Tag Archive for: Moving to the USA from Denmark

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Swedes working with Denmark: 5 tips for better cooperation

While outsiders sometimes see the three Scandinavian cultures as “pretty much alike”, there are significant differences when it comes to working styles.

Working with a Danish boss can be a shock for Swedes, with their extreme need for consensus and passion for sticking to whatever has been agreed on by the group.

The Danes’ more free-form, flexible approach can take Swedes by surprise, as can the Danes’ directness and sometimes lack of political correctness.

Here are a few tips for Swedes (or anyone else!) working with a Danish boss.

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Podcasts about Denmark: The “How to Live in Denmark” podcast

One of the most popular podcasts about Denmark is the “How to Live in Denmark” podcast, which has been running since 2013.

It focuses on contemporary Danish culture, doing business in Denmark, and living in Denmark for internationals.

Kay Xander Mellish, an American living in Denmark, is the voice behind the podcast and the author of the “How to Live in Denmark” book and blog.

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Why the flat hierarchy in Denmark isn’t always a good thing – Danish working culture

If you ask the Danes what they like about their business culture, they’re sure to mention the flat hierarchy.

What they mean is that a management pyramid that might have ten or more layers in a hierarchical country like Japan has only two or three layers in Denmark.

The flat hierarchy is a virtue born of necessity: salaries are high in Denmark, so middle managers are expensive. And because Danes aren’t supervised or monitored as much as many employees elsewhere, middle management isn’t as necessary.

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Selling in Denmark: The Danish approach vs the US approach

Selling in Denmark isn’t about exaggeration or appeals to the emotional side of buying.

Danish customers want deep product knowledge and a readiness to explain specific benefits, delivered in a calm, steady tone.

Trustworthiness is the most important factor when selling in Denmark, as well as a comprehensive understanding of what the product can offer and how it performs against its competitors in the Danish market.

In general, the Danes believe that a good product sells itself.

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Denmark’s work culture – What the flat hierarchy means in practice

Denmark’s workplace culture reflects the flat hierarchy and egalitarianism Danes value so highly. In practice, this can mean skipping over several layers of management to speak directly to the big boss. This is often not well-received by their counterparts in other business cultures.

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Danish working culture vs Swedish working culture

Comparing Danish working culture vs Swedish working culture results in a lot of similarities, but a few significant differences.

Both countries shy away from hierarchy and rarely use job titles. Both place a strong emphasis on job satisfaction and work-life balance.

And both offer extensive benefits to workers, including generous time off to care for children. But Swedes are more consensus-oriented than the Danes, while Danes are more spontaneous and rely more on humor in the workplace.

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Danish workplace culture: A few quick tips for internationals

Danish workplace culture is admired all over the world. Its flat hierarchy, participatory management, trust and transparency make for an excellent working environment, and the flexible working hours, extensive paid vacation, and parental leave allow for a good work-life balance.

Meanwhile, Denmark’s national “flexicurity” model allows businesses to hire and fire easily, knowing their workers have the soft pillow of the Danish welfare state to catch them if they fall.

While Denmark’s workplace culture attracts people from all over the world, it’s a good idea to review the basics before your first day of work in Denmark.

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Doing business in Denmark: Six top tips

Six quick tips for doing business in Denmark:
– Act humble.
– Opt for transparency.
– Respect Danes’ time.
– Don’t be dramatic.
– Avoid business gifts.
– Consider hiring a cultural trainer.

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Doing business in Denmark: Six top tips

Six quick tips for doing business in Denmark:
– Act humble.
– Opt for transparency.
– Respect Danes’ time.
– Don’t be dramatic.
– Avoid business gifts.
– Consider hiring a cultural trainer.

Read more

Moving to the USA from Denmark? Here are 5 quirky fun tips

Thinking about moving to the USA from Denmark? Kay Xander Mellish, a US-Danish dual citizen and a culture coach based in Copenhagen, Denmark, has a few fun tips.

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