REVISTA INGLES 2

L
unch Meeting
The
way business is conducted
in Spain is more relaxed
compared to other
The ways business meetings are conducted differ between
different countries. Although there might be some regional
variations, there are usually a number of typical characteristics
that you should be aware of when conducting business in that
country.
Western European
nations; you should be
prepared for rather timeconsuming
and lengthy
negotiations. You should
allow sufficient time in your
schedule for getting to
know your business
partners properly, before
the start of negotiations. A sound relationship is an integral part of successful
negotiations in Spain. In many cases, social bonds serve to guarantee agreements
and may even replace written contracts.
When preparing for business negotiations in a foreign country, it is good to bear in
mind that the key to successful negotiation is to respect the culture, values and
traditions of your prospective partners. Generally, Spaniards like to interact with
people from abroad as they still believe in the superiority of products and services
coming from abroad. You can expect your Spanish counterpart to be curious about
the products or services you offer and ask additional questions.
Spanish prefer to know people before starting a business relationship, therefore, it
is advisable to be open with any questions asked about your business or family life.
Spaniards place great emphasis on trust and honesty, so this should be given
serious consideration before arranging a first meeting.

¿Are they competitive?
The attitudes and values of a country have a significant impact on the way that
business is conducted. The following section will outline major themes in this area.
In particular, it will deal with areas of Spanish culture that may influence the success
of business negotiations.
Generally, the Spanish are a very open and communicative people; they value highly
their families, personal relationships and cultural traditions. They usually do not put
too much emphasis upon work, as they like to focus on their leisure and live each
day to the fullest. In general, family and social bonds are more important than a
person’s working life in Spain. It is crucial to realise this fact when conducting
business with Spaniards, as this may help you to understand the point of view of
your Spanish counterparts in various situations.