Business Culture in

Germany
Group 1
A. Azzahra Dwi Fitria 36120001
Awaluddin 36120026
Marwah Tasmin 36120052
Mutmainnah 36120080
Maharani Widya Annisa 36120081
 GREETING AND INTRODUCTION
• Germans shake hands in greeting. Note that you will have to shake hands with everyone in a
room before a meeting or a conference – an ignorant wave will not do. If you have to leave
early, shake everyone’s hand again starting with the most senior person and working down.
• The German handshake is firm and brief, conveying confidence and reliability. Make sure
yours is the same; a weak handshake will inspire insecurity.
• First names are generally only used with family and close friends, so always use last
names and appropriate titles of courtesy. It is also common for colleagues that have worked
together for years to still keep this level of formality.
You can never go wrong with handshakes it is never offenses. Handshakes are the most common
way of reading what's the other in Germany especially you have a business setting or when you
meet each other for the first time. Handshakes are always a good idea in Germany, but be careful
when you are in the business setting just know that it is kind of regulated as to who offers the
handshake first.
 Meeting
• People enter a meeting in order of importance, the highest
ranking person arriving first and so on. The same goes for
introductions.
• If you are not hosting the meeting, wait to be directed where to
sit.
• A small amount of social conversation may begin the meeting,
but expect a German to get down to business very quickly.
• Initially, meetings will likely be formal with the primary purpose
of determining familiarity and trustworthiness. They will be less
concerned with getting to know you personally and more
interested in your credentials, but formality tends to relax as
negotiations progress.
• Meetings have strict agendas, both in regard to time frame and
the goal of the meeting.
 Office Hours
Working hours in the company generally start from 8-9 to 5-6 hours.
Because Germany is a country that protects employee rights, the number
of hours worked is limited to 7-8 hours a day. And every 4 hours there
must be a break. Working time in Germany is the same as in other
countries in general, namely 40 hours of work per week for five working
days (Monday). According to the new regulations, after working for 6
hours, you are required to rest for 30 minutes. In one day no more than
ten working hours.
 negotiation

● Germans are competitive, ambitious and hard bargainers.

● In German business, a person’s word and handshake are considered his/her bond.
If a verbal agreement is made in a business meeting, it is generally considered
binding.
● Business negotiations tend to be analytical and factual. A well-researched speech
with lots of graphs, empirical arguments, and statistics is usually preferred. A
direct, matter-of-fact approach will be most appreciated.
● Business is hierarchical. Decision-making takes place at the highest levels of the
company i.e. top down. It is not appropriate to bypass an associate of equal
ranking by consulting with his or her superior, even if negotiations take a long
time.
● Deference is given to authority. Subordinates rarely contradict or criticise the boss
publicly.
Dressing
• Being well and correctly dressed is very important. Casual
or sloppy clothes not appreciated
• Business dress in Germany is understated, formal and
conservative
• Businessmen should wear dark-colored, conservative
business suits, ties, and white shirts
• Women also dress conservatively, in dark suits and white
blouses or conservative dresses. This form of dress is
observed even in comparatively warm weather. Do not
remove your jacket or tie before your German colleague
does so
• Women are recommended to refrain from wearing heavy
make-up and too much jewelry or accessories
BUSINESS
STRATEGY

Things to keep in mind when doing business with

Germans:
Behavior and ethics are of utmost importance if we
want to do business with German businessmen. What
they prioritize is a clean and compliant business.
German companies take great pride in their efficiency
and dependability. And never underestimate the issue of
discipline if you want to do business with them.
 INTERACTION

1. Germany does not need personal relationships to do business.

2. They will be interested in you academically and the amount
of time your company is in business.
3. Germans display great respect for people in authority, so it is
very important that they understand your level relative to
their own.
4. Germany does not have an open door policy. People often
work with their office doors closed. Knock and wait to be
invited in before logging in.
5. German formal communication.
6. Having established protocols is essential for establishing and
maintaining business relationships.
 Dining Manners
When dining with Germans, be especially mindful of proper manners. They eat
continentally—with the fork in the left hand (tines down) and knife in the right
hand throughout. Do not pass the fork back and forth between hands. Don’t set
down your knife to use the fork alone. When taking a break in eating, cross your
utensils on your plate with the tines down and points at 12 o’clo If you rise from
the table prior to the meal ending, leave the napkin on your chair. If you finish,
your utensils are put parallel across your plate with tines and point between 10
o’clock and 11 o’clock. Your napkin can then go to the left of your setting.ck.
Appointment and Punctuality

Germans are most comfortable when they can organize their world into
controllable units. Time, therefore, is managed carefully, and calendars,
schedules, and agendas must be respected. Trains arrive and leave on
time to the minute, projects are carefully scheduled, and organization
charts are very detailed.Do not turn up late for an appointment or when
meeting people. Germans are extremely punctual, and even a few
minutes’ delay can offend. If you are going to be even slightly late, call
ahead and explain your situation. Be five to ten minutes early for
important appointments.
Attanding Invitation

1. Mandatory appoiment and mut be made 1 to 2 week in advance

2. The letter should be addressed to the top person in the funcional area, including the
name of the person and the exact business they hold
3. If you are writting to schedule an appoiment, the letter must be written in german
4. Punctuality is taken seriously. If you expect to be delayed call directly and offer an
explanation it is very rude to cancel a meeting at the last minute it could jeopardize your
business relationship
5. Meeting is generally formal
GIFTS
1.  A traveler thinking of giving a gift choose one that is
small and of good quality, but not too expensive
2. Acceptable gifts at business meetings are office supplies,
good quality pens with your company logo or liquor
3. When invited to a german home, it’s a good idea to bring
a gift of flowers, wine, chocolate, ar a small gift that
represents your country or region
Body Language/Personal
Habits
1. Germans will attend the meeting with neat clothes and with a
disciplined appearance
2. The will pay attention to the hierarchical seating arrangement and
the order of speech
3. They will be come well prepared regarding the matter at hand and
expect you do the same
4. They will put forward logical and important arguments to support
their problem
5. They often think about your possible counterattack and are ready
with a second attack
6. They don’t admait their case or argument easily but tend to seek
common ground this is often your best approach to making
progress. Clashes with sizable german companies rarely bear fruit
Thank You!