 Business manners
Punctuality and dress:
Whether it's an interview or a social event, punctuality is important, as is attention to dress and personal grooming.
Introducing yourself:
- people tend to behave fairly formally even outside a strictly business context. It's common practice to shake hands when you meet someone and on leave-taking.The most 'senior' person in terms of status, age or sex (female) offers their hand first.
- Notice how Ulrich Wagner used 'Grüß Gott' to address his colleagues. This expression is common in Southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
- It's quite usual to address business contacts or new social contacts with the Sie form. The familiar Du form is used with friends, family and those in your peer group, such as colleagues. If in doubt, keep to the Sie form, until you see what's expected!
Types of German company
- Krüger GmbH is a Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung - a limited company. Below are brief descriptions of other types of company you may come across.
- Aktiengesellschaft (AG) - a joint stock company.
- Gesellschaft des bürgerlichen Rechts (GBR) - a type of partnership which is favoured by free-lance professionals such as accountants, solicitors and so on. There are few formalities and it is not necessary to have an entry in the Handelsregister (register of companies).
- Offene Handelsgesellschaft (OHG) - a general partnership. Entry into the Handelsregister is compulsory (erforderlich).
- Kommanditgesellschaft (KG) - a limited partnership. Small start-up capital.
- GmbH & Co. KG - a limited company whose members are the partners of the KG (limited partnership.)
- Ein-Mann-GmbH - a one-man limited company.
Training
Silke's company may not help with training, but she can consult this German website: Ausbildung bei der Stadt Rosenheim
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