Comparison in German and French Management Styles and Business Meeting Etiquettes
May 23, 2009 by admin
Filed under International Marketing
VAIBHAV MISRA asked:
Comparison in German and French Management Styles and Business Meeting Etiquettes
In Germany, if any organization wants to expand its business he needs to follow certain codes that are preferred by German Companies. Some of these meeting etiquettes are as follows:
Appointments are mandatory and should be made 1 to 2 weeks in advance. Letters should be addressed to the top person in the functional area, including the person’s name as well as their proper business title. If you write to schedule an appointment, the letter should be written in German. Punctuality is taken extremely seriously. Meetings are generally formal. Initial meetings are used to get to know each other. They allow your German colleagues to determine if you are trustworthy. Meetings adhere to strict agendas, including starting and ending times. Maintain direct eye contact while speaking. At the end of a meeting, some Germans signal their approval by rapping their knuckles on the tabletop
10. There is a strict protocol to follow when entering a room:
The eldest or highest ranking person enters the room first. Men enter before women, if their age and status are roughly equivalent.
German Negotiation Style
Do not sit until invited and told where to sit. There is a rigid protocol to be followed. Meetings adhere to strict agendas, including starting and ending times. Treat the process with the formality that it deserves. Germany is heavily regulated and extremely bureaucratic. Germans prefer to get down to business and only engage in the briefest of small talk. They will be interested in your credentials. Make sure your printed material is available in both English and German. Contracts are strictly followed. You must be patient and not appear ruffled by the strict adherence to protocol. Germans are detail- oriented and want to understand every innuendo before coming to an agreement. Business is hierarchical. Decision-making is held at the top of the company.
10. Final decisions are translated into rigorous, comprehensive action steps that you can expect will be carried out to the letter.
11. Avoid confrontational behaviour or high- pressure tactics. It can be counterproductive.
12. Once a decision is made, it will not be changed.
German Dress Etiquette
Business dress is understated, formal and conservative. Men should wear dark coloured, conservative business suits. Women should wear either business suits or conservative dresses. Do not wear ostentatious jewellery or accessories.1
German Management Styles:
Managers in Germany are expected to be technically capable in their respective areas and to show strong, clear leadership. Although disagreement with a superior will rarely be seen in public this does not mean that Germans are ‘Yes’ men. Subordinates tend to respect the technical abilities of their superiors and this will impact on their willingness to implement instructions. (The interesting corollary of this is that when less technically proficient non-Germans are asked to manage a team of Germans, the non-German can sometimes be seen as lacking the key prerequisite for developing the team’s respect.)
Responsibility is expected to be delegated by the manager to the member of the team who is technically competent to carry out a particular task. The team member then expects to be left to perform the task without undue interference or supervision. Thus instructions need to be clear, precise and above all unambiguous.
People from cultures where managers are expected to develop a closer, more intimate ambience can see the German manager-subordinate relationship as distant and cold. The higher up the organisation people rise the more a sense of the ‘dignity of the position’ becomes apparent. Socialising tends to be at peer group level rather than up and down a hierarchy. 2
Whereas if any organization wants to expand its business, they are required to follow the following business etiquettes:
French Management Style:
Most senior management in most French companies were educated at the Grandes Ecoles which are the elite schools of France. These colleges champion an intellectual rigour in their students, which is rarely matched elsewhere in the world. This produces a highly educated management population, which approaches management with an unusual degree of academic precision. ‘Intellectualism’ is something to be cherished rather than sneered at and a comment once attributed to French management was that ‘this idea seems alright in practice but will it work in theory?’
Thus, management is an intellectual task to be mastered and thought about in terms of detailed analysis, the complete mastery of complex concepts and information and the eventual application of rational decisions. More pragmatic issues of buy-in, motivating staff etc. (in the Anglo-Saxon understanding of these terms) are not as prominent in French management thinking.
Decisions, once taken at senior levels, will be passed down the chain to lower management for implementation. This directive approach can be seen, especially by those from a consensus oriented, non-hierarchical background, as being overly authoritative and lacking in the necessary team-building elements. 3
French Business Meetings Etiquette
Appointments are necessary and should be made at least 2 weeks in advance. Appointments may be made in writing or by telephone and, depending upon the level of the person you are meeting, are often handled by the secretary. Do not try to schedule meetings during July or August, as this is a common vacation period. If you expect to be delayed, telephone immediately and offer an explanation. Meetings are to discuss issues, not to make decisions. Avoid exaggerated claims, as the French do not appreciate hyperbole.
French Negotiation Style
French business emphasizes courtesy and a fair degree of formality. Wait to be told where to sit. Maintain direct eye contact while speaking. Business is conducted slowly. You will have to be patient and not appear ruffled by the strict adherence to protocol. Avoid confrontational behaviour or high-pressure tactics. It can be counterproductive. The French will carefully analyze every detail of a proposal, regardless of how minute. Business is hierarchical. Decisions are generally made at the top of the company. The French are often impressed with good debating skills that demonstrate an intellectual grasp of the situation and all the ramifications. Never attempt to be overly friendly. The French generally compartmentalize their business and personal lives. Discussions may be heated and intense. High-pressure sales tactics should be avoided. The French are more receptive to a low-key, logical presentation that explains the advantages of a proposal in full. When an agreement is reached, the French may insist it be formalized in an extremely comprehensive, precisely worded contract.
French Dress Etiquette
Business dress is understated and stylish. Men should wear dark-coloured, conservative business suits for the initial meeting. How you dress later is largely dependent upon the personality of the company with which you are conducting business. Women should wear either business suits or elegant dresses in soft colours. The French like the finer things in life, so wear good quality accessories. 4
Conclusion:
Both Germany and France have the different Management style and Business etiquettes but they have similarities in their Management styles and Business Etiquettes. Some of these similarities in Management styles and business etiquettes are as follows:
Prior appointment should be taken Do sit unless you are asked to sit Maintaining eye contacts while speaking is essential in both the countries. Business in both the countries is hierarchal. In both the countries avoiding confrontational behavior or high- pressure tactics is necessary because it can be counterproductive.
References:
www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/germany-country-profile.html www.worldbusinessculture.com/German-Management-Style.html www.worldbusinessculture.com/French-Management-Style.html www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/france-country-profile.html
Comparison in German and French Management Styles and Business Meeting Etiquettes
In Germany, if any organization wants to expand its business he needs to follow certain codes that are preferred by German Companies. Some of these meeting etiquettes are as follows:
Appointments are mandatory and should be made 1 to 2 weeks in advance. Letters should be addressed to the top person in the functional area, including the person’s name as well as their proper business title. If you write to schedule an appointment, the letter should be written in German. Punctuality is taken extremely seriously. Meetings are generally formal. Initial meetings are used to get to know each other. They allow your German colleagues to determine if you are trustworthy. Meetings adhere to strict agendas, including starting and ending times. Maintain direct eye contact while speaking. At the end of a meeting, some Germans signal their approval by rapping their knuckles on the tabletop
10. There is a strict protocol to follow when entering a room:
The eldest or highest ranking person enters the room first. Men enter before women, if their age and status are roughly equivalent.
German Negotiation Style
Do not sit until invited and told where to sit. There is a rigid protocol to be followed. Meetings adhere to strict agendas, including starting and ending times. Treat the process with the formality that it deserves. Germany is heavily regulated and extremely bureaucratic. Germans prefer to get down to business and only engage in the briefest of small talk. They will be interested in your credentials. Make sure your printed material is available in both English and German. Contracts are strictly followed. You must be patient and not appear ruffled by the strict adherence to protocol. Germans are detail- oriented and want to understand every innuendo before coming to an agreement. Business is hierarchical. Decision-making is held at the top of the company.
10. Final decisions are translated into rigorous, comprehensive action steps that you can expect will be carried out to the letter.
11. Avoid confrontational behaviour or high- pressure tactics. It can be counterproductive.
12. Once a decision is made, it will not be changed.
German Dress Etiquette
Business dress is understated, formal and conservative. Men should wear dark coloured, conservative business suits. Women should wear either business suits or conservative dresses. Do not wear ostentatious jewellery or accessories.1
German Management Styles:
Managers in Germany are expected to be technically capable in their respective areas and to show strong, clear leadership. Although disagreement with a superior will rarely be seen in public this does not mean that Germans are ‘Yes’ men. Subordinates tend to respect the technical abilities of their superiors and this will impact on their willingness to implement instructions. (The interesting corollary of this is that when less technically proficient non-Germans are asked to manage a team of Germans, the non-German can sometimes be seen as lacking the key prerequisite for developing the team’s respect.)
Responsibility is expected to be delegated by the manager to the member of the team who is technically competent to carry out a particular task. The team member then expects to be left to perform the task without undue interference or supervision. Thus instructions need to be clear, precise and above all unambiguous.
People from cultures where managers are expected to develop a closer, more intimate ambience can see the German manager-subordinate relationship as distant and cold. The higher up the organisation people rise the more a sense of the ‘dignity of the position’ becomes apparent. Socialising tends to be at peer group level rather than up and down a hierarchy. 2
Whereas if any organization wants to expand its business, they are required to follow the following business etiquettes:
French Management Style:
Most senior management in most French companies were educated at the Grandes Ecoles which are the elite schools of France. These colleges champion an intellectual rigour in their students, which is rarely matched elsewhere in the world. This produces a highly educated management population, which approaches management with an unusual degree of academic precision. ‘Intellectualism’ is something to be cherished rather than sneered at and a comment once attributed to French management was that ‘this idea seems alright in practice but will it work in theory?’
Thus, management is an intellectual task to be mastered and thought about in terms of detailed analysis, the complete mastery of complex concepts and information and the eventual application of rational decisions. More pragmatic issues of buy-in, motivating staff etc. (in the Anglo-Saxon understanding of these terms) are not as prominent in French management thinking.
Decisions, once taken at senior levels, will be passed down the chain to lower management for implementation. This directive approach can be seen, especially by those from a consensus oriented, non-hierarchical background, as being overly authoritative and lacking in the necessary team-building elements. 3
French Business Meetings Etiquette
Appointments are necessary and should be made at least 2 weeks in advance. Appointments may be made in writing or by telephone and, depending upon the level of the person you are meeting, are often handled by the secretary. Do not try to schedule meetings during July or August, as this is a common vacation period. If you expect to be delayed, telephone immediately and offer an explanation. Meetings are to discuss issues, not to make decisions. Avoid exaggerated claims, as the French do not appreciate hyperbole.
French Negotiation Style
French business emphasizes courtesy and a fair degree of formality. Wait to be told where to sit. Maintain direct eye contact while speaking. Business is conducted slowly. You will have to be patient and not appear ruffled by the strict adherence to protocol. Avoid confrontational behaviour or high-pressure tactics. It can be counterproductive. The French will carefully analyze every detail of a proposal, regardless of how minute. Business is hierarchical. Decisions are generally made at the top of the company. The French are often impressed with good debating skills that demonstrate an intellectual grasp of the situation and all the ramifications. Never attempt to be overly friendly. The French generally compartmentalize their business and personal lives. Discussions may be heated and intense. High-pressure sales tactics should be avoided. The French are more receptive to a low-key, logical presentation that explains the advantages of a proposal in full. When an agreement is reached, the French may insist it be formalized in an extremely comprehensive, precisely worded contract.
French Dress Etiquette
Business dress is understated and stylish. Men should wear dark-coloured, conservative business suits for the initial meeting. How you dress later is largely dependent upon the personality of the company with which you are conducting business. Women should wear either business suits or elegant dresses in soft colours. The French like the finer things in life, so wear good quality accessories. 4
Conclusion:
Both Germany and France have the different Management style and Business etiquettes but they have similarities in their Management styles and Business Etiquettes. Some of these similarities in Management styles and business etiquettes are as follows:
Prior appointment should be taken Do sit unless you are asked to sit Maintaining eye contacts while speaking is essential in both the countries. Business in both the countries is hierarchal. In both the countries avoiding confrontational behavior or high- pressure tactics is necessary because it can be counterproductive.
References:
www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/germany-country-profile.html www.worldbusinessculture.com/German-Management-Style.html www.worldbusinessculture.com/French-Management-Style.html www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/france-country-profile.html
