THE UNITED KINGDOM

JARED ORKIN, EVAN JACOBS, CHARLES CICCONE, KELSEY TRENTI

UK | Nearby Countries

Ireland Netherlands Belgium France

UK | About
UK is comprised of: Great Britain Scotland Northern Ireland Wales Also refers to the Islands of Wight, Scilly, Angelesy, the Hebrides and island groups of Orkney and Shetland

UK | Population Data

Total population is over 60.8 million people Average Life Expectancy (from birth in 2006) UK: Males 77.46 years, Females 81.73 years US: Males 75.21 years, Females 80.36 years Ethnic & Religious breakdown in culture section 95% of the population speaks English, but no officially declared national language

Population in Millions (1960-Present) 400

300

200

100

0 1960

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995 2000 2005 2008

United Kingdom

United States

United Kingdom
Literacy 99% Education 16.48 million enrolled in Pre K-College in 2002 Roughly 40% of population is under 30 (education age) Birth Rate: ~1.1% of population per year Marriage Rate: 0.5% of population gets married per year

United States
Literacy 99% Education 65.31 million enrolled in Pre K-College in 2002 45% of the population is under 30 (education age) Birth Rate: ~1.4% of population per year Marriage Rate: 0.75% of population gets married per year

Income ($/year)

0
United Kingdom

12500
United States

25000
Ireland

37500
France

50000
Netherlands

UK | History
Union of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland began with the 1603 Union of Crowns under King James VI of Scotland The actual political union was ratified in 1707 The Acts of Union merged the two countries parliaments and formed the Kingdom of Great Britain

UK | Politics
Major political body is the British Parliament UK behaves as a Constitutional Monarchy Monarch is Head of State Prime Minister is the head of government Parliament is the legislative and judiciary system

UK | Major Industries
Service Sector Finance - Worlds Financial Center Manufacturing One of the most attractive countries for IFDI (Industrial Foreign Direct Investment) Accounts for over 16% of national output and over 13% of total UK employment Many influential companies such as Ford, Rolls Royce, and Bush Traction

UK | Technology
Heavily saturated Multi-level competition from global and local technology vendors - intensified by EU membership Easy access to broadband internet Major forms: DSL, Cable, Wireless Internet 40.2 million have internet access (66% of population) Recent govt. mandate that all citizens must be able to obtain broadband service Small country = easier expansion of networks Against Net Neutrality

The United Kingdom

The United States

66% 73% 27% 34%

Internet

No Internet

Internet

No Internet

UK | Cellular Industry
Most cell plans are pre-paid Fewer subsidies Tend to be lower-tech phones, though changing Market is heavily saturated, lots of M&As from the EU 72 million phones in circulation (1.2 phones per person) US = 255 million in circulation or roughly 4 out of 5 people have phones

UK | Business Centers

London Considered a world city #1 Financial City in the World (by trade volume) Manchester Rated best for business headquarters and back office functions (accounting, logistics etc.) Newcastle Rated best city location for call centers in the UK Lowest labor costs in the UK

UK | Cultural Diversity
No defined language English is spoken by 95% of the UK Other languages include Welsh, Cornish and Gaelic Ethnic / Racial Comp. 90+% Caucasian ~1-2% each: Indian, Mixed Race, Pakistani Religion 70% Christian 15% Atheist 3% Muslim

UK | Human Rights
Common Law vs. Bill of Rights UK Citizens are free to do whatever they want, but must abide by laws established by the Parliament (but no specific list of inalienable rights or liberties, as in US Constitution) Universal suffrage mandated in 1928, must be 21 years old to vote Limited Gay Rights - Civil Unions allowed

UK | The Queen
International Ambassador Power to declare war Head of the Church of England Limited Check & Balance for the Parliament Prominent Figurehead in British Culture God save the Queen!

Hofstedes Cultural Dimensions 100

75

50

25

0
Individualism/ Collectivism Masculinity/ Feminity Power Distance United States Uncertainty Avoidance

United Kingdom

UK | Norms & Customs

Common Law UK does not consider itself part of Europe Rapid change is not embraced Traditional ways are valued Class system Friendships are few and specific to needs Objective facts are valued the truth Tend to add questions to the end of sentences ...dont you think? Individual achievements are emphasized Brits usually are: Time oriented Anxious about deadlines and results (natural planners) Not easy to change their mind

Breakfast

Lunch / Dinner

Whats for pudding?

UK | Slang / Terms
Trainers Braces Dummy Bonnet Spanner Skip Single Return Ground Floor First Floor Draughts Homely Table a discussion WC

UK | Dress

UK | Business Dress
Conservative Laced shoes No pockets on mens shirts No striped ties Excellent quality No loud attire (muted colors with accents)

UK | Business

UK | Greetings
Light handshake How do you do? Give generous physical space Use honorary titles, but not too often Avoid repeating the other persons name often Impolite to: Talk with hands in pockets Cross your legs Point with individual fingers Use excessive hand gestures Touch others in public

UK | Meetings
Schedule a few days ahead Greenwich Mean Time (+5 hours) Contact through third party (referrals) Hierarchy Always follow policy Brits tend to be selfcritical Short-term results Restrain emotions Dont rush towards a decision Avoid controversial topics

Some quick tips :-)

Always be punctual Dont ask questions like What part of the UK are you from? Avoid interrogating, or asking too many questions Speak in complete sentences

UK | Dining & Etiquette

Breakfast in hotels Lunch between 12 and 2 Dinner between 7 to 11 Lunch at a pub for a light meal Smoking is banned in pubs Know the person well before inviting them out Most entertaining is done in restaurants, not homes Senior executives eat at the best restaurants No business talk after hours Initiate your departure

During Meals
Offer the Seat of Honor to your guest Pass items to the left Dont talk about the food around you Keep elbows off table Dont ask to try peoples food Animals are a good dinnertime topic (pets) No royal family jokes Not polite to toast people older than you or with more seniority

UK | Gifts
Not part of doing business Invite out for a meal or show Shout for a round Bring flowers, champagne, chocolates Handwritten thank you notes No refund or exchange policies

US | Welcoming Brits
Be respectful Set clearly defined break times Allow for normal lunch hours instead of eating at your desk Do not attempt to hug them, not OK unless close

UK | Sample Company

Network consists of leading residential brokerages Utilize numerous marketing venues: Local and regional news publications National and international print media Use Internet to display the inventory and market to a worldwide marketplace Showcase Property

Business Practices: Pride the company on approaching a task with sensitivity, confidentiality, concern and professionalism.

International Training For Employees: Emphasize educating their clients about all the variables of the market: Market trends Economic factors Neighborhood facts Financing

UK | Expat Challenges

Food differences Different Media sources Language Time Difference

Transportation

Amenities

Economics Currency Exchange 1 = $1.67 5 and up are notes 5 and under is change

Other Differences
Privately-owned companies vs. government owned Culture is very arts-centric Public Works systems are more efficient than US Nationalized health care Public transportation is more easily accessible and efficient

Informational Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs2_J3fV1f8

References
Population Statistics | Wolfram Alpha, Google Data Culture | American Expats http://www.americanexpats.co.uk/very %20british.htm Hofstede Graph | International Management Text British Life | Woodlands School Website http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/ customs/questions/

References
Cultural Quirks | Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands 2nd Edition by Terri Morrison and Wayne Conway British Expats | British Embassy Website http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en Sothebys | Website http://www.sothebysrealty.com/en/home.aspx Sothebys | More Info http://rismedia.com/2009-10-04/william-pitt-sothebysinternational-realty-acquires-six-brokerage-offices/ Misc | http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/ economics/article3137506.ece