In the last years, Israel has evolved as a key hub in the high-tech sector, development largely encouraged by innovation grants offered to various fields, including hardware, software, communications, life sciences, IoT, cyber, fintech, and others. It doesn't come as a surprise that Israel is nicknamed "The Startup Nation." Disruptive innovation in different industries is changing the corporate landscape, bringing about new business challenges and opportunities alike. The only country that comes close to Israel as far as its innovative spirit is concerned is the United Arab Emirates. Still, the recent peace agreement between the two might open up further opportunities – the deal will accelerate growth, create jobs, and hopefully lead to a new era of peace.
Business trips are becoming commonplace as development in Israel is versatile (and continually growing), so the biggest asset you can give your company is being fully present. Israel is an entrepreneurial powerhouse. VIP experiences are available to business travelers, so there's ample opportunity to discover unique sights, sounds, and activities – all you have to do is book a luxury business tour to Israel. Traveling in style and luxury doesn't necessarily mean having the most expensive experience but adjusting your travel to what you value the most. Here are some tips to remember for your first international business trip. Being aware of these factors (and others) will help you avoid issues or miscommunication leading to unfortunate business results.
Make sure your hotel room has everything you need to stay connected and productive, such as fast Wi-Fi, a multitude of power outlets, in-room phones, and so on. Search the Internet to find hotels that are located close to your business meetings; your presence is very much required, so prepare thoroughly. If the hotel has easy access to public transportation, you can enjoy a less stressful journey by letting someone else do the driving. If you have some time off from your business meetings, explore all that Israel has to offer. Try to book a room in a hotel near Rothschild Boulevard, a vibrant cultural center that accommodates music performances, ballets, musicals, plays, etc. In case you didn't know, the Israeli palate has grown more refined, so you can eat something different, like sfenj, khachapuri, and ful.
If it's your first time traveling to Israel on business, there are certain things to be aware of. Israel has a distinct business culture that you might find astonishing, so take the time to learn how business deals are done to display a level of respect and consideration to your peers. Business partners invest time into building rapport, meaning you'll be treated more like a friend rather than a formal business connection. If you want to share a more productive relationship, leverage the power of informal interactions by inviting a business partner to lunch to seal the deal. Here are other basic rules to familiarize yourself with:
International business is conducted mostly in English, but if you want to impress your new contacts, learning a few basic phrases in Hebrew doesn't hurt. Don't let linguistic anxiety have you avoid this age-old language. Audio books make it possible to learn Hebrew while doing something else, so they help even if audiobooks don't replace grinding through. The language you hear passively is still being absorbed. Audio books to learn Hebrew improve your comprehension and vocabulary, but it's recommended to take notes, get a hard copy, and a dictionary as you learn. Most importantly, listen to the entire section before passing on to the written material. Learning Hebrew is one of the best decisions you can make before your trip to Israel if you want to do business or anything at all.
Tel Aviv might very well be the next Silicon Valley, but it's a good idea to extend your sights to the likes of Jerusalem, Haifa, and Beer Sheva. Jerusalem, for instance, is home to roughly 400 startups, with its strongest businesses in sectors such as AI, biotech and life sciences, machine learning, and health tech. Entrepreneurs enter the scene at a rapid pace, and without a website or office, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to locate ventures that align with your interests without the help of local partners. Combine forces and share experiences, opportunities, and profits.
