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Intercultural training for the German market
Cross cultural skills for the German business culture
Preparation for the German market
Objectives
Many executives and employees travel to Germany without a clear idea of the German business culture. Stereotypes and a lack of information make it more difficult to integrate into German companies and can often cause stress and low work motivation.
This seminar is a practical way to get to know German business culture and provides you with an insight into this new business environment.
The seminar can be held in English, Spanish or German.
Content
- The German culture and its influence on motivation, approach and communication in the workplace, when planning schedules, in meetings and effective work procedures
- Decision-making in German companies.
- Information flow
- Hierarchies and the concept of responsibility
- The private and public spheres
Target group
- Foreign employees and executives who wish to prepare for their work in Germany.
- Their families and/or partners.
- Foreign employees and executives working on German projects.
- Foreign companies and institutions planning joint ventures with German companies and institutions.
- Foreign employees and executives who frequently travel to Germany.
Duration
We recommend a two-day seminar for foreign executives, employees and their families or partners. Intercultural seminars can be organised in combination with your German or English course.
Information on Germany
Intercultural Disparity Index (IDI): 83 (high)*
*The Intercultural Disparity Index IDI is based on Hofstede's cultural dimensions and shows the relative distance of two given cultures and therefore the existence of relevant cultural differences between two cultures.
Economic Figures:
- Gross Domestic Product (in millions of US$) (2002): 1,984,095
- Gross Domestic Product per Capita (in PPP$) (2002): 27,100
- Agriculture (Share of GDP in %) (2002): 1.2
- Industry (Share of GDP in %) (2002): 29.6
- Services (Share of GDP in %) (2002): 69.2
- Imports (in millions of US$) (2002): 492,836
- Exports (in millions of US$) (2002): 615,018
Germany is one of the world's leading exporters. At a European level, it is the top ranking
country in terms of population and GDP. All these factors mean that it is also a key country for the Spanish economy.
However, we should remember that the German and Spanish business cultures differ significantly. For example, German companies are clearly function-oriented whereas Spanish companies have a more person-oriented approach. This can lead to problems in communication or in perceiving Germans as inflexible or unimaginative.
Some cultural differences between Spain and Germany:
· Universalist culture where the established rules and agreements take priority, without much margin for interpretation
· "Low-context" culture with explicit messages, which can result in the perception of being very direct in their criticism
· Functional relations, leading to a feeling of distance and coldness.
Centro Humboldt's cross cultural seminar "Ready for Germany" covers these differences and analyses them. We provide you with excellent preparation for the German business world, giving you all the tools you need to deal with cultural problems.
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