World City Guide

Business

Business Profile
Although it is the smallest of France’s 22 regions, Alsace is the second richest (after the Ile-de-France) and the biggest exporter per capita. Strasbourg’s geographical position, just across the river from Germany and close to Switzerland, allows some 69,830 Alsatians (les transfrontaliers) to cross the national boundaries daily. This keeps unemployment figures down to France’s lowest rate, at 5.8%, compared to the national average of 8.9%.

In addition, economic success is assured by a tight network of small and medium-sized businesses, as well as the European Institutions, which help make Strasbourg France’s second city in terms of international events. Further factors in Strasbourg’s favour are its highly skilled labour force and balanced economy. The major sectors of employment are agriculture and wine production, leisure and business tourism, services, pharmaceutical and chemical companies (Bristol-Myers-Squibb, Chiral Technologies, Menicon, Synthlabo Biomolculaire and Transgne), industrial manufacturing and, increasingly, computer technology.

Among the most important French firms based in Strasbourg are Peugeot (automobiles), SNCF (railways) and Cooprateurs d’Alsace (retail). The region’s geographical position, in the heart of Europe, has also paved the way for increasing international links and many foreign companies have a base in Alsace, such as Aventis, Delphi, aton, General Motors, General Motors Saginaw, Johnson Controls, Lilly, Roche and UPM Stracel.

La Maison du Commerce International de Strasbourg (MCIS), set up in Strasbourg in 1979, was to be the World Trade Centre in France. Strasbourg is the third largest banking city in France, with 12 banking head offices and 14 foreign banks, equating to one bank office for every 1252 inhabitants.

The financial quarter is based in the Wacken quarter, while offices dominate the central Places des Halles – including Ernest and Young and Anderson. Business parks are located outside the centre – one at Schiltighen, five kilometres (three miles) north of Strasbourg, which includes the headquarters of Aventis. There is a science park, 10 kilometres (six miles) south of the city, in Illkirch, where electronics companies, such as Transgene, are based.

Business Etiquette
Standard office hours are Monday to Friday around 0800-1900, with a lunch break between 1200-1400. Offices often close early on Friday afternoon. Breakfast meetings (between 0830 and 1000) are increasingly frequent, while late afternoon and lunch meetings are also common.

The Alsatians are well practised in dealing with foreign visitors – over 40% work in foreign companies, of which 20% are Anglo-Saxon. Many members of the professional community speak German and English. The working mentality is quite Germanic – work is taken seriously. Other French regions accuse the Alsatians of being too serious, while Alsatians think Parisians and the southern French are too light-hearted (lgers). Of all the French regions, Alsace loses the smallest number of days in labour disputes.

When conducting business, the first meeting is normally devoted to establishing a relationship – further meetings will enable decisions to be made. Business cards are vital and suits (with ties for men) should be worn. Initial introductions should be made with surnames and visitors should bear in mind that the Strasbourgeois will use the formal French ‘Monsieur’ and ‘Madame’ or the formal German equivalents ‘Herr’ and ‘Frau’.

After work socialising is not so common in Strasbourg, although colleagues will often dine together over their long 1200-1400 lunch break. It is unlikely that visitors doing business in the city will be invited to private homes of their clients and associates.

When deciding to set up business in Strasbourg, it is wise for foreign businesspersons to include an Alsatian, with useful contacts, in the team. Alsace Development International – ADI (tel: (03) 8852 8282; fax: (03) 8875 6459; website: www.alsace.com ) is a non-profit-making organisation linked with other offices in the USA, Australia and India, which is geared towards minimising culture clashes. ADI offers a wide-ranging free service for companies wishing to locate in Strasbourg.