The small-scale craftsmanship
that gave rise to Florence’s dramatic flowering
of genius continues to flourish within the city’s narrow back
streets. Handmade leather and bags and shoes, exquisite marbled
stationery and terracotta ornaments are some of the goods imported
from around the world. The sales of wine and olive oil have boomed
outside the Mediterranean since the 1970s, turning the ubiquitous
olive juice into liquid gold. Tuscany’s produce is widely
considered to be the best and is snapped up all over the world.
Chianti, too, has reinvented itself, throwing off the kitsch straw-covered
flasks in favour of sleek square-shouldered bottles with serious
attitude.
From Florence's early days in wool and banking to the goldsmiths
and fashion designers of today, Florence has grown fat on its mercantile
enterprise. Families like the Antinori (wine) and the Strozzi (banking)
continue to flourish in the Florence alongside international business.
But it is the year-round tourist industry that has contributed most
heavily to the city’s bulging coffers. The tourism industry
is growing by 4.46 per cent in 2000, and over half the city is employed,
directly or indirectly, by the tourism sector. Aside from the staffing
of museums, hotels, tourist offices and restaurants, Florence also
leads the way in restoration, creating techniques that are adopted
throughout the world.
Despite the noise and traffic pollution, the quality of life in
the city is very good with unemployment figures at 6.2 per cent,
about half the national average of 12.5 per cent. Florence has one
of the highest standards of living in Italy and in 1996 registered
the highest level of individual bank deposits in the country.
The three main venues for business events and conventions in Florence
are the Fortezza da Basso, Palazzo dei
Congressi and Palazzo Affarri. The latter
two, along with the most part of the city’s commercial activity,
takes place within the city centre, close to the railway station
and all the major attractions.
Business
Etiquette
It is important to distinguish between an Italian’s laid-back
attitude to life and their more formal approach to business. While
Florentines are immensely proud of their city and will enjoy showing
off its best restaurants and finest wines, a certain degree of formality
should be maintained for business matters. Appointments for meetings
should be made in advance and punctuality is respected. Business
cards are commonly exchanged by way of introduction. Smart dress
is appropriate, as is a high degree of respect – Italian associates
should always be addressed as Lei (the polite form of tu), unless
otherwise indicated.
Although many executives will speak English, it is advisable to
conduct business in Italian if possible and Italians always appreciate
a visitor who tries to speak their language, however poorly.
It is common for the entertaining of clients to take place over
lunch with wine offered. Evening entertainment again would be in
a restaurant, or to the theatre and the opera is very popular. While
it is less common for an invitation to a business colleague’s
home, a gift of wine, flowers or chocolate for the host’s
wife/husband would be appropriate.
Normal business
hours are Monday-Friday 0900 hrs-1700 hrs , although much
of the city closes for August. |
