Doing business in South America - business etiquette - By: Ted Pass

South America is an enormous and varied cultural sphere and anyone thinking they can learn its unique ways overnight is bound to be disappointed. There are many considerations business people have to take into account to develop successful relationships and get things done. With the region recording exciting growth rates in the past couple of years and promising continued progress in the future, foreign individuals and businesses have a lot to gain from being able to understand the local context better.

Below is a handful of business etiquette tips for doing business in South America:

How to build relationships

In South America, relationships between people are the basis for business relations and there is nothing wrong about it. What Europeans or Americans see as misuse of personal connections is accepted and appreciated in many countries of Latin America.

South Americans are quick to show respect and deference to people in authority.

Loyalty and gratefulness are frequently exhibited towards people who help you or give you a favor. Asking for help is not considered a weakness, especially of you approach somebody you know well.

How to talk in South America

Intense body language and gestures are the order of the day from Mexico to Argentina and many see it as yet another manifestation of passion and warmth that Latin Americans have a reputation for.

Face-to-face encounters are valued more than formal correspondence.

Dress code for business people

It varies from country to country. Argentina is seen as the most formal, Brazil as the most relaxed about style.

Handshake

Brevity and firmness are recommended

Meetings

Be punctual, but do not expect the same from everyone else.

Small talk can do a lot to relax the atmosphere and going down to business too fast is not the best idea.

How to negotiate

End decisions might take time to materialize and you should not be deceived by how smoothly talks went. South Americans often find it hard to argue.

Hierarchy is respected in business negotiations

About the Author

Ted Pass is an experienced business analyst and writer interested in all things connected with doing business in South America and internet marketing.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Ted-Pass/240044

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