May 07

A Question of Happiness – The Case of Germany

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management No Comments »

According to the World Database of Happiness the average level of happiness of most European countries increased throughout the last decades.  People in Germany, however, are less satisfied with their lives than they used to be.  The fact that the German gross domestic product has constantly been growing illustrates that an increase in wealth does not necessarily result in people being happier.  This raises the question about what makes people in Germany happy and unhappy.  As this knowledge is the key to building effective and long-lasting relationships it is of high importance when doing business in Germany.

Happy businesswoman Neustockimages i A Question of Happiness – The Case of Germany

© istockphoto.com/Neustockimages

When being asked what makes them happy the most common answer Germans give is “when the whole family is in good health” followed by “having a stable home”.  These two responses emphasise the fact that for Germans family life is highly important.  It is essential to be aware of this when doing business in Germany as it has a great impact on the way work life is structured.  The importance attributed to family life is mirrored in laws protecting the family and in the high number of mothers who give up work to look after their children.  Other common answers to this question show the importance of social contacts and job satisfaction for Germans.  It is, however, essential to bear in mind that Germans tend to keep work life and private life separated.  Their social life takes place once they’ve left the office and they don’t often spend their spare time with colleagues.

It is not only important to understand what makes Germans happy and unhappy but also to be aware of the existence of regional differences.  In general, people in western Germany are happier than people in eastern Germany and according to a recent survey the happiest Germans live in northern Germany, in Hamburg.  The highest per capita income in Germany, very good health and a low level of stress make people in Hamburg very happy.  The unhappiest Germans are said to be those living in Thuringia, in former East Germany, where the level of unemployment is very high and the per capita income low.
Yet, there is not only a geographic divide in regards to happiness but also a demographic one – gender, age and the level of education all correlate with happiness.  In general, young and well educated women are the likeliest to be happy.  As eastern Germany is confronted with the challenges of an over aging population and a lack of women this might serve as an explanation why the average level of happiness is lower than in western Germany.

The regional differences in regards to the German average level of happiness emphasise that the North and South of Germany and especially the East and West of Germany exhibit vast cultural differences.  Although Germany is no longer divided by a wall, the past still has an impact on everyday life in Germany.  Doing business in Germany requires an awareness of these differences.  Anyone who ignores these cultural characteristics and Germany’s past will find it almost impossible to build good relationships with German people who have a strong sense of regional belonging.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2013

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Jan 09

Living and Working in Germany: Bavaria and its Uniqueness

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture No Comments »

Every September and October Munich becomes the centre of attention, especially for those who count themselves as beer lovers. In the month of September the mayor of the city taps the first keg of beer in the Schottenhammel tent on the Theresienwiese in Munich. This annual ritual officially starts Oktoberfest which is always held in the last two weeks of September each year and finishes during the first weekend in October. As Oktoberfest kicks off, massive crowds of tourists descend upon Munich from all over the world to enjoy the well-known ‘Maβ’ beer served in a one litre mug.

Germany Flag wrangel i Living and Working in Germany: Bavaria and its Uniqueness

© istockphoto.com/Wrangel

Although this part of southern Germany is known for its beer and Oktoberfest, Bavaria has a lot more to offer. Some may argue that the free state of Bavaria cherishes its historical traditions more than any other state in Germany, while it tends to see itself as different from the others. Foreigners are not alone when they struggle to understand the local customs and traditions in Bavaria as many Germans are often surprised by the cultural differences they encounter there.

Living and working in Germany can be a completely different experience in Bavaria than in other parts of the country. Anyone living and working in Bavaria should try to gain an understanding of the customs, behaviours and traditions that are unique to this part of Germany.

Here are a few cultural mannerisms and attitudes that you may come across in Bavaria:

  • A unique combination of traditional and modern values and attitudes towards life and business
  • A distinct dialect which even Germans from the North can find hard to understand as it differs quite a bit from High German
  • A tendency to use double negations. For example: ‘Der Fonsi hod koa Gschpusi net’, meaning ‘The Fonsi has never not had a girlfriend’
  • The use of the subjunctive as an expression for politeness. For example you may often hear men say ‘I waar soweid’ when waiting for their wife when she still isn’t ready to go. In other words, they will be ready when their wife is
  • A special weather condition which can only be observed in the alpine regions called the ‘Föhn’. This kind of ‘downslope’ wind can cause migraines or sleeplessness but it is also responsible for the gorgeous blue sky often seen in this region
  • The biggest per-capita-consumption of beer at 215 litres a year
  • Beer from the widest selection of 631 regional breweries in the state all brewed by the same German purity law
  • Culinary specialties like ‘Brezn’, ‘Weiβwurscht’ (Bavarian veal sausage) or ‘Hendl’ (roast chicken) which are typically eaten with beer during Oktoberfest
  • Traditional costumes worn for daily purposes as well as cultural festivities. Some of the most well-known include ‘Lederhose’ and ‘Dirndl’ for women which usually consists of a traditional blouse, dress and apron which is said to give a stunning figure to every woman no matter the size.

Living and working in Germany can be very exciting and different when Bavaria is the selected destination. If you are going on an international assignment to Bavaria be sure to prepare yourself by researching this part of Germany thoroughly so you know what to expect. A cross-cultural awareness training course can also help you to further expand your understanding of German and Bavarian culture so that you can make the most out of this unique social and professional experience.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Aug 10

Time at Work: Business Reality Contradicts Popular Cultural Stereotypes

Cross Cultural Training, Culture 1 Comment »

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recently published a study about how much time people dedicate to work in different countries around the world. The initial survey was conducted across the 26 OECD member countries as well as China, India and South Africa. The survey required people from the ages of 15 to 64 to describe what they did on a typical day. The results of the survey are very interesting, particularly as they tend to contradict the many stereotypes that exist about how much time people spend doing business in other cultures.

Business People biffspandex 2 i Time at Work: Business Reality Contradicts Popular Cultural Stereotypes

© istockphoto.com/biffspandex

Indeed, the cliché of a lazy Mexican, tired from the sun and sleeping in a hammock appears to be absolutely wrong as the study shows that Mexicans actually work the hardest. They work the longest days, are less paid compared to western countries, and also spend a lot of time doing chores at home. The image that Mexicans often portray through their more laid back cultural values and focus on relationships and family is deeply engrained in people’s minds as a culture which does not work very hard.

This is just one popular cultural stereotype that was proven wrong by the OECD study. Considering how many stereotypes can be misconstrued or false, it’s important to always look deeper than what you find on the surface to make sure that the assumption or judgement you have about a particular culture is accurate. Doing business in another culture can be hindered through inaccurate stereotypes or generalisations.

For instance the idea that French never work, often supported by coverage of the’35-hour work week’, is countered by the statistics that show that the French appear to be some of the most productive employees in the world. Some incorrectly believe that countries in Eastern Europe take the most holidays when they actually take fewer days than most of the developed countries in the European Union. In fact Germany not only has a high number of holidays, but its workforce spends the least amount of time working in the OECD.

Many cultural stereotypes are even more questionable as opinions tend to vary widely depending on whether the people are working in their home country or living in another as immigrants. For example, Mexicans in the US are seen as very hard workers who often work long hours and do harsh jobs, an image far from that we illustrated earlier.

By creating and supporting stereotypes that contradict real facts, people can risk making bad decisions based on false assumptions that could harm their business significantly. It’s important therefore to always question cultural stereotypes and check how accurate they may be. It is possible to use cultural stereotypes to your advantage as they can help you to simplify situations and anticipate behaviour across cultures, however if you are wrong you may find yourself facing drastic circumstances.

If you are doing business in another culture or if you are working with international counterparts, don’t get caught up believing what you hear as a false cultural stereotype can forever alter your relationship and success with them. The best way to completely understand the cultures you are doing business in is to participate in a cross-cultural awareness training programme. By providing you with detailed information about beliefs, values and behaviours you will find in the target culture, training will better equip you to break down stereotypes and build stronger business relationships based on cross-cultural trust.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2011

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Sep 09

Benefits of Doing Business in Germany

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

Strategically positioned at the heart of Europe and a key player in both the EU and NATO, Germany has the fifth largest economy in the world. Its strongest exporting sectors – chemicals, vehicles, machinery and household goods – set standards of quality and efficiency not just within Europe but globally, making doing business in Germany a priority for international organisations worldwide.

Brandenburg gate Asier Villafranca i Benefits of Doing Business in Germany

© istockphoto.com/ Asier Villafranca

While politically Germany is a federation of regions, each with unique traditions and customs, German business culture is characterised by a set of core drivers that affect business interactions with German nationals in a number of ways.

Task Driven and Fact Focused

German businesspeople will usually prioritise tasks over relationships so the German workforce tends to be very committed, focused and professional. This is evident in the extremely high standard of technology in German flagship companies. When doing business in Germany you and your organisation can count on dealing with highly skilled individuals who will give their best to ensure all objectives and deadlines are met. All aspects of operations undergo careful planning which greatly reduces risk and uncertainty of doing business in Germany. Furthermore, the general preference for hard facts and extremely linear and logical thought processes when making decisions and planning guarantees end products of the highest standard.

Direct Communication Style

German business culture relies on a direct style of communication. As a result, while German businesspeople can be perceived as blunt and possibly rude, when doing business in Germany you will almost always get a prompt and honest answer to your questions. What may be perceived as a direct criticism should be instead seen as a constructive and objective comment, aimed at the project in question rather than the person responsible for it. Meetings, negotiations and other business interactions with German nationals will develop in a straightforward manner. Emphasis is usually placed on reaching a common solution that is at once technically efficient, cost effective and satisfying to all parties involved.

Excellent English Skills

Whatever the position of your German counterpart within the organisation, he or she will most likely be highly proficient in English. This helps eliminate the cross cultural risks of not sharing the same language when doing business in Germany, so global organisations relying on English as an international language can profit from the excellent English skills in Germany. Although they tend to have excellent English skills, your German business counterparts will appreciate you speaking German, particularly if you are selling them your product. As the famous German Chancellor Willy Brandt once said “If I’m selling to you, I speak your language. If I’m buying, dann müssen Sie Deutsch sprechen!”

The benefits of doing business in Germany stem from its strong economy and business sectors, the high level of skills of Germany’s workforce, as well as from the core values of German business culture. If your organisation is doing business in Germany, its success will depend on a sound understanding of these values and on the ability to decipher their influence on business interactions which you can gain through cross cultural awareness training courses and initiatives.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Aug 31

Challenges of Doing Business in Germany

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector 2 Comments »

Most people associate German business culture with efficiency, quality and high technical standards. With the fifth largest economy in the world and a great degree of openness to international trade and business, Germany has established itself as a key economic power on the global stage making doing business in Germany more attractive than ever.

Germany Flag wrangel i1 Challenges of Doing Business in Germany

© istockphoto.com/ Wrangel

Doing Business in Germanywithout adequate cross cultural awareness, however, is a risky proposition. The cultural values of German business culture at the root of the country’s economic success can also prove a source of cross cultural misunderstanding for global companies doing business in Germany. Cross cultural awareness training courses highlight the cultural risks your organisation is likely to encounter when doing business in Germany.

These stem from a number of factors, some of which are described in more detail below.

Hierarchical Company Structures

German business culture places a great value on hierarchy. German businesses therefore follow a strict hierarchical structure, where decisions tend to be made at the top and communication is usually vertical. Status is acquired and assigned on the basis of merit, and the highest positions in a German company will be held by the most technically qualified and experienced employees. For international organisations doing business in Germany this hierarchical structure can affect negotiations and meetings which may seem to take longer than expected. You may perceive the plethora of procedures and policies as excessively slowing things down and creating mistrust. In truth, your German counterparts are most likely looking closely at all details and waiting for decisions to be made at the appropriate level. While decision making processes may be slow, the final result will be of the highest quality, as German products are renowned to be.

Strong Departmental Rivalry

When doing business with German companies, you should be aware that you may come across strong departmental rivalry. This may be actively encouraged by German managers in order to get the best out of their employees and staff. While it arguably contributes to a competitive product and high levels of efficiency, it means that you should be sure of communicating and sharing information with exactly the right parties and people within the German company with which you are doing business. Make communication channels clear from the start and ensure you are aware of who the key decision makers are on the German side.

Direct Communication Style

German businesspeople tend to communicate in a very direct manner. They will give you their opinion openly and straightforwardly and they will expect the same from you and your colleagues. Humour does not tend to be valued or used in business, so be aware that using humour can be inappropriate and unprofessional. You and your organisation need to be aware of this cross cultural difference as your German counterparts can otherwise be seen as blunt and undiplomatic. In negotiations, you should read any criticism as a constructive contribution to improve the outcome, rather that an attack of the person in charge. If you are working under a German manager, don’t expect praise, as a good job done is the minimum you will be required to do.

Understanding German business culture and developing the cross cultural skills to decipher its influence on business relationships with your German counterparts makes the difference between a profitable venture and a failed one when doing business in Germany. Cross cultural awareness can help you tip the balance of negotiations with German businesses in your company’s favour, greatly contributing to your company’s global success. Cross cultural awareness should form part of the know-how of all internationally focused organisations and can be developed and harnessed through Communicaid’s bespoke cross cultural training solutions.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Jul 07

Strictness, Discipline and Efficiency – Can Germany’s Cultural Values Lead Them to Success in the World Cup?

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

The title of dark horse of this World Cup undoubtedly belongs to Germany. Everyone was talking about Spain, Italy or Argentina as possible contenders, and no one gave a second thought to a team that, although strong, does not have the stars or the charisma that tend to attract the attention of the football world. Adding insult to injury, literally, a Ballack–less German team did indeed look less than impressive on paper and without many chances of success.

A little bump in the group stages against Serbia served to confirm all the skeptics’ opinions that Germany were not good enough to go all the way. Fast forward two weeks and Germany have outplayed small teams Australia and Ghana, and downright humiliated world-powerhouses England and Argentina. And as Germany gets ready to try and beat European champions Spain in the second World Cup semifinal tonight, the world has been left admiring the Germans’ impressive path to success.

 

Germany Flag wrangel i1 Strictness, Discipline and Efficiency – Can Germany’s Cultural Values Lead Them to Success in the World Cup?

© istockphoto.com/wrangel

 

How could a team with no Rooney, Ronaldo or Messi possibly have any chance to make it to the semifinal, let alone score four goals per match a staggering three times in the tournament? Perhaps the names Müller, Schweinsteiger and Friedrich are not as easily recognised as they don’t belong to global football stars, but these players, and the whole of the German team, have succeeded where other teams with charismatic superstars have not.

One of the German strengths is that they are, indeed, a team. Speaking right after their thrashing of Argentina, captain Philipp Lahm summarised their victory in one accurate phrase: ‘Better teams beat better players’. While Argentina boasts amazing footballers such as Tévez and Messi, who is undoubtedly the best player in the world, Germany’s players are simply good. Yet they complement each other perfectly and play for German glory, not their own. Coach Löw has intelligently managed to find good players and put them in their preferred position in order to develop an efficient goal-making machine that looks the most convincing of the World Cup so far.

Indeed, the German team is very German in their approach. Core German cultural values are discipline, efficiency, hard work and planning. In Germany, things tend to be done properly and on time while expectations are always high. These are well-known traits of German culture, yet expats who are living and working in Germany may still find it hard to adapt to these values. Doing business in Germany is undoubtedly profitable as the country is well known for their very high standards, efficiency and discipline. To completely understand how these values impact business in Germany and take full advantage of them, anyone building relationships or communicating regularly with German counterparts should undergo a cross cultural awareness training course.

Communicaid offers intensive cross cultural awareness training and language training that will give you the competitive edge you need to harness the famous German values and qualities of efficiency, planning and common sense.

The German football team has definitely been the most entertaining and exciting to watch in this World Cup full of unfulfilled promises and flopping superstars. Now we must wait until the game tonight to see how Germany’s efficiency fares against the Spanish team who has also performed well this World Cup.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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May 23

Cross Cultural Politeness – Beyond Please and Thank You

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector 2 Comments »

It’s no secret that it is essential to understand how to be polite and respectful when doing business internationally. But how different can politeness really be from one culture to another?

A number of unwritten principles of politeness exist which must be followed if you want to show respect and consideration to your business counterparts. Here in the UK we have been taught from a young age to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, to give up our seat for people who might need it or to apologise after bumping into someone.

Although we know what we need to do to be polite in the UK, many of us are unaware that doing the same thing in another culture may not be showing politeness. Failing to understand how to be polite when working across cultures can lead to communication breakdowns, damaged relationships and a loss of credibility. Cross cultural awareness training can equip us with the skills necessary to avoid these intercultural politeness pitfalls.

 

Business Woman 13 nicole waring i Cross Cultural Politeness – Beyond Please and Thank You

© istockphoto/nicole waring

 

One case of cultural variance in the understanding of politeness is the use of expressions of gratitude. In some cultures, people only expect to give or receive thanks for acts of altruism and not for tasks that are intrinsic to a person’s job, such as a bus driver or waiter. In other cultures such as the UK, however, people thank others for performing any tasks that benefit them. An example of this would be thanking the bus driver when leaving the bus.

Politeness is not always reflected through the use of please and thank you as in the example above. Using an indirect or direct style of communication can also influence the level of politeness you are showing your international counterparts. When doing business in Japan, for example, you’ll find your counterparts consider the use of direct questions to be challenging and therefore impolite. Conversely, doing business in Germany , you may find your German counterparts sometimes consider indirectness to be impolite, as the speaker’s intentions are unclear.

One theory of politeness states that in the process of communication people should consider the socio-cultural norms of people from other countries, develop tolerance and sensitivity towards these norms and work out strategies to make people feel comfortable in each other’s company.

An intercultural training course such as Working Effectively across Cultures stresses the difference in perceptions of politeness across cultures and provides specific strategies to help anyone doing business with other cultures overcome any misunderstandings that might arise.

“Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you – not because they are nice, but because you are” ~Author Unknown

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Apr 26

Multicultural Teams: Cross Cultural Approaches to Time Management

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »
clock with chinese signs i1 Multicultural Teams: Cross Cultural Approaches to Time Management

© istockphoto.com/PeterFrank

 

Everyone has heard the expression “Time is money”. This saying has an equivalent in most languages, demonstrating that the concept of time plays an important role in business cultures across the globe.

Modern Western business, in particular, considers the efficient use of time as a measurement of success. For example, if a project is not completed by the agreed date, the company will lose profit and its reputation will suffer. However, other cultures take a different approach to time management. Some Eastern cultures, such as India and Japan, tend to favour the coordination of tasks rather than tackling them sequentially.

Cross cultural awareness training provides an introduction to the concepts of time and how they differ across cultures, providing you with a better understanding of what to expect when working with international counterparts.

One cross cultural theory about time that intercultural training covers was developed by Edward T. Hall, an American anthropologist and cultural expert. Hall distinguished between monochronic and polychronic views of time. For example, when doing business in Germany or the US, both monochronic cultures, you will find that your counterparts tend to consider that time is wasted unless decisions are being made and actions are carried out. The task is the priority and communication between colleagues is often direct and to the point.

However, in polychronic cultures like India, time is not perceived as a number of slots where each is presented by a definite task that needs to be tackled sequentially. Instead, when doing business in India, you will find their polychronic approach to time is much less driven by a need to get things done on time and more by the fact that things are done and harmonious relationships are maintained throughout the process.

The difference in these cross cultural approaches can create significant challenges for anyone working in a multicultural team. When your multicultural team members have attitudes to time that are similar to yours, coordinating projects can be relatively problem-free. However, when your team members from different cultures view time differently, issues relating to planning, decision-making or project deadlines can often lead to frustrations caused by miscommunication and mismatched expectations.

For example, a German working on a multicultural team with Indian nationals may become frustrated by what he perceives to be indirectness or lack of urgency in his colleagues. Conversely, the Indian team members may feel that their German counterparts come across as being pushy and fail to consider the harmony of the team.

Another clear illustration of contrast between these two attitudes to time can be found in comparing the American and Japanese modes of production. The American model, credited to Ford, is a linear production line, with one task following another until the product is finished. The Japanese, however, initiated the ‘just-in-time’ model, credited to Toyota, in which production is synchronised to allow the company to minimise waste and be responsive to demand.

These are just a few examples that show how attitudes to time can present challenges and benefits for multicultural teams. The challenges and advantages that different attitudes to time can create are numerous and can have a clear negative or positive impact on multicultural teams and the success of the projects that they work on. By participating in a Cross Cultural Training course such as Working across Cultures or Intercultural Training Germany, multicultural teams can develop strategies to not only cope with their differences but harness them for more effective team working and productivity.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Apr 23

International Alliances and Cross Cultural Differences: Finding a Way Forward

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector No Comments »

Car manufacturers Daimler, Renault and Nissan have recently announced a three-way global tie-up of their brands. The alliance will allow the three automotive giants to share technologies and development costs, leading in particular to the production of new electric cars. These are the kind of technical, financial and strategic advantages usually associated with international partnerships, and therefore used to advocate them. What is often overlooked, however, are the human factors that affect their performance.

Car factory ricardoazoury i International Alliances and Cross Cultural Differences: Finding a Way Forward

© istockphoto.com/ricardoazoury

 

In an international partnership of this scale, where employees with different national and corporate cultures work together virtually and face-to-face on a daily basis, failure to manage intercultural differences will lead to cross cultural misunderstandings, increasing tensions between colleagues and ultimately jeopardising cooperation.

Cross cultural clashes of this kind in international partnerships are usually caused by a lack of integration, due to the fact that members of one organisation are unable to adapt all or part of their corporate and national culture to meet their partners’ expectations. The result is failure to accept a common reality and common goals, essential for the success of any international partnership. Cross Cultural Awareness Training courses for international management are specifically designed to create the cross cultural awareness employees and management will have to draw upon in order to fully reap the benefits of global partnerships formed by the likes of Daimler, Renault and Nissan.

Renault and Nissan, French and Japanese car makers respectively, are familiar with the cross cultural challenges of international partnerships. In 1999 they formed the Renault-Nissan alliance, the first of its kind in the automotive industry, which saw Renault take a controlling stake in Japanese giant Nissan. Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn was placed in control of the Japanese company, who fired a number of its top Japanese executives. Hardly an example of cross cultural co-operation, the deal nevertheless saw Nissan turn around its profits and eliminate its automotive debts, all in the midst of a flailing Japanese economy. As a result, Ghosn was awarded a medal by the Japanese government and Renault-Nissan is now the fourth largest carmaker in the world.

No one can dispute this success story, and it may be on its wave that Ghosn has claimed international tie-ups are the way forward for the automotive industry. Yet it is estimated that no more than 50% of international mergers and acquisitions achieve the level of success initially anticipated. Reasons for slow progress or outright failure are high labour turnover, low morale amongst employees, reduced job satisfaction and increased stress, amongst others. These may not be immediately measurable in monetary terms, yet their effect on companies’ performance cannot and should not be ignored or underestimated.

Another factor that has a huge impact on the success of international partnerships of this kind is cross cultural difference. Many organisations will venture into an international partnership unprepared for the many cross cultural challenges and only face up to them when projects have been abandoned or key employees have resigned.

Just like due diligence processes are carried out in preparation for international ventures, global organisations should consider pre-emptive measures and consider the cross cultural differences all parties will encounter and provide staff with relevant cross cultural awareness training initiatives. Intercultural Training courses designed with the specific needs of global organisations and their employees in mind – such as Managing Virtual Teams and Managing International Mergers and Acquisitions – will considerably reduce the cultural risks inherent in international operations such as that recently undergone by Daimler, Renault and Nissan.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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Feb 15

Cross-Cultural Concept of Time: Chronemics

Cross Cultural Training, Cultural training for Relocation, Culture, Culture training for Business & Management, Culture training for Human Resources, Culture training for the Public sector 3 Comments »

The terms polychronic and monochronic are used to describe how we understand and use time as well as how time affects our attitudes, behaviours and communication. In The Silent Language (1959), Edward T. Hall used the term polychronic to describe the preference for doing several things at once. Conversely, monochronic refers to an individual’s preference to do their activities one by one.

People in monochronic cultures such as the U.S. or Germany prefer promptness, careful planning and rigid commitment to plans. They also tend to be task-oriented whereas people from polychronic cultures are people-oriented. Cultures such as Italy or Brazil are considered to be polychronic since they prefer to have multiple things happening at once. Polychronic cultures tend to prioritise relationships over tasks and do not consider time commitments to be binding.

The table below highlights some of the key differences between monochronic and polychronic preferences.


Monochronic Polychronic
One thing at a time Multiple activities at once
Rigid approach to time Flexible approach to time
Strict agenda No strict agenda
Focus on task Focus on relationship
Completion of job most important Relationships more important than the job
Emphasise promptness Promptness based on relationships


Cross-cultural training will provide you with a more comprehensive understanding of different approaches to time, including your own, and the impact this can have on doing business internationally. Whether intercultural training focuses on one specific culture such as Doing Business in India, or how to be more effective in any global context such as Communicating across Cultures, the concepts monochronic and polychronic are key to improving your ability to build strong relationships with your international colleagues.

While doing business in other countries, you should consider the different perceptions of time people might have. Everyday global business activities such as scheduling meetings, participating in conference calls or planning a project can be affected by attitudes to time.

© Communicaid Group Ltd. 2010

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