Cross Cultural Group Presentation Essay

What is all-important(prenominal) about Germany?Germany is an industry leader in beas much(prenominal) as automobiles and healthc ar, to name a few. With globalization and reducing trade boundaries Germany has in fact become a trade partner for many Indian firms. Thus regarding vexation etiquettes, culture and protocol lead appendix international businessmen and enhance cross cultural talks.The Rational GermanBased on research findings, Germanys geographical location and history deport had a positive effect on its culture and hence on the way that Germans negotiate. Some historical events dish outs us construe much about Germany, its battalion and the effects on negotiationsPre-Unification EraBefore Charles V goed Prussia, Germany was largely comprised of small princely narrates (similar to India) in conflict with apiece other over resources. This brought upon the Germans a constant defer of un receivedty and persisting battle. This however also made the Germans tough and seas bingled negotiators.Unification & PrussiaThis season was also responsible to developing many traits of the German culture which are insightful for deriving pry out of a negotiation. With the formation of Prussia came frugal stability, growth and social structure. Germans privilegered the certainty of an economically stable state and developed a keen sense of power structure. As the German state began to develop so did the socio-political structure. Germans thus over the years formed rattling bureaucratic agencies of governance through methodical provision and reason.World Warsboth the world wars left Germany crippled. However, Hitlers action made certain that Germany would absorb to heavily rely on diplomatic relations onwards considering the do military force. It also made Germans develop a sense of impartiality when dealing with people from other cultural back fusees.Points to PonderNow that we generalize where German people come from, we think its esse ntial to set down some light on the salient features of the culture and how they impact a negotiationBusiness RelationshipGermans traditionally believe in twist swear over a head of time. This is usually an outcome of dependability, uninflected thinking and intellect. Germans, unlike Indians, enter negotiations with a sense of self-assertion. This is important from an Indian point of view as ability to generate and maximize value from a negotiation takes place over a long period of time. Interestingly enough trying to generate rapport in a hurried manner whitethorn arouse suspicion from a German counterpart. Trust one built, goes a long way in a business relationship, as Germans tend to be wary of uncertainty. thus it is important to think strategically in long term and develop a mutually beneficial relationship from the start.One of the easiest ways to establish credibility with a German during a negotiation is to rely on a third party who has already established a level of trust and dependence on the German side. Displaying authority on the subject look at softwood, by professional qualifications leave behind let the negotiating party cook respect in the eyes of their German counterparts, thus providing an upper hand will negotiating. Even though Germans are reserved and formal in nature, its possible to build long lasting relationships with them. A veritable indicator of a relationship in the making is when a German decides to tell you embarrassing stories about himself.However its vanquish non to repeat the stories to others as Germans tend to really proud people and jakes get hurt very easily. They also might expect you to be equally lavatorydid erst the relationship has been built. During negotiations Germans tend to give to a greater extent air time to the person who they think is technically sound in that matter. Hence its often a great idea to have your degrees printed out on the visiting card in order to establish a sense of auth ority when negotiating with them. Also Germans have a grounded imprint that the workers in their country are break than the most the world and its best non to challenge this assumption.Business CommunicationAlthough German is the official voice communication of the country most of the business people speak British English. roughly of the younger generation is well travelled and is fluent in business conversation. It is advisable to talk in short, complete sentences and in a lento firm voice to keep any negotiation without bringing in confusion. Germans tend to very charge in their communications and sometimes this cigaret be misunderstood as being rude. Being very orchestrate Germans dislike vague statements and diplomacy during any formal business discussions including negotiations. In fact too much diplomacy is probable to confuse a German. They will ask explanations, but is it possible that a German will walk out of a negotiation if the deal is unacceptable and/ or agai nst company policy.It is also possible that a blunt NO net come your way, without substantial explanations. Germans tend to use body language very sparingly. Excessive use of body language may confuse your German counterpart. This backside be an obstacle, especially during group negotiations as it will be difficult to judge the direction of the negotiation. Facial expression although limited can act as an indicator to judge if the proposal you have plant forth has been liked or disliked. Maintaining eye contact is very all important(p) when talking to any German and is considered as a sign of trust and sincerity. This eye contact can border on staring. The American OK sign, with thumb and index palpate forming a circle, is an obscene gesture in Germany, as is putting the thumb between index and middle finger in a fist. These should be strictly avoided.Initial Meeting interest are some of the points which should be noted when starting a negotiation * Shall we start with business will be used often as a conversation starter and is not considered rude in the German context. * Meetings need to be scheduled at least a week in advance and should not be cancelled at a short notice * There has to be reasonable explanation disposed(p) when arriving late for a meeting and this is taken very negatively. * Planning is critical when negotiating with Germans as it is very probable that they will be well alert in any negotiation.Negotiating with GermansStyle and Attitude of NegotiatingUnlike Indians, Germans believe in arriving at a win-win proposition. They tend to start negotiating respecting the other party and with a sense of trust, which they expect to be reciprocated. Interestingly, except for dispute re dissolvent, any form a negotiation for a German is a joint riddle solving activity rather and they expect both the parties to be conglomerate equally in arriving at the solution. Many a times, a German would concentrate on dwelling over the technical aspect s of a solution before entering the negotiation. Although co-operative in nature Germans may be opposed to compromise completely unless this is their only option. While negotiating it is advisable to avoid founder confrontation but remain calm, friendly and persistent.In case of a dispute resolution, one might try to find common ground by providing logical arguments based on entropy. Since many German negotiators will be thorough in their planning and data collection before the negotiation, it is sensible to have the same level of preparedness when youre the foe party. Many a times, during the negotiation a German might hope to have additional data about certain aspects of the negotiation, which will help them analyze the solution better. Refusing to provide that data may reflect as lack of trust.Germans would prefer if data sharing was open and transparent and would not hesitate to reciprocate in the same manner. Germans are slow negotiators. The punctilious planning and data collection done before hand results in a very rigid and structured negotiation approach. Thus Germans would prefer going into sequential negotiating debating each singular point, rather than packaging certain issues. This compartmentalized approach can be detrimental towards value maximization. Hence Germans find it difficult to negotiate with people from the south asia and middle east. At such times it is advisable to clearly state which objectives are cerebrate and interdependent.BargainingTraditionally Germans do not like the idea of dicker and consider negotiation as a necessary evil. Business people do not give drastic concessions in this country so when if the bargaining stage in the negotiation is long drawn the division in the final price would be not very remote away from the original price. Even though German people may not agree, they tend to be aggressive during negotiations. These outcomes are more seeming to be based on negotiation strategy developed during plann ing the negotiation. Threats, warnings and walkouts may be occasionally used. In this case its better to open with an offer which is already a part of your estimated ZOPA. Extreme offers can upset a German. Germans many a times employ defensive attitude tactics such as blocking, asking probing or direct questions, or keeping a rigid position. Opening with pen offers and introducing written terms and conditions may be effective as this will allow for proper preparation and could help shorten the bargaining process.Germans will likely find both benefits desirable. Corruption and bribery are very old in Germany. It is strongly advisable to stay away from giving gifts of probative value or making offers that could be read as bribery. With Germans one must be careful when using pressure tactics such as applying time pressure, making expiring offers, or nibbling. Germans may consider these irrelevant unless they are strongly interested in your offer and clearly understand the logic b ehind the approach. Otherwise, while the negotiation is not necessarily over, it may become less constructive.Decision MakingGermans tend to respect hierarchy because it helps maintain an element of control, not because they believe that bosses are better managers. So more than often when a German states that a decision during a negotiation is not within his authority, it would help to provide him with more data and information to get the approval from his immediate superiors. Decision making is a well planned and executed process in Germany and hence takes substantial amount of time. Patience is required to see the decision through and once made is very unlikely to change.Agreements and ContractsBoth promises and skips in Germany tend to be legally binding unless stated otherwise. It is always advisable to consult a legal advisor before signing any contract to understand its process. These contracts (once signed) are usually dependable and considered binding. Once signed any amen dment to the agreement or contract can be meet with serious opposition. amazingly German love for punctuality is often not extended towards contract drafting as they would prefer to have everything in writing.References* http//books.google.co.in/books?id=0b6DChPi0UUC&pg=PA60&lpg=PA60&dq=why+are+germans+logical+?&source=bl&ots=UAyhMKCScy&sig=3Nxe8sfCspiubwZel99itdZ3QxI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=OZfUUK6bHY_rrQevl4CQDg&ved=0CGcQ6AEwCTgKv=onepage&q=why%20are%20germans%20logical%20%3F&f=false * http//www.german-business-etiquette.com/22-successful-negotiations.html