French business culture values information that arrives through proper channels in proper form. A well-documented proposal carries more weight than the same idea expressed casually. Information transmitted through appropriate hierarchical and procedural channels is taken more seriously than information that bypasses normal routes.
If you need something to be treated seriously, put it in writing, follow proper procedures, and use appropriate channels. Informal workarounds that might be acceptable elsewhere can be viewed with suspicion: why did this not come through normal channels? Taking the time to do things properly signals that you take the matter seriously and understand how things work. Shortcuts may seem efficient but often undermine the legitimacy of what you are trying to communicate.
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