UK Business culture

Pragmatic approach
strong belief in common sense

dislike rational, systematic frameworks

causes problems in their dealings with the

French
 Achievement
oriented
individualist culture

privatisation = increased social mobility

performance the key to success

accent, family or right school less important

masculine culture
long hours common
 Organisations

Hierarchical (line management)

vertical chain of command (top-down)

many layers of management

newer companies have flatter structure

focus on short-term profits

 Leadership style
managers: tough & decisive
establish a friendly relationship to subordinates
orders disguised as requests
delegation common
Chris Gent Anita
Roddick
 Women & management
Number of female managers increasing
25% of junior managers
7% of top management

Reasons
growth of service sector
education
growth of small businesses
development of home-office
 Meetings
Decision-making forum
integral part of business
participants do not only contribute on their special
areas
not everyone is well-prepared
style informal
start & finish with social chit-chat
 Teamwork
British love teamwork
teams provide security & sense of belonging

individuals dislike profiling themselves

feeling of pulling together

consensus important
 Communication style
Slightly high context
understatement common

indirect style often talk around the subject

tone of voice, stress patterns important

avoidance of confrontations

reserved & unemotional

 Etiquette
becoming more relaxed (Americanisation)

however, politeness still important

abundance of excuses

academic titles little used

handshaking uncommon
 Punctuality

Between fixed & fluid time

not as punctual as the Germans, Japanese or the
Americans
more punctual in business life than social life
greater tolerance for lateness
 Humour
important part of business life

used to establish a good tone

replaces emotions?

presentations & meetings might start with a joke

 Socialising
managers usually socialise with subordinates

colleagues usually lunch together

importance of pub lunch

establishing relationships important