Doing business in Germany – guidelines for beginners
Doing business in Germany – guidelines for beginners
What comes to mind when you think about doing business in Germany? Most likely strict rules, hard work, and minimal fun? You might not be completely off the mark, but just like any other country, Germany has a unique corporate culture, which is far more nuanced and diverse than the stereotype may lead you to believe… and above all, not as harsh as the language might sound.
In this article, we present 5 guidelines – that perhaps you weren’t familiar with, which will surely help you navigate the differences and improve your working experience in the country of organization, efficiency, and structure – and be successful while doing business in Germany!
MONOCHRONIC CULTURE
“Germans are so spontaneous and flexible!”, said no one ever. Their work culture is a prime example of a monochronic culture. To Germans, time is seen as a fixed element which can be organized, quantified, and scheduled. There is an appropriate time and place for everything. Things are done one at a time and disruptions to this orderliness are frowned upon. There are different situations in which this becomes apparent. For example, unpunctuality is among the biggest sins. If you arrive late to a meeting it shows disrespect to the other person’s time and schedule. Meeting rooms fill up 5-10 minutes before the start in order to begin and end on time. So, keep in mind to treat the other persons’ time respectfully and hit the promised deadlines!
Another example is the separation of work and private life. When you get together for a meeting, avoid unnecessary and excessive small talk, so you’re not wasting precious work time. You should know that Germans want to focus on work and draw a very clear line. Instead, suggest going for drinks after work. You’ll surely get to know your colleagues way better in their free time. But keep in mind: the conversation should not be about work. Why? Because work stays at work.
DIRECT COMMUNICATION AND EFFICIENCY
Germans – belong to a low-context culture and love direct communication. They place a lot of value in being straightforward and to the point, as they don’t like to waste time. Therefore, preparations are essential and well-researched facts are appreciated, especially in business meetings.
But why is direct communication so important? – The answer lies in the well-known concept of German efficiency. The team strives for quick solutions, and everyone tries to contribute as much as possible in a short time. So be ready for extensive questions and always have an explicit answer to the question “How?”.
LONG-TERM ORIENTATION / UNCERTAINTY AVOIDANCE
“We usually make our plans at the end of the year for the following year”. Yes, that’s exactly what your planning should look like – long-term oriented.
In German companies, a lot of time is invested in structured and well-organized planning. That allows people to know what to expect and anticipate, which allows them to plan their lives accordingly. Plans once made are usually set in stone. Important dates should be fixed in advance so you can prepare for every eventuality. A reason for the German long-term orientation is uncertainty avoidance. It is always better to explicitly distribute responsibility to avoid an uncertain future. Furthermore, Germans need structures and rules, because surprising and unknown situations make them feel uncomfortable.
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
When setting foot into a German company, a newcomer will probably be surprised by the sense of community and collective purpose that is tangible. It’s hard to believe that team spirit and group dynamics play such a huge role because in general, the German culture tends to be more individualistic compared to others. The truth is teamwork is one of the greatest strengths and assets within German companies! The importance of the group even has a name: “Wir-Gefühl (we-feeling)” and is a major part of German work culture. As a team, you have access to more ideas, which allows for better discussions to work out the most effective strategies together. By trusting in everyone’s productivity, this philosophy leads to the maximum efficiency of each team member.
POWER DISTANCE
What you should know is that the German power distance is not particularly high. People see their boss as a mentor, and they can count on him if problems occur. Responsibility is delegated as the managers are willing to work on the same level. Thus, the focus is less on control and more on participative management.
So, if you have a good idea, just raise your voice! Everyone has the chance to contribute, and improvements are always welcome. Maybe that’s why German companies are so effective – there is a lot of emphasis on “looking at things from the outside” and asking for different opinions.
In summary, working with Germans is not that difficult. Just follow their lead and you’ll thrive at work – and they might invite you for a beer after.
