UK Business culture Pragmatic approach ê strong belief in common sense ê dislike rational, systematic frameworks ê causes problems in their dealings with the French

Achievement oriented ê individualist culture ê privatisation = increased social mobility ê performance the key to success ê accent, family or right school less important ê masculine culture ê long hours common

Organisations Hierarchical (line management) é vertical chain of command (top-down) é many layers of management é newer companies have flatter structure é focus on short-term profits

Leadership style é managers: tough & decisive é establish a friendly relationship to subordinates é orders disguised as requests é delegation common Anita Roddick Chris Gent

Women & management Number of female managers increasing é 25% of junior managers é 7% of top management Reasons é growth of service sector é education é growth of small businesses é development of home-office

Meetings Decision-making forum é integral part of business é participants do not only contribute on their special areas é not everyone is well-prepared é style informal é start & finish with social chit-chat

Teamwork British love teamwork é teams provide security & sense of belonging é individuals dislike profiling themselves é feeling of pulling together é consensus important

Communication style Slightly high context é understatement common é indirect style often talk around the subject é tone of voice, stress patterns important é avoidance of confrontations é reserved & unemotional

Etiquette é becoming more “relaxed” (Americanisation) é however, politeness still important é abundance of excuses é academic titles little used é handshaking uncommon

Punctuality Between fixed & fluid time é not as punctual as the Germans, Japanese or the Americans é more punctual in business life than social life é greater tolerance for lateness

Humour é important part of business life é used to establish a good tone é replaces emotions? é presentations & meetings might start with a joke

Socialising é managers usually socialise with subordinates é colleagues usually lunch together é importance of pub lunch é establishing relationships important