French culture assumes that good products emerge from good conception—quality products reflect quality thinking in their design. A bien conçu product demonstrates intelligence: problems have been anticipated, solutions found, trade-offs wisely resolved. When presenting products to French counterparts, be prepared to explain the thinking behind them. Why is it designed this way?
What problems does the design solve? How were trade-offs resolved? French appreciation for conception values the intellectual dimension of products—not just materials and execution but how well the product has been thought through. Products that seem poorly conceived may be criticized even when adequately made.
Demonstrate that your products result from intelligent design, that problems were understood and thoughtfully addressed. Good thinking produces good products; show the thinking.
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