United States – Page 63 – understand-culture

First gas flows from Germany’s new LNG terminal | DW News

2022. Deutsche Welle. The opening of Germany’s first LNG import terminal is a milestone in the country’s plans to find alternate sources of natural gas. The terminal, floating off the North Sea coast, was built in a record time of just under 10 months.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz greenlit the LNG projects on February 27 this year — just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine. The facility opened off of Wilhelmshaven is slated to feed an estimated 6% of Germany’s gas demand into the energy grid each year.

German Firms Start Adapting to Rapid Changes in Work

November 2022. Yahoo Finance. Ways of working in Germany have entered a state of constant change due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in digitalization, making digital transformation to improve employee experience increasingly essential, according to a new research report published today by Information Services Group (ISG), a leading global technology research and advisory firm.

Willy asks Howard

In Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman, a struggling salesman, meets with his boss, Howard Wagner, to ask for a stable position in New York rather than continuing to travel. Willy tries to appeal to Howard’s sense of loyalty and decency, but Howard remains unmoved, focused solely on financial metrics.

Howard embodies a purely transactional, numbers-driven approach. He ignores Willy’s emotional appeals and repeatedly brings the conversation back to business metrics and profitability. Howard’s emphasis on facts, figures, and bottom-line results reflects the American business culture, where personal relationships and sentimentality are secondary to financial performance.

Vorlaufzeit

The German term Vorlaufzeit conveys the concept of lead time; sufficient advanced notice before a decision or action. It is culturally significant because Germans expect early information in order to prepare thoroughly.

Winner-take-all

In Glengarry Glen Ross (1983), the salesmen at a real estate office are informed of a contest where the top salesman wins a Cadillac, the second-place gets steak knives, and the rest are fired. The announcement is delivered by Blake, a ruthless sales manager. Blake’s pitch is brutal, using fear, financial incentives, and aggressive language to motivate the sales team. The negotiation tactic is clear: produce results or face dire consequences. There is no room for negotiation—only compliance. The focus on competition, high stakes, and a clear winner-take-all mentality encapsulates the American approach to negotiation as a high-pressure, performance-driven endeavor.

Ausschlussfrist

The German term Ausschlussfrist conveys the concept of limitation period; legal deadline after which claims expire. It is culturally significant because seen in employment and delivery contracts – reinforces rule-based thinking.

Aquinas + Luther

The Protestant work ethic, closely associated with German culture, advocates for hard work, honesty, and fair dealing. These values stem from the teachings of Martin Luther and other Protestant reformers who emphasized ethical conduct in economic transactions. The concept of the just price can be traced to medieval Christian doctrines, particularly those of Thomas Aquinas, who argued that a fair price is one that reflects the true value of labor and materials, without exploiting either party. This theological perspective persists in German culture, where business transactions are often framed as moral agreements, requiring that prices be justified by objective criteria rather than market manipulation.

close or walk away

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992). Set in a high-pressure sales office, this movie depicts real estate agents in constant contact with clients and each other, always ready to close or walk away from deals. The focus is on results, not relationships or context, and the right to exit is exercised ruthlessly.

change course when necessary

Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber. Based on real events, this series dramatizes the rise of Uber and its founder’s approach to business agreements. It showcases rapid deal-making, constant negotiation, and a willingness to abandon partnerships or change course when necessary, reflecting the American logic of prioritizing results and adaptability.

trust-building measures

As Foreign Minister, Hans-Dietrich Genscher was instrumental in Cold War negotiations (1970s-1990s), including disarmament talks and EU integration. Genscher emphasized diplomacy, long-term stability, and carefully structured agreements, reflecting the German emphasis on planning and consistency.