Although English has become the language of international business, local tongues are far more important for effective management in markets abroad. Most multinational companies prefer candidates who speak at least one major European language, such as French, German or Spanish. If a candidate can converse socially in two or three additional tongues, so much the better. While fluency isn't essential, learning another language well enough to handle small talk demonstrates interest, commitment and emotional intelligence. Mr. Rorsted, the former Compaq executive who now heads Vignette's European operations, speaks four languages in addition to English and his native Danish.
Top candidates know that differences go beyond handshake etiquette or business-card protocol.
They're also well aware that European countries differ fundamentally on basics like corporate structure, management style and employee rights. And they recognize that Europeans have a hard time embracing the egalitarian culture of U.S. businesses. Europeans almost always find the American notion of 'team spirit' difficult to grasp. Roger Bekius recently completed a search assignment for a vice president of compensation and benefits with a Euro-American pharmaceutical venture. Based in Holland, the company desired a European executive who could shift the organization's culture from a formal, traditional German style to a culturally flexible, multinational approach.