2. According to statistics, German women account for only about 21% of
management level posts in private and public sector companies. TIME
magazine’s correspondent Andrew Purvis summed it up appropriately when he
said German women CEOs are “rarer than hen’s teeth”.
One famous female German entrepreneur is Katharina Elisabeth Lemm, the
owner and Managing Director of Content GmbH, a company that provides
consultation and project management services for commercial operations,
finance, accounting, and controlling sectors.
Despite various hurdles faced by German women, their outlook is bright. Various
companies have recognized the problem and have initiated programs to
encourage women’s participation in a bigger way. The government, too, has
taken steps to encourage women to start their own businesses.
The only professional area that German women were barred from was the army.
Germany was forced to amend its laws when a German woman, Tanja Kreil, won
a case in the European Court of Justice after her application to join the army was
rejected. German women can now serve in all army positions, including those
that involve direct combat.
German women to not have any dress code restrictions that prevent them from
taking up certain jobs.
If the mother works, childcare is usually assumed by the extended family or by
day care-centers. State-sponsored childcare is available.
Women as Business Owners
There are an increasing number of women who own their own businesses,
though their number is far below that of men. Statistics indicate that about 28% of
all German entrepreneurs are women. The proportion of women businesswomen
is growing, though slowly.
A breakdown of businesses started by German women show that a majority of
them opt for the trade and services sector, followed by personal services that
include hairdressing, childcare, teaching, culture and sports, followed by the
healthcare and social service sectors, and consulting sector.
Foreign Businesswomen Visiting the Country
With one in twelve entrepreneurs in Germany being a foreigner, foreign
businesswomen will not face any problems conducting business in Germany.
3. Germany’s economic laws are not very conducive to starting businesses. The
high costs involved in the process, coupled with excessive bureaucratic red tape
tend to stifle the growth of new business ventures.
German business meetings are very formal and adhere to rigid protocol, with
very little time wasted on small talk. Germans prefer getting down to business
right away, and building a personal relationship is not necessary to do business.
German businesses are strictly hierarchical, with the final decision being made
by the person sitting at the top of the pyramid. Titles and honorifics are important
in Germany, so one can expect them at introductions.
It’s good to have any communication made in both German and English.
Punctuality is extremely important, and being even a few minutes late is
considered impolite. Germans are known to be direct, frank and honest.
When entering a room, the eldest person enters first, and men enter before
women, if their age and status are roughly equal.
