Archive for December, 2010
If you’re looking to steal some of the best business destinations in Europe, Paris, Brussels and Milan are among the best options.
Paris: Paris is a city with several districts, known as districts. Each district has its own specialty, such as stores, theaters, shops, etc., besides being a major undertaking, Paris is also an important cultural center. The Louvre is the largest museum in the world, covers an area of 60,000 m2. Paris is also one of the most recognizable monuments in the world, the Eiffel Tower. Paris is also considered one of the trendiest cities in the world. It is home to designers of the best and most luxurious in the world of policy makers in the fashion and cosmetics such as Chanel, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Guerlain, Lancôme, L’Oréal, Clarins, etc.
Milan: Milan is the most important financial city in Italy. It is the second city after Rome. It is famous for his lifestyle and is considered a paradise for shopping, football, opera, and nightlife. Milan is the fashion capital, as it boasts some of the biggest names in business such as Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Prada, to name a few.
Brussels: Brussels is the capital of Belgium. It is considered the seat of the European Union. It also houses the headquarters of many European organizations. Brussels offers a mix of culture – first Dutch, French, on the other. Therefore, you can expect to see the different activities of multi-cultural city.
Some of the main attractions of the city are:
- Mini-Europe: You can see the miniature version of the popular monuments across the continent. Big Ben to the Eiffel Tower and the Swedish Parliament, you can see them all here in one place.
- Atomium: This is one of the most unique buildings in the world. At nine fields in the form of an atom. Of these nine atoms, only five are open to the public. They are used for exhibitions and scientific exhibitions and also to see spectacular views of the city.
The objective of the European Private Company (“SCE”) is a law to make it easier for European companies small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to carry out cross border activities. This is accomplished by providing SMEs with a particular legal form matched each European Member State.
It is expected that the ability to operate in several Member States under the rules of society will also significantly reduce compliance costs and improve the mobility and competitiveness of European SMEs. The current law applicable to European companies is designed for large enterprises, and is not a viable option for SMEs. This is partly due to the fact that the minimum capital requirement of € 120,000 has been set.
The work was carried out in the law of the EPC over the last three years. In 2004, the Commission launched a feasibility study of the EPC legislation for SMEs. Presented their findings on December 13, 2005. In addition to this feasibility study, a question about the need for legislation EPC has also asked the public consultation on the future of the Company Law and Corporate Governance Action Plan (December 2005-March 2006). The result of the study and consultation, however, is unclear.
Although the law of the CPE was considerable support for SMEs, there were still people who were skeptical about this. The European Parliament has worked on the law of the EPC and the Commission of Legal Affairs has drafted an initiative and a resolution on this issue and make recommendations on the possible content of the law of the CPE. It was adopted by Parliament on 1 February 2007.
Interestingly, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on a European private company in early February 2007, however, little has been done for almost six months. The Committee considered the report and recommendations of the European Parliament and the feasibility study in 2005. While doing this analysis, the Commission found several problems that must be tested on the market. Therefore, the Commission launched a specific consultation on European companies private in July. The intention is that you must give the Commission the facts and evidence necessary for a legislative proposal.
The public consultation running until the end of October. Your results will be analyzed and incorporated in the impact assessment, which is likely to have a number of months. The next step is the preparation of a possible proposal and consultation of the draft text with the experts. exactly when these issues may be clearer at the end of 2007, but only a draft proposal could be ready in the first half of next year.
The Committee also discussed issues relating to a simplified business environment for companies in the areas of corporate law, accounting and auditing. This was underlined by the Commission Communication published in July 2007. An important part of improving the rules of the program is to examine the current European legislation. In this context, a comprehensive review of European company law, accounting policies and audit took place.
The objective of this exercise, not only to reduce administrative burdens on enterprises, especially SMEs, but whether the European rules are still appropriate in today’s business environment. The notice published in July contains the Commission’s proposals on the basis of the results of the review of policies in the areas of corporate law, accounting and auditing.
If you plan to sell your product or service in Europe the problems I encounter can not be expected. It is easy to focus on perceived difficulties, such as the “language barrier”, while not realizing the real problems – until it is too late. I learned three lessons the hard way: appreciate the different cultures, understand the value of quality over speed, and knowing what the language is the key to your business.
If you hope to compete with local companies in Europe, you must understand the cultures of European companies. Note the use of the word “culture” of the word – plural. When I started doing business in Europe three years ago, one of the first things I learned was that European companies are much more diverse than in the United States. Despite the introduction of the single currency, Europe is not an economic unit. Different countries retain different ways of doing things. Like many Americans doing business in Europe for the first time I learned the hard way. After a difficult series of meetings and agreements that mysteriously does not go through I began to understand that it was a bad idea to deal with the Europeans, as I have dealt with our people.
The American business model prevails in northern Europe – the UK and possibly Germany representing the nearest approach of a European style. Companies in the former Easter Bloc countries that recently joined the EU in the U.S. are also very friendly. During the Soviet years America represented freedom, American companies can now take advantage of this iconic status.
The rest of “Old Europe” is a bit different and you should be aware of the customs of each country. Italy, for example, has a way of doing things that might seem bureaucratic and patriarchal to Americans. Even Silvio Berlusconi – a good friend of U.S. companies – Berlusconi is known as “Papa” in certain circles in Italy. In France, a history of civil liberalism, combined with state control back to the revolution of 1789 has fostered a corporate culture that favors consensus rather than individual leadership. It is important to do your research – not only in business structures of a country, but also his general culture and history. It is even more important to get to know people. If you travel to Madrid to conclude an agreement that has never set foot in Spain is at a disadvantage.
Business people in old Europe have slightly different perceptions of what constitutes good practice for their American counterparts. Although it is condescending to say that culture persists in tomorrow’s business in southern Europe, it is true that timeliness is not considered a virtue in the way it is in the U.S. . European businessmen, contributing to the quality of the product or service is much more important than slavish adherence to the conditions or the conduct of negotiations more difficult as possible. Because of this difference in values, Europeans often perceive Americans as “aggressive” – when Americans think they are just serious.
When I arrived in Europe, I thought that was the most important language learning – I was wrong. Most European business people accept English as the lingua franca of international trade. However, do not want the risk of appearing ignorant. A reasonable level of conversational French or German, for example, be useful. I found that many Europeans have a prejudice of the ignorant American impression that the outside world. Showing a little linguistic skill – and, more importantly, the will – it will be to your advantage.
My experience is that knowing the local language is particularly helpful in France. The French have always been very protective of their mother tongue. Today, many native speakers consider French in a state of crisis, attacked by all the international parties in English – so your French hosts will be hot for you quickly, if they seem willing to talk with them. Once again showing his willingness to deal is more important than being fluid.
Yet the skills learned in language classes at home are useless unless basic cultural differences are understood. Again, do your research: time to talk with the locals or reading about the culture and history will be well spent. Knowing a little history is especially important if you work in Greece or any of the satellite countries near the EU in the Balkans. Educated people tend to discuss events of the last millennium, as if they happened yesterday. There is a perception in Europe that Americans follow Henry Ford’s maxim “history is nonsense” – I made friends quickly denied when prejudice.
The good news is that Europeans are more like us than we are different: the general culture of two continents aspects of the business and promotes honest dealing – but it is important not to let small differences in costs money.