MANAGING CULTURAL IMPLICATIONS IN BUSINESS INTERNATIONALISATION

Let us elaborate on each of the points.Training and preparation:Educating and training our experts on cultural differences are paramount steps for successful introduction to a new market. Understanding the cultural nuances of France will help our team avoid misunderstandings and conflicts, which can significantly improve the effectiveness of our business relationships.Examples:- Seminars and trainings: Organize regular seminars and trainings where experts will study the peculiarities of French culture. Through various scenarios and situations, they will be trained on how to react correctly to French cultural peculiarities.- Study of real cases: Analyzing real situations faced by companies operating in the French market. This will allow the experts to learn from the mistakes and successes of others and apply what they have learned in practice.- Exchange of experience: Ensuring the exchange of experience among the expert team members, especially those who already have experience working with French partners. Experienced team members can share their knowledge and best practices.- Mentoring: Appointing mentors among experienced staff who can help newcomers adapt to French culture and provide advice and guidance.2. Flexible communication style:A flexible communication style is an integral part of interacting in a new market, especially given the cultural differences between the U.S. and France. An approach that is appropriate for communicating in the U.S. may not be effective in France. Experts must be able to adapt their style depending on specific situations and interlocutors.Examples:- Formal and structured approach: At the beginning of a business relationship with French counterparts, experts should be prepared for a formal style of communication. For example, they may use respectful forms of address and a structured format for documents in meetings or written communication.- Informal and contextual style: In certain situations, especially after a long-term relationship has been established, experts may shift to a more informal style. For example, they may refer to "you" and use less strict language, taking into account the context and relationship.- Adapting to the interlocutor: It is important that experts take into account the preferences of their French counterparts. If the counterpart prefers a more formal style, experts should be prepared for this, and vice versa.- Use of linguistic nuances: Experts should learn the specificities of the French language and linguistic nuances to avoid misunderstandings and language-related conflicts.3. Respect for time:Respect for time is a key aspect of successful engagement in a new market, especially in the context of cultural differences between the U.S. and France. French culture is often characterized by a more flexible and unhurried approach to time management. Examiners should be prepared to adapt their perception of time to French standards.Examples:- Flexibility in scheduling: Experts must allow for more flexible scheduling and accommodate possible schedule changes. They should be prepared that meetings or events may start with a slight delay.- Importance of face-to-face meetings: French culture values personal communication and relationships. Assessors should be aware that face-to-face meetings and conversations may take longer than expected, but it is an important aspect of developing business relationships.- Cultural sensitivity: Assessors should be aware that internal corporate deadlines and project timelines may vary culturally. They should be prepared for a more flexible approach to time and deadline management in France.- Using time to build relationships: Experts should see time spent building personal relationships as an investment in the future. This time may be necessary to build long-term and trusting relationships with French partners.4. Collaboration and relationships:Collaboration and building long-term relationships play an important role in French culture. Examiners should emphasize developing and maintaining positive interpersonal relationships with French partners, which fosters an atmosphere of trust and strengthens business relationships.Examples:- Establishing trust: Assessors should actively work to establish trusting relationships with French counterparts. Openness, sincerity and trustworthiness are important for building long-term business relationships.- Personal networking: Organize meetings and events to connect personally and strengthen relationships, such as lunches, corporate events and cultural events.- Group dynamics: Consider the impact of group dynamics on decision-making and relationship building. Experts must be prepared to insert themselves into group structures and be sensitive to collective interests.- Long-term relationships: Experts should think about long-term perspectives and the development of relationships in the future, rather than quick deals. This may include future plans for joint projects and long-term collaborations.5. Individual and CollectiveApproach:In thecontext of culturaldifferencesbetweenthe U.S. and France, it is important to understandthebalancebetweenindividual and collectiveinterests. French culture maybemorecollective and group-oriented, while in the U.S. individualismplays a moresignificantrole. Expertsmustbeable to adapttheirapproachesdepending on thecontext and expectations of Frenchpartners.Examples:- Consideration of collectiveinterests: Expertsshouldtake into accounttheinterests and needs of thegroupwhenmakingdecisions and negotiating. Theycanemphasizetheimportance of collectivegoals and thecontribution of eachparticipant.- Individualism in innovation: Wheninnovativeideasarerequired, expertscanemphasizethecontribution of individualparticipants to a commongoal.- Balancedapproach: Expertsshouldseek a balancebetweenindividual and collectiveapproaches, depending on specifictasks and situations.- Maintaining a balance: Assessorsshouldconsidertheimportance of thebalancebetweenindividualism and collectivism and adapttheiractionsaccordingly.Adapting to individual and collectiveinterests in French culture willfacilitatesuccessfulinteraction and cooperation in theFrench market. Expertsshouldbeflexible in theirapproach and take into accounttheexpectations of theirFrenchpartners.In thisway, stepbystep, usingalltheproposedelementsthecompanywillachievesuccess in thetarget market. It is important to realizethateachstepdescribedrequirescompleteimmersion in thetask. Thus, consistently and purposefully, expertswillbeable to "passthrough" thevalues and realities of theFrench market. Theywilllearn to thinklikeFrenchconsumers, identifyeffectivelevers of action, and becomefull-fledgedparticipants in theFrench business environment.References1. HofstedeInsights (https://www.hofstede-insights.com/)2.The TrompenaarsHampden-Turner SevenDimensions of Culture (https://www2.thtconsulting.com/7d-model)3. GeertHofstede'sCulturalDimensions (https://www.geert-hofstede.com/)Title of the Appendix