In the past few years, we have often helped executives from all over the world to prepare presentations in German.
Sometimes this involved complete presentations. Sometimes our clients’ German is only good enough for a short welcome and introduction in German.
In this context, our clients often tell us about their experiences with presentations by German colleagues.
Together with them, we have filtered out some elements of the ‘typical German presentation’.
Here they are:
- The ‘typical German presentation’ very often starts with an organisation chart. The presenter likes to point out his or her own importance.
- 2 The ‘typical German presentation’ is well structured and follows a clear outline.
- It is mostly deductive. So you go way back into the general and then slowly work your way to the actual problem. Sometimes, however, this goal is unfortunately not quite achieved.
- Interposed questions could only disturb the beauty of the perfect structure. Questioners are therefore referred to the discussion at the end.
- No humour please! In private life humour may have its justification. But business is a serious matter.
- And then the conclusion: “Thank you for your attention. I would very much like to discuss this with you. But unfortunately we don’t have time for that now.”
This may be somewhat exaggerated overall. However, most of the clients we spoke to about this topic confirmed many of these points.
Recently, however, there have been increasing signs that the ‘typically German presentation’ is gradually becoming less ‘typically German’. This is certainly a consequence of the generational change and internationalisation in management.
What are your experiences? We would be happy if you share these experiences with us.