Mit Deutschland arbeiten

MODULE 1 : UNDERSTANDING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

1. Intercultural awareness : the key to success in international business
   Taking stock of one's own cultural baggage
   The basics of effective intercultural management
   Identifying and going beyond cultural stereotypes
2. Key aspects of German culture
   An ageing but powerful European nation
   The glory and the upsets of a united Germany.
   The importance of the federal aspect
   An economic power in the process of restructuring
3. The impact of values and behaviour patterns on professional dealings and relationships
   The family, regional identity and festivals: the impact of collective identity
   Religion and the State: a country with no secular tradition
   The challenge of being a woman in modern Germany: juggling the role of mother and working wife
   Precision, planning and segmentation
   Systematic thinking: reasoning, organising and acting
   Caution when faced with risks
   Cosiness: the German notion of Gemütlichkeit
4. The German corporate world
   An informal but nevertheless important hierarchical structure.
   Understanding the German notion of Mitbestimmung or collective decisionmaking
   The role of the unions
   Performance and efficiency in the workplace
   Understanding the concept of team working and delegation.

MODULE 2 : SUCCEEDING IN WORK WITH THE GERMANS

1.  Effective communication with the Germans
   Making the most of the German language to forge and improve relationships
   Verbal and written communication: formulate an idea, state it and do it
   A pretended transparency in non-verbal communication
   German advertising: an example of optimal communication
   The importance of facts and their presentation
   Interpersonal socialisation: an aspect belonging firmly to the private sphere
2. Adapting your working methods
   Building confidence: respect for rank and status, and a willingness to listen
   Effective management: time management throughout the working day
   Demonstrating personal efficiency: expertise and precision
   Conflict resolution: mediation, dialogue and decision-making
   Pitfalls to be avoided
3. Successful meetings and negotiations with the Germans
   Identifying decision-makers and understanding where the true power lies.
   Achieving credibility: preparation, deadline observance, responsiveness
   The importance of ethics
   Attitudes to written contracts
   Managing the post-negotiation phase
4. Final handy tips
   Caution, patience and humility
   Protocol and etiquette
   Social standards, gifts, business cards, dress code, etc
   Sensitive subjects: politics, history, religion
   Humour: a double-edged sword