[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ module_class=”reverse-columns-mobile” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||15px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout” sticky_enabled=”0″]Even this phone booth in Bath reflects the sense of the humour and pragmatism found in the UK: discarded in the smartphone age, no time was wasted in repurposing it into a real eye-catcher.<\/p>\n
Credits: Ellen Gnann, Pixabay\/Ichigo121212[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||90px||false|” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout” sticky_enabled=”0″]Helpful and humorous, and at times a little unconventional \u2013 these attributes tend to come to mind when thinking of the stereotypical resident of the United Kingdom from a German perspective. But what qualities should we take on board as visitors if we want to make a great professional impression in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales? \u201cThose bringing humour, a cool composure and tolerant attitude are primed to succeed in all four countries,\u201d says English-born Nicola Garratt-Gnann, who founded IMB Interkulturelle Management Beratung in T\u00fcbingen with her husband in 1993. Nicola regularly advises on her home country conventions as an intercultural training consultant. When travelling to the UK, keep in mind that the residents are a polite and sometimes reserved people who, on the one hand, are stereotypically understated, yet on the other, will passionately debate issues and problems. \u201cYou can expect results-oriented conversations, which are eloquently worded with lots of \u2018pleases!\u2019 and \u2018thank yous!\u2019,\u201d says Garratt-Gnann.<\/p>\n
In contrast to some business codes, she feels a quick handshake is an appropriate greeting for an initial meeting: \u201cBut this applies only for the first business meeting.\u201d After that, and particularly since the coronavirus pandemic began, avoid direct contact and leave at least an \u201carm\u2019s length\u201d of personal space for good measure. When greeted with the phrase \u201cHow are you?\u201d, she advises you reply with \u201cHow are you?\u201d in return and add a \u201cNice to meet you!\u201d. A detailed digression about your personal well-being is not appropriate here \u2013 especially since you do not really know your counterpart well at this point. How well this process of bonding then unfolds depends to a large extent on the empathy and small-talking skills of the visitor. \u201cBesides the weather and the food, cricket, football or horse racing are go-to topics. Upcoming events are always the starting points for a good conversation too. So if you are travelling to the UK this summer, you could bring up the famous tennis tournament at Wimbledon, for example,\u201d suggests the expert.<\/p>\n
She considers situational context to be even more important than conversation topics. \u201cIt is important to create a pleasant atmosphere in which you can talk in an informal and relaxed manner and one which is not immediately marked by limitations and divisions but by advantages and mutual opportunities. An open \u2018yes, and\u2026\u2019 approach, which you can practise instead of an off-putting \u2018no, but\u2026\u2019 mentality, can work wonders here,\u201d explains Garratt-Gnann. That is because UK business partners are generally keen to negotiate outcomes of mutual benefit. Proposals that do not pose any advantages are difficult to convey. People who use a commanding tone or act like a superior are particularly poorly received. To appear competent, introduce your suggestions with phrases such as \u201cwhat about \u2026\u201d, \u201cI was hoping \u2026\u201d or \u201cI would really appreciate \u2026\u201d but be careful! UK residents like to discuss alternatives, but once a contract is fixed, renegotiations won\u2019t be considered. This must be done in advance when \u2013 as is customary in the UK \u2013 the minutes of the meeting prior to signing are discussed. \u201cThese serve as a basis for discussion and thus allow for a certain amount of flexibility,\u201d says Garratt-Gnann.<\/p>\n
If you attend a work-related lunch where business is involved, the IMB founder recommends waiting to address business-related issues until your counterpart mentions them, rather than doing so immediately. According to her experience, it is also quite common to discuss business-related matters in a restaurant, pub or during another leisure activity. \u201cThis can sometimes be even more effective than in a sterile office environment,\u201d she points out. When asked about proper attire or the right host gift for these meetings, she immediately comes back to the basics of interpersonal communication. \u201cJust ask! You can never go wrong here. Because business events can be as versatile as dress codes. In addition, people in the UK are tolerant and are also open to non-conventional clothing, so it should be hard to venture too far outside of the box,\u201d Garratt-Gnann clarifies wryly. <\/p>\n
A similar approach can be taken with host gifts. For this, you could try to find out what your host in the United Kingdom may appreciate in talks leading up to the trip, for example. Also, any gift symbolising something about the visitor themselves or the region they come from is welcome. In fact, this type of gift creates a further segue into conversation. Garratt-Gnann recommends the following for your next UK trip: \u201cJust embrace the challenge and casually bounce off the signals from your counterpart. You will see how quickly a pleasant conversational atmosphere naturally arises.\u201d She then adds: \u201cBut please don\u2019t try to copy the UK humour, just laugh along.\u201d (bre)<\/em>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IMG-20220122-c-Ellen-Gnann_800px.png” alt=”Yvonne Brockhaus, interkulturelle Trainerin f\u00fcr die Interkulturelle Management Beratung (IMB)” title_text=”IMG-20220122—c—Ellen-Gnann_800px” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ text_font=”roboto-regular||||||||” text_text_color=”#003a7c” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||15px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout” sticky_enabled=”0″]A classic UK quip \u2013 this sign in St Ives uses humour, not patronisation, to warn of the \u201cdanger from above.\u201d[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”dtb-sticky” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][et_pb_sidebar area=”et_pb_widget_area_7″ show_border=”off” admin_label=”Werbung Startseite \/ Artikel” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][\/et_pb_sidebar][et_pb_sidebar area=”et_pb_widget_area_9″ show_border=”off” admin_label=”Werbung Artikel” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][\/et_pb_sidebar][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/NicolaGarratt-Gnann_500px.png” alt=”Yvonne Brockhaus, interkulturelle Trainerin f\u00fcr die Interkulturelle Management Beratung (IMB)” title_text=”NicolaGarratt-Gnann_500px” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”25px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ header_3_text_color=”#002e5b” text_orientation=”center” min_height=”119px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||40px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Nicola Garratt-Gnann, consultant for intercultural training at IMB Intercultural Management Consulting[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Logistics Pilot” url=”mailto:marketing@bremenports.de?subject=Please%20send%20me%20the%20Logistics%20Pilot%20Magazine” image=”https:\/\/www.logistics-pilot.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LP_2022-April-EN-Cover.jpg” icon_placement=”left” _builder_version=”4.15.1″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_color=”#002e5b” header_font_size=”21px” body_text_color=”#000000″ body_font_size=”17px” body_line_height=”1.4em” animation=”right” link_option_url=”mailto:marketing@bremenports.de?subject=Please%20send%20me%20the%20Logistics%20Pilot%20Magazine” link_option_url_new_window=”on” custom_css_blurb_image=”width:100px;||transform: rotate(-10deg);” custom_css_blurb_title=”padding-top:15px;||margin-bottom:-5px;” box_shadow_style_image=”preset1″ box_shadow_color_image=”rgba(0,46,91,0.3)” global_module=”50941″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”]<\/p>\n Die aktuelle Printausgabe – jetzt kostenlos anfordern.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Humour, a cool composure and tolerant attitude \u2013 and ditching any rigid negotiating strategies and principles \u2013 is the trusted formula for business travellers during their next UK meeting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":59673,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-behind-the-scenes-en"],"yoast_head":"\n\u201cHumour, composure and tolerance will open many doors in all four countries.\u201d
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