Germany Business Culture Pdf Free
Germany IntroductionTheFederal Republic of Germany has a population of81 million people and is roughly the size of Montana. Germanysreligions are split evenly between Roman Catholics,who are concentrated in the southern part of thecountry, and Protestants, who are found in thenorthern region. Germany's economy ranks as thelargest in Europe, and the third largest in theworld, behind the U.S. And Japan.Thedecision-making process in Germany is much slowerthan in the United States, and this can be troublesometo U.S. Be prepared for the processto take much longer, as there is often a 'hidden' groupof advisors and decision makers that must approveof any transaction that is to occur. Germany FunFactGermanywent through a unification process, bringing theEast and the West together. Although there stillcontinues to be sensitivities between the two regions,the integration both economically and technologicallyis moving forward.OfGermany is the home of world famous Oktoberfest, or Wiesn,which is a 16-day annaul festival held in Munich,Bavaria, Germany,fromlate September to the first weekend in October. It'sone of the most famous events in Germany and is the world'slargest fair, with more than 5 million people attendingevery year.TheOktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, havingbeen held since 1810.
One of the keys to success when doing business in Germany is an ability to understand German business culture and the profound impact that the local business culture has when interacting with German colleagues or clients. Lack of preparation could cost you dearly; inattention to detail could result in lost opportunities.
- Country Culture Guides. Access Cultural Information on over 80+ Countries Learn about the culture, language, people, beliefs, food, etiquette, business practices and more - all for free! Ideal for anyone visiting a foreign country for the first time, whether for business or pleasure. A Passion for Culture.
- This short guide shall make your adoption to German culture, customs, manners and etiquette easier. Careful planning, in one's business and personal life, provides a sense of security. Feel free to have serious discussions in social settings – Germans like talking politics and.
Other cities acrossthe world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations, modeledafter the Munich event. The Geert Hofstede analysis for Germany shows their emphasis onindividualism, masculinity, and uncertainty avoidance.
Powerdistance and long-term orientation are both ranked considerablylower than the others.
Language And Culture Pdf
There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to business etiquette in Germany. Work culture varies office to office. But in general it’s best to err on the side of formality and then become more casual if that’s tendency among your coworkers.Here a few tips to help keep you professional and polite in a German workplace: PunctualityYou’ve heard it before and it’s true—punctuality really does matter in Germany. Showing up even five or ten minutes late to a meeting is considered rude. Meetings generally start on time and stick to a plan.
A lot of deviation off the main topic won’t be taken well unless the head of the meeting invites people to share comments on other topics. Handshakes & eye contactA short and firm handshake is the most typical greeting. It’s best to shake everyone’s hand upon entering and exiting a meeting and not to shake someone’s hand with one hand still in your pocket. Also, maintain eye contact. This doesn’t mean to have an uncomfortable stare down. It’s just considered friendly and honest to look at someone directly rather than off to the side.
Germany Business Culture Pdf Free Pdf
Respect the chain of commandHierarchy is respected in Germany. The chain of command is closely followed when it comes to workplace decisions. Defer to your direct manager when it comes to decision making. He or she will bring your question up to the next level of management if needed and so on.When introducing a group of colleagues always start with the most senior coworker.
Slow and steadyWork flow tends to go at a steady pace. Projects are expected to be completed on time and accurately. However, more priority is given to accuracy than speed. If you need to change the deadline, notify coworkers early and provide a good explanation. FashionGenerally, workplace dress is conservative in Germany. This varies in different cities and industries. Start-ups, newsrooms and some environmental firms sometimes use a more casual dress code.
Other businesses generally stick to a conservative wardrobe—definitely no trainers or tennis shoes. Banking cities like Frankfurt tend to be a bit more conservative than Berlin with its big creative scene. TitlesTitles are important in Germany. You will usually see people’s qualifications listed on their business cards. For e-mails and in-person communication it’s always good to use a person’s title and surname, as in Herr Schmidt or Frau Schmidt.
If someone is a professor or doctor, it’s best to use Dr. Schmidt or Professor Schmidt.These are just a few basic guidelines. The best plan is to follow the lead of co-workers, watch how they handle the social nuances of the office and not to worry too much.