{"id":9801,"date":"2014-02-04T06:00:59","date_gmt":"2014-02-04T12:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/focus-on-denmark\/"},"modified":"2014-02-04T06:00:59","modified_gmt":"2014-02-04T12:00:59","slug":"focus-on-denmark","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/focus-on-denmark\/","title":{"rendered":"Focus on Denmark"},"content":{"rendered":"

Denmark is a small country, the southernmost in Scandinavia, with a population of a mere 5-plus million. While it is said that the Norwegians historically have tended to look west to the North Atlantic (a fishing and oil country), and the Swedes to the east toward Finland, the Danes tend to orient themselves to the south to Germany and the EU. Denmark carries a weight in international politics that is greater than its size.<\/span><\/p>\n

Denmark has few large companies but myriad smaller ones. Think of LEGO (toys), Oticon (hearing aids), Grundfos (pumps), and Carlsberg (beer) among others. Probably the reason\u2014aside from the small size of the total population\u2014is that Danes prefer to be different and to take initiative for starting something new rather than be a little cog in a big wheel. Smaller companies spin off from larger organizations. A highly educated population, advanced technologies, and the priority given to design lead to many niche products.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another characteristic of Danes and Denmark, which sets them apart from other countries, is the low power distance or flat hierarchy. This means that managers are\u2014and expect to be\u2014 challenged by their subordinates. Subordinates expect to have their opinions heard. They expect to take part in decision-making. A manager in Denmark is more a leader, a coach, a guide compared to the more directive managers of the U.S. Women are just as respected leaders as men. Indeed, Denmark\u2019s prime minister is a woman.<\/span><\/p>\n

SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE TRAINING FIELD<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n