Belgian Business Tips

Tip 1
Belgium is a country which is internally divided, where regional tensions can be detected just below the apparently calm surface of business life.

Tip 2
The inherent tensions within Belgium society have led to the knowledge that compromise and negotiated settlements are essential if progress is to be made.

Tip 3
Companies have traditionally been organised along strictly hierarchical lines – but this system is currently under attack and many companies are moving towards the adoption of more matrix-oriented models.

Tip 4
Decisions tend to laboured, as they have to go through the process of compromise and debate if they are to be accepted.

Tip 5
Managers tend to take a measured approach which relies heavily on consultation and discussion – this is more the case in the Flemish areas than in Wallonia.

Tip 6
Being conservative and compromise-oriented, rapid change is difficult to achieve and new ideas may be viewed with suspicion.

Tip 7
Confrontation is to be avoided and being dogmatic can be viewed as arrogance. Open disagreement within meetings is more likely to be seen in Flanders than in Wallonia.

Tip 8
Belgians work well in multi-cultural teams – possibly better than they do in teams which include both Flemings and Walloons.

Tip 9
In a group situation, it is important to try to develop a harmonious atmosphere, free from conflict.

Tip 10
The English language is widely spoken (especially in Brussels where many people exhibit an advanced degree of fluency.)

Tip 11
It is often best to speak English in Belgium, even if reasonably fluent in French (or Flemish), as this maintains neutrality.

Tip 12
Communication styles differ between the two major Belgian groupings. Flemings tend more towards direct speech than their colleagues in Wallonia who have an almost French-like love of rhetoric.

Tip 13
Humour, if used at all in business, would tend to be included at the beginning or end of a meeting rather than during any of the substantive issues.

Tip 14
Women tend not to be found in the highest echelons of Belgian business.

Tip 15
Food is important and it is better not to try to discuss the detail of a business transaction until the coffee is served.

Tip 16
Surnames are usually used in business circles and the transition to the more familiar use of first names can take time.

Author

This country-specific business culture profile was written by Keith Warburton who is the founder of the cultural awareness training consultancy Global Business Culture.  Global Business culture is a leading training provider in the fields of cross-cultural communication and global virtual team working.  We provide training to global corporations in live classroom-based formats, through webinars and also through our cultural awareness digital learning hub, Global Business Compass.

This World Business Culture profile is designed as an introduction to business culture in Australia only and a more detailed understanding needs a more in-depth exploration which we can provide through our training and consultancy services.

Author

This country-specific business culture profile was written by Keith Warburton who is the founder of the cultural awareness training consultancy Global Business Culture. 

Global Business culture is a leading training provider in the fields of cross-cultural communication and global virtual team working.  We provide training to global corporations in live classroom-based formats, through webinars and also through our cultural awareness digital learning hub, Global Business Compass.

This World Business Culture profile is designed as an introduction to business culture in Belgium only and a more detailed understanding needs a more in-depth exploration which we can provide through our training and consultancy services.