Cooperation without frontiers

As a wholesaling company with operations in 29 countries, cooperation spanning national and cultural borders is a part of everyday life for over 100.000 employees at METRO Cash & Carry. Intercultural competence therefore gains significance. Misunderstandings in day-to-day business can be avoided and international projects carried out more efficiently if employees understand and accept the various cultural differences and interact with one another in an appropriate manner. This includes such aspects as using the common corporate language of American English and observing time differences and national public holidays.

The rules of intercultural communication

• Cooperation across frontiers at METRO Cash & Carry is characterized by mutual respect and understanding.
• All employees use the corporate language of American English in their international communications.
• When making enquiries and planning meetings, the different time zones of the countries involved are taken into account.
• The employees show consideration for religious and public holidays in the countries involved.
• During conversations and conferences over the telephone, the participants make sure they are clearly understood by everyone else.
• The employees work together to implement the core business objectives and at the same time utilize local insider knowledge.