Agreements


Yes

A yes in the German context is more exception than the rule. Germans are reluctant to enter into an agreement without being sure that they can deliver on it. When you get the German yes, however, it is firm.

Patterns


No

The German no is more the rule than the exception. However, its level of hardness is based on context. The no can range from hard to flexible. Identifying the barriers to the yes reveals that range.

Patterns


Context

The German yes means a high degree of commitment. Before granting it, Germans want to be sure that they can deliver. In order to decide they request a lot of context information up-front.

Patterns


Follow-up

In Germany follow-up is infrequent. Once an agreement has been made neither party feels the need to contact the other in order to check the status or priority of that agreement. Agreed is agreed.

Patterns


Deliverables

The Germans prefer a complete deliverable, even if late, over an incomplete deliverable, on time or even early. Lateness is tolerated as long as expectations are met. Completeness is preferred to speed. 

Patterns