Are German companies really more efficient that those in the UK?

[SunnyInHades]

To confuse a German CEO say

"its a red herring"

I've seen a very experienced, mature German IT manger question the meaning of that

"your 'aving a giraffe" works in a similar way - that one stumped an experienced Aussie

[scooterscot]

Big companies, no. The employees, yes.

I've worked for a number of Germany companies, there's the good and the bad. Between them the share one commonality. The people work when at work. No facebook or endless conversations at the coffee machine like you find at UK companies. German companies are certainly more productive and hence folks can spend less time in the office.

[darmstadt]

I've worked for a number of Germany companies, there's the good and the bad. Between them the share one commonality. The people work when at work. No facebook or endless conversations at the coffee machine like you find at UK companies. German companies are certainly more productive and hence folks can spend less time in the office.

You sure about that? I have to admit I might be biased having worked in numerous German companies for the last 25 years. I think you'll actually find it comes down to what branch they're working in and then what department. For example where I am now, people come in early and do some work but it seems most is spent talking with other early birds, then its off to breakfast. During the day there's a lot of interaction with other people which a lot seems to be reasonably social, then there are the numerous parties to attend (we had 2 piss-ups last week, and sometimes they can last most of the day and when its in your office, you're ****ed), lunch followed by coffee and maybe a coffee break or 2 later. Admittedly they do work quite hard when they do, but not as hard as the English contractor (and I do pretty much **** all most days!)

[mos]

For example where I am now, people come in early and do some work but it seems most is spent talking with other early birds, then its off to breakfast. During the day there's a lot of interaction with other people which a lot seems to be reasonably social, then there are the numerous parties to attend (we had 2 piss-ups last week, and sometimes they can last most of the day and when its in your office, you're ****ed), lunch followed by coffee and maybe a coffee break or 2 later. Admittedly they do work quite hard when they do, but not as hard as the English contractor (and I do pretty much **** all most days!)

How about job security and staff turnover? I found folks in German comps very cooperative and sharing, which was such a big difference from rampant Bobalisation in the UK.
I found similar spirit at well known payment processor in the UK which also had very low staff turnover. But it got LBOd.

[SueEllen]

We can do engineering as good as anybody, but maybe rightly, we are concentrating on more added value sectors.

Things like this?

And like this?

The Chinese apparently like this kind of stuff..............

[sasguru]

Things like this?

And like this?

The Chinese apparently like this kind of stuff..............

If they make a profit good for them

[AtW]

Now my experience of German companies is pretty limited to 3 companies but my experience has been that far from being efficient they are bureaucratic, overly formal and don't go out of the way to actually help.

That makes them more efficient.

HTH

[SueEllen]

If they make a profit good for them

Niche products and yeah both make profit.