“A discussion between a Belgian project member and a German one during the license negotiation with SAP. The Belgian was focus on sharing high level scope and ensure we don’t miss any big fish and the German was very analytical and want to discuss every topic in detail. I was surprise of such difference in the approach between both ”
“The main cultural difference I have experienced is the big behavioural difference between the workers from South Europe (France, Spain, Italy,…) which are more flexible and have a strong "improvisation mind" (sometimes too much) with these ones from Northern Europe (Germany, Belgium (North),…) which respect more scrupulously the planning without place for the flexibility and improvisation.”
“In Belgium we discuss too much time to arrive to a consensus”.
“In Belgium, after or within a customer visit a business lunch is very important to commit the customer relation.”
“In Belgium… excessive bureaucracy and a certain lack of flexibility”
“In Spain (and also Portugal, but less) discussions can become very emotional; this is the opposite to Belgium. Coming from my 12 years in Spain, in my early times in Belgium I had remarks from people cooling me down at occasions”