While foreigners are free to contact local firms directly when attempting to arrange a business meeting, introductions or referrals always help. Your Singaporean contacts will feel more comfortable if a third party whom they know will set up your meetings.

When entering the meeting environment in Singapore, let a senior member lead, followed by the next senior member, and so on. This follows local custom and allows your hosts to keep tabs on who's who. Hierarchy reigns. The Singapore team will sit facing the visiting party, with persons of equal rank sitting opposite each other.

If a commitment has been made to do business here, it will be important to establish a local partner or representative who can look after your interests. Healy Consultants can provide invaluable assistance when starting a company in Singapore by providing you with reliable and trustworthy contacts in the Lion City.

Don't waste time exchanging pleasantries – unless, of course, your host seems to want to. More often than not, business is addressed immediately at Singapore business meetings.

The meeting materials you're giving out should be of top quality; shabby photocopies are unacceptable. If your group is hosting the meeting, include writing materials, as well as small business-related gifts if the budget allows.

When Singaporeans first meet with foreign businesspeople, business cards will be exchanged. These should feature your name, title, company logo, and contact numbers. Treat this time as a formal ceremony that sets a positive tone for the meeting to follow. When handing out your card, give one to everyone present and you'll make a lasting first impression.

When a member of the Asian community hands over his or her card, it is held by the top corners with the thumb and index finger of both hands. The printed name will face the receiver, making it easy to read. Upon receiving a card, never write on it, put it casually in your back pocket, or haphazardly stash it in a folder, as any of these actions can be misconstrued as disrespect. A business card is considered an extension of the giver. If you fail to treat it with the proper respect, you won't be taken seriously as a potential business prospect in Singapore.

As talk winds down, look to the Singaporean lead player for your next move. He or she will probably wait for a lull in the conversation. Then, after a minute or two, that person will probably stand up – a good indication that the meeting is about to come to a close. All of the players will be thanked for their participation, after which they will be expected to file out of the room.

Don't congregate outside the meeting room door in hopes of discovering more than you have been able to glean. Instead, ask your colleagues to meet you for a drink at a local pub or at your hotel if you want more information.

Although Singaporeans tend to arrive late for social events, being late for business appointments is paramount to an insult.

Be practical about setting deadlines. Decide what you can and can't accomplish during a specific time period.

Handshakes are the most common business greeting in Singapore. A gentle squeeze lasting 10 to 12 seconds is ideal. While Westerners tend to read a lot into a handshake, for Singaporeans, ‘pressing the flesh' is considered merely a friendly greeting. There are no subtle messages encoded in a handshake's firmness or duration.

Wait for your Singaporean counterparts to initiate the handshake before you extend your hand. In both the traditional Malay and Indian cultures, religion dictates a more reserved greeting – a nod. While it is mostly a rare case when this will occur, when it does, simply offer a smile with a nod of the head.

It is acceptable for women to shake hands with both sexes, but they are expected to initiate the gesture. Alternatively, they may simply nod politely when introduced.

As a general rule, avoid touching anyone, especially those of the opposite sex. While in Western cultures a pat on the back or a hand on the shoulder is a friendly gesture, in Singapore it may be seen as aggression or flirtation.

Pointing with a finger is considered rude. Use your entire hand with the palm up to bring attention to a person or an object.

Displaying the sole of your foot or the bottom of your shoes is considered disrespectful and rude to some Singaporeans. So try to avoid crossing your legs unless you are seated behind a table or desk.

When dealing with Indians or Malays, always hand items over with the right hand. Among Muslims, the left hand is used only for personal hygiene and is therefore considered unclean.

In a business setting, Singaporeans generally feel most comfortable at arm's length from the other person. So if your Singaporean counterpart backs up or moves toward a wall, simply take a step back.

A display of anger will only result in loss of face. Always speak in a gentle, calm manner. When asked a question, it is polite to maintain a brief silence before answering. This pause shows that the respondent is giving the question proper and considerable thought.

For more information on the Singapore business culture and etiquette, email email@healyconsultants.com or call us in Singapore at (+65) 6735 0120.