Business City – Rome

Doing  business in Rome can be a frustrating affair, as the Italian way of life is not rushed: everything can wait another day. “Rome wasn’t built in a day, so what’s the rush?” they ask. This laid-back business culture is in stark contrast to what prevails in Milan, where hardnosed tactics dominate. Romans will wax lyrical about politics and pension rights endlessly, and they’d rather do that than make a decision: so be patient. It’s the key to success in this city. You’ll probably pick through the details of a contract over a cappuccino in a cafe, rather than in a boardroom. But casual business habits don’t mean casual business attire. Glamour is very much part of the of this city, not least because of the film industry and all its downstream industries, so do dress smartly.

Choose between the elegant Eden Hotel, a Meridien/Starwood property with a rooftop Michelin-starred restaurant, next to the Villa Borghese park; or the deeply trendy Hotel de Russie, akin to a movie-set with its terrace garden and fabulous spa and clientele from the media set; or the more English-style Duke Hotel in the residential area of Parioli, also near the Villa Borghese. Expect to eat late. The trendy bars are to be found around Trastevere, and also along Via Veneto. Eating out is easy, as most bars offer good food. But client entertaining is at its best inside the Eden Hotel.