- Hello Customer - Log in or Register!
David Keenan, founder of Lafayette International Business Consultants, LLC, has a proven track record developing new International markets, initiating strategic sales directions and developing strong International sales operations for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) in the US or Enterprises (SMEs) in Europe and other International locations. David frequently blogs at http://lafayette-consulting.com/blog/ and tweets as @TheIntlExpert.
What do you see as unique cultural characteristics of British people that are reflected in the UK’s business culture?
Oftentimes people mistakenly think that England and the United Kingdom (UK) are the same country. The United Kingdom consists of four Countries; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and there is a strong sense of nationalism in each of these countries. English people are British but not all British people are English and there are distinct cultural differences.
When one adds in the post WWII influx of a large immigrant population, the mixture of ethnic cultures makes it even more difficult to define the potpourri that now makes up the UK. Generally speaking, many of the immigrant population are from former British Colonies and have adapted and integrated into society well.
In the past 20-25 years, there has seen an erosion of the traditional British engineering industries. Service and high-tech businesses are now more prevalent. This has impacted the hierarchical and class structure that once dominated the senior positions in UK business. Now you are more likely to encounter modern business models more influenced by the US and the global social networking revolution.
British business people (particularly the English) do not use an excess of emotion or enthusiasm when communicating. The British tend to deflect conflict with indirect communication. For example, if someone says “h’mm, that’s interesting” the likelihood is that they are not really interested and this tendency for understatement and coded language is part of the communication cultural style. If humor is used in a business setting, it is likely to be in a self-deprecating manner and self-promotion tends to be looked upon unfavorably.
What are the UK’s most competitive industries in world markets?
Petroleum and Energy
Pharmaceutical and Bio-technology
Defence/Aviation Industry
Food and Drink Industry
Communications
What’s the best way to find potential British business contacts?
There are many ways including:
Your government’s commerce department or ministry, in particular any trade assistance centers. In the US, there is the US Department of Commerce including the International Trade Administration.
Use the services of an International Business Specialist with experience and contacts, including potential Channel Partners already established in the UK.
The UK Government Business Link
Industry Trade Shows
Social Media
What do you wish people knew about doing business in the UK before they
arrive in country?
The UK may share a common language with countries such as the US, Canada, and Australia; but there are many differences in business cultures, etiquette and commonly used words. Words used elsewhere may have a totally different meaning in the UK and product localization may be needed.
Being pushy and demonstrating too much self -promotion (showing off) are likely to be off putting to British business people, including the younger generation.
From your perspective, what’s the business climate like for entrepreneurs (supportive vs. unsupported, culturally accepted profession vs. not accepted, etc.)?
This is an interesting question. The UK has suffered from the global recession and many people have been laid off or, as they call it in the UK, made redundant. This has sparked an upsurge in people starting their own businesses. More than 20% of small businesses in the UK have been started following the owners being made redundant from their jobs and most simply took an existing business model template and started their business.
The average cost for individuals to start their business was about £5.000 or USD$8,000. The majority (over 70%) are not trying to re-invent the wheel but rather taking the lessons learned from their previous jobs and improving the process.
The UK does lag behind other European countries but is catching up. And entrepreneurship is becoming increasingly accepted in the UK.
( Vivian )27 Aug,2012| Product Model | Inside Diameter | Outside Diameter | Thickness |
| 6905ZENR NACHI | 25 | 42 | 9 |
| 6805ZENR NACHI | 25 | 37 | 7 |