Introduction
The country is in South America, on the border of the South Pacific Ocean. Her neighbors include Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. This paper seeks to look at the cultural aspects of this country that may affect business operations.
Cultural Aspects in Chile that Influence Business
Every place has its peculiar cultural practices that dictate how people interact. Such interactions cover the social, cultural and political aspects of the society. Chile has several distinct cultural aspects that dictate how businesses operate.
For one to do business in Chile, it is necessary to secure introduction by third parties into organizations like financial institutions. Secondly, it is hard to do business in January and February as these months, at the climax of summer, mark the vacation, which is quite popular with the locals.
Front office operators, commonly known as secretaries are very influential when one wants to secure appointments with business people. As such, it is important to treat them with utmost care and respect as they can prevent one from meeting their employers. In addition, it is the practice in Chile to book appointments between two and three weeks in advance.
The Chilean business people are generally punctual with an average lateness of twenty minutes. Overall, business operations in Chile are relatively slow considering that business people are naturally conservative in their thinking and take corporate ethics with a lot of seriousness.
Concerning business dress code, Chileans prefer conservative and formal wear and any other mode of dressing like casual wear depicts disrespect. Bright attires that attract people’s attention can deny success to foreign business people.
Chileans hate anyone who talks ill of their country and business people should avoid making references that might kill the rapport necessary for business but should instead become familiar with the positive attributes of Chile’s historical journey.
Courtesy matters so much to most Chileans and as such, they hate interruptions during conversations and they may not always give an objective opinion as courtesy clouds everything. Foreign business people should maintain close proximity when conversing as keeping a distance provokes personal reactions. Chileans do not have a uniform preference for their titles and one should ask individuals what titles they prefer.
Offering of expensive gifts to business people implies bribe and as such, this calls for less expensive gifts and gifts come long after the business people get very close to each other. As a rule, the gift should contain an enclosed card.
In addition, Chileans prefer business cards translated into Spanish. In business circles, the Chileans prefer close interactions and the ability to adapt to professional qualifications. Friendships and rapports are very essential for any business’ success.
When it comes to negotiating a business deal, Chileans prefer straightforward negotiations where priorities and conditions take precedence. In addition, business people who operate outside Chile must grant their customers in Chile continuous business services and assurances as this removes the isolation mentality common among Chilean businesspersons that arises from their geographical position.
Business people visiting and making deals with their Chile counterparts must understand that pact agreements are rigid and payments must be prompt.
A handshake means much to a businessperson or any other Chilean and foreign business people should make efforts to offer firm handshakes to everyone one present at any time. Failure to exercise this depicts one as proud and may lose business deals. Every business transaction must have a receipt.
Conclusion
Culture is the totality of how people live and interact in their political, social and economic life. Understanding the culture of a people makes it easier for a foreigner to adapt and live with the people as they do business together, socialize and participate in the political process of the society.
References
Global Edge. (2013). Chile: Culture. Web.