Working with Norwegians

The guide to the
work culture of Norway

Sean Percival presents his reflections and learnings, giving unique insights into the way Norwegians and Scandinavians do business. This outsider’s view is packed with tips and tricks so that foreigners and Norwegians can be better at doing business together.

Norwegian Work Culture

Janteloven

Resources

What’s Inside the Book

• Welcome to Norway! 
• Norwegian Values at Work
  • The Law of Jante in business
  • Working to live, not living to work
  • Corporate Ethics 
  • Being competitive in sports vs being competitive in business
• Working in Norway
  • Inside a Norwegian office
  • Corporate hierarchy
  • Speaking the language
  • How not to appear too American
  • Making business contacts in a shy country
  • Meeting room culture best practices
  • Coffee, waffles and brown cheese: The foods of Norwegian business
• Etiquette, Gifting and Mixing Business with Pleasure
  • Using titles and first names
  • Who’s paying for dinner?
  • Dressing for success
  • Norwegian drinking culture and Julebord
  • Romance in the workplace
• Dealmaking in Norway
  • Building trust 
  • How Norwegians manage risk
  • How to operate on Norwegian time
  • Negotiating techniques
  • Contracts and the fine print
  • The art (and power) of the handshake
• Why Norway? A Closing
• Glossary of Norwegian Business Terms
• Typical Norwegians You Meet in the Workplace
• How to Move to Norway from USA

Latest Blog Posts

• Den perfekte gaven til barnehageansatt: En personlig kaffepose
• Bursdagsgaver: Gift ideas for Birthdays in Norway
• Mother’s Day in Norway
• Norwegian Holidays and Gift Ideas
• Understanding “Inneklemt Dager”: Norway’s Beloved Micro-Holidays

It’s a Norwegian’s nightmare,
but let’s get social