Liege from head to toe : issue 9


Who are you working with?
Make the bestof your European investment

The decision has been taken to locate your business in Europe. You know about tax, costs, land and regulations. But before putting your feet on the starting blocks, consider the human aspect of your investment. Think about the people you are going to work - and live - with. Because it shows up on your balance sheet.

There are plenty of ways to do business in Europe. Figures are but one aspect when considering an area. Beyond them as well as beyond the fast image, what does this area really have to offer?

If Liege’s character could be summed up in one word, it would definitely be vitality. Vitality of research and entrepreneurial spirit, but also in cultural events and entertainment. Day and night, bad luck or good luck, Liege is always on the move.

Latin or Germanic?
In between...

No doubt you see Liege as lying at the crossroads of Latin and Germanic cultures. A subtle mixture of both mentalities, it has developed a unique and lively character.

To the Latin culture, Liege people owe their fondness for getting out and about. They are always happy when they can take a walk through the streets, sit at a café-terrace, have a chat while sipping a cool beer, served with some cheese. Ready to make a stand against injustice, they like to be informed. Easy-going, they are known for their warmth and strong sense of humor.

About the "best possible result"

To the Germanic culture, they owe their strong sense of what a "good job" means. They strive to achieve the best result. Implementing communication within their company, foreign managers readily mention how working with local staff is effective. Know-how and a willingness to give the best of himself makes the Liege worker one of the most productive in Europe.

On the discovering line

Prompted by a keen curiosity, Liege is a true think-tank. It has always been at the forefront of progress, looking for new ideas. In the past, the dynamo was invented by Zenobe Gramme, the steam locomotive was designed by John Cockerill and his Liege workers, and the world’s first university degree in electro-magnetism was set up by Georges Montefiore-Levy. Today, headline news report the invention of the chocolate spoon together with the automatic locking nut presented at the International Fair of Geneva.

The University is of course part of the picture. Created in 1816, it enjoys a worldwide reputation. This is mainly due to the applied science department, veterinary medicine, as well as space research and development

Culture country, shopping city

It is a major commercial centre with more than 6,000 businesses, surrounded by buildings which bear witness to a thousand-year history. As the "Liegeois" are lovers of fine cuisine , there is no shortage of prestigious restaurants. This atmosphere was described by the famous French writer Colette in these terms : "Liege, the flirt, loves to eat and dress up. Pastry shops, taverns, window displays full of lace and frills, a gaity, a cordiality which insist upon remaining French". It is still like this today

Not to be forgotten is the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which welcomes the F1 Belgian Grand Prix every year and is considered as the most beautiful circuit in the world by drivers. Discover the Hautes-Fagnes region, and the town of Spa, that gave its name to one of the most famous and pleasant aquatic pleasures : the spa!

With museums, theatres, exhibitions, concert, Liege benefits from a rich and diversified cultural life. Worthy of note are the Opera and above all the Philharmonic Orchestra whose fame has spread not only in Europe but also in Japan and the United States.

By way of conclusion, let us now give the floor to foreign managers. We asked them to give their opinion about the local labor force and their daily life in the Liege area.

Three major questions to a foreign manager

  • 1. What do you think makes Liege what it is?

  • 2. What about the way workers and employees react and work? Is there a difference compared to your country of origin?

  • 3. What would you highlight regarding your leisure time?

France
"A land of expertise"

Coming from France, Emeric d’Arcimoles took over the management of the Techspace Aero company in January 1997.

  • 1. I had obtained a very negative view of the region through the press and the recent events they have reported. I thought I would be arriving in a little region steeped in problems. But I very soon discovered an enourmous wealth through the people who live here. I think I have become something of a Liegeois myself.

  • 2. The Liege worker has something of the South about him, it is true. He likes to talk and can become very animated. He is welcoming and also tenacious. But when you take the time to argue your case based on the facts, then he is ready to listen and understand. The strength of the unions is not due to the character of the Liegeois but to the fact that Belgium saw during wealthy times some of the major companies in the region as social laboratories. Workers here are skilled at very advanced techniques; you find a lot of experts, a lot of people with drive and initiative. This is why the US Air Force sends us engines directly from the United States for repair. The productivity is good, you simply have to change the way certain things are organized. With a good communication, you can move mountains here. We have an excellent team.

  • 3. Liege is a very lively city with a lot going on due to its large student population. The cultural life, with the Opera and Conservatory of Music, is worthy of a big city.

United States
"The people really make the country"

Brad Wiggins leads one of two Liege-based plants of the US Owens Corning company. He has been in Belgium for 8 months now. A first European experience.

  • 1. What I like most here is the attitude of people. When you discuss with them, it is very friendly. In the United States I had been told " there is a strong resistance to change there" and I have been pleasantly surprised.

  • 2. Here there is a lot of pride, of loyalty, of warmth, even more than in the United States. The ties workers foster with the company are very strong. This shows up on the balance sheet. Labor costs are unfortunately expensive here, but the quality of the workers truly compensates for it. They are smart and intelligent. They are fast to solve technical and production problems. Furthermore, they offer a high productivity. We have to be competitive and I am confident we will be.

    I push this team extremely hard. What I am impressed with is that we have a great relationship with the unions. They listen, they understand the issues.This group of people is willing to work together.

  • 3. The food is wonderful, great. I went to Francorchamps, it was fun.

United Kingdom
"The Belgian : a past master at compromise"

Mr T.B. Altree is the Financial and Administration Manager for ECC International Europe unit, located in Liege. He has been working there for 7 years. Before that he lived in Brussels for 10 years.

  • 1. Arriving from Brussels, my wife and myself thought it would be like leaving civilization. We were leaving friends to loose ourselves in the country. Now, we plan to stay here after we retire. Liege is friendly, warm, and the quality of life is really good. It is a lively city.

  • 2. Generally speaking, the Belgian worker is efficient. The Liege worker is certainly no exception; he is an excellent worker. The Belgian has a continental temperament, which means he is very different to the Anglo-Saxons in his approach to life and regulations. Here the regulation is no more than a basis for negotiations. Belgians are past masters at compomise.

  • 3. The Liegeois are rather special people. In professional life, they are open, friendly and cooperative. But their private life remains apart. They attach great importance to the quality of life and to the family. They spend a lot of time sitting round the table over just one drink. The important thing is to be among friends and savour the taste.

Japan
"Hard workers"

Leading the European headquarters and a plastic production plant, this Japanese manager has been living in the area for 4 years. He used to work in other European countries.

  • 1. The quality of life here is excellent, apart from the fact that there is no Japanese restaurant and no Japanese Saturday school in the region. From the business point of view, saying that Liege people are not hard workers could not be further from the truth.

  • 2. Liege workers are not much different to the Japanese. Naturally there are differences due to culture, history and nature, and this has a certain effect on the way they do business. But compared with my past experience in other European countries, I find that Liege people are more prepared to put in extra hours, in the evening or even at the weekend, and often without my asking. In this respect, I have every confidence that the productivity here is not much below that of the Japanese.

  • 3. Living here is very nice and Liege people are very friendly, right from the start. As my wife can speak some French, she has made friends in the area, and she enjoys various cultural activities.





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