International Marketing Group, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Setting up a business in a new country is not a trouble-free task, and requires a thorough understanding of all the important aspects that may affect the success and performance of the venture. In this study, the focus will be in Germany, a first world country located in central Europe. It is surrounded by other developed countries thus positioning it at a competitive market. The success of this study will depend highly on succinct classification of aspect related to business entertaining, languages, presence of non-governmental organizations, and the relevant employment laws in Germany. Additionally, focus will also be on the identification of entrepreneurial opportunities available in Germany, media marketing, and the requirements by US government to its citizens visiting the country.

Business entertaining

The people of German have a tendency of strongly separating their work life and private life. In Germany, it is strange for one to be taken out for dinner, or get formal invitation to someone’s home for a birthday celebration. A significant number of the business entertainment is conducted over lunchtime and is mostly hosted in restaurants or the facilities of a larger company. It is also peculiar to introduce business talks during the working time. However, it is recommended to introduce a few topics that do not directly relate to work environment such as sporting events.

Whenever someone is invited for a meal, the host reserves the mandate to foot the bill. In the same way, when one offers an invitation to another party for a meal, it is obvious for the inviter to honor up and take care of the bill. In this country, the knife is widely used during the mealtime. Eating with a single hand with the other one comfortably tucked under the table or scrolling the cell phone keys is considered as improper table etiquette. Furthermore, in as .much as alcohol is offered in most restaurant during luncheons, most Germany will keep away from it especially during the working hours.

Languages used in Germany

Geographically, Germany is situated in the Western Central region of Europe. It stands out to be the third most advanced country as far as economic development is concerned. The citizens of Germany speak a number of different languages. This country is divided into states and provinces, and each province has its own unique dialect, which totally differs from each other.

The official language used in Germany is Germany itself and approximately 95% percent of the inhabitants of Germany use it as their first language. Examples of other languages that are spoken in Germany are North Frisian, Sorbian, Romani, Danish, Turkish, and Kurdish.

Other details concerning languages used in Germany are as follows:

• The German language as used currently is a mixture of several dialects, which are culled from northern, southern, and central districts. Most Germans normally speak the first language with the accent that is unique to their native region of origin.
• The citizens inhabiting Northern regions of Germany speak the Danish language. As much as this language is majorly spoken in Denmark, it is also significantly used by many people residing in Schleswig Holstein. Furthermore, Danish language is used as one of the standard languages in European Union.
• In North Frisia, the minority group residing here speaks the North Frisian language. This language is subdivided into two dialectical divisions, which are the dialect of the insular district and that dialect of the mainland.
• Approximately two million people leaving in Germany speak the Turkish language. This language originates from Turkey because of high levels of immigration into Germany.
• Kurdish language is a verbal communication that can be traced back to Iran, particularly in a region called Kurdistan. However, this language is spoken by few people in Germany.
• The typical language of the people of Sorbs is the Sorbian language. This language is categorized into Lower Sorbian and Upper Sorbian. The German citizens residing in areas within and without Saxony majorly speak the Upper Sorbian.
• Romani is sometimes described as the language of the Gypsies, and hence the most of Romani language speakers are spread throughout the country. In other words, they are stateless. In actual sense, there are a limited number of Germany people belonging to this tribe thus use this language.

NGO/non-profits (major NGOs and non-profits)

VENRO is the one of the largest umbrella organization exiting in Germany. It was founded in 1995 and is made up of about 120 non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Their backgrounds are rooted in independent as well as church-linked developmental association, humanitarian assistance, public advocacy, relations, and educational development. This organization also operates under CONCORD, which is the European umbrella organization. The main goal of VENRO is in the construction of a just globalization, with the main intention of getting rid of the global poverty. The organization aims at ensuring that the human rights are not violated and that the natural resources are conserved.

VENRO is an association that represents the welfare of other Non-governmental organizations of the federal government. This organization offers a forum where the joint opinions and positions of the various NGOs can be voiced and proper plans of actions developed. It involves itself in lobbying and takes note on state policies regarding the developing countries. In other words, this dialogue partner is mostly consulted by societies and political organization on various decisions and plans.

ADRA Deutschland: it was founded in 1986 and it is based at Weiterstadt. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) assist all people regardless of their political and religious inclinations. It concentrates its efforts refugees, the elderly, women, and children in developing nations like India and Ethiopia. Some of the help that the organization offers include health, food, education, and emergency relief.

Arbeitsgemeneinschaft für Entwicklungshilfe: it was founded in 1959 and is headquartered at Köln. AGEH offers to staff services to about 150 aid organizations that are operating in developing countries located in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Eastern Europe. In addition, the Catholic organization provides training to various volunteer workers who serve in charitable organizations.

Ärzte für die Dritte Welt: it was founded in 1983 and it is headquartered at Frankfurt am Main. The organization has offered approximately 2,800 doctors to serve on a voluntary basis in developing countries. They are helpful in aspects like treatment of patients, vaccinations of children and operation of clinics.

AWO International: it was founded in 1998 and headquartered at Berlin. The organization offers humanitarian assistance in response to natural catastrophes and emergencies at international levels. However, on domestic aspects, it is best known for the provision of job training on professionals as well as in the organization of vocational getaways for children.

Relevant employment laws in Germany

The most valuable document of employment is the employment contract between the employer and employee. The legal document provides information concerning the relationship of the employment. The law does not demand an employment agreement in the paper, but requires that the employee must be provided with a summary reflecting the pertinent terms and conditions of work.

General work time, vacation: the German employment laws permit for five official, working days. Each day has a maximum working time of eight hours. However, the laws allow the working hours to be extended to ten hours in cases where the average working time does not go beyond 8 hours in consecutive six months.

The employment laws prohibit employers from forcing their employees to carry on with their duties Sundays and on public holidays. However, in case a person wishes to work on such a day, an approval from the government is paramount. The minimum time allowed for vacation is equivalent to twenty-four working days. This equals to four weeks. In reality, the vacation time is usually long and could go up to six weeks.

When an employee falls sick while at work, he or she is guaranteed to a total salary of up to 6 weeks when absent from work. If the illness persists for a longer period beyond 6 weeks, the health insurance will take up the on the payment of the employees gross salary.

Before termination of the employment contract, the employer has to offer the employee with a notice of up to seven months. However, this is dependent on the period of working between the employer and employee. There are also cases where extraordinary dismissal is permitted if the reason of termination is valid. As regards to employees with exceptional cases such as maternity, parental leave or employees bearing various disabilities, state approval is paramount before termination notice is handed over to them.

International entrepreneurship opportunities

Germany has stringent policies on international, entrepreneurial relationship compared to the United States of America. A significant number of the United States Company are already franchising in this country. The United States motor vehicle company is thriving despite Germany government’s inclination to automobile products from Germany. The US expertise in information and technological sphere is something that has widely been appreciated in Germany. Starting from the IBM computer products to the latest Apple inc. command in the tablet personal computer market, the Germans have been thrown into the spree of importing these products. Moreover, the software industries commanded by Microsoft Company is equally thriving in Germany.

Coca Cola Limited Company was first registered in United States in the year 1893. Later on, further investment was consolidated into the company that enabled the business to expand into the global arena. As the business operations expanded, management became extremely challenging. As a solution to handle the enormous business capacity, the company has been subdivided into six operating units that include Middle and Far East Groups, The Latin America Group, Europe, The Africa Group, North America and the Minute Maid Company. The Head Quarters of the company is located in United States of America.

Coca-Cola Company stands out as the world’s largest manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of non-alcoholic drink concentrates and syrups. Apart from the production of Coca Cola, which is the world’s best known brand, the company is also known for t he manufacture of four other world’s leading brands that include Fanta, Diet Coke and Sprite. Across the whole world, no other brand is as easily identified as Coca Cola. The Company operates in more than 200 countries with a large and diversified workforce. The company is the biggest and most popular sellers of soft drink, as well as the producers of the world’s best-known products.

Media marketing to the consumer

Germany accomplishes most of their advertisements and marketing through the objects of mass media like radio and television. Unlike the United States that has focused more on social media to carry out the marketing of the various business, the federal state of Germany has remained conservative to the radio and television advertisements. To appeal to the largely Germany population, most of the advertising agencies have pumped a lot of expenditure on celebrity advertisements. A significant number of Germany athletes and sporting personalities feature prominently on the adverts carried out on a regular basis. This is critical in capturing the attention of the home audience as well as lure individuals associating with such personalities to buying the products or services being marketed. Unlike the US marketing strategies, the Germans have spent little effort on the adverts carried out on the social media. Presumably, social media is not as much developed in Germany like in the US.

US embassy requirements to travel to Germany

The citizens of the US with valid US passport do not necessarily need to possess a visa for business or tourist engagements lasting up to 90 days. The passport must remain valid during the length of stay. This implies that a US citizen must not stay in Germany for a period more than the expiry date as indicated in the passport. For stays that are beyond ninety days, the US citizen needs to possess a residence permit in the form of a Visa that is normally attached to the US passport. The residence can also serve as a work permit for the United States’ who wish to work in Germany. However, it is essential to appreciate the fact that one has to meet the employment requirements in order to secure employment opportunity in Germany. In general, the following are some of the requirements that are indicated in the visa, residence and work permit of Germany:

• The duration of time that the bearer is allowed to stay within the border of Germany
• Any restrictions or conditions attached to ones stay in Germany
• A colored photo of the bearer
• The stamp and seal of the Aliens Office of issue

Conclusion

It is clear from the discussion that Germany is a developed country and promises a lot in terms of entrepreneurial ventures. Evidently, anyone from the US visiting this country may encounter few hitches ranging from language that is unrelated to English and requires one to learn. The existence of multinational companies like Coca Cola is a clear indication that the country is a fertile ground for investments by foreigners. Germany is therefore a good country to invest because it has diverse business opportunities.