Business Without Bullsh-t Why British Meetings Drive Germans Crazy
EP 408 - What happens when British charm collides with German order in the workplace?
In part 3 of our Business Without Baggage series, we speak to professor and senior partner at GTK Germany - Manfred Klein - who breaks down the surprising differences - and hidden similarities - between the UK and Germany’s business cultures.
From awkward handshakes and endless small talk to rigid agendas and direct feedback, discover why British and German colleagues often clash in meetings, negotiations and everyday work.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why German efficiency and precision frustrates British colleagues
How British politeness and vagueness confuses German teams
The truth about work - life boundaries in Germany vs the UK
Why Germans trust process while Brits trust personality
How cultural differences can make or break international business deals
If you’re doing business with Germany, managing international teams, or just curious about cross-cultural communication, this conversation is packed with real-world insights and a few laughs.
*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*
Spotify Video Chapters:
00:00 Business Without Baggage part 3 - Germany
00:43 Meet Manfred - A Legal Heavyweight
01:16 The Importance of Formality and Punctuality
02:20 Setting and Following an Agenda
04:53 Work-Life Boundaries in Germany
17:05 Direct Communication and Feedback
29:14 The Role of Hierarchy and Family Businesses
39:25 Social Security and Employee Expectations
40:54 Understanding German Employee Benefits
41:25 Work-Life Balance in Germany
42:05 Challenges in the German Health and Pension Systems
42:54 Maternity and Parental Leave Policies
44:01 Declining Birth Rates and Social Security
46:26 Immigration and Cultural Integration
48:05 German Cultural Traits and Business Etiquette
49:15 Economic Challenges and Quantitative Easing
50:25 Direct Communication and Efficiency in Germany
57:00 Business Collaboration Between Germany and UK
59:16 Ease of Doing Business in Germany
01:09:00 Common Mistakes When Doing Business in Germany
01:11:03 Visa and Property Ownership in Germany
01:13:50 Andy Wears German Carnival Outfit
01:15:19 Business or Bullshit quiz!
01:18:04 Wrap Up
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