Spain has made significant progress in issues such as gender equality. therefore if you are coming from the US you can expect similarities in this aspect
Family and relationships are a central component in Italian culture. Italian's sense of family has been brought into the business realm, and most companies have a pyramidal hierarchy with the decision-making authority centralized at the top.
The Japanese value post-work social gatherings such as going out for karaoke or eating and drinking together at Izakayas (casual bars). Spending time with coworkers outside of the office is socially expected to a certain degree and a good way to build strong relationships.
In the Netherlands, the ability to speak in multiple languages is highly valued. Students are expected to be fluent in English by the age of 12 and encouraged to learn more languages.
South Korea is the world leader in internet connectivity. Approximately 92% of the country’s population are internet users, and they boast the world’s fastest average connection speed.
@allisonyu99 That is so interesting! In Brazil it is not recommended to exchange gifts with people at all in a business setting. Gifts are only recommended in a social setting.
Although it is typical to negotiate for salary in America, it is not in Spain. In fact, Spaniards almost never negotiate. This relates to my previous tweet that Spaniards do not try to aggressively climb the corporate ladder. #BUS302
In Spain, people prefer to stay at jobs longer than in America. In America, most people are willing to leave their jobs for a better opportunity and take steps to climb the corporate ladder. However, in Spain it is more relaxed. There is less urgency to get a promotion #BUS302
@allisonyu99 I did not know it is typical to dress more conservatively in Japan. This contrast with Spain. In Spain, it is more typical to wear designer and fashionable clothing.
In Spain it is typical to give gifts during a meeting. That means if you plan on having a business meeting, you should bring something with you! It is also good to dress well. It is recommended to wear designer clothing.
There are different dialects of Spanish in Spain. In fact, least 90% of the population speak Castilian Spanish as a first or second language. Meanwhile, about 17% of the population speak Catalan, 7% speak Galician and 2% speak Basque. #BUS302
It is typical for Spaniards to do business based off of personal relationships. This means it is very important to establish a good friendship/relationship before introducing business ideas when in Spain. #BUS302
When first meeting someone in Spain, do not be surprised if you get a kiss on each kiss. Whether you know the people well or not, this is considered a normal greeting #BUS302
What is interesting about this is that this can affect how business meetings are conducted. For example, I might prepare my presentation in a way that portrays the future in a more certain way.
According to Hofstede, Spain scores high in Uncertainty Avoidance which has to do with the way the society deals with the future. This means that Spaniards tend to feel more threatened by unknown situations that will occur in the future. #BUS302