Business is normally conducted in English in Singapore, particularly British English. As many Asian countries do, Singapore has a formal business culture with quite a few rules concerning etiquette. The etiquette itself can vary between the different Chinese, Malay and Indian members. Because the Chinese form the greatest part of the population in Singapore, most of the cultural aspects of the business world are influenced by the Chinese.
Networking is an essential part of conducting business in Singapore, as is cultivating personal relationships with co-workers and potential business associates. Workshops, conferences, training events, and even luncheons are all popular networking venues in Singapore.
It is also important to show respect to elders and those in senior management since status and hierarchy are very important. Business decisions are usually reached by a consensus and in the overall scheme of things, the group’s interests are more important than the individual’s.