Ibis presents

1
Ibis presents

• The culture of
• Argentina

2
Cultural Development
Buenos Aires

• Constitution of 1853
• Era of Immigration (1853-1895)
• Germans and Italians
• Agriculture and livestock
• 20th Century
• Maintained culture despite economic and
  
• political instability

3
Geographic Regions

• Buenos Aires
• Northern Region
• Pampas
• Cuyo
• Patagonia

4
Religion and Education
Patagonia

• Majority are Roman Catholic
• Respect for ancestors
• Honoring national heroes
• 94 literacy rate
• Mandatory education
• Universities are free

5
Important Influences on Argentine Culture

• Gaucho
• Family
• Religion
• Political History
• Futbol (1986 world cup victory)
• Falkland War (1982 war with England)

6
Individual Argentine Values

• Individuality (gauchada)
• Creatures of Habit
• Speak with Candor
• Male dominated society
• Psycho Analysis

7
Doing Business in Argentina

• Prefer to do business face to face
• Prefer to build individual relationships before
  doing business
• Team oriented
• Detail oriented
• No bargaining
• Overly aggressive business behavior is frowned
  upon

8
Business Meetings

• Hierarchy
• United front negotiations
• Dont get to business right away
• Time is a flexible concept
• Have a Spanish speaker among your delegation
• Have your details

9
Business Etiquette

• Working hours
• - 830-500 in government
• - 900-1200 pm, then lunch, 300-830 pm
• Greetings and interaction
• Appearance
• - Dress to Impress, appearance is very important
  
• - Business suites are the norm for men and women
• Body language
• Propinas (incentive payments)

10
So Shall We Tango?

• Futbol is king
• Tango
• Manu Ginobili
• Theater/Music/Nightlife
• Meat/wine
• Mate

11
Political Climate

• Federal system
• Constitution of 1853
• Theoretical balance of power
• Nestor Kirchner, took office May 03
• Former governor of oil-rich Santa Cruz province

12
Economic Climate

• Defaulted on debt December 2001
• Today Faced with 90 billion debt
• JP Morgan's Chief Economist for Argentina and
  Chile, Vladimir Werning forecasts a 6.5 rise in
  (GDP) for 2003
• Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna's negotiations
  with the IMF for a new loan

13
Business Impact

• Establish local presence in Buenos Aires
• Hire locally
• Social business forums Lions Club, U.S. Embassy
  Meet and Greet events
• Boca Juniors vs. River Plate Football rivalry
• Opera at the Colon theater

14
Questions?

• Passport Argentina Your Pocket Guide to
  Argentine Business, Customs Etiquette (Passport
  to the World)by Andrea Mandel-Cambell, Jaime
  Campos, Barbara Szerlip (Editor)
• Complete Business Etiquette Handbookby Barbara
  Pachter, Marjorie Brody