How to Communicate in the Business World
When conducting business in Germany, one needs to be mindful of how businessmen in Germany differ than businessmen in other countries. Before conversations even begin, it is important to be mindful of appropriate business attire in Germany. Corporate business attire is formal, dark and conservative suits. Khakis are very inappropriate. Be sure to bring many business cards that are double-sided with one side in English and one side in German.
When greeting a potential business partner, it is important to be early for any business meeting. It is possible that Germans will be late but this is acceptable and considered a test of their client's patience. It is expected that you address them with their full nme and formal title and usually a third-party interpreter should do this as it is considered disrespectful to address a German in English. Small-talk and mingling are not well-known practices in Germany as well. Firm hand-shakes are also expected.
One difference is how Germans are very direct in their communication style. This directness can easily be misinterpretted by other countries as rudeness, however, it is viewed as a sign of respect in German culture. Germans have very agenda-based conversations. They are focused on the topic at hand and it is inappropriate to sway from the subject. Facts, statistics, and examples are considered essential in decision-making. Direct eye-contact is valued too. The bussiness world is not a place for humor either. Germans view humor in the workplace to be a sign of disrespect and could lose a company a business deal.
When greeting a potential business partner, it is important to be early for any business meeting. It is possible that Germans will be late but this is acceptable and considered a test of their client's patience. It is expected that you address them with their full nme and formal title and usually a third-party interpreter should do this as it is considered disrespectful to address a German in English. Small-talk and mingling are not well-known practices in Germany as well. Firm hand-shakes are also expected.
One difference is how Germans are very direct in their communication style. This directness can easily be misinterpretted by other countries as rudeness, however, it is viewed as a sign of respect in German culture. Germans have very agenda-based conversations. They are focused on the topic at hand and it is inappropriate to sway from the subject. Facts, statistics, and examples are considered essential in decision-making. Direct eye-contact is valued too. The bussiness world is not a place for humor either. Germans view humor in the workplace to be a sign of disrespect and could lose a company a business deal.