Doing Business in the UK
Description
Vocal Characteristics
Language
EnglishVoice Age
Middle Aged (35-54)Accents
British (General)Transcript
Note: Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and may contain errors.
Hierarchy in the UK, the vast majority of British companies and organizations still have a distinct hierarchy. Although their instructions might be polite requests or even mere suggestions. British managers are firm effective and resolute their authority as decision makers isn't up for debate, being in control and leading a team efficiently are among the most important management skills. This particularly includes having a good relationship with the staff. Team players will enjoy working in the UK where individual ambitions should never jeopardize the mission of a team. Foreigners need to realize the importance of class distinctions which are still present, although well disguised and not directly obvious. The British observe differences in social status by manner of speech, dress and behavior, a person's educational background as well as his or her family name continues to play a role in the workplace and networks from school and university are still important to some companies. Logical reasoning is one if not the most typical British characteristic in business life, red tape and bureaucratic hurdles can of course be encountered, but at the same time, they are generally disliked while a pragmatic approach is clearly favored at the heart of an organization's planning lies. The annual budget companies develop budgeting processes based on estimates over 3 to 5 years reaching or surpassing target figures in a particular market is commonly rewarded with bonus payments. The British generally prefer working with a group of people they know they can relate to and with whom they can identify meetings are time consuming and set. Well, in advance, most parties prefer a set agenda which typically starts discussing business. After some introductory small talk, the discussion at a meeting can be rather informal but because of the British task orientated nature, each participant of a meeting will usually leave the table commissioned with a specific task. The British are tough and skillful negotiators throughout negotiations. It is important to remain calm and polite. Whereas an informal humorous tone may sometimes disguise the actual seriousness of an issue discussed. Most British business people are following a rational and pragmatic approach only on rare occasions, a commitment is announced right away while agreements need to be formalized in writing formality and a great deal of subtlety prohibit direct criticism in British business life. Likewise, a decision might when announced sound more like a proposal open to discussion. Whereas this is certainly not the case. The polite and indirect communication of managers in the UK may sometimes disguise the fact that they are the sole decision maker. It is however, not often an invitation to discuss or decline an assignment. Despite the fact that more recently, the British have formalized being late in a social sense for dinner, lunch, et cetera. It is advisable to show up on time for a scheduled meeting. British managers work longer hours than their European colleagues. They may miss out on lunch breaks and take work home appointments. Due to the high frequency of meetings, people work in an office environment and often away from their desk. This accounts for the comparatively high number of digital memos sent and received in a UK company, arrange appointments in advance.