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How to Do Business in Spain
By Injung Choi,
Marketing Automation Specialist
http://www.mcelroytranslation.com
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Currently doing business in
Spain, or plan to in the near future? Consider this…
- Spanish is the world’s second most spoken language.
- Spain has an incredible tourist industry as one of the top 5 most
visited countries in the world. In 2007, there were nearly 60 million
foreign visitors.
- Spain is the world’s 14th largest economy and one of the top ten bond
markets worldwide.
- Major industries include textiles and apparel, food and beverages,
metal manufacturing, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine tools,
tourism, clay and refractory products, pharmaceuticals, and medical
equipment.
As a strong economic power and one of the most visited countries, Spain
is quite attractive to many foreign businesses. However, Spain has a number
of social and cultural differences from other countries that you must
be aware of.
Important tips
- Spaniards respect doing business with assertive and distinguished
counterparts. Be careful not to become overtly friendly too quickly,
and never underestimate a Spaniard based on their perceived role in
the organization. Make sure to address your counterparts with their
titles and last names.
- Many businesses in Spain have a hierarchical system of management
where groups or teams answer to a clear leader. Individuals within a
department can make recommendations to their supervisor, but are not
allowed to make decisions. Departments tend to be segregated from one
another, so quite often line employees and lower management may not
understand what happens within other departments.
- 94% of the population practices some level of Catholicism, and religion
strongly influences basic perceptions and behaviors.
- Women are considered completely equal under the law and are often
leaders in education, politics, and the general workforce.
- Do not give gifts that could be perceived as a vehicle for your company’s
logo. If you give flowers, avoid dahlias or chrysanthemums which are
related to death.
- The “okay” hand signature in the United States, making an “O” shape
with your thumb and index fingers, is considered vulgar.
Appointments
- When going to a business meeting, be on time and be prepared to wait
patiently. If it is a social event, ask what time you are expected to
show up, not what time the event begins. Make sure if you are planning
to schedule an appointment, you do it far in advance and get a confirmation
closer to the date.
- Pay attention to national holidays. If you see one falling either
on a Tuesday or Thursday, your Spanish counterpart is likely to take
a four-day weekend. Additionally, it is common practice to receive 30
days of paid time off, which is typically used during July and August.
Negotiations
- It is definitely about who you know. Make personal contacts who can
refer you to business prospects and focus on building your relationship
with the prospect before doing business. This will make it easier to
be chosen for future business, as well as harder for them to choose
someone else.
- Spaniards play it close to the vest. They consider information to
be highly valuable and may not be forthcoming with it until it plays
in their favor.
- Business meetings will begin with small talk. Be patient and do not
push to business topics right away.
- Prepare a business card with Spanish on one side and English on the
other side, present the Spanish side when handing it to your counterpart.
- Negotiations can be prolonged. Expect the possibility that you will
need to renegotiate areas you believed to be settled previously.
Entertaining
- Do not have a business meeting before 8:30 a.m.
- Spaniards prefer to go home for their midday meal, so do not be offended
if your offer to take your counterpart to lunch is declined. If you
do have lunch with your counterpart, do not mention business until they
bring it up; this will often be at the end of the meal over coffee.
- Dinner is not served before 8:00 p.m., but it can be served as late
as 10:00 p.m. From 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., “tapas” fill the gap, which consist
of mixed olives, cheese or potato omelets.
- Spaniards typically invite people to their homes, but prefer to dine
at a restaurant. If you are invited to a Spaniard’s home, do not feel
obligated to accept, often the invitation is simply out of kindness.
If they continue to invite you, then you should accept. In this case
it is appropriate for you to reciprocate the invitation.
For your business document translation needs in Spain, contact McElroy
Translation. Visit our website to learn more about how we can help you
and your company become successful in your international business ventures.
Morrison, Terri, and Wayne A. Conaway (2006). Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands,
2nd edition. Massachusetts: Adams Media Corporation.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sp.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Spain
Published - May 2012
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