About the course:
This interactive half-day or full-day seminar will provide pragmatic and practical advice on the business culture(s) of your choice, for instance:
France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway or the UK. We also cover the ten new EU accession countries.
The format is highly interactive and the course is tailored to meet the participants’ needs, with a mixture of presentations, some practical work and real life case studies.
Participants will be provided with a “Cultural Analysis” which contains an overview of significant differences between their own culture and their target culture.
The course in brief:
 | Introduction: Cultural Diversity; |
| This section will provide an academic overview of general world-wide cultural differences, using an analysis of the participants cultural characteristics and comparing these with the typical values for their culture and their target culture. |
 | Section 1: Basic do’s and don’ts; |
| This section will cover topics such as greetings, degree of formality, punctuality and topics to avoid when socialising with your foreign partners. |
 | Section 2: The business environment; |
| Trade and industry – short introduction of the countries’ business environment, women in business, business power structures and networks. |
 | Section 3: What do we mean by culture?; |
| A further, more practical look at the concept of culture – looking at the fundamental values that people live by and their influence on the business environment: How can we learn to work effectively with people with diverse customs, values and behaviour? |
 | Section 4: Getting down to business; |
| The following are some of the subjects covered:
Making appointments – is it best to phone, e-mail or write a letter?
Relationships – is the culture deal-focused or relationship-focused?
Language of business and communication styles – is the communication indirect or direct? How do people listen and what to they expect to hear?
Negotiations – practical advice on how to approach negotiations.
Meeting styles – how are meetings conducted?
Giving presentations - how to connect with a non-British audience. Advice and help on useful strategies to make sure that your message comes across - and to make sure that your audience understands what is being said.
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Who should attend?
Anyone about to begin a sustained business relationship with partners in Europe, and for those who have had limited exposure to conducting business in Europe.
Location?
This Seminar tends to be delivered at our client's premises, suitably adapted to the client's needs.
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