A Comprehensive Guide on Culture, Communication Practices, and Business Practices in France in Comparison with the United States.

1. Doing BusinessDoing Business
with Francewith France
Raymond Hovland
Libby Loeffler
Charles Remise
Christopher Sturgeon
Gina Hales
May 2013

2. AgendaAgenda
• Intercultural Quiz
• Cultural Values
• Communication practices
• Business Etiquette
• IV - Business Relationships
• Key Points

3. Intercultural QuizIntercultural Quiz
1. What is the capital of1. What is the capital of
France?France?
ParisParis
2. What is the most visited
Monument in France?
The Eiffel Tower
3. What was the old
currency of France?
The Franc

4. Cultural valuesCultural values
• Geert Hofstede is a Dutch
psychologist born in 1928
• Inspired by multiculturalism
• He defined 5 dimensions of cultural differences
o Power distance
o Uncertainty avoidance
o Individualism vs collectivism
o Masculinity
o Long/ short term oriented

5. Power distance:
-High
-Respect of hierarchy
-Decisions are carefully studied before being taken
-Power is centralized

6. Individualism:
-Very individualistic (don’t consider themselves as a
part of a group)
-Accent is set on competition
-People work alone

7. Masculinity:
-Society driven by competition and success
-Inequalities in terms of salary, position, power
-Things are changing

8. Uncertainty avoidance:
-Not an ambitious culture
-Risk management to limit uncertainties & anticipate future
-French like to control, and make often planning

9. Long term orientation:
-Not participatory methods
-Short Term view
-Use of instinct rather than analysis

10. Communication StylesCommunication Styles
• Edward T. Hall: Anthropologist
• Low context culture vs.
High context culture

11. Communication StylesCommunication Styles
Verbal CommunicationVerbal Communication
• Honest and
straightforward
• Try to learn a few
greetings and
phrases in French
• Talk about: French
food, philosophy, art
• Avoid talking about:
money or politics Source: Royalty Free Stock Photos. 2013.

12. Communication StylesCommunication Styles
Non-Verbal CommunicationNon-Verbal Communication
• Keep good posture
and manners
• Low territoriality
• Proximity theory:
high territoriality vs.
low territoriality

13. Communication StylesCommunication Styles
Written CommunicationWritten Communication
•Formal
•Example of
French Letter

14. Formality Mutual trust
Networking Courtesy

15. RelationshipsRelationships
YouCircle of
Trust

16. RelationshipsRelationships

17. Time OrientationTime Orientation

18. Business EtiquetteBusiness Etiquette
Meetings and GreetingsMeetings and Greetings

19. Business EtiquetteBusiness Etiquette
Appropriate Business AttireAppropriate Business Attire

20. Business EtiquetteBusiness Etiquette
Dining Etiquette, Table Manners and Gift GivingDining Etiquette, Table Manners and Gift Giving

21. Business EtiquetteBusiness Etiquette
Business Negotiation and Women Doing BusinessBusiness Negotiation and Women Doing Business

22. Key PointsKey Points

23. Contact InformationContact Information
• Raymond Hovland: Rhovland@Callutheran.edu
• Elizabeth Loeffler: eloeffle@callutheran.edu
• Christopher Sturgeon: Csturgeo@Callutheran.edu
• Charles Remise: Ce.remise@mailstec.fr
• Gina Hales: Ginahales93@gmail.com