American corporations in France (#4)

Facts and figures about American firms in France Doing business in France American business organizations

Facts and figures about American firms in France		Doing business in France
US firms in France represent more than 1,000 employers and around 600,000 jobs (the numbers for French firms in the US are about the same). The 10 largest US firms are : IBM (20,000 employees), Ford, McDonald's, Brink's, Eurodisney, Coca Cola (10,000 employees), Leroy-Somer, Otis, American Power Conversion, Delphi, etc... The 10 oldest (more than a century old and and still existing) US firms in France are Haviland (1842), Lazard Frères (1852), Singer Sewing Machines (1855), JP.Morgan (1862), Westinghouse (1879), Otis (1884), International Herald Tribune (1887), American Express (1895), International Harvester (1893), Exxon (1902). The very first one is probably Welles & Co., a bank founded in 1816 by Col.Samuel Welles (from Boston), which closed in 1841. The USA is the largest investor in France (see figures) and Franco-American economic relations have never been harmed by the (many) political squabbles in their relationship. Why ? According to all surveys, they appreciate France for : Skilled manpower Good educational and research levels Excellent infrastructures Central location in Europe Quality of life More to come		The French way of managing a company is different : more hierarchical. Read more about intercultural management differences French employees are different : more attached to their privacy. Read more about working with the French French laws are more demanding: more taxes, more protection for the employees and more legal constraints (workers association, etc...), etc... French customers are different : less demanding. Read more about Franco - American intercultural differences  More about doing business in France and DOs & DONTs To be developed
American business organizations		Practically speaking :
The American Chamber of Commerce in France (AmCham) was the first American Chamber of Commerce to be founded in a Foreign country. It is the voice of American business in France, dedicated to the optimization of US investments and the promotion of transatlantic business ties. It is, by far, the best source of information about American business in France. The French government has a specific organization : Invest In France Agency (IFA) The French-American Foundation (FAF) is very active in the development of transatlantic ties, with many events and the progam Young Leaders. Philippe Rochefort, the webmaster of this site, is currently writing a Ph.d in Contemporary History about the history of American firms in France (see my Diary of an Old Student) ; he writes little historical anecdotes on the site AmCham about the life of this organization and gives speeches about the history of American firms in France. More to come		A French meeting : Often disorganized (chairperson? schedule? aim? minutes?) What does the boss think ? Don't expect a consensus : no win-win... Don't worry if they quarrel : they love it! A talk with a French colleague or boss : Less blunt : understand the "non-dit" A French memo : Much shorter, less precise More ideas and concepts A French procedure : Pure guidelines... Lack of discipline and more creativity This page is still under construction
To related pages : American Community (#1) in Paris, working in France, etc...

To table of contents To top of the page Back to home page	Harriet Welty Rochefort writes articles and books about France and the French. Order her books : "French Toast, An American in Paris Celebrates The Maddening Mysteries of the French", St.Martin's Press, New York, 1999 "French Fried, The Culinary Capers of An American in Paris", St.Martin's Press, New York, 2001 More on Harriet's books (excerpts, upcoming events, testimonials, etc..)
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