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I've got my first round of meetings in Germany soon. I'm looking for business partners there and will be telling them about my company. What do I need to know about meetings in Germany so I don't mess up without knowing it?

  • Answer by Ann Stewart Zachwieja - Team Globig

    Great question and definitely something to think about before you go. Here are some things you should know before you start your meetings in Germany. Punctuality really matters in Germany - arrive early for your meetings to be sure you are on time. German meetings tend to be more formal and structured than meetings in the US, so be prepared for having an agenda that will be adhered to. It's less likely than in the US and the UK that you will wander off topic or take some time before getting started.

    One of the best things you can do to increase your chances for success is to come prepared with data to support your position. Germans rely on facts and figures, not on emotional appeals. If you don't have real, verifiable data in support of your company and the quality of your product or service, you probably aren't ready. Show how good your company is on its own rather than saying how bad the competition is, and keep calm during your presentation - Americans can get pretty excited and that passion won't necessarily help your case in Germany.

    Germans are formal people. Dress for success, bring people who are at the same level as those you'll be meeting, and don't move to a first-name basis until you are invited to. Pay attention to titles and use them when addressing people. 

    And finally, follow through on any commitments you make. The Germans will be doing the same and will expect you to, as well. 

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My business is expanding to Germany this coming summer, because I haven’t had any prior business dealings in Germany, I am working on an appropriate marketing campaign. I believe email marketing will be one of the more important tools I can use to reach new customers. Can I use purchased marketing lists in Germany?

  • Answer by Jessica Hoyt - Team Globig

    Germany has very strict email marketing laws. Under German law, one of the most important requirements of email marketing is consent. Consent of the recipient must be transparent, voluntary, conscious, unequivocal, express, and separate. Consent must be current and you are responsible for keeping detailed records of the explicit consent you have been given by your recipients. The exception to this explicit consent requirement is a current customer who has not complained about receiving your emails. Although it is not illegal to use purchased marketing lists, because of the strict consent requirement, it would be difficult and impractical to use a purchased marketing list in Germany.

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What are the top startup cities for Germany?

  • Answer by Anke Corbin - Team Globig

    According to The Deutsche Startup Monitor and other monitoring services, Berlin is the startup capitol of Germany with almost 31% of all German startups located there. Munich is in second place at just over 11% of German startups followed by the Rhein-Ruhr region and Hamburg. Stuttgart and Karlsruhe are also growing quickly.

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