domestically. This is accomplished through one simple step: effective marketing.

Marketing your business on indigenous soil is an art-form in itself; attempting to do it overseas is nigh-on miraculous. Countries may be becoming more heterogeneous, but the foundations of a culture rarely budge for anything: their sensitivities, traditions, humour, discourses, protocols are essentially unchanging and stubbornly unaccommodating. Therefore, the identity of your product or service needs to seamlessly fashion itself upon a nation, not the other way around, shoehorned in, hoping for the best.

Advertising and Sales promotions in Slovakia

When marketing a business in Slovakia you may wish to advertise your product/service. Advertising in Slovakia is becoming a common means of promoting goods and services. Most of the western agencies are represented in Bratislava or you may wish to service the market from neighbouring countries.

When marketing or starting up a business in Slovakia you may wish to consult with an advertising agent to help you find the potential routes for your product/service.

English is the international language of business and it is acceptable to write literature in English. However for smaller businesses and out of courtesy you may wish to also translate into Slovak.

Cultural Sensitivity

Cultural sensitivity and understanding of protocol is paramount to effective marketing. The intricacies of a nation its beliefs, even its superstitions can make or break your business. Know the market; immerse yourself in it. Never assume your marketing strategy will be transplantable to a foreign country. There is only a slim chance language will translate well. Anglophonic countries may be susceptible, but if your product or service plays on a quintessentially British characteristic or joke the chances are, it will not be well received.

As for other countries, don't bank on using the same strap-lines or gimmicks. Unless they are perfectly transitional, your product or service could suffer especially if it relies on humour.

Unless you are certain your product or service can sell itself on indigenous merits, it is probably wise to revise its selling-points for a foreign market. As always, however, only your own fastidious research can conclude this.

Cultural training when going to another country is important. What is acceptable to some people is not to others.

In Slovakia you may greet someone warmly with a hand shake, smile and eye contact. Use their title and surname until invited to do otherwise. Socially, you may wish to remember a few key points about cultural training:

• Slovaks generally entertain in pubs and wine bars. The home is normally for family gatherings.
• If you are invited to their house arrive on time.
• Remove shoes at the door
• Give a gift

If giving flowers avoid even numbers and 13.  Avoid giving chrysanthemums or calla lilies and do not wrap flowers in purple ribbon, as these are traditions reserved for funerals. 

Dress well. This will show your host respect

• Do not discuss business unless your host does first.
• Remember your table manners and leave a napkin beside the plate rather than on your lap.
• Refuse second helpings until your host insists.

Some of the most important things in cultural training is being polite, well mannered and respectful of those who are in your company.

Click here to Ask an Expert about Marketing a Business in Slovakia