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Dutch expat Didier Chabi advises companies to cooperate with related business. And his business promotes an international unity: through laughter.Name: Didier Chabi
Nationality: Dutch
City of residence: Berlin
Name of company: East-Side Comedy Berlin
Date of company launch: 28th August 2010
Can you give us a brief description of your business and how it is going?
East-Side Comedy Berlin is an English language comedy showcase featuring an international line-up of stand-up comedians from all around the world as well as its ‘regulars’ from Berlin's growing English-speaking scene. Get an "insider's view" of life in the Hauptstadt from some of its grittiest residents, including jokes on language, history, German culture, politics, parenting, nightlife, hedonism, love, drugs, technology and everything else characterizing life today in the "creative centre of Europe". Referring to the results both artistically and economically, the club is undoubtedly the fastest growing of its genre in Germany.
What do you like about doing business in Germany?
I like the fact that the product which I am promoting is unique on the market. Germany is a country where the national language is still predominant in both the public and private media sector. Offering an English language comedy club is a perfect solution for diverse categories of people in society. The visitors of our East Berlin Club are both nationals and expats; sub-categorized into students, parents, English language lovers or native English living abroad (and homesick). The club is inclusive as well as we benefit from the Country’s ‘multi-cultist’ drive. When millions of people are concentrated into one geographical location, they need tolerance. Through providing a platform for international humour, cultural knowledge can be conveyed in a fun and creative way.
What do you find most frustrating about doing business in Germany?
As mentioned above, this is a country with a strong drive to conserve its own language and culture. Offering English Comedy is a business that requires delivering English speaking stand up artists. Unfortunately the country isn’t really producing any. As result I am at the mercy of artists from abroad; countries such as UK, US, Australia. It’s frustrating to run business based on products with long and expensive importation costs!
Corporation; that’s the best way I can put it. Do not do it alone. Join efforts. Work together with related entities. I realize that the western world at a certain level is failing to develop a culture of unity. The same applies to business. Many poor nations have failed to run the course of development due to not unifying their efforts. The individualism and flexibility of entrepreneurship is a phenomenon that needs to be recognized as a way out of the economic crisis. And I don’t see it happening without effective networking and cooperative production between certain businesses. Many companies are competing unnecessarily, and in doing so, will lock their own doors.
Joining Expat Voices
We'd love to hear what you have to say about life in Germany. To add your voice to Expat Voices in the Netherlands, simply download the questionnaire via this link and return it by email to editorde@expatica.com
You can choose to take an Expat Artist, Expat Entrereneur or Expat Writer questionnaire if this is more relevant to your lifestyle. We'd love to hear what you have to say about life in Germany!
Want to move to Germany but haven’t figured out the details? Check out Expatica’s overview of the German permit system.
In part one of our two part series, we cover the driving culture in Berlin, where to park and buy gas and, most importantly, the laws.
Our comprehensive guide includes information on how to find work, recruitment agencies, employment contracts and labour law.
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