- Tip 11
- Teams built across hierarchical lines tend to be difficult to arrange and manage as they interfere with the normal structures and rules.
- Tip 12
- Meetings tend to be formal, unless on a one-to-one basis. If you want to find out opinions, possible trends of thinking etc., it is often more successfully done in an informal one-to-one meeting.
- Tip 13
- Germans usually arrive extremely well prepared-for meetings with all the facts and figures at their disposal. The idea of attending an important meeting with no firm opinion would be quite unusual.
- Tip 14
- The truth does not lie in a compromise or middle ground between two conflicting ideas. Compromising can be seen as weakness, diffidence or uncertainty.
- Tip 15
- It is better to say nothing than to comment on topics about which you have no particular knowledge or expertise.
- Tip 16
- Internal information flow is top-down on a need-to-know basis. It is expected that superiors are better informed than others are.
- Tip 17
- More reliance is placed on the printed than the spoken word and it is always important, therefore, to put information, decisions etc. in writing.
- Tip 18
- Humour is generally out of place in the work place. You should certainly avoid humour in all difficult or important business situations. However, when socialising with Germans you will find that they are as keen to enjoy themselves as you are.
- Tip 19
- Punctuality is important - do not be guilty of stealing time.
- Tip 20
- Germans may seem extremely formal - even amongst themselves. This over-formality is a sign of respect as is using the formal Sie and Herr or Frau with people they may have known for many years.
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