KNOWLEDGE BASE UK Business Culture

 

October 30th, 2019 Update: On March 29, 2017, UK Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50, which formally started the process whereby the UK will leave the European Union. The original plan was for the UK to leave the EU on March 29th, 2019 but the process has proven to be very complicated and dates and outcomes have continued to shift. On October 28th, 2019, the EU agreed to push the extension deadline to January 31, 2020. 

We will continue to update this bulletin as information is provided.

Expansion Guide - UK Business Culture

 

Influenced by national culture, business culture varies from country to country. And you will increase your chances for success by paying attention to the subtle and not-so-subtle differences between the business culture of your own country and that of the country in which you would like to do business. Don’t rely on your UK business contacts simply accepting that the people in your country “just do it that way”. You may inadvertently offend them and hurt your business prospects from the start. Instead, understand and embrace the business culture you are entering. 

 

Use the Business Culture In The UK section for information on the following:

Familiarize yourself with the factors that shape the national culture of the UK, which also affect the business culture
Learn the rules for business and social etiquette
Understand how hierarchy and seniority are generally viewed in the UK and compare it to your own country's approach
Know how negotiations are typically handled by the British and determine where there are differences with your country's approach, and decide how your negitiating style will need to be modified
Understand what binds a contract in the UK and have any contract reviewed under British law
English is the language of business in the UK. If you are not proficient in English, determine how you will overcome this gap
Be aware of normal business hours and maximum weekly work hours

 

Use the Demographics For Women In The UK section to:

Review a summary of UK's results for the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report for 2015 and click through to the study

 

Globig Knowledge Base

Learn more about UK demographics in these related Globig Knowledge Base sections.

Business Culture In The UK

Demographics For Women In The UK

 

Globig Resources

Use these related resources if you'd like to do some additional research on your own.

National Culture books by  Geert Hofstede, Gert Jan Hofstede, and Michael Minkov 

Overview and more information on each of the dimensions described in the national culture work by Geert Hofstede and his team

Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behaviour by Kate Fox

World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report

 

Globig Marketplace

Are you ready to explore what service providers are available to help you on the ground in the UK?

The Globig Marketplace contains vetted, quality service providers who can help you. Review your options, learn more about them, and even send them an RFI. 

 

Globig

Do you have additional questions or want some help?

Globig is here for you.  Send us a message and we'll get back to you right away to assist you in your global expansion. 

KNOWLEDGE BASE UK Business Culture