THE UNITED KINGDOM

JARED ORKIN, EVAN JACOBS, CHARLES CICCONE, KELSEY TRENTI

UK | Nearby Countries

Ireland
Netherlands
Belgium
France
UK | About
UK is comprised of:
Great Britain
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Wales
Also refers to the Islands of Wight, Scilly,
Angelesy, the Hebrides and island groups of
Orkney and Shetland
UK | Population Data
Total population is over 60.8 million people

Average Life Expectancy (from birth in 2006)

UK: Males 77.46 years, Females 81.73 years
US: Males 75.21 years, Females 80.36 years

Ethnic & Religious breakdown in culture section

95% of the population speaks English, but no

officially declared national language
 Population in Millions (1960-Present)
400

300

200

100

0
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2008

United Kingdom United States

United Kingdom United States
Literacy 99% Literacy 99%
Education Education
16.48 million enrolled 65.31 million enrolled
in Pre K-College in in Pre K-College in
2002 2002
Roughly 40% of 45% of the population
population is under 30 is under 30 (education
(education age) age)
Birth Rate: ~1.1% of Birth Rate: ~1.4% of
population per year population per year
Marriage Rate: 0.5% of Marriage Rate: 0.75% of
population gets married population gets married
per year per year
Income ($/year)

0 12500 25000 37500 50000

United Kingdom United States Ireland France Netherlands

UK | History

Union of the Kingdoms of England and

Scotland began with the 1603 Union of Crowns
under King James VI of Scotland
The actual political union was ratified in 1707
The Acts of Union merged the two countries’
parliaments and formed the Kingdom of
Great Britain
UK | Politics
Major political body is the
British Parliament
UK behaves as a
“Constitutional Monarchy”
Monarch is Head of
State
Prime Minister is the
head of government
Parliament is the
legislative and judiciary
system
UK | Major Industries
Service Sector
Finance - “World’s Financial Center”
Manufacturing
One of the most attractive countries for
IFDI
(Industrial Foreign Direct Investment)
Accounts for over 16% of national output
and over 13% of total UK employment
Many influential companies such as Ford,
Rolls Royce, and Bush Traction
UK | Technology
Heavily saturated
Multi-level competition from global and local technology
vendors - intensified by EU membership
Easy access to broadband internet
Major forms: DSL, Cable, Wireless Internet
40.2 million have internet access (66% of population)
Recent govt. mandate that all citizens must be able to
obtain broadband service
Small country = easier expansion of networks
Against Net Neutrality
The United Kingdom The United States

66%
73%

27%
34%

Internet No Internet Internet No Internet

UK | Cellular Industry
Most cell plans
are pre-paid
Fewer subsidies
Tend to be lower-tech phones,
though changing
Market is heavily saturated,
lots of M&As from the EU
72 million phones in
circulation
(1.2 phones per person)
US = 255 million in
circulation or roughly 4 out
of 5 people have phones
UK | Business Centers

London
Considered a “world city”
#1 Financial City in the World (by trade volume)
Manchester
Rated best for business headquarters and back office functions
(accounting, logistics etc.)
Newcastle
Rated best city location for call centers in the UK
Lowest labor costs in the UK
UK | Cultural Diversity
No defined language Religion
English is spoken by 70% Christian
95% of the UK
15% Atheist
Other languages
3% Muslim
include Welsh,
Cornish and Gaelic
Ethnic / Racial Comp.
90+% Caucasian
~1-2% each: Indian,
Mixed Race, Pakistani
UK | Human Rights
Common Law vs. Bill of Rights
UK Citizens are free to do whatever they want,
but must abide by laws established by the
Parliament
(but no specific list of inalienable rights or
liberties, as in US Constitution)
Universal suffrage mandated in 1928,
must be 21 years old to vote
Limited Gay Rights - Civil Unions allowed
UK | The Queen
International
Ambassador
Power to declare war
Head of the
Church of England
Limited Check & Balance
for the Parliament
Prominent Figurehead in
British Culture
“God save the Queen!”
 Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions
100

75

50

25

0
Individualism/ Masculinity/ Power Uncertainty
Collectivism Feminity Distance Avoidance

United Kingdom United States

UK | Norms & Customs
Tend to add questions to the
Common Law
end of sentences
UK does not consider itself part
“...don’t you think?”
of Europe
Individual achievements are
Rapid change is not embraced
emphasized
Traditional ways are valued
Brits usually are:
Class system
Time oriented
Friendships are few and specific
Anxious about deadlines and
to needs
results (natural planners)
Objective facts are valued the
Not easy to change their
truth
mind
Breakfast
Lunch / Dinner
“What’s for pudding?”
UK | Slang / Terms
Trainers Return
Braces Ground Floor
Dummy First Floor
Bonnet Draughts
Spanner Homely
Skip Table a discussion
Single WC
UK | Dress
UK | Business Dress
Conservative
Laced shoes
No pockets on men’s
shirts
No striped ties
Excellent quality
No “loud” attire
(muted colors with
accents)
UK | Business
UK | Greetings
Light handshake
“How do you do?”
Give generous physical space
Use honorary titles, but not too
often
Avoid repeating the other person’s
name often
Impolite to:
Talk with hands in pockets
Cross your legs
Point with individual fingers
Use excessive hand gestures
Touch others in public
UK | Meetings
Schedule a Brits tend to be self-
few days ahead critical
Greenwich Mean Short-term results
Time (+5 hours)
Restrain emotions
Contact through
Don’t rush towards a
third party (referrals)
decision
Hierarchy
Avoid controversial
Always follow policy topics
Some quick tips :-)
Always be punctual

Don’t ask questions like “What part of the UK

are you from?”

Avoid interrogating, or asking too many

questions

Speak in complete sentences

UK | Dining & Etiquette
Breakfast in hotels
Most entertaining is
Lunch between 12 and 2
done in restaurants, not
Dinner between 7 to 11 homes
Lunch at a pub for a Senior executives eat at
light meal the best restaurants
Smoking is banned No business talk after
in pubs hours
Know the person well Initiate your departure
before inviting them out
During Meals

Offer the “Seat of

Animals are a good
Honor” to your guest
dinnertime topic
Pass items to the left (pets)
Don’t talk about the No royal family jokes
food around you
Not polite to toast
Keep elbows off table people older than
you or with more
Don’t ask to try
seniority
people’s food
UK | Gifts

Not part of doing business

Invite out for a meal or show
“Shout for a round”
Bring flowers, champagne, chocolates
Handwritten thank you notes
No refund or exchange policies
US | Welcoming Brits

Be respectful
Set clearly defined break times
Allow for “normal” lunch hours instead of
eating at your desk
Do not attempt to hug them, not OK unless
close
UK | Sample Company
Network consists of leading residential
brokerages
Utilize numerous marketing venues:
Local and regional news publications
National and international print media
Use Internet to display the inventory
and market to a worldwide marketplace
“Showcase Property”
Business Practices:
Pride the company on
approaching a task with
sensitivity, confidentiality,
concern and professionalism.

International Training For

Employees:
Emphasize educating their
clients about all the variables
of the market:
Market trends
Economic factors
Neighborhood facts
Financing
UK | Expat Challenges
Food differences

Different Media sources

Language

Time Difference
Transportation

Amenities

Economics
Currency Exchange
£1 = $1.67
£5 and up are “notes”
£5 and under is “change”
Other Differences
Privately-owned companies vs.
government owned
Culture is very arts-centric
Public Works systems are more
efficient than US
Nationalized health care
Public transportation is more
easily accessible and efficient
Informational Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs2_J3fV1f8
References
Population Statistics | Wolfram Alpha, Google
Data
Culture | American Expats
http://www.americanexpats.co.uk/very
%20british.htm
Hofstede Graph | International Management Text
British Life | Woodlands School Website
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/
customs/questions/
References
Cultural Quirks | Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands
2nd Edition by Terri Morrison and Wayne Conway
British Expats | British Embassy Website
http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en
Sotheby’s | Website
http://www.sothebysrealty.com/en/home.aspx
Sotheby’s | More Info
http://rismedia.com/2009-10-04/william-pitt-sotheby’s-
international-realty-acquires-six-brokerage-offices/
Misc | http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/
economics/article3137506.ece