Since the 1980s, we’ve seen management circles toy with proven concepts from other nations. Trouble is, we didn’t always execute them fully or correctly. Worse yet, we didn’t ask if a business concept from another culture was right for us to begin with. And no, I don’t mean fahrvergnugen. But while results might have been mixed, there is virtue in being open to foreign methods.
Some companies have embraced the Korean idea of chaebol or conglomerate, diversifying themselves for the sake of diversification or in a desperate but half-hearted attempt to appease stockholders. Others have done a good job of integrating kaizen, the Japanese concept of continuous improvement. You might remember a time when every manager had a copy of The Art of War by Sun Tzu on the shelf.
An open mind and a willingness to deploy another country’s custom can go a long way as long as managers don’t give into the temptation to water down the concept, rendering it ineffectual. Here are my Top Five:
Fika: A Swedish term meaning coffee break. The Swedes take several a day and they are more religious about them than the Lutheran church. These are part and parcel of the Swedish work day and seen as a critical component in productivity and creativity. One thing you’ll find about some Northern European cultures is they are structured, even in their down time.
Lagom: Another Swedish term for which there is no literal English translation. Loosely, it means “just right.” It can be applied to many situations in the workplace. Your manager might say to you, “Your sales approach could be a bit less aggressive.” “But at my last review, you said I was too passive,” you reply. “How do I know how to be?” Your boss might say, “Be lagom. Figure it out.” Swedes are all about candor, collaboration and consensus. Many American office cultures could be more this way.
Guanxi: This is the Chinese concept of your network of relationships that allow you to do business successfully. The Chinese have been doing this for thousands of years. We can learn a lot. First, it’s not about exchanging business cards. In China, if I give you my business card as a sign we will begin to establish a relationship and you brush me off, you have made a withdrawal from the guanxi account and caused me to lose face. Likewise, if I demonstrate guanxi by purchasing from you and you don’t do something to return the favor, it is looked upon negatively.
Ordnung: It’s the German word for order. You’re probably not surprised that Germans are orderly and meticulous business people. The phrase alles in ordnung or “All is in order?” is used often around the office. For me, it makes a fitting rally cry to create a place for everything and everything in its place. It not only means being organized but also looking for ways to improve.
Punktlich: Germans are nothing if not punctual, and this is the German word for it. It is said, only half-jokingly that it is the first adjective German children learn in school. For a long time, I was one of those “relaxed” professionals who thought it was OK to be right on time or a couple minutes behind. Not so. I came to realize that German philosopher and New York Giants football coach Tom Coughlin were both right in thinking there should be penalties for not being early to appointments. That said, Germans are also said to be very punctual come quitting time, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Note: The article is from the internet.
