Totaljobs.com > Career Advice > Latest jobs news > Rise of the multicultural workplace

Rise of the multicultural workplace

By Helen Beckett

Every country has its own social customs dictating everything from how close you stand when talking to someone to when and how you eat. If you get a job working for a foreign company operating in the UK, you may need to adapt certain things you do to make the best of the opportunity.

Multinational workplaces are practically the norm in the UK’s big cities. As well as attracting high volumes of overseas workers, foreign companies invest billions every year in their British bases. This gives you a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of a new business culture within your own country, increasing the opportunities you’ll have to work or travel abroad.

Rather than cosmopolitan offices across the country morphing into a mono-culture, cultural differences are sharply exposed. Should you land yourself a role within a foreign company, knowing a few basic national characteristics will help you fit in.

Meet the neighbours
James is a marketing director for a German manufacturer and finds that business protocol is adhered to a lot more strictly. “A lot of my colleagues clock off at 5pm on the dot” he says “not because they’re uncommitted, but because that’s what time their contract says to stop work.”

There’s a prescribed etiquette running through French companies too. Hannah, a UK agent for a French fashion show found this most evident in what she calls ‘the Monsieur problem’. “First name terms are OK for your female colleagues, but many French businessmen insist on being addressed formally.”

Business lunches offer plenty of opportunities to spot culture clashes. “The French have a precise way of serving even the simplest of lunches and knowing how to conduct yourself is all-important,” says Hannah. Alcohol will always remain a sensitive issue in these circumstances so the best option is to keep your drinking to a minimum – at least until your boss orders the first round of shots!

Our American cousins tend to show real drive and determination in their everyday business dealings, treating everyone with respect, but being very focussed on their own goals. “For them, the world of business is very cut-throat where not a lot else matters.” says Bella, an office manager at a US investment bank.

Something we often find very hard to come to terms with is the culture of bartering, which comes as second nature to those from the Middle East. “There’s always a deal to be done, but many Brits I come across believe it’s rude or cheeky to even try negotiating.” says Hani, sales manager for a Lebanese firm.

Home truths
Perhaps the hardest culture of all to understand is your own, and it’s useful to know how you come across to your international colleagues. Mijnd Huijser, managing director of Culture and Management Consulting, studies cultural difference in business and has some words of advice.

“There’s a national character trait of the British that they need to lighten the mood all the time. Other nationals find it very irritating.” says Huijser. So if there’s a serious meeting convened to discuss poor results or redundancies, making light of it in a throw-away remark like ‘mustn’t grumble’ will not win you any friends.

“Meeting is perhaps the most dangerous word of all”, says Huijser. In the UK this is an event where people turn up for a free and frank exchange of views with some actions coming out of it.” Other cultures, particularly the Latin and Asian, believe it is where people convene to formally sign off an agreed agenda.

“The pull for the goal-oriented Brits is to get things going”, notes Huijser. If nothing appears to be happening we tend to grab the lead and make a suggestion, putting ourselves in the vulnerable position of responsibility. “It’s better to keep quiet for a bit longer than you would normally”, suggests Huijser.

The value of preparation can never be underestimated, so when you’re invited to an interview at a foreign company, be sure to research the main cultural do’s and don’ts to improve your chance of success.

Totaljobs.com > Career Advice > Hot topics > Rise of the multicultural workplace

Search for a job with totaljobs.com.