How we can helpIn French newspapers and on French websites and blogs there is a wealth of data and information about French companies and labor relations that never makes it into the English-language press, whether in the United States or the United Kingdom. It takes a very good level of understanding of the French business scene and of the French language to pick up hints about how to work successfully with the Works Council and to understand the logic of honour that drives most French relationships in ways that Foreign Managers can take years to understand. For example quite unwittingly you may be undertaking actions out of good intentions that are undermining your French management team. In managing knowledge about France there are four levels to be taken into account : |
The Differences Between French and North American ManagersVery few books have been written about French-American or American-French take-overs. One of them was written in 1997 by Guillaume Franck, a professor of international management at HEC, probably the most influential French business school. It takes a searching, often humorous, look at French acquisitions in the U.S. The book should be required reading for any French company wishing to buy into the U.S. or any American company wishing to buy into France. The book’s title is "Conquering The American Market - A la conquête du marché américain" and it is published by the Parisian publishing house, Editions Odile Jacob". You will find an article about the differences in the sidebar. Our experience in working with typically French companies and the subsidiaries of international companies based in France has equipped us to offer multi-cultural coaching to American and British expatriate managers in this country. French companies have different attitudes to working relationships, hierarchy, power, influence and the task than British or American firms. Before a manager can focus on the task in France he or she needs to develop the right relationships inside the company. A broad smile will not do the job, in fact it can be considered superficial and even downright insulting. French people are very tolerant during the first few months a new expatriate manager spends on the job, but they also expect to see a rapidly deepening understanding and respect for the organizational and national culture. In addition to personal multi-cultural coaching, our consultants teach intercultural and multi-cultural management in some of France's top business schools. |
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- France’s “énarques” weren’t trained to succeed in the world but in central Paris
- The Invention of France: an Anthropological and Political Atlas
- The 10 Best and 10 Worst French Universities for Three-Year Degree Programs
- The Big Problems with French Management