Seminars at BSP By Jordy Verbeurgt

First seminar:How to do business with Germans“workshop on intercultural competence” By: Michael Bahles

Content

Intercultural competence The Iceberg model High and Low context countries The Lewis Model Hofstede’s cultural dimensions Holistic approach Conclusion

Intercutural competence

Openess Flexibility Self-reflection Empathy Tolerance for ambiguity Readiness for learning

in reality everything is different than it seems

Knowledge

Skills Behaviour

Attitudes

The Iceberg model

High context cultureLess verbally explicitMore internationalize communicationRelations

Low context cultureSpecificDetailedPreciseExplicit

High and low context cultures

The Lewis Model

Blue: cool, factual Red: warm, emotional Yellow: courteous, amiable,

accomodating

Hofstede’s Cultural dimensions

“Hofstede's cultural dimensions theory is a framework for cross-cultural communication, developed by Geert Hofstede. It describes the effects of a society's culture on the values of its members, and how these values relate to behaviour, using a structure derived from factor analysis.”

Germany PD: mid-high/high Individualistic: mid-low/low Masculinity: Masculin Structured: Very structured LT/ST: Vey long term-oriented

Holistic approach

Metaphors to describe the country culture USA: American Footbal Violent, strict rules Mexico: Fiesta party, drinks, food Russia: Ballet drama, serious, strictness, suffering Italy: Opera drama, fun, women, positive, loud Germany: Symphony detailed, serious Belgium: Lace differences brought together

Conclusion: first seminarhow to do business with Germans1. Be on Time! (or earlier)2. Have only a short small talk3. Deal with business seriously4. Be thoroughly prepared5. Present everything in a logical, structured way!6. Be aware of direct questions and comments7. Don’t take critique personal8. Have a profound argumentation9. Be frank and create trust (by facts)10.Stay to your word

Second Seminar:Entrepreneurial Hotspot BERLIN By: Prof. Dr. Andreas Braun

Objectives

What is an entrepreneur? Why is Berlin a hotspot? What tools do entrepreneurs use?

Made in Berlin (examples) Theekampagne

Established with students Squeezed the Supply

Chain Market Only one tea

Most succesful importer of tea

E-Rockit (bankrupt) Product between bycicle

and motor (see video) Cost 20,000-30,000 euros

Betahaus Bringing entrepreneurs together

networking Drive Now

Partnership with BMW Card, app, look for nearest car, go to

the car, open car with cars, park the car

Each minute costs 29 cents Business model innovation

What is an etrepreneur?

“An entrepreneur is someone who starts a venture not because she/he has to do, but she/he sees an opportunity”

Why is Berlin a hotspot?

“Berlin is poor, but sexy!” – Berlin’s former mayor Klaus Wowereit 5 factors largely determin the success as a start-up hub

Talents Infrastructure Network Public image Capital

What tools do entrepreneurs use?

The Brain Business model canvas Business Plan

1. Executive summary2. Business description3. Products and services 4. Sales and marketing5. Operations6. Management team7. Development8. Financial summary

Elevator pitch

Third seminar:The German economy and politics in a nutshell By: Dipl. Sos. Kristin Schilling Medical School Berlin Business School Berlin Potsdam

Berlin (Politics and demography)

Captial of Germany 3.5 million inhabitants (2nd most of Europe) Michael Müller is the mayor After WWII Berlin was divided in two parts (East and West)

Divided by the Berlin Wall (1961-1989)

Berlin is the seat of the German executive, housed in the Chancellery, the Bundeskanzleramt ("White House" of Germany).

Berlin (Economy)

Currency: Euro GDP: 109.2 million euros Service sector most dominant in Berlin’s economy (80%) Labour force: 1.85 million Unemployment: 10.0% (all-time

low) Biggest start-up scene in Europe Biggest Company: Deutche Bahn: 21,260 employees Nicknames

City of Design Hotspot