Etiquette And Customs That Foreigners Must Know About Before Setting Up Business In Germany
Today,
Germany has emerged as the largest and the most diverse marketplace in Europe
and across the globe. This has been one of the major reasons for attracting investors
and businesses from various parts of the world to choose Germany for their
business expansion projects. The relative ease of company
formation in Germany and its operation after the establishment has
further enhanced this trend. However, many times, such businesses fail to get
the desired results despite all the support and flexibility that drew them to
the country in the first place. This mainly happens due to lack of proper
planning and preparation, especially in terms of building positive professional
relationships and understanding the local working practices.
Hindrances Faced By Foreign
Investors
Like
most other countries, Germany has a unique work culture build through years of
adherence to specific values and traditions. Sadly, a majority of foreign
investors seem to be unaware of the fact that this work culture still forms a
part and parcel of the everyday life of German people. This inability of the
foreign investors to appreciate the significance of business etiquette,
customs, and culture of the country has proven to be one of the biggest
roadblocks in their efforts of forging good working relationships with their
German business partners. In fact, many such investors consider the task of
gaining awareness about these aspects too insignificant, which can be quite
offensive for the native people. This situation can be avoided by learning
about the below discussed key etiquettes and customs that are integral to German
work culture.
Keeping
Work And Leisure Time Separate
Germans
are known for keeping their professional and personal lives completely
separate. They rarely, if ever mix work with fun and strictly adhere to the
time allotted for both these activities. This also ensures that their attitude
towards their colleagues at work is entirely different from their attitude towards
their family and friends.
Preference
For Proper Prior Planning
People
considering the idea of setting
up a company in Germany, need to understand that the people of this
country like to be well-prepared and organized. They do not like to be
surprised, especially when it comes to business and prefer to work with people
who display an ability to plan ahead. They also do not appreciate any sudden
changes in business strategy, processes, and practices as they consider them to
be indicative of weak leadership.
Strict
Adherence To Rules and Regulations
Germans
display great respect for leading a well-regulated and lawful life. They
believe that doing so helps in establishing clear expectations and developing better
professional relationships. Hence they tend to strictly adhere to various rules
and regulations governing the setting up and function of a business
establishment.
Lack
Of Humour In Business Dealings
Conducting
business deals in a light-hearted and humorous manner is frowned upon in
Germany. Most aspects of setting
up a GmbH in Germany are carried out in an extremely serious and
no-nonsense environment. This is because levity and humor are generally
considered to be indicative of a lack of concentration, commitment, and
maturity and tends to raise serious doubts about the trustworthiness of an
individual.
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