For many years, Europe has been open to cross-border trade. A natural consequence of this is that companies establish partnerships with the business environments of other EU countries.
If your company is about to start negotiations with a German company and your goal is to create collaboration, it would be a good idea to know German business etiquette to ensure the transaction goes smoothly.
What you need to know about business etiquette
German business leaders are skilled planners and highly organized. They will work as much as possible in the future. Knowing exactly what needs to happen and when is an important part of business culture. Business activities in Germany have many rules and regulations, which lend themselves to a highly structured way of proceeding. For example, there are very strict rules for negotiation. German leaders generally don't like surprises. They are very ethical in their dealings and sudden unexpected changes are frowned upon.
In the German business world, there is a clear line between professional and social interactions. Germans are so stuck in their current way of thinking that there is no room for social interaction during meetings. During a business meeting, you only have time for business.
Business standards in Germany are very high, so you should always be prepared for meetings. It is natural to speak in a respectful tone during meetings, and humor in business situations is considered a sign of a lack of business etiquette. Therefore, please be sure to adhere to the agenda.
Know the common language
German is the national language of Germany. Many business leaders are fluent in English, having learned it as a second language in school. Once you arrive, it's a good idea to know a few German greetings and polite phrases. Depending on the company's location in Germany, a German's second language may be French or Spanish, so negotiations should be conducted in German unless French or Spanish is a common language of all parties. There may be cases.
See also
German translation and other language services
