Although it is the
smallest of France’s 22 regions, Alsace is
the second richest, after the Ile-de-France, and the biggest exporter
per capita. Strasbourg’s geographical position, just across
the river from Germany and close to Switzerland, allows some 69,830
Alsatians (les transfrontaliers) to cross the national boundaries
daily. This keeps unemployment figures down to France’s lowest
rate, at 5.8 per cent, compared to the national average of 8.9 per
cent.
Economic success is assured by a tight network of small and medium-sized
businesses, as well as the European Institutions, which help make
Strasbourg France’s second city in terms of international
events. Further factors in Strasbourg’s favour are its highly
skilled labour force and balanced economy.
The major sectors of employment are agriculture
and wine production, leisure and
business tourism, pharmaceutical and chemical
companies (Bristol-Myers-Squibb, Chiral Technologies, Menicon,
Synthélabo Biomoléculaire and Transgène), industrial
manufacturing and, increasingly, computer technology.
Among the most important French firms based in Strasbourg are Peugeot
Cars, SNCF railways and Coopérateurs
d’Alsace, retail. The region’s geographical
position, in the heart of Europe, has also paved the way for increasing
international links and many foreign companies have a base in Alsace,
such as Aventis, Delphi, aton,
General Motors, General Motors Saginaw,
Johnson Controls, Lilly, Roche
and UPM Stracel.
La Maison du
Commerce International de Strasbourg (MCIS), set up in
Strasbourg in 1979, was to be the World Trade Centre in France.
Strasbourg is the third largest banking city in France, with 12
banking head offices and 14 foreign banks, equating to one bank
office for every 1252 inhabitants.
The financial quarter is based in the Wacken quarter,
while offices dominate the central Places des Halles, including
Ernest and Young and Anderson.
Business parks are located outside the centre, one at Schiltighen,
5 kilometres (3 miles) north of Strasbourg, which includes the headquarters
of Aventis. There is a science park, 10 kilometres
(6 miles) south of the city, in Illkirch, where electronics companies,
such as Transgene, are based.
Business
Etiquette
Standard office hours are Monday
to Friday around 0800-1900 hrs, with a lunch break between 1200-1400
hrs.
Offices often close early on Friday afternoon. Breakfast meetings
(between 0830 and 1000 hrs) are increasingly frequent, while late
afternoon and lunch meetings are also common.
The Alsatians are well practised in dealing with foreign visitors,
over 40 per cent work in foreign companies, of which 20 per cent
are Anglo-Saxon. Many members of the professional community speak
German and English. The working mentality is quite Germanic and
work is taken seriously. Other French regions accuse the Alsatians
of being too serious, while Alsatians think Parisians and the southern
French are too light-hearted (légers). Of all the French
regions, Alsace loses the smallest number of days in labour disputes.
When conducting business, the first meeting is normally devoted
to establishing a relationship, further meetings will enable decisions
to be made. Business cards are vital and suits
(with ties for men) should be worn. Initial introductions should
be made with surnames and visitors should bear in mind that the
Strasbourgeois will use the formal French ‘Monsieur’
and ‘Madame’ or the formal German equivalents ‘Herr’
and ‘Frau’.
After work socialising is not so common in Strasbourg, although
colleagues will often dine together over their long 1200-1400 hrs
lunch break. It is unlikely that visitors doing business in the
city will be invited to private homes of their clients and associates.
When deciding to set up business in Strasbourg, it is wise for foreign
businesspersons to include an Alsatian, with useful contacts, in
the team. Alsace Development International – ADI
(telephone number: (03) 8852 8282, fax number: (03) 8875 6459, website:
www.alsace.com)
is a non-profit-making organisation linked with other offices in
the USA, Australia and India, which is geared towards minimising
culture clashes. ADI offers a wide-ranging free service for companies
wishing to locate in Strasbourg. |
