germany team 7. basic chemical plant freeport, tx
DESCRIPTION
Sean Jones- Vice President of E-Solutions Background Originally from Texas Went to UT Asked to transfer to Germany Adjusting to the Culture Cultural Awareness Seminar Village Living – Slower Pace Learning Language How would you sum up your first few months? “Very difficult language to learn, probably gave me the biggest headache”TRANSCRIPT
INTERVIEWSGermany
Team 7
EXPATRIATE Sean Jones- Vice President of E-
SolutionsBackground
Originally from Texas Went to UT Asked to transfer to Germany
Adjusting to the Culture Cultural Awareness Seminar
Village Living – Slower PaceLearning Language
How would you sum up your first few months? “Very difficult language to learn, probably gave me
the biggest headache”
EXPATRIATE Business Etiquette
Risk Adversity Ambiguity Ex Pat Testimony
Were there things that surprised you about the way people thought or worked? “Many things, very process oriented,
detailed, slower in decision process, argumentative, risk adverse. Germans are very conscientious; they want many people to agree, no one wants to stand out.”
EXPATRIATEEmployee Challenges
Relationships/ Interactions with employees Managing
As a result- changed his management styleHow do the employees in the business
environment see you? “As entrepreneurial and adventurous but
sometimes not believable. They want you to show them that you have things under control and that you know what you’re doing. Identifying problems gains trust, but you can’t just say I think we can work though it you have to show them how you are going to accomplish it.”
REPATRIATE Mr. Fareed Mohammed
V.P. Technology/ArchitectureGermany 4 ½ yrs 2002 – 2007
Decision making “Analysis Paralysis”
Still manages team
REPATRIATE Advice
Be open mindedYou get out what you put in
Transfer of knowledge Remember the position of both sides and try to
combine the knowledge you have gained from both countries.
GERMAN STUDENTS
STUDENT RESPONSES Why did you chose your specific
university?
The reputation of the university
The unique degree programs that are offered
Its location related to cost
Convenience and proximity to friends and family
STUDENT RESPONSES Do you have any plans to continue
studying for an advanced degree?
Most of the students plan on pursing some sort of graduate level degree
Globalization has caused an increased competition in a now multinational job market
STUDENT RESPONSES How many languages do you speak?
German and English among others
Understand Ancient written languages
STUDENT RESPONSES What kind of job do you hope to get once
you graduate? A job directly related to their area of study
What they want from their future job
Work Domestically or Internationally? Most answered Internationally
Most companies operate internationally
STUDENT RESPONSES What do you think about globalization?
Most students felt globalization was a positive thing
Do you think your school has prepared you to compete for jobs in the global marketplace?Most students felt that their school had prepared
them for globalization
Those who didn’t feel prepared had not studied abroad or planned to work internationally
STUDENT RESPONSES Do you feel there are any cultures that
are closely related to your native culture? Why?
There are similarities in other cultures
Difference are what stand out
STUDENT RESPONSES If you could tell Americans one thing
about your culture, what would it be?
Varied in detail but were related to German scheduling and planning
Confirmed by our expatriate and repatriate experience
STUDENT RESPONSES What are some stereotypes you have of
Americans?
The questions themed around Americans being self centered and egotistic
Obese and live off fast food
DANKE FÜR EURE TEILNAHME