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  • Overview
    • Economy - overview: Germany's affluent and technologically powerful economy turned in a relatively weak performance throughout much of the 1990s. The modernization and integration of the eastern German economy continues to be a costly long-term problem, with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $70 billion. Germany's ageing population, combined with high unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a level exceeding contributions from workers. Structural rigidities in the labor market - including strict regulations on laying off workers and the setting of wages on a national basis - have made unemployment a chronic problem. Business and income tax cuts introduced in 2001 did not spare Germany from the impact of the downturn in international trade, and domestic demand faltered as unemployment began to rise. Growth in 2002 again fell short of 1%. Corporate restructuring and growing capital markets are setting the foundations that could allow Germany to meet the long-term challenges of European economic integration and globalization, particularly if labor market rigidities are addressed. In the short run, however, the fall in government revenues and the rise in expenditures has brought the deficit close to the EU's 3% debt limit. The CIA Factfile.
    • Cultural profile
      German business is, as you might expect, orderly and highly structured.  Formal qualifications are celebrated and must be used when addressing new business partners. Punctuality is important (get there first) and know your facts.
      Your instructions must be clear and unambiguous, you will not be able to bluff and don't expect them to cut you any slack.  Germans respect people who are professional, formally educated and have precise technical answers to questions.  A long attention span will allow you to get your message across.
      The system is hierarchical, learn the structure, there will be a clear chain of command.  Always know where you stand in this structure. 
      Constructive criticism will be readily accepted, strive for a consensus at all times, be precise and well prepared. If you work hard, show it, a casual approach may be misunderstood. 
  • Government

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  • Business
  • Culture
    • Germany-Service.com Provides help for needs from Germany from finding a person, replacements, souvenirs, and tourist guides.

    • Goethe Institute Homepage of the Goethe Institute

    • Free to Do The only comprehensive internet guide to thousands of free things to see and do throughout the UK, Europe and the USA

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  • Radio/TV

    • B5 Aktuell audio German-language news and sports in Real Audio.

    • Tagesschau  audio Tagesschau is a German television news program broadcast several times each day. The broadcasts are available online in RealAudio format.

    • Links to German TV sites

    • Living in Germany audio a magazine program in Real Audio 

  • Newspapers

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  • General
  • Culture Books

Culture Shock Germany Richard Lord. Part of the useful series on culture shock, available for most countries around the world.  

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