Most people think of English as being the only language used in the United Kingdom. Although this is generally the case, Welsh and Scottish Gaelic are spoken by a fair percentage of people in Wales and Scotland. English is primarily used for business and official correspondence across the UK.
The Culture
The British are known for an ethical approach to cultural issues and are very systematic and thorough in all that they undertake. This is the main reason for their outstanding success in most ventures. The UK has a long history of economic progress and an enviable system of governance. The British are known for certain unique characteristics, including:
Indirectness The British are extraordinarily polite and courteous, and will take care not to act abruptly or brashly, even in difficult situations. This is a unique aspect of the British persona, and they are known to retain composure even under pressure.
Stiff upper lip The British are known to have reserved natures. They never interfere or intervene in matters that don't directly concern them. It is very unlikely for them to get into heated arguments and they will choose to discuss controversial issues rationally, with the objectives of solving problems and facilitating useful discussions being paramount.
Humour The British have a very fine sense of humour, often subtle, which is very pleasant for those who understand nuances of the language. They often use a self-deprecating manner, and always try to see the lighter side of situations. These tactics are used to defuse stressful situations effectively.
Business in the United Kingdom
The UK is the world's fourth largest trading nation, and is one of Europe's leading business centres. With a stable and growing economy, the UK is definitely an attractive destination for overseas businesses seeking to enter into collaborative ventures. The country's special strengths lie in research, development, technology, and its long-standing system of governance. It is advisable for foreign entrepreneurs seeking to do business in the UK to recognise and follow the working practices and business etiquette expected here.
Working Practices in the United Kingdom
Punctuality at work or meetings is taken for granted. It is the norm for people to set up business appointments well in advance. Given their penchant for following established systems and procedures in all they do, the decision-making process is relatively slow. However the British are very quick to implement final decisions and plans.
Organisational structures and hierarchies in UK companies are quite distinctive. Typically, the board of directors of a company make all important decisions, especially those with significant financial implications. Hierarchies are generally flat with a distinction made between managers and those at the lower levels. Managers tend to develop good working relationships with their subordinates, and mentor them, using a teamwork approach. The British also have well-defined systems for accountability in strategy implementation and realisation of organisational goals.
Conclusion
The United Kingdom is an attractive destination for overseas businesses, and is today an important centre for international trade in Europe. Products and services have a reputation for high-quality, which is recognised worldwide. There are certain established working practices and codes of ethics in business in the United Kingdom. You will need to spend time and effort to understand the British culture and practices in order to form long-lasting and profitable partnerships.
In the past Britain had a huge manufacturing base which is now slowly changing to a service economy. London is still the nerve centre of the financial world where more money changes hands on a daily basis than any other financial centre.
From a population point of view, England dominates and this why foreign people often get confused with British & English. The population of England roughly makes up slightly over 80% of the UK's total.
The UK's population is around 60million, with England having 51 million, Scotland having 5 million, Wales around 3 million and Northern Ireland close to 2 million.
For all intents and purposes when foreign people talk about the British they are usually referring to the English so therefore this article is predominantly about doing business with the English people.
Words of warning here; never refer to a Scots, Irish or Welshman as English. Due to historical disputes these people often do not like to be known as English.
The British are renowned for their "stiff upper lip" which generally means that they do not like to show much emotion or make much body contact. It is also advisable to keep a slight distance from people during a conversation.
It is customary to firmly shake hands with people when you meet, whilst maintaining eye contact and that includes both sexes. Business cards are normally exchanged after the handshake and before the meeting has begun.
Embracing your counterpart after a successful meeting is generally not acceptable but going out for alcoholic beverages or a meal to celebrate is allowed as long as you do not drink too much.
A pretend kiss, where a males lips do not actually touch the female cheek is an interesting custom that I have observed when saying good bye to your female business colleague.
The British sense of humour can be extremely difficult to comprehend. The British seem to delight in making fun of themselves and saying one thing and meaning another (irony). As an example they might say "how nice" when in reality they may mean "how awful."
Therefore it becomes important to watch their body language and listen to the tonality of their words to fully understand what they are trying to say.
In a business meeting men generally wear dark suits, a shirt and a tie whilst women can wear the same or a dress that just covers the knee with a nice shirt and a dark jacket.
The English tend to look down at people who do not speak their language correctly so make sure you send somebody that has a good understanding of grammar and spoken English.
Politeness, neat and tidy dressing and punctuality are all important in this society. Make sure you are on time and your shoes are polished. If you are going to be slightly late for a meeting make a quick call and let them know before you arrive.
The British tend not too haggle a lot so in any negotiations it is possible to get a lower price than is initially quoted but usually their second price will be close to their final offer.
It is customary to let the senior guy in the business lead the way when moving to another destination and holding the door open for any females in the group. If you are part of a delegation let the senior people walk ahead and follow closely behind. It is acceptable to talk quietly as they lead the way.
Following these simple rules will make your business trip to the United Kingdom a pleasure and not a chore.
Both Jody R Coogan & Naz Daud are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jody R Coogan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Yoga Practice, Movie Reviews and Diamonds. Jody R Coogan is an independent researcher and author focusing on financial and business matters.See additional information on . Jody R Coogan's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
Naz Daud has sinced written about articles on various topics from Real Estate, Ezines And Newsletters and Business Promotion. Naz Daud - CityLocal Franchise Opportunity & Business. Naz Daud's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.