A Nice lawyer - European business model

The French, and especially their fonctionnaires, are often unfairly criticized. It's another one of those cultural myths, unfortunate memes. In general I have found that, surprise, surprise, they are quite reasonable and often pleasant and helpful - and so are some in business - even a lawyer! :-).

Yesterday we visited the dept which deals with international applicants for inclusion in the French health system. Fortunately M is organising this and so, instead of going to an office about three streets away - but where my documents would only be sent on to this specialised office some time later - we went up into the hills behind Nice to deliver the documents in person. It was a long way up, and a very nice, quiet environment.

We were received very cordially by the woman in the office. Actually I think she might well have been happy to have visitors for a change (they usually just do admin rather than deal directly with people and I can't imagine many foreigners finding their way out to there). She quickly checked the documents, consulted a colleague in another office, carefully explained the process involved, and said that I'd be issued with a temporary number within a few days, entitling me to reclaim some medical expenses. Very helpful and reassuring.

Unfortunately the more exasperating side of the French was on display as we left the building - about half a dozen young people were smoking - outside this L'assurance maladie building !

I still find it hard to believe just how prevalent smoking is here. But, then again, these bureaucratic buildings  had names, not any old names but: Cezanne, Chagall, Cheret, Matisse, Picasso !

The French do appreciate culture and celebrate it in all kinds of ways. One area of Nice is known as Musiciens , the streets named after Berloiz, Paganini, Verdi, etc.

A few years ago I got to know a French estate agent (yes, we know their reputation - especially in the UK) who turned out to be a very friendly guy, even after he realised that I would be unlikely to buy anything soon. He even insisted on paying for a meal. He'd actually told a guy who was quite ready to pay the asking price for a house that it was over-valued and he shouldn't pay that much ! When I met him a couple of years later, he was changing jobs and was doing up houses, something which he enjoyed a lot more, including some of the physical work. He had mentioned a local agency which was American-owned and didn't approve at all of the way it was run - they weren't even allowed enough time for a proper French lunch ! :-)

A Nice lawyer

Even more impressive was our recent visit to a lawyer here in Nice. They don't have a very good reputation, especially in the US, from where these jokes emanate:

What do lawyers and sperm have in common?

One in 50,000,000 has a chance of becoming a human being.

Why does the American Bar Association prohibit sex between attorneys and their clients?

To prevent the client for being billed twice for what is essentially the same service.

Why do they bury lawyers 27 feet under?

'Cuz deep, deep down, they're good people!

What's the difference between a Catfish and a lawyer?

One is a scum sucking bottom dweller, and the other is a fish.

Why does California have the most lawyers and New Jersey the most toxic waste dumps?

New Jersey had first pick.

How can you tell when a lawyer is lying?

Their lips move.

What's the difference between a lawyer and a duck?

Occasionally a duck will stick its bill up its ass.

http://www.gigaflop.demon.co.uk/humour/lawyer.htm

 How very different this lawyer was from the usual stereotype. We wanted advice on two issues, which she gave us, very fully, in French at a speed I could just about keep up with. But in addition to that we got the story of her life (she is half Italian,and fitted that stereotype, warm, expressive, etc .), some medical advice, her views about male/female differences in parental attitudes, etc., etc. She also typed out for me a form letter, indicating what I needed to include and telling me what was irrelevant. Then she refused any payment for this almost overwhelming torrent of advice and wisdom - AND told us that we didn't really need any further help from a notaire!

So later I wrote her a note, my French corrected by M, and bought her a plant. I thanked her for all her help and wrote that one of the things I really like about French culture is that even in professional affairs there is still room for a humanity now often lacking in the Anglo-Saxon business world. I read somewhere about a French woman working in a bank who used to get a lot of satisfaction from her job, feeling that she had given customers good advice. But then it had been taken over by a company run in a more Anglo-Saxon way; targets for sales of their products were set and there were unpleasant interviews with managers if one didn't meet these targets.

Let's hope that model doesn't take over in France. Arguably it would be better, even in a business sense (but not only that), if it didn't:

European business model

Which economic system will be more successful over the long-term - European diversity or the US world power approach?

Dutch author Donald Kalff expresses a clear opinion.

When Donald Kalff talks about the business world, it's not possible to overlook his vast experience. Kalff was a top manager at several international companies. These included companies such as Royal Dutch/Shell and the Dutch Airline KLM, where he served on the management board. It's therefore somewhat surprising when the former executive and professor at Leiden University proclaims that "the American shareholder value approach is flawed."

The concept has been basically misappropriated by investors and shareholders, managing without any foresight. Instead, they are more interested in squeezing the greatest possible amount of profit out of a company in the shortest amount of time.

...

Successful European companies are geared toward long-term value. They believe that value is found in people and their cooperation, not technical or financial resources...

The author provides new visions on the strengths of Europe's economy. He addresses the possibility of creating a sustainable form of capitalism with a distinct European character.

Donald Kalff is CEO of the Immpact biotech company. He is associated with Roland Berger Strategy Consultants and Guest Professor at Leiden University School of Management. His book, "An UnAmerican Business: The Rise of the New European Enterprise Model," is published by Kogan Page, ISBN: 0749444908.

http://www.best-of-european-business.com/news/2006-01-15-Best_of_European_Business_Kalff.html