D bw p - country profiles - belgium

1. http://doingbusinesswithpeople.weebly.com/

2. BELGIUM corresponds to the
faculty of estimating
probabilities.
It is the faculty which bases its
conclusions in
commercial, political and social
transactions on the probable
facts, where as it is often the
case, the absolute conditions
cannot be learned; and which
attends to reach the probable
truth in regard to a question
when exact knowledge
concerning is it not obtainable.
Psychology of the Nations
A.L.Kip
http://doingbusinesswithpeople.weebly.com/

3. Lewis Model

4. Belgium scores high on the Pòwer
Distance scale
• Inequalities are accepted
• Hierarchy is needed if not existential
• The superiors may have privileges
and are often inaccessible
• The power is centralized
• The attitude towards managers is
more formal and on family name
basis
• Control is normal, and even
expected, but considered as formal
and not key for efficiency
.
geert-hofstede.com
94
54
75
65
35
66
89
35
UAI
MAS
IDV
PDI

5. Belgium scores high on the
individualistic index
• Favour individual and private opinions
• In the work environment, the
relationship with work is contract
based, the focus is on the task and
autonomy is favoured
• The management is the management
of individuals and the recognition of
one‘s work is expected
• People can voice their opinion, but
towards powerholders a less direct
style is preferred than amongst peers
.
geert-hofstede.com
94
54
75
65
35
66
89
35
UAI
MAS
IDV
PDI

6. Belgium scores moderate on the
Masculinity scale
• A confrontational, win-lose negotiating
style (typical of the US and Anglo
countries) will not be very effective
• This could mean that the decision
process may be slower, as each point
of view is considered so that
consensus can be achieved
• Belgians strive towards reaching a
compromise, winning a discussion is
generally less important than
achieving mutual agreement.
.
geert-hofstede.com
94
54
75
65
35
66
89
35
UAI
MAS
IDV
PDI

7. Belgium scores very high in the
Uncertainty Avoidance index
• Certainty is often reached through
academic work and concepts that can
respond for the need of
detail, context, and background
• Teachings and trainings are more
inductive
• In management structure, rules and
security are welcome and if lacking, it
creates stress
• Planning is favoured
• Policies changes are considered
stressful
.
geert-hofstede.com
94
54
75
65
35
66
89
35
UAI
MAS
IDV
PDI

8. • Meetings are formal and appointments
are necessary
• Everyone is expected to arrive on time
• First appointments are more socially
than business oriented, as Belgians
prefer to do business with those they
know
• Men should wear dark
coloured, conservative business suits
with white shirts and silk ties and laced
shoes well polished
• Women should wear business suits or
conservative dresses
• Business set up is bureaucratic
• Manners are a must
Text: Kwintessential
Photo: wikimedia.org

9. • The business set up in Belgium is hierarchical
• They adhere to established rules of protocol for most situations and
expect others to do the same
• They are a private people: they do not mix their private and business lives
• The leader will be deferred to as the final authority in any decisions that
are made, but they do not dominate the discussion or generation of ideas
• Is a controlled-time culture: adherence to schedules is expected
• Belgians are accustomed to centralized decision-making based upon
information that has been gathered by all concerned parties
Text: Kwintessential
Photo: artycrafty.wordpress.com

10. • Show a certain amount of conservatism with both Flemings and Walloons
• Show you know how to achieve solutions through compromise
• Adopt a gradualist approach to problems in general
• Demonstrate intellectual humility
• In most situations resolve things through common sense
• Show flexibility if deadlock threatens
• Avoid
 Too much dogma
 Criticizing the monarchy
 Direct confrontation
 Discussion of politics
 Any sign of temper / Being over-opinionated
 Discussion of religious or language issues
When Cultures Collide: Leading Across
Cultures, by Richard D. Lewis

11. http://doingbusinesswithpeople.weebly.com/
“It is the brain, the little grey
cells on which one must rely.
One must seek the truth
within--not without.“ ~ Poirot”
― Agatha Christie