Al All you u ne need d to kno know w abo bout ut Payr yroll in n Sw Sweden - Mo Module 1 Country overview, company registration and reporting
Agenda • Facts about Sweden • Business Culture • Employer high level overview of registration and reporting responsibilities
Facts about Sweden
Facts about Sweden • Population 9.5 million • Of which 23% are under 18 • In summer there are 56 days of 24 Hr daylight • Downside is 32 days of total darkness in winter • The average Swede works 1,644 hours per year • Renewables account for 48% of Swedish energy
Facts about Sweden • An average of 1.8 million meatballs are consumed per day in Ikea Stores across the world • 85% of Swedes live in Cities • The 3 point seatbelt was developed by a Swedish Inventor • There are approximately 350,000 Moose in Sweden • Approximately 6,000 road accidents per year involve a Moose
Facts about Sweden • Sweden is the 3rd largest country in the EU • But has the second lowest population density • 53% of Sweden is forests • Sweden is a Constitutional Monarchy with a Parliamentary Democracy
Business Culture
Business Culture • Sweden, as has often been stated, presents a fascinating business model. It has proved to be a remarkably successful post- war economy, which has managed to combine both pro-business policies with the provision of an all-embracing welfare state. The 'social' policies once produced a famous remark from the mayor of Shanghai, 'I like Sweden but you are just a bit too socialist over there' • This seeming paradox can in large measure be explained by an understanding of one of the central Swedish characteristic - egalitarianism. A belief in the genuine equality of individuals and the resultant desire for consensus are at the heart of Swedish business life and explain both organisational structures and management approach in the country Source: http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Business-Etiquette-in-Sweden.html
Business Culture • A second, often quoted, surprise about Swedish business is the relatively large number of truly international companies emanating from a country with a population of less than nine million - Eriksson, Electrolux, Atlas Copco, ABB, Tetrapak, H&M, Ikea; the list is almost endless. It is a truism that countries with small domestic markets need to internationalise to survive and prosper but few countries have been as relatively successful as Sweden on the world stage • The third remarkable fact about Sweden is the enormous breadth of its industries. Sweden has significant companies in market sectors varying from electrical goods to vehicle manufacture, from telecommunications to pharmaceuticals and from mechanical engineering to chemicals. In addition, of course, it has companies with a global presence in all these industrial areas Source: http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Business-Etiquette-in-Sweden.html
Business Culture - Structures • Flat management and egalitarianism sit very comfortably together and this accounts for the fact that Swedish organisations tend to be less layered than in all other European countries • The flatness of Swedish management structures is also mirrored in the levels of remuneration offered to different stratas within a company. A combination of tax regime and centrally agreed salary agreements have produced a country in which pay differentials are almost unbelievably low (although this is starting to change.) Source: http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Business-Etiquette-in-Sweden.html
Business Culture - Structures • Structures are designed to be pragmatic and systematic and to allow people to perform their tasks effectively and with as little disruption as possible. This does not, however, mean that structures are extremely inflexible. Indeed matrix management, which works better in Sweden than almost anywhere else, leads to an openness of communication and freedom of information which many more hierarchical societies would find almost anarchic • One key organisational necessity worthy of note is the absolute need for punctuality. Don't be late in Sweden if you want to maintain a professional image Source: http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Business-Etiquette-in-Sweden.html
Business Culture - Management Style • An egalitarian approach, which seeks consensus results, produces a very specific management approach • The paternalism, which can be found further south in Europe, sits uneasily with the average Swede and direct 'instructions' can be seen as embarrassing for all concerned • Therefore managers are seen more as facilitators or coaches who offer advice and suggestions. Bosses are not, necessarily, expected to know all the answers and it is assumed that the person performing a particular task is the most knowledgeable about that particular task Source: http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Business-Etiquette-in-Sweden.html
Business Culture - Management Style • One result of this approach is that decisions can be hard to reach and the process tends to be drawn out • It is important that the manager includes everybody in the process and that everybody's point of view is listened to and ostensibly valued. Many expatriates from countries where 'quick' decision making is highly valued can find this process extremely frustrating. It is dangerous to try to circumvent this process, however, as unilateral decisions are unlikely to be respected or adhered to • As managers tend towards a consensual approach and openness of discussion, information tends to flow well between departments and functions. There also tends to be less social distance between managers and subordinates. Management denotes a level of work-related responsibility rather than a hierarchical status Source: http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Business-Etiquette-in-Sweden.html
Business Culture - Meetings • Meetings tend to be long with a great deal of open debate. Everybody has a view and everybody's view is worthy of airing and consideration. Opinions are expected to be backed up by empirical evidence, which means that a great deal of pre-planning and preparation is expected • As has already been stated, punctuality is of central importance in Sweden. Lateness is largely indefensible as it implies a lack of courtesy and respect for the other members present. In discussions about approach to business, Swedes raise the importance of punctuality more often and more strongly than almost any other nationality Source: http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Business-Etiquette-in-Sweden.html
Business Culture - Meetings • Agendas are usually produced and when produced would, on the whole, be adhered to. Agendas bring the necessary structure to a wide ranging, consensus-seeking debate • Without an agenda, the meeting would run the risk of disintegrating into an aimless discussion • During the meeting, participants will tend to speak one at a time with little interruption of the person who 'has the floor'. Those wishing to make a point will often indicate the fact by raising their hands to attract the attention of the person in the chair. As a result, meetings can have a cold, detached feeling for those more used to emotional responses and where many people attempt to interject at the same time Source: http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Business-Etiquette-in-Sweden.html
Business Culture - Teamwork • Basic Swedish characteristics of community, egalitarianism and consensus-seeking all blend to make Swedes good team players - so long as the team accords to their ideals • A team, which consists of a strong leader instructing junior team members, is unlikely to succeed • There is a need for continuous consultation and for an ongoing 'buy-in' process. Team meetings are, therefore, likely to be reasonably frequent and sometimes long • Each team member expects and is expected to perform his or her individual tasks with the minimum of supervision from superiors. Such unwarranted supervision might be seen as a criticism or lack of trust in professional capabilities Source: http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Business-Etiquette-in-Sweden.html
Business Culture - Communication • Swedes communicate well in international business situations, helped in no small measure by the generally high levels of English spoken in the country • The international nature of many Swedish businesses makes it essential for any ambitious Swede to have a good knowledge of the world business language • However, as with all non-native speakers of English, Swedes take into the second language their own approach to communication matters. As with many northern European countries, directness is prized more highly than diplomacy. The search for consensus and agreement does not preclude the use of direct debate - in fact it makes it absolutely necessary. The result of this respect for plain speaking is that Swedes can be seen as rude or at least overly abrupt by those cultures who place diplomacy before direct speaking. Cultures as diverse as the UK and Japan are often taken aback by the apparent contradiction of a culture which professes to seek consensus and negotiated compromise whilst at the same time following a seemingly confrontational path. Source: http://www.worldbusinessculture.com/Business-Etiquette-in-Sweden.html
Recommend
More recommend
