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Doing business with...GermanyIntercultural Training SeriesUnit 1Presented by: Charles Rei
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purpose
The purpose of this training is to gain a better understanding of German work culture. This presentation provides an overview of themes and issues in German culture, communication styles, and etiqutte to help improve cooperation and collaboration with German colleagues.
As with all cultural training, the issues presented do not represent all individuals. Personality types will differ in all societies. Instead, the training serves as a general guide.
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agenda• Facts and myths about German culture• Public vs. private spheres• Communication styles• Business etiquette basics• Do• Don‘t• Be careful
• Resources and references
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FACTS AND MYTHS ABOUT GERMAN CULTURE
What we think we know
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Assumption 1 – beer and bratwurst
• Significant regional differences• Culture• Dialect• Industry / economy
• Reunification• Bavaria• The Ruhr
Source: http://library.thinkquest.org
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Assumption 2 – punctuality• What on time means
in German• Meetings and
appointments• Deadlines• Quality /
completeness vs. punctuality
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Assumption 3 – order and discipline
• Rules based society• The spirit and the
letter• Collective enjoyment
of society‘s benefits• Changing attitudes
• The role of history• Humor• Satire and sarcasm
Source: http://www.buffalorising.com
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Assumption 4 – a nation of engineers
• Made in Germany• The value of quality• Education• Identifying potential• Developing specialists
• Critical and creative thinking
Source: http://www.porsche.com
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PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPHERESWhat to talk about and what to avoid
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public• Colleagues• Aquaintences• Social groups• Clubs• Social mobility
Source: http://www.businessinsider.com
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private• Family• Friends• Exclusive group
• Goals• Individual privacy• Assessments
• Mutual respect
Source: http://maps.google.com
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interests
Good topics...
• Personal hobbies• Often taken to a
professional level
• Nature and the environment• Wellness• Balance
• Sports
Not so good topics...
• Politics• Globalization• Rumors and gossip
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COMMUNICATION STYLESWhat Germans say and hear
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just the facts, please• Drawing conclusions• Detailed
understanding of the situation• Analysis vs. hunches• Information overload
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direct, not impolite• What you see is what
you get• The power of truth• Customer service• Complaining
Source: http://mixedmedia.pro 15
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professional disagreement• What no really
means• Person vs. opinion• In-depth discussions• Silence is not
agreement
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reaching a decision• Risk• Decision-makers• Clarity• Detailed planning• Following the plan
• Consensus
Source: http://www.hermann.k12.mo.us
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BUSINESS ETIQUETTE BASICSMaking the right impression
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do• Arrive on time, well-prepared• Follow the honor system• Greet everyone with a firm handshake and eye contact• Engage in small talk before getting down to business• Support opinions with facts• Participate in professional discussions• Accept invitations
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don‘t• Treat men and women differently• Get comfortable• Ask colleagues to mix business and personal lives• Be offended by direct comments / questions• Make tentative promises• Act overly friendly out of politeness• Expect to shake things up
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be careful• Talking about history / politics• Commenting on cultural differences• Using humor• Asking personal questions
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RESOURCES AND REFERENCESFor more about German business travel and culture
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resources and references
For more information
• The Economist “Doing business in Berlin” podcasthttp://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2011/02/doing_business_berlin
• Guide to handling specific business situations at Executive Planethttp://www.executiveplanet.com/index.php?title=Germany
• BBC Country Overviewhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1047864.stm
References • Jandt, Fred E. (2010). An
Introduction to Intercultural Communication. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
• Dr. Sabrina Mallon-GerlandIntercultural Communication TrainerConstance, Germany http://cltmallongerland.wordpress.com/
• Contact me for more information [email protected]
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