UK Business culture Pragmatic approach  strong belief in common sense

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