Internationale Woche « Henkel Diversity Blog

Friday, July 9th, 2010 by Astrid Bosten

„Maybe this is not the best day?!“ I think this was the most often heard sentence yesterday at our fourth day of the International Week at Henkel, Düsseldorf. When we made the scheduling for this week no one could have guessed how explosive this day would be: the German soccer team lost on Wednesday against Spain. But our Spanish colleagues handled the situation with charm and high spirits.

We switched the location to another canteen at Henkel in Düsseldorf where the majority of our blue-colored-colleagues are having lunch. A complete new situation and a complete new public. The blue-colored seemed to be slightly more irritated by this event than the people we met before… but maybe that was the matter of fact because of the soccer game?!

However, with sweeping Spanish music around bad mood had no chance. And our Spanish colleagues accost everybody who entered the canteen to participate in the every day lottery, with a difficult question: “How many languages are spoken in Spain?” – I would have answered: one (or maybe two). But actually the Spanish team members weren’t quite sure while preparing the answer if there are four or five languages used in Spain: Spanish, Aranese, Catalan, Valenscian and Galencian. And that’s the reason why in fact some members of the Spanish team spoke English with each other. And that’s the reason why some kids in Spain get their Christmas presents on December, 25^th while others get them just on January, 6^th.

The other obligatory must-have-question: Do Spanish people really make siesta? “I never had siesta in my life!” was the answer of one colleague, but in fact Spanish people take the opportunity to run some errands during lunch hours. That’s why Spanish people return from work just at 9 or 10 p.m.; and that’s why TV films regularly start at 10 p.m. That’s the time when Spanish families usually are having dinner too.

Today our last host of the week is France.

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„Konnichiwa“ und „olá“

Thursday, July 8th, 2010 by Astrid Bosten

Yesterday our Japanese and Portuguese colleagues were the hosts of our International Week at Henkel, Düsseldorf. Each day one country presents itself to show the cultural diversity we have in place.

Our Japanese colleagues, Kenji Itho, Naoki Yasuda, Hiro Asakawa und Kaoru Tachikawa, had a special idea: they offered to write the prenames in Japanese characters. Additionally Kaoru Tachikawa was an eye catcher: she wore a Yukata that is a special type of a kimono in a daily-to-use edition. Kaoru told me that to put on a traditional kimono would take about one hour. Therefore they are just used for official reasons like weddings, New Year parties or holidays.

Kaoru is living for five years in Düsseldorf and lived in several countries before. But – surprise, surprise – she likes Düsseldorf best because here is the largest Japanese community.

The differences between Germans and Japanese can be realized in the way they interact. Germans come straight to the point while Japanese circumscribes what they really mean. That’s the reason why Japanese seem to take a more reserved stance. To speak to a foreign person on the way to your job is impossible in Japan.

Very contrary our Portuguese colleague Paula Barreleiro described the differences between Portugal and Germany. Germans can’t keep up with Portuguese temperament. But she likes the landscape where everything’s green and healthy. And there are mountains. For her the main difference between Germans and Portuguese is the way they face their jobs: Germans are well organized and considered. The Portuguese are more improvisation artists.

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Italian Lust for Life / Italienische Lebensfreude

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 by Astrid Bosten

Yesterday we had our second day during the international Week at Henkel in Düsseldorf.

Host country: Bella Italia. And of course – you are right – this day was a firework of temper and lust for life. Before the first guests came to the infotainment area the team of five Italians had to check out all the game offers. What else: If there is a ball then an Italian couldn’t be far away!

And they really presented themselves as a team. One for all and all for one. Giullia Palazzo for example arrived just three months ago in Germany. When she received our e-mail we sent to all non-german colleagues, asking if they are interested in building a team and join in the International Week, she didn’t know any Italian at Henkel. But now she is in the center position of the team – the only woman.

When I spoke to the team members how the expected Germans and Germany to be before they arrived the answers where nearly similar: Germans are well organized, ambitious and overcooled. But reality sometime’s different. At least Gaetano Cappello experienced that you can have fun with Germans as well as with Italians. But nevertheless there are lots of differences. For example the noise level on the work place. Germans are very quite and disciplined while in Italy usually there is a high noise level because everybody’s speaking all the time.

Happy stereotyping! All in all this day was a huge success in a continuing International Week at Henkel.

Today it’s mixed day: Japan and Portugal.

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International Week at Henkel Düsseldorf/ Internationale Woche bei Henkel in Düsseldorf

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 by Astrid Bosten

The beginning of July – half time. Semifinal. Football United all over the world. All around is cultural diversity. Cultural diversity between teams and within teams, cultural diversity between fans and within fans and cultural diversity between countries and within countries. The disappointment of one team is the gladness of the other one. And finally there will be one winner and lots of connective memories.

Henkel’s team is both – a global and a winning team, and a team full of cultural diversity. This is what makes us at the same time different and unique. Therefore we dedicate the final world cup week from July, 5th to July, 9th to our various colleagues all over the world.

The International Week is a one week event that takes place at Henkel Düsseldorf during lunchtime in the canteens. Colleagues from all over the world present their homeland with traditional costumes, food and music at an infotainment stand. People get to know the different culture, ethnical backgrounds and attitudes but also have fun with each other by playing Tipp-Kick-Soccer, Kicker or Wii Fit. The goal of this event is to show Henkel’s diversity but breaking with stereotyping at the same time. That’s what we are: same, same but different.

Yesterday the German team started with the first event day. Folks music surrounded the information stand. A German police officer, a woman in a dirndl, Santa Claus and a German soccer fan were the host. Especially the Tipp-Kick-Game challenged our colleagues to hit the goal and to win a voucher. But also the Wii Fit header game brought lots of fun and whiplash injury. Today it’s Italian day!

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