, or freedom of conscience. Christianity is the largest religion in France, however the next largest group in French society is those who profess to have no religion. Various studies claim that Islam accounts for between 5% – 10% of the French population, with Judaism being the next largest religion thereafter.
There are high levels of formality involved with doing business in France. When meeting someone for the first time, or speaking to superiors, “Monsieur” or “Madame” should be used. Handshakes tend to be brisk and light, with only a couple of up and down movements. Appointments should be made at least two weeks in advance, in writing, by telephone, or by email. A secretary will often handle appointment making for senior individuals. You should telephone immediately if you expect to be delayed to a meeting. Attention to detail is vital. Business cards are exchanged after initial greetings, and whilst it is not a necessity to translate a business card into French, doing so is seen as being attentive. Include advanced academic qualifications on business cards: a high level of importance is placed on such qualifications.
In France, it is important to keep professional life and private life separate. There may be small talk at the beginning of meetings, however this should remain professional, avoiding questions about the personal lives of others. The process of negotiation and sales in France is often conducted slowly. Business is conducted on a hierarchical basis and decisions tend to be made by more senior officials in companies. You should expect there to be a lot of questions asked about any proposals, as decision making is often meticulous, rather than being off the back of high pressure sales tactics. Accordingly such tactics should be avoided. Meetings are very important when leading to final decisions being made; however, it is very rare that decisions will be made at meetings. Once a decision has eventually been made, a comprehensive contract will likely be drawn up.
Managing Employees in France
Hierarchical structures are a prominent feature of business in France. Often, senior staff, such as general managers, will have secretaries who deal with other employees. The PDG (président-directeur général) will lead a French company and will be responsible for key decision-making. The PDG captures the two separate English roles of chairman of the board of directors, as well as the CEO. Many managers in France are graduates of the Grandes Écoles, a meticulously selective group of higher education establishments. It is possible to work upwards through the hierarchy of a business to become a manager but this is a rarer route. Because many managers are graduates of the Grandes Écoles, management in France takes a more intellectual approach rather than a pragmatic approach. The formulation and implementation of rational decisions are seen as more important than motivating staff, for example. Despite the hierarchical structure in French businesses, successful management is dependent on relationships with colleagues. It is important to remember that business relationships in France are kept strictly professional. Discussions can often feature debates and it is important to clearly explain your point. Well thought out rebuttals to opposing points of view are appreciated, as are well-structured and considered debates.
France is a founding member of the European Union, and as such relocating to the country from other countries within the EU is relatively straight-forward. France is a very popular destination for expats, with its strong economy and legendary culture and cuisine acting as major draws. There is a large expatriate community in France and approximately 17 million British citizens visit the country each year. Advice issued by the government with regards to moving to France can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-france.
French Translation Services From Kwintessential