Geschäftliche Verhandlungen: 1. Zeit ist Geld

Summary

In this business meeting, Frau Müller and Herr Peterson from Germany discuss a potential collaboration with Frau Miranda da Silva from da Silva Design AG. However, cultural differences and misaligned expectations create tension. Frau da Silva is optimistic about quickly launching a successful product, while Herr Peterson is concerned about Germany’s slow bureaucratic process and cautious approach. The meeting reveals frustrations over punctuality, communication styles, and differing business practices, highlighting the challenges of cross-cultural negotiations. Despite these tensions, both sides remain interested in pursuing a partnership, albeit with significant reservations.

Takeaways

• 😀 A busy and tight schedule is discussed, with meetings and deadlines to meet throughout the day.
• 😀 Mrs. Miranda da Silva, from da Silva Design AG, arrives late to a meeting, causing some frustration from the other party.
• 😀 Mrs. da Silva explains her delay was due to her mother calling, which caused a personal interruption during her professional appointment.
• 😀 There is a contrast between different business cultures; the German side emphasizes thorough preparation and bureaucracy, while Mrs. da Silva proposes faster timelines.
• 😀 The German side requires a preparation phase of at least 6 months, emphasizing quality, regulations, and careful market analysis before launching any product.
• 😀 Mrs. da Silva expresses frustration over the German approach, questioning why it takes so long, particularly when her company has successfully launched products faster in other markets.
• 😀 Mr. Peterson and Frau Müller seem frustrated by Mrs. da Silva's lack of understanding of German business protocols, particularly the slow pace they adhere to.
• 😀 Mrs. da Silva emphasizes the importance of mutual trust and understanding in a business relationship, suggesting that personal connections, such as conversations about motorcycles, can help build that trust.
• 😀 Despite differing viewpoints on business methods, both parties are interested in collaborating, with Mrs. da Silva eager to introduce her product to the German market.
• 😀 There is a clear difference in how both parties perceive professionalism, with Mr. Peterson focusing on a methodical, regulated approach and Mrs. da Silva advocating for flexibility and speed in decision-making.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the meeting in the script?

The main topic of the meeting is a potential business collaboration between the German company and the Brazilian company, focusing on bringing the 'Ente' product to the German market.

Why is Mrs. Da Silva late to the meeting?

Mrs. Da Silva is late because she received a call from her mother, which caused the delay.

What cultural misunderstanding occurs between the two parties during the meeting?

The cultural misunderstanding arises from the difference in work styles: the German company expects a slow, methodical approach with thorough planning, while the Brazilian company is used to faster, more flexible decision-making and execution.

How does Mr. Peterson react to Mrs. Da Silva’s behavior during the meeting?

Mr. Peterson reacts with frustration, feeling that Mrs. Da Silva's late arrival and casual conversation about her motorcycle are unprofessional and a distraction from the business at hand.

Why does Mrs. Da Silva mention her motorcycle during the meeting?

Mrs. Da Silva mentions her motorcycle in an attempt to build rapport and establish a personal connection, which is common in Brazilian business culture.

What is Mr. Peterson’s view on the German approach to business compared to the Brazilian approach?

Mr. Peterson values the thoroughness and attention to detail of the German approach, which he believes is necessary for long-term success, while he sees the Brazilian approach as overly rushed and unstructured.

What does Mrs. Da Silva think of the German bureaucracy discussed in the meeting?

Mrs. Da Silva is frustrated by the slow and bureaucratic German process, which she sees as a hindrance to quickly bringing the product to market. She believes the Brazilian market would allow for faster execution.

What challenges do the two parties face in their potential collaboration?

The main challenges are differences in business culture, expectations about the pace of work, and the varying degrees of formality and bureaucracy each party expects in their processes.

How does the conversation suggest the two parties might move forward despite their differences?

The conversation suggests that both parties will need to better understand each other's business practices, be more flexible, and improve communication to bridge their cultural differences and build a successful partnership.

What does Mrs. Da Silva feel about Mr. Peterson’s attitude toward the collaboration?

Mrs. Da Silva feels that Mr. Peterson is too rigid and unwilling to consider alternative approaches, which makes it difficult to build a trusting business relationship.