View
6.227
Download
1
Category
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
Citation preview
Doing business with...GermanyIntercultural Training SeriesUnit 1Presented by: Charles Rei
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
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.
2
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
agenda• Facts and myths about German culture• Public vs. private spheres• Communication styles• Business etiquette basics• Do• Don‘t• Be careful
• Resources and references
3
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
FACTS AND MYTHS ABOUT GERMAN CULTURE
What we think we know
4
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
Assumption 1 – beer and bratwurst
• Significant regional differences• Culture• Dialect• Industry / economy
• Reunification• Bavaria• The Ruhr
Source: http://library.thinkquest.org
5
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
Assumption 2 – punctuality• What on time means
in German• Meetings and
appointments• Deadlines• Quality /
completeness vs. punctuality
6
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
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
7
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
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
8
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPHERESWhat to talk about and what to avoid
9
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
public• Colleagues• Aquaintences• Social groups• Clubs• Social mobility
Source: http://www.businessinsider.com
10
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
private• Family• Friends• Exclusive group
• Goals• Individual privacy• Assessments
• Mutual respect
Source: http://maps.google.com
11
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
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
12
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
COMMUNICATION STYLESWhat Germans say and hear
13
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
just the facts, please• Drawing conclusions• Detailed
understanding of the situation• Analysis vs. hunches• Information overload
14
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
direct, not impolite• What you see is what
you get• The power of truth• Customer service• Complaining
Source: http://mixedmedia.pro 15
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
professional disagreement• What no really
means• Person vs. opinion• In-depth discussions• Silence is not
agreement
16
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
reaching a decision• Risk• Decision-makers• Clarity• Detailed planning• Following the plan
• Consensus
Source: http://www.hermann.k12.mo.us
17
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
BUSINESS ETIQUETTE BASICSMaking the right impression
18
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
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
19
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
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
20
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
be careful• Talking about history / politics• Commenting on cultural differences• Using humor• Asking personal questions
21
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
RESOURCES AND REFERENCESFor more about German business travel and culture
22
(cc)
Cha
rles
Rei 2
012,
att
ributi
on &
non
-com
mer
cial
use
per
mitt
ed
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 atcharles_rei@yahoo.com
23
Recommended