Country Profiles
Many delegates who attend Global Business Culture seminars or who hear one of our consultants at a conference are inspired to want to learn more about the business culture of a country which is particularly important to their own commercial life. This may be because they have major clients in a certain country, because they manage teams remotely or simply because their head office is located elsewhere.
Whatever the reason, Global Business Culture can help as we have developed a comprehensive series of well-researched country profiles which highlight key approaches to business which you can expect to encounter in 39 of the world’s leading economies.
To access these country profiles (and others), simply click on the appropriate country on the list below.
Brazil could be said to offer very real business opportunities to prospective international investors but those people attempting to do business in the country should be aware of the significant cultural challenges which await them.
Click to read more on Business Etiquette in Brazil
At the beginning of the 21st century, the People's Republic of China finds itself in the midst of social, economic and cultural transition (some might even say turmoil). The old certainties, which epitomised the iron-tight grip of the Communist Party during the reign of Mao Zedong, have been replaced by the more liberal but unclear policies instituted by Mao's great reforming successor, Deng Xiaoping and continued by the present regime.
Click to read more on Business Etiquette in China
It could be said that two particular elements play a greater role in approach to business in France than in any other industrialised economy (other than possibly Japan). These two essential ingredients are the role of the government and the importance of a certain type of education.
Click to read more on Business Etiquette in France
In recent years, the post war success of the German economy has been somewhat overshadowed by a feeling of economic and social stagnation. The post ‘cold-war’ integration of the former East Germany, coupled with growing competition from cheaper-wage countries in the east, have made the Germans take a good hard look at their current economic model. There is a growing feeling in Germany amongst both politicians and Business leaders that the current social model will have to be radically adapted to the cold realities of the modern world. If these changes occur, they are bound to be painful for many.
Click to read more on Business Etiquette in Germany
The Japanese approach to business is determined by history and as such is a reflection of Japanese society as a whole. In order to work and interact successfully with your contacts in Japan, a basic understanding of some of the underlying concepts governing business life is essential.
Some of these underlying concepts are so fundamentally different from western models that adjustment can be difficult and complete comprehension almost impossible. The most important concept to grasp is that of the overwhelming importance of personal relationships within the business cycle.
Click to read more on Business Etiquette in Japan
The Netherlands has long been one of the world's great trading nations and at the beginning of the 21st century this position shows no sign of being eroded — in fact about 50% of all trucks in Europe are Dutch and Rotterdam remains Germany's main port of entry. This historical internationalism, epitomised by the early predominance of the Dutch East India Company, accounts in no small measure for the large number of MNCs (Unilever, Shell, Philips etc.) to be found in a country with such a relatively small population of 15.7million.
Click to read more on Business Etiquette in the Netherlands
Describing approaches to business in Spain at the beginning of the twenty- first century is not an easy task. Spain, probably more than any other European country, is going through a very far-reaching period of structural and organisational change.
Click to read more on Business Etiquette in Spain
As in many other industrialised countries, the last couple of decades have seen a major restructuring of British industry away from the more traditional heavy engineering and primary sectors towards the service and high-tech fields. This process has also coincided with radical shifts in approach to management and company structure. Many of the hierarchy and class issues which were so much a feature of the British industrial landscape have been replaced by more modern business models - often heavily influenced by US thinking.
Click to read more on Business Etiquette in the UK
More than any other industrialised country, the United States has adopted what could be labelled a 'scientific' approach to business. Every aspect of commercial life is studied and analysed and this scientific approach is both respected and acted upon. Far more resource is available in the US for the study of the methodology of business than in any other country and most new management theory and doctrines have their origins in the States.
Click to read more on Business Etiquette in the USA
To access the full list of country business culture profiles click here World Business Culture
