World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Lyons  - Business
Business

Business Profile: Lyons' 2000 years of history illustrates the ability of this city to adapt to changing circumstances. Lyons was the first French city to exchange currency and the first centre of banking in France.

Lyons and its hinterland form a dynamic economy, accounting for some 10% of French Gross Domestic Product. This makes it an attractive European site and the largest area for development after Paris. This success lies partly in Lyons' geo-strategic position, its excellent communication network and the interplay between the private and public sectors of the economy. Additionally, Lyons has excellent research facilities, such as several universities, 'Grandes Ecoles' and research laboratories (the National Scientific Research Centre - CNRS - and the National Institute for Health and Medical Research - INSERM).

Lyons is home to various different kinds of business. A range of industries are based here, but special mention should be made of areas where Lyons enjoys an international reputation in textiles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The urban areas of Lyons have attracted several renowned IT companies, such as Cap Gemini France and Infogrames. Lyons and the surrounding area are home to more than one hundred hi-tech companies employing some 2000 people. Additionally, the region is considered the French and European capital for interactive leisure. Outside Paris, Lyons is also the main centre for business and management consultancy services, including companies such as Ernst and Young and Altran. The service sector as a whole represents about three quarters of jobs in Lyons.

Most hi-tech companies are located in the Garland area; while Part-Dieu is the more general business district of Lyons, where large restructuring is underway. To the northeast of central Lyons is La Cité Internationale, which has been home to INTERPOL, the international police organisation, since 1990. In June 1996, La Cité came into its own by hosting the G7 summit meeting.

Compared to the national average of 8.8%, unemployment in the Rhône-Alpes region is about 8.6%. For the past couple of years, Lyons itself has steadily had one of the highest rates of job creation in France, particularly in the service sector.

Business Etiquette

Offices are normally open Monday to Friday 0900-1800 with an hour break between 1300 and 1400. Since the introduction of the 35-hour week in France, some people are not available in offices on Friday afternoons. Suits and ties are the norm in the financial sector, while the dress code in other businesses tends to be more relaxed, although it is still better to avoid being too casual. The French always exchange business cards at meetings. It is best to address people for the first time with their full title (Monsieur, Madame, Mademoiselle, Professeur, Docteur). If speaking French, it is advisable to use the polite 'vous' form when meeting for the first time or if the relationship is formal. 'Tu' should only be used once the other person has started to use this informal form.

Meetings may be booked for before or after lunch, but will often occur over lunch or dinner, where wine will play a big part in the meal. Normally, the person who organised the meeting pays the bill.




Copyright © 2001 Columbus Publishing
    
GENERAL
City Overview
City Statistics
Cost of Living
 
GETTING THERE
Air
Road
Rail
 
GETTING AROUND
Getting Around
 
BUSINESS
Business
 
SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing
Key Attractions
Further Distractions
Tours of the City
Excursions
 
ENTERTAINMENT
Nightlife
Sport
Shopping
Culture
Special Events