Module 1 : Understanding cultural differences

1. Intercultural awareness : the key to success in international business

• Taking stock of one's own cultural baggage
• The basics of effective intercultural management
• Identifying and going beyond cultural stereotypes

2. Key aspects of Hungarian culture

• An ageing, multi-ethnic population
• A major generation gap.  A high quality educational system
• The Hungarian diaspora: Hungarians overseas
• A once-great nation: the Hungarian temptation for nostalgia
• A promising but fragile economy
• The challenge of European integration
• A proud cultural and scientific heritage

3. The impact of values and behaviour patterns on professional dealings and relationships

• The Hungarian art of living: pride in the table arts
• A people proud of their artistic tendencies and their appreciation of all things aesthetic
• A strong but relatively informal hierarchy: politeness and courteousness
• An organized and rigid attitude to time.  An aversion to risk
• The importance of education and qualifications

4. The Hungarian corporate world

• A spirit of free enterprise combined with a Soviet heritage
• An extensive bureaucracy, observance of directives and procedures.
• Hungarian turnover: a factor to be taken into account
• The widespread practice of having two jobs

Module 2 : Succeeding in work with the Hungarians

1. Effective communication with the Hungarians

• The complexity of the Hungarian language: the importance of the interpreter
• An emphasis on straight talking and interpersonal relationships: the importance of appearances
• Understanding unspoken messages and nuances: the finer points of Hungarian humour

2. Adapting your working methods

• The challenges of Hungarian management: building loyalty
• Recruiting the best people: the benefits of an attractive contract of employment
• Individualism and conformity: patience and a willingness to listen
• Overcoming the “wait and see” attitude: effective decision-making: getting your way without making a fuss
• Motivation and praise: effective delegation and control to avoid inertia

3. Successful meetings and negotiations with the Hungarians

• Making a good impression: punctuality, politeness and discipline
• Building trust: the special role of business meals
• The importance of written material in Hungarian
• Managing the post-negotiation phase: abiding by contracts

4. Final handy tips

• Caution, patience and humility
• Protocol and etiquette
• Social standards, gifts, business cards, dress code, etc
• Sensitive subjects: politics, history, religion
• Courtesy and good humour