Doing Business in France
6:00 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006
Plaster Hall 102
Admission: free

What’s it like to do business in France? Philippe Rochefort, a Frenchman who recently retired after a long career as an executive in large French companies and an international bank, discussed the major differences between France and the U.S. The productivity ratios show that, although extremely different from the U.S., France has strengths. It also has weaknesses, and he discussed both. These major differences lead to a very different management style in France and in the U.S. The detailed analysis of a paycheck illustrated how the French society expresses its values: more social protection, less vulnerability to life hazards, more public services. Mr. Rochefort discussed what it is like to work for a French company and the good and bad surprises Americans encounter when they work with companies in France. He concluded with some do’s and don’ts for Americans thinking about doing business in France.

Philippe Rochefort’s last position (1991-2005) was executive vice-president of Dexia Credit Local, a Franco-Belgian bank with a branch in the U.S. as well as a large insurance subsidiary. Dexia is No. 1 in the world for financing local authorities and is among the 20 largest European banks. Prior to joining Dexia, Mr. Rochefort held various positions within the French state-owned CDC Group, including chief financial officer of SCET, the holding company of several hundred French local subsidiaries (public transport, urban development companies, etc.). A graduate of the French “grandes écoles,” Mr. Rochefort has degrees both in engineering and economy and has taught economics for many years in several French universities, including the prestigious Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris. After retiring last year, Mr. Rochefort returned to school, earning a “licence” magna cum laude in history from the Sorbonne. He will begin work on his master’s degree this Fall.