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| Home - City Guide - Dallas - Business | ||
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Business Business Profile: Dallas thinks as big in business as it does in any other area. It is one of the leading convention centres in the USA, with nearly 100,000 employees in the hospitality industry, representing 10% of the city's entire workforce. Unemployment at 4.1% is just below the national average (4.2%). Over the last couple of years, only the real estate sector has shown a decline in employees (down 17%). Other sectors have been growing steadily: construction 10%; insurance 22%; investment 25%; and transportation services jumping 55%. In addition, Forbes Magazine rated it as 'one of the country's best cities for business', where there are over 110,000 companies and around 10,000 company headquarters. Apart from California, this is one of the biggest areas for information and high technology employment, as well as being the country's second most important location for fashion and clothing. The tax position in Dallas provides an excellent incentive for business, as there are no personal or corporate income taxes or any state property taxes. This is a city that prides itself on its entrepreneurial flair, its 'can do' spirit, which traces itself back to the attitudes of the original founder of an Anglo-Saxon settlement here, in 1841, John Neely Bryan. Oil and the hot climate have shaped business since then. Among the recent top 200 companies as rated by The Dallas Morning Business News are Exxon Mobil Corp (1), J C Penney Co (2), GTE Corp (3), Kimberley Clark Corp (8), Texas Instruments Inc (10), 7-Eleven Inc (12), Southwest Airlines (15) and the Tandy Corp (18). Business Etiquette: Americans can often be less formal than Europeans, both in dress and manners, but here in the 'Deep South', it is harder to anticipate the norm. Dallas regards itself as stylish and sophisticated and there is already a tradition of formality in the south, however, Texans can dress exceptionally informally, even looking to the newcomer like TV cowboys. The degree of office formality often reflects the nature of the business - banking and legal professions will be more formal than computer ('Silicon Prairie') and media companies. Americans quickly use first-name terms, while still remaining focused on the business in hand. As a visitor, there is nothing wrong in being as formal as, say, in Europe and then relaxing once the attitudes of the host have been established. Punctuality for business meetings is expected and visitors should always allow for traffic delays and aim to arrive with five to ten minutes to spare. Meetings can be at all times of the day, even a working breakfast or an evening meal, which can be a relaxed social affair or a more formal business meal. If clarification is necessary, Texans won't mind being asked! Americans are very tolerant generally over personal needs with regard to diet, so visitors should not worry about making this clear when choosing from a menu. Alcohol consumption is treated as a personal choice, neither necessary nor obligatory. If invited to a colleague's home for dinner, a small gift, such as a bottle of wine or something from one's own country, a neatly wrapped box of chocolates or similar confectionery, will often be appropriate as a gesture of thanks. A 'thank you' card can also be sent after the event by post. Business hours run from as early as 0800 in weekdays, although 0830 is more likely. The working day usually ends around 1700. Working late is nonetheless common, nor is it unusual for people to be working well into the night or over the weekend. Business cards are commonly exchanged at meetings and e-mail is a favourite means of communication. |
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