Doing Business in the UK
Although English is spoken in the US and UK, there are many cultural differences that may at first go unnoticed because of the shared language. When working together, cultural differences in communication style and work style can lead to miscommunication and conflict. When doing business in the UK, you should know:
How they work
Workers in the UK are less self-promoting than Americans, and want to achieve for the team as well as self. Famous for their stiff upper lip,' the British get the work done without complaint, and without tooting their own horn. In business, it is important to have proper form, correct behavior, when dealing with people and situations.
The British often see Americans as self-promoting, driven, ambitious, and very time conscious. Americans are primarily focused on the bottom line, with face, status and honor second.
Communication style
Communication in the UK is much less direct than in America, and what is not said may be just as important as what is said. When working with the British, pay attention to tone and body language. British use nuance and understatement that is often lost on Americans. In conversation, the British also frequently use ‘qualifiers' such as 'perhaps', ‘possibly' or 'it could be', leaving some unclear if this is a directive, or a suggestion.
American are very direct in their communication and openly express their opinions, desires and emotions. They usually use first names, often regardless of age, status, or relationship. This communication style can be seen as overly familiar and inappropriate to the British.
Decision making style
Both British and Americans rely on facts, rather than emotions, to make decisions. Be prepared to back up your claims with facts and figures.
British have a cautious approach to decision making. Usually people consult with others before making decisions and acting on them. Whereas Americans are often independent and self reliant, the British follow chains of command, so decisions may take longer. Decision making in Britain is top down and not easily challenged. The British follow established rules and practices; therefore decision-making is often a slow and systematic process.
Decisions are made much faster in America than in the UK. Americans also expect others to make decisions just as quickly, which is sometimes seen as aggressive. Unlike the UK, in America decisions are often made by individuals, without seeking consensus or approval first.
Dealing with conflict
The British, in particular the English, are known for their politeness and courtesy. They are uncomfortable with confrontation and try to avoid it. British also avoid open displays of emotion, positive or negative. Traditionally, the British maintain reserve and restraint when faced with difficult situations.
In business, Americans confront task conflict directly. Americans can easily separate the task conflict from the personal conflict. They value addressing the conflict in an assertive yet respectful manner. In British culture, which prefers to avoid conflict, American assertiveness can be seen as confrontational and undesirable behavior.
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