Dr. Fons Trompenaars on Corporate Culture

1. We´re going to watch a video in which intercultural communication expert Fons Trompenaars

talks about the differences in corporate culture in different cultures, but before we watch:

- What do you understand by corporate culture?

- Why is it important to understand the corporate culture that your international partners work

within?

2. Here are some words which we can use to describe corporate culture.

respect for authority

person-oriented management by objectives

management by passion organised chaos hierarchical

power-oriented structured

task-oriented egalitarian

vision, mission and values are key

Check any words which are new for you

Circle those which you think describe the corporate culture where you work. You can also

add others terms that apply to your organisation

Share and compare the words you have chosen with your colleagues

3. Fons Trompenaars has identified four types of corporate culture:

- The Guided Missile

- The Eiffel Tower

- The Family

- The Incubator

Based on their names, what characteristics do you think these four types of corporate culture have?

Which type of corporate culture do you think your organisation has? Why?

4. Now watch the video and make a note of the key words that Fons Trompenaars uses to describe

each of the four models and which cultures/ geographical regions he says that the models are

dominant in.

Guided missile

The Eiffel Tower

The Family

The Incubator

5. Do you agree with Fons Trompenaars´ classification of corporate culture where you work? Why?

Why not?

6. Reflection and discussion

Between which two of the four cultures do you think there is the greatest conflict potential?

Have you ever worked in an international team with people whose corporate culture

conformed to a different model than your own? Did you notice any clash between the two

cultures? If so, how did you deal with it?

7. Over to you...

Prepare a description of the corporate culture in the organisation where you work which you could

give to a new employee or a team member from another country.

Describe the culture, giving examples.

Give some advice on how to work successfully within your organisation´s corporate

culture—include some dos and don´ts.

Include anything else you think would be relevant