Business trip to Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Frankfurt am Main is one of the leading financial centres in Europe. It is one of the top 3 cities for international companies in Europe, along with London and Paris. The Mercer Human Resource Consulting Worldwide Quality of Living Survey 2007 ranked this city at the 7th position of the cities with the highest quality of life worldwide. According to a ranking list -2001- produced by the University of Liverpool, Frankfurt am Main is the richest city in Europe by GDP per capita. Closely followed by Karlsruhe, Paris and Munich.
The city of Frankfurt am Main is also sometimes known as ’ The city of banks’.
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This is due to the fact that Frankfurt am Main houses a number of national and international banks. Frankfurt am Main is the financial center of Germany with almost all the banks of Germany having their headquarters in Frankfurt am Main. Frankfurt am Main has more than three hundred banks.
Frankfurt am Main also has the largest stock exchange in Germany. This is second largest stock exchange in the whole Europe. Frankfurt am Main is also a major media center and has offices of media houses, television channels and advertising agencies. Frankfurt am Main offers numerous venues for trade shows, trade fairs, exhibitions and conventions. Frankfurt am Main hosts several national and international events all round the year.
For more in-depth information I suggest you buy and read the "Global Business Etiquettes" book.
- Communication:
Use formal names, professional and academic titles.
Hierarchy, following rules and protocols is very important.
Germans are very direct, do not confuse this with rudeness.
Never interrupt somebody.
Dress formal and conservative. - Meetings and negotiations:
A perfect planning is very important in German culture.
When making appointments use the 24-hour clock time format to avoid misunderstandings.
Be very punctual, if you suspect you will late, call and explain the situation.
Never cancel a meeting at the last minute.
Shake hands with everyone upon arriving at the meeting and leaving. Keep the hierarchy in mind!
Remain standing until invited to sit down or others do so.
Little time is spent to getting to know you before the business conversation begins.
Agenda’s are strictly followed.
Keep your presentation as short as possible, to the point, accurate and precise, do not exaggerate.
Some Germans will signal their approval by tapping their knuckles on the tabletop.
Follow up a meeting with a letter with all agreements outlined. - Table manners:
If unsure on how to behave, mimic the behavior of others.
Wait until you are appointed a seat.
Avoid alcohol if possible, otherwise drink little.
If making a toast, stand up.
Put a napkin on your lap, eat not too much but finish your plate.
Keep your hands above the table when eating.
After finishing your plate lay your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate.
Thank your host at the end of the meal.
The German economy is the world’s fourth largest and, after the expansion of the EU, accounts for nearly one-fifth of European Union GDP. Germany’s "social market" economy largely follows free-market principles, but with a considerable degree of government regulation and generous social welfare programs.
Germany is the largest consumer market in the European Union with a population of over 82 million. However, the importance of the German market goes well beyond its borders. An enormous amount of worldwide trade is conducted in Germany at some of the world’s largest trade events, such as Medica, Hannover Fair, Automechanika, and the ITB Tourism Show. The volume of trade, number of consumers, and Germany’s geographic location at the heart of a 27-member European Union that added ten members in 2004, and two more in 2007 make it a keystone around which many foreign firms seek to build their European and worldwide expansion strategies.
Real German GDP expanded by just over 1% in 2008 despite the increasing financial turmoil, which began to affect industrial exports; forecasters predict that Germany would register annual economic growth of almost 2% in 2008 and that GDP would decline by more than 2% in 2009. Consumer demand, which had a temporary uptick after years of sluggishness, is declining again. Germany suffered the most dramatic drop in exports of any major Western European economy in 2008. Business confidence indices sank steadily in 2008 in the face of great uncertainty in financial markets. The German economy continues to suffer from structural problems, including over-regulation in labor markets, taxation, and business establishment, as well as substantial social insurance costs.
The German government’s plans for reform have taken a back seat to the more urgent concerns of addressing the major downturn. Most observers believe that additional reforms to enhance Germany’s global competitiveness are unlikely to occur before the consequences of the economic crisis are overcome.
Continuing high unemployment, particularly long-term unemployment, has long been among Germany’s most serious political and economic problems. The economic growth Germany experienced between 2006 and 2008 rapidly reduced unemployment to levels not seen since before German unification, but there was a significant rise in unemployment in 2009.
In spite of the deepening crisis, the German labor market displayed remarkably robust growth until year-end 2008 although employment growth flattened during the course of the year. In 2008, the average unemployment rate was 7,8% or 3,268 million, down from 9 percent or 3,776 million in 2007. This was the lowest average annual unemployment since 1992.
In eastern Germany, the average unemployment rate was 13,1%, still more than twice as high as in the western part of the country (6,4%). For the first time since February 2006, unemployment rose (by 18.000 to 7,6%) in December 2008. The number of persons employed rose to a record high of 40,83 million in November 2008 (500.000 more than in November 2007). However, the relative increase of just over 1% was the lowest rate of growth since December 2006.
Although it often takes several months before the labor market reflects macroeconomic shifts, developments now show that the downturn has reached the labor market. The Federal Employment Agency’s Institute for Employment Research (IAB) reversed its more optimistic forecast from October 2008 and projected unemployment figures to rise in 2009, maybe by up to 500,000 or more. The common denominator of most economic forecasts at the beginning of the year 2009 was that non-seasonally adjusted unemployment could exceed 4 million in early 2010 and lift the unemployment rate from slightly under 8 to 9,5%.
| Currency | EUR |
| Time zone | GMT +1 |
| Population | 82.329.758 |
| Area | 357.021 km2 |
| Population density | 230/km2 |
| GDP | € 1.774.780.000.000 |
| GDP per capita | € 21.540 |
  | Product tip: Keep an eye on the size of your trolley Many luggage stores sell suitcases described as ’carry-on’, but these suitcases are sometimes larger than the size most airlines will accept. The safe maximum size is 114 cm, in the form of a 55 x 40 x 20 cm bag. Some airlines allow up to as much as 140 cm, but most do not. Not only do luggage stores and manufacturers seldom tell you if their bag is legally sized or not, but they also frequently mis-measure their bag. Their measurements generally are for the inside of the main compartment, and assume that any external pockets are of zero thickness, rather than stuffed full of things (which can easily add another inch or more) and ignore any external framing such as wheels and carry handle (which can also add another couple of inches). |
Frankfurt Airport is the largest in Germany, it is an important transit hub that processed 52 million passengers in 2005, it therefore processes the third most air travelers in Europe, after London-Heathrow and Paris-Charles de Gaulle. There are plans to expand the airport with a fourth runway, but the decision about this has been postponed many times.
Address
Frankfurt Airport
60547 Frankfurt am Main
Germany
Telephone: +49(0)69 6900
Fax: +49(0)69 690 70081
Website: www.frankfurt-airport.com
Airport codes
IATA airport code: FRA
ICAO airport code: EDDF
Lost property
The Lost & Found office will be glad to help you find your lost belongings. If they are found, we keep them for three months before auctioning them off.
If you find any objects at the airport, you can also take it there. However, the office is not responsible for things found in taxis, the train stations or aircraft.
Terminal 1, B Concourse, Level 0
Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Phone: 01805 - FRALOST or 01805 - 372 5678
Fax: +49 (0) 69 690 54081
E-mail: fundbuero@fraport.de
Terminal info
There are two terminals at the airport, a third terminal is under construction on the grounds of the former American air base on the south side of the airport. The new terminal is intended for intercontinental flights.
The connection between the terminals is maintained by Skyline, an automatic train.
Connectivity from the airport
Train
There are two train stations, the underground Regionalbahnhof and the above ground Fernverkehrbahnhof. S-Bahn trains and regional trains leave from the Regionalbahnhof to the central station (Hauptbahnhof) in Frankfurt. There are also trains to Offenbach, Hanau, Rüsselsheim, Mainz and Wiesbaden. Only Intercity trains and the high-speed ICE train stop at Fernverkehrbahnhof and go from Frankfurt to Cologne, the journey takes one hour.
Taxi
In front of the Arrival Hall in both terminals are many taxis. A ride to Frankfurt takes approximately 20 minutes without traffic and costs around €20.00.
You’ll never have to wait long to hail down a taxi in Frankfurt am Main. Taxi stands are conveniently situated throughout the city and of course at key traffic and transport locations such as the main train station and the airport as well. You’ll also find that many taxis accept major credit cards nowadays.
| Company name | Phone number |
| Taxi 210 | 83009999 |
| Taxi-Chauffeurdienst | 9624444 |
| Taxi Addi Wehner | 82378543 |
| Air-Taxi Frankfurt GmbH | 559777 |
| B.O.S. Taxi Service GmbH | 99993862 |
Living XXL Restaurant & Bar
The restaurant offers an economical quick lunch with a 3-course menu on Mondays through Fridays from 11:30 am until 3:00 pm. In the evenings it rivets with its extraordinary atmosphere coupled with top international cuisine.
Kaiserstr. 29/Eurotower
60311 Frankfurt am Main
Tel +49 69/24 29 37- 0
Fax +49 69/24 29 37- 30
info@livingxxl.de
www.livingxxl.de
Restaurant Avocado
One of the more stylish bistros in town, Restaurant Avocado is popular with a young professional crowd who appreciate the upscale cuisine and fashionable ambiance. The menu changes daily to take advantage of what’s fresh, but preparation is decidedly French.
Hochstr. 27
60313 Frankfurt am Main
Telefon: +49 69 294642
E-Mail: info@restaurant-avocado.de
www.restaurant-avocado.de (Only in German)
Restaurant Opéra
Grand setting with high ceilings, lots of gold leaf and heavy curtains. If you are on a business trip to Frankfurt am Main, this is a great restaurant for entertaining your hosts. Try to pick a bright sunny day and sit outside on the balcony overlooking the Opernplatz and the Tauusanlage.
Opernplatz 1
Frankfurt am Main
Tel.: 069 1340-215
www.opera-restauration.de (Only in German)
Tips to save money on hotel costs during your business trip to Frankfurt aM.
To get the best price for a good hotel room during your business trip to Frankfurt aM it's not only important to compare the prices the hotel charges for a room, but also compare the prices of the different booking agencies.
This can save you, or your company, a lot of money!
- Go to this hotel listing for Frankfurt aM.
- Select the "Check-in" and "Check-out" date.
- Select filters like: "Hotel brand", "Ratings", "Location" and "Price ranges".
- Select the hotel you like.
- You will get an overview of the prices from up to 24 booking sites
- Select the best offer in the list and book the room!
We have selected the following established business hotels for your convenience:
Hilton Hotel Frankfurt am Main
The Hilton Hotel Frankfurt am Main is a luxurious property sitting adjacent to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, as well Alte Oper. The Frankfurt Rhein—Main International Airport is a short 10-minute drive from the hotel.
Hochstrasse 4
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
More info about Hilton Hotel Frankfurt am Main
Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof Hotel
Known for its ambiance and elegance, this property is an ideal accommodation spot in Frankfurt for all types of travelers. Situated in the middle of the main Metropolis, the Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof Hotel is just few steps away from the shopping, business and cultural centres, while the Frankfurt Airport is 14 kilometres away which is very convenient during a busy business trip.
Am Kaiserplatz
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
More info about the Steigenberger Frankfurter Hof Hotel
Best Western Hotel Imperial Am Palmengarten
The Best Western Imperial Hotel am Palmengarten is situated downtown close to the shopping center, fairground, botanical garden and commercial area. This hotel is the perfect base for business travelers. The rooms are completely equipped with air-conditioning and sound-proofed windows.
Sophienstrasse 40
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
More info about the Best Western Hotel Imperial Am Palmengarten
Frankfurt am Main may be renowned for its financial institutions and trade fair but the Frankfurt am Main has some superlative outlets for the discerning shopper as well and in all price categories.
A popular shopping area is the Fussgängerzone (pedestrian street) of the Zeil, beginning at Hauptwache and all the way to Konstablerwache, including Fankfurt’s main department stores (Kaufhof and Karstadt) as bookends. There are a lot of small shops and boutiques with clothes, shoes, leather goods, and lots of restaurants and bakeries to keep anyone busy for at least a day.
On its western end, the Zeil changes its name and becomes Freßgasse with enough cafés, patisseries, ice cream parlours and delicatessens to recharge from any shopping spree. The top of high end and haute couture collections exists in the Goethestrasse, which runs parallel to Freßgasse. Here you find some of the most famous designers in the world, including Versace, Gucci, Prada, and many other renowned Italian brands. A refined tree-lined cobblestone path where luxury and elegance know no bounds in the upscale world of Mont Blanc, Tiffany, and Cartier.
In the same area is Schillerstrasse, home to less famous designers, but nonetheless quality clothing and gift shops. Here you will find the perfect gifts for your loved ones when your return from a business trip to Frankfurt am Main. It also has a market every Friday, which is packed with people buying a quick lunch, picking up fresh fruit and vegetables or perusing the quirky wares available.
For more boutiques, second-hand outlets and hard-to-find items, try Berger Straße, with shops extending from the Merianplatz to Bornheim Mitte U-Bahn stations, or else Leipziger Straße in Bockenheim.
Street markets in Frankfurt can be found on almost any given day in different locations around town. They are predominantly filled with fresh foods and flowers, and few retail items. However, Saturday mornings turn the Mainufer into a large flea market with a huge selection of used items. Tons of clothes, books (with a reasonable selection in English), bicycles, and other items are for sale.
For those needing an American style mall, you will be hard pressed to find one, but the Main-Taunus Centrum in Sulzbach boasts being about the closest thing you can find. However, it is not easily accessible by public transportation, and generally has about the same shops you can find on the Zeil, with a treasure or two that one simply won’t come across in the Frankfurt’s centre.
Most Frankfurters looking for reprieve from the crowded Zeil have taken to NordWestZentrum, a semi-enclosed shopping area about 5 miles from the centre, which has no major department stores, but plenty of shops, restaurants and a recreation centre and swimming pool that is popular.
Shopping hours in Germany have remained a long-fought battle, but recently the government approved Monday to Saturday shopping until 20:00. Everything remains firmly shut on Sundays, except for the souvenir shops at the Römerberg, and shops at the Hauptbahnhof and airport. Cashing in on their Sunday shopping status, Frankfurt airport (strangely yet officially nicknamed Fraport) is constantly opening, renovating and renewing their shopping choices.
Visit the skyscrapers
Frankfurt am Main has many skyscrapers. When you are on top of one of them, you’ll have a great view of the city.
The 53 storeys high Commerzbank is the tallest building in Europe and also the world’s first ecological office tower. Every office in the tower is daylit and has openable windows. It makes the energy consumption level half lower than in most office towers.
Don’t miss to go up the Maintower. It’s the only one of the downtown skyscrapers that has a visitor platform on the top that is open to the public.
Römerberg is the heart of Old Town Frankfurt. It is in this uneven slightly sloping five-sided square that the original Frankfurt exhibitions were held and newly crowned emperors presented to the people. Nowadays is used for rallies such as election speeches and peace demonstrations. Also it is the center of public events ranging from the Christmas and Summer Markets and the finishing line for marathons.
Get a boat trip
A nice and relaxing way to get a first overview of the many tall buildings of Frankfurt is to do a boat trip on the Main-River. If you have only a short time for sightseeing during your business trip to Frankfurt am Main, this is a great way to discover Frankfurt!
There are ’short cruises’ that don’t cost an arm and a leg driving only along the river within city borders and daytrips to neighbouring cities like Aschaffenburg, Seligenstadt, Mainz or Rüdesheim.
Goethe house and museum
The great German writer Johann Wolfgang Goethe, or von Goethe as he was known in his later years after being elevated to the aristocracy, was born here in Frankfurt am Main on August 28 1749. The house where he was born and grew up has been reconstructed and a small museum and lecture hall have been added.
Make sure your health care insurance is sufficiently covered.
Maybe this is already covered in your regular health care insurance but often you will need to cover this with the travel insurance. Also a good travel insurance should cover the costs of travel for a relative in case of seriously illness or an accident.
The business trip travel insurance should also cover the costs of search, rescue and repatriation.
When you go on business trips on a regular basis, the easiest way to get insured is with an annual multi-trip insurance.
Keep in mind that you can also use this insurance for your pleasure trips so don`t forget to include to insure your leisure activities.
| General emergency number | 112 |
| Police | 110 |
| Block Emergency Electronic Authorisation e.g. credit cards | 116116 |
The English language is these days quit common in Germany. When you have a medical emergency you can turn to any emergency hospital to get English speaking help.
Although in business people speak English, some German phrases can always come in hand....
| Good day | Guten Tag |
| Good morning | Guten Morgen |
| Good evening | Guten Abend |
| How are you? | Wie geht es Ihnen? |
| I’m fine, thanks. And you? | Mir geht es gut, danke, und Ihnen? |
| What’s your name? | Wie heißen Sie? |
| My name is ... | Ich heiße ... |
| Pleased to meet you | Schön, Sie kennen zu lernen Sehr erfreut |
| Goodbye | Auf wiedersehen |
| Good night | Gute Nacht |
| Have a nice day | Schönen Tag noch! |
| Bon appetit | Guten Appetit! |
| Cheers/Good health! | Prost! |
| I don’t understand | Ich verstehe nicht |
| Please write it down | Können Sie das bitte aufschreiben? |
| How do you say ... in German? | Wie sagt man ... auf Deutsch? |
| How much is this? | Wieviel kostet das? |
| Sorry | Es tut mir leid! |
| Excuse me | Entschuldigen Sie! |
| Thank you | Danke schön |
| You’re welcome | Bitte schön |
| Where’s the toilet? | Wo ist die Toilette? |
| Yes / No | Ja / Nein |
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