Interview: Melissa Lamson, Author of No Such Thing as Small Talk, 7 Keys to Understanding German Business Culture

Book Title:
No Such Thing As Small Talk, 7 Keys to Understanding German Business Culture

Website URL:
www.lamsonconsulting.com

Social Media Links:
Twitter: melissa_lamson1
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/lamsonconsulting
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/melissalamson

What is your book about?
My book is about my personal and professional experiences living and running my own business in Germany for 10 years. There are lots of anecdotes as well as specific business best practices in working with Germans. I touch on German society and values and explain the specific expectations and behaviors in business.

What inspired you to write your book?
There are many companies which have subsidiaries in Germany. German companies are acquiring many firms in the United States (Deutsche Bank, SAP, the NYSE is 60% owned by a German firm), and Germany is the economic center of Europe.

How did you come to do what you’re doing today?
Many people underestimate the cultural differences in doing business and I’ve found in the last 17 years that it is the major factor to how organizations function, survive, and flourish. German culture in many ways is opposite to American business culture and its critically important to understand and train new business skills working globally. I provide consultation to individuals and companies on how to best work across cultures.

Can you describe a typical day in your life?
I speak with leaders in multinationals about the challenges they have working globally, I prepare proposals, lead assessments, and work on research projects which support virtual and face-to-face teamwork internationally. If I’m on-site, I’m leading sessions and meetings, consulting on strategic objectives.

What do you most enjoy about what you do?
Seeing people transform their mindsets to become more productive, efficient and effective in their work. Even better, when they have fun trying out new behaviors and create an environment which is dynamic and exciting to work in.

Are there any people and/or books that have inspired you along your journey?
There are many authors in the Intercultural world who have inspired me in my career. Milton and Janet Bennett, Fons Trompenaars, and many colleagues around the world.

For my book on Germany business culture, there are popular media figures, like the Katie Couric of Germany, Astrid Frohloff, who wrote the forward to my book, German politicians like the foreign minister, and business people like the CEO of SAP, Bill McDermott who have supported my journey for knowledge and cultural transformation.

Can you share some business tips for our readers?
1) Be prepared with lots of information. Germans like data and facts. I talk in my book about opposite thought patterns.
2) Be more formal. Europeans generally like to have a more serious start, using last names, more formal dress, less small talk and joking to warm up a situation.
3) Don’t be afraid of conflict, debate, or direct communication. You will establish credibility if you can (unemotionally, yet logically) give an “honest” opinion or argument.

Can you share something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
From the American point of view given the stereotypes that exist about Germans and Germany, people are surprised to learn that I have a Jewish background. Living in Germany for 10 years was a fascinating learning experience. I have first-hand knowledge how Germany handles the Diversity of its society, their historical relationship with Israel and Jewish people, and what the perspectives are in German society today.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you, this has been an interesting reflection for me.