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October 03, 2013
R. D. Lewis: Got Grϋndlichkeit?
Two Englishmen, meeting on the street may say "Hello"’ and exchange brief words on the weather.
Two Germans are likely to ask "Alles in Ordnung?" (Is everything in order?). Ordnung is not just a word, but a world view. Follow the rules, be organised, do the expected.
Some important German rules. But don't get nervous. At his Cross-Culture, Richard D. Lewis, a well-known British linguist and international business consultant, writes that German business people are very different than you and me, Ernest, in "The Cultural Commandments: Germany". There are ten. Our two favorites:
1. Be thorough...and then check everything again. Lewis: "Grϋndlichkeit (thoroughness) is a core German virtue. You should show a mastery of facts, figures, and every last detail."
3. Don’t make it sound too simple. "Life isn’t simple, is it? So why pretend otherwise? To German ears, simple messages are not complete..."
Lewis, who has made cross-cultural communication in commerce his life's work, offers a summary. Germans as traders are (a) honest, expecting others to be honest, (b) straightforward, and (c) blunt, "disagreeing openly rather than going for diplomacy".
Any questions?
Posted by Holden Oliver (Kitzbühel Desk) at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)
Heavenly Creatures: Women of The Netherlands. So what's the deal with Dutch males?
Not to trade in generalizations--but it is fun. The Women of The Netherlands not only speak English (British and American dialect) exceptionally well. They are very tall, energetic, educated, confident and robust. Stunningly attractive Nordic goddesses. These days, however, Dutch men, as a Brussels-based lawyer we know once said, do tend to look and act very much like, well, Moby. And often on purpose. What gives? How could this have happened?
Name's Kleef. Buy you a Grolsch?
Posted by Holden Oliver (Kitzbühel Desk) at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)
October 02, 2013
Lawyers Aren't Royalty: See Rule 9 in our 12-Step Program for the Service-Challenged.
If you think "returning phone calls promptly" and "keeping the client informed" is a big deal, you are flirting with mediocrity. Get standards that work, make money and keep great clients coming back. See Rule 9 in our 12 step program for The Service-Challenged: "Be There For Clients 24/7".
T-shirt by MadLizzy.
Posted by JD Hull at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)