The six things you must know about Germany

Social media, Student placements

Maria SlavovaI am a recent graduate from Warwick Business School and during my third year of studies, I spent an exchange year in Munich, Germany. This guide would have definitely helped me settle in quicker. Especially, for students from lower income families, the cost of living is a matter of utmost importance. That is why the information about average example prices is very useful.

1. Germans prefer to use cash and not credit cards

Germans are still very fond of cash although cash cards are gradually becoming more popular. However, they do not use credit cards very often as is the case in many other Western countries. I found the report on Germany comprehensive and useful.

As is mentioned in the report, Germany is renowned for its education system which has long standing traditions and a complicated structure. It is important for foreign students to get acquainted with it before coming to the country and the websites given provide a good description.

2. Importance of work experience

The report accurately highlights the importance of work experience, which is interwoven in the education system. Students do their first placement while still in school and receive feedback on their performance. There are numerous opportunities for work placements during university studies. Practical experience is highly important in Germany and foreign students quite often overlook this fact when applying for jobs in the country.

The application process could last quite a long time, so like the report suggests it is advisable to apply several months in advance. Ensuring that all documents are in place and finding accommodation is also very important. The list with websites for placements is very convenient.

3. Healthcare system in Germany

The healthcare system in Germany is very well organized and foreign students are required to have health insurance. The report provides a website with information about visas and work permits which is also very important when looking for a work placement in Germany.

4. Xing is currently more popular than LinkedIn in Germany

Like in the other European countries, social networks in Germany are becoming more and more important for finding work and establishing contacts. The professional network Xing is currently more popular than LinkedIn and many people seek employment through it.

5. Importance of punctuality and planning

One cannot overstress the importance of punctuality and planning in the German business culture. The section on Business communication in Germany presents a good overview of the do’s and don’ts in a German work setting. Following business etiquette is essential.

6. German taboo subjects

Germans are very sensitive when it comes to discussing topics like World War II so one needs to be very cautious not to offend them. The division of private and work life is very clear and is important that foreigners are aware of this so not to get a wrong impression. It makes a good impression if one knows typical gestures like rapping the knuckles against the table top at the end of a presentation or a lecture.

Overall I found the report on Germany instructive and would recommend it to students looking for placements in Germany.

By Mariya Slavova

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that business etiquette is the same everywhere

Business Culture

As research and development activities are inseparable part of my company – INTERIORPROTECT Ltd. – and I always strive to broaden our portfolio and horizons, I am considering expanding into other countries in the European Union and other European countries.

INTERIORPROTECT Ltd

Established in 1997, INTERIORPROTECT Ltd. has been the leading Bulgarian enterprise for development and production of flame retardants, technologies and services for fire protection and prevention. INTERIORPROTECT Ltd. is the first private Bulgarian fire protection material company that acquired the ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certificate. The company has received awards for its inventions and patents and I recently presented the company’s patent for halogen-free flame retardants.

While specific business know-how and innovative ideas are undoubtedly important, knowing how to communicate your knowledge and ideas to another business culture is no less crucial. Given the specificity of our business, I am well acquainted with the legislation in the different countries. Yet the website www.businessculture.org provides a good summary of the basic business communication “laws” that should be abided when one wants to do business in a foreign country.

Don’t think that business etiquette is the same everywhere

Although one might fall into the trap of thinking that business etiquette is the same everywhere, this website has compiled information from many different countries in one place showing some of the important differences that one needs to know to make a good impression.

Even a country like Turkey whose culture many Bulgarians believe to know well has its peculiarities.

Having information how to say basic words and greetings in the respective languages seems also useful. The website provides interesting tips on how to carry out negotiations in different business settings, what questions to consider beforehand and what topics to avoid.

I believe that www.businessculture.org presents a well written guide for small and medium sized companies that want to venture out and do business in foreign countries but do not have the time to invest in a lot of research themselves and I would recommend it to fellow managers.

Dr. Eng. Lydia Kostova

www.interiorprotect.com

Learn about social media marketing strategies

Business Culture, Social media

I am a freelance mechanical engineer and I collaborate with many manufacturing businesses organizing their production and helping them design new products.

I learnt about Passport to Trade 2.0 and its website through the process of its development as I participated in a focus group with businesses from my region discussing the possibilities of social media and the notion of social media etiquette.

At that time I considered myself as a person who knew how to deal with social media and how to use them efficiently for business purposes. Yet, in the discussion I realized that there are so many things I did not know, such as the different approach of different nationalities towards social media, the variances in their popularity, their suitability for different social media marketing strategies etc. This experience made me recognize the usefulness of the businessculture.org website and its great potential in helping SMEs from different countries.

The structure of the website is very clear and practical for any user and the information provided is extremely useful. I hope that it will be kept updated.

Kyriakos Papadopoulos, mechanical engineer

Facebook company profile repaid my time within a week!

Business Culture, Social media

Trochides-LtdI never imagined that social media could be used for business purposes. Once I was sent a newsletter about Passport to Trade 2.0 and navigated myself through the website and all the information that included. I found the International Business Culture resource really interesting.

My company – Trochides Ltd – operates in the area of Commercial Refrigeration for food storing and food service equipment.

I always wanted to introduce my business to new markets, but, I have never actually did anything about it, thinking that marketing abroad would be very expensive for me. So, following the advice on the businessculture.org website, I created a Facebook profile of my company.

Within a week I was contacted by an Italian wholesaler wanting to distribute my products to the Italian market!

This experience made me think of social media as an indispensable tool for reaching markets abroad and for creating business collaborations. Now I try to learn about the business etiquette and the way I should present myself in business meetings with my new counterparts abroad.

John Trochides, owner of Trochides Ltd

How P2T helped me improving my skills as an EEN international business advisor

Business Culture

Leo Donato EEN international business advisorMy name is Leo Donato and I have been working for 8 years for the EEN, helping business find business and technological partners in Europe. I am Italian, but at the moment I am based in the UK where I have been working since 2010, after 4 years with the position in Italy (2006 – 2010).

My personal job experience, and the business trip done with my clients, made me aware about the importance of the culture in doing business. The trip done in 2010 in Turkey, for example, has been very crucial. Over there, my client and me, realised very shortly how different the business practices were and how important was boosting a personal relationship based on reciprocal trust before event talking about business.

Recently, I have used P2T2 information before my business trips in Europe (France, Belgium, Spain, NL, Germany, Republic of Macedonia, Austria, etc.) and that allowed me to offer my client some additional advices about how to behave in those countries. It really worked.

I would have liked to have this kind of info also for China and I am sure I would have been able to get much more out of business trip. For that particular country, being familiar with local business practices is fundamental. I would have realised that a week is not enough for any kind of business mission and would have advised my client differently. It is a shame Passport to Trade is not present in non EU emerging economies.

“Definitely worth using it, I always recommend it to my colleagues and clients”.

Leo Donato

RTC North ltd

Enterprise Europe Network