Presented By Priyanka saha Oindrila Biswas

HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN GERMANY

Germany is a most promising economic country. Doing business in Germany is not easy because the rules and regulations are very strict in the country. All business entities in the country should be legalized and registered. Germany is not the entrepreneurs paradise as it supposed to be.

MANAGEMENT STYLES
The style is very direct.

A characteristic of German lack of praise.

management is the

The key concerns for German managers are profit and quality of the product or service. The Germans are very insistent on deadlines

LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING Leadership in German companies is quite hierarchical. Most German companies are controlled by separate boards: Aufsichtsrat (Supervisory board ) Vorstand (Board of management) German business people like to take time to reflect and consult on decisions. The result is sometimes ridiculed and called analysis paralysis.

PRESENTATION AND LISTENING STYLES.

The Germans respond well to thorough presentations supported by detailed facts and specifications
They dont always respond to all singing and all dancing visuals German audiences expect you you to have back-up evidence and to be able to produce it on demand.

MEETINGS AND NEGOTIATION STYLES.

German negotiators expect to start procedures on time. A preliminary chit chat is not on the agenda Meetings and negotiations follow a formula well known to most business people. Germany is heavily regulated and extremely bureaucratic. Business is hierarchical. Decision-making is held at the top of the company. They are well prepared and have a clear agenda, usually armed with stacks of material,and have planned their strategy meticulously. The detailed negotiations take place with the middle level management

The best thing about German negotiators is that in all negotiations they look for a common ground.
In Germany oral agreements are considered firm, and most negotiations are conducted without lawyers until the point of drawing the contract Make sure your printed material is available in both English and German Maintain direct eye contact while speaking.

OFFICE ETIQUETTE AND PROTOCOL IN GERMAN COMPANIES.

Shake hands with everyone on arrival and before leaving office.
Calling associates by their first names is uncommon.

Using professional titles is another point of etiquette.

A traditional german office is closed door and pretty quiet. People keep office doors shut for privacy and for meetings. Family photos and personal mementos are not encouraged asthey follow a clear desk policy.

 If you are speaking German in a german office always use Sie until invited to do otherwise. The German s attitude to office space is dominated by the need for greator personal space and the need for privacy.

The Germans believe in function more than relationships and therefore the wording of the contract and the fine print matter the most.
Business cards are exchanged and will include academic titles as well as relevant business contact information. If the German boss puts his arms around his secretary or calls her by her first name it will be assumed that they are romantically involved.

WORKING CONDITIONS IN GERMANY

German offices work from 8:00 a.m.till 5:00 p.m Monday to Friday.
A characteristic of many german offices is that overtime is frowned upon and implies that you are personally disorganized or the job description is wrong. Appointments are made in advance and are adhered strictly.Preffered times are 11:00a.m to 1:00p.m /3:00 to 5:00p.m Friday afternoons are to be avoided.

Employees in Germany are entitled to an average of 41 days holidays in a year. German workers often take their holidays in a block. The main holidays periods in German business are May, June, July and August.

DRESSING ETIQUETTE IN A GERMAN OFFICE

German Business dress is understated, formal and conservative. Men should wear dark coloured, conservative business suits. Women should wear either business suits or conservative dresses. Do not wear ostentatious jewellery or accessories.

THE RIGHT TONE in office The right tone of voice ,topic, approach, seriousness-plays a major role in German business. The Germans take their business seriously so never be too in formal in business meetings. Too much smiling in German office meetings is seen as a false mannerism in a business environment.

BUSINESS GIFTS

Business gifts is a very tricky matter in Germany

Civil servants are strictly prohibited from accepting gifts/bribes from government contractors. However they occasionally like receiving gifts like only to show appreciation for loyalty or a job well done. Money payments are strictly verboten. An ideal time of presenting gifts may be Christmas time and things like Wine Sekt, cognac,brandy are appropriate acknowledgements.

MANAGERS KEY TO SUCCESS IN MEETINGS.

Keep the number of participants minimum. Prepare the meeting meticulously. Set clear goals

Avoid unnecessary meetings.

Get down to business immediately. Be extremely organized. Do not loose control of the meeting. Give participants regular breaks.

Thank you

Danke Gracias