Spectrum Group Consulting Services

General Information:

Culture:

Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Colombia.
Tejo is the traditional national sport of Colombia. Tejo is a team sport that involves launching objects at a target.
Colombia is the third largest exporter of coffee in the world after Brazil and Vietnam.
Colombia can be considered a hierarchical society where people earn respect due to age and position.
When going to a Colombian's home, bring fruit, a potted plant, or quality chocolates for the hostess.
Age is valued in Colombia. The older a person is, the more powerful their voice becomes. Elders are revered throughout the country.

Doing Business In Colombia

It is courteous to shake hands both upon meeting and departing. However, men should wait for a woman to extend her hand.
If you're carrying business cards, it's thoughtful to have one side translated into Spanish.
During business meetings, there may be an agenda, but they do not always follow a linear path.
Relationship building is crucial - it may be a good idea to invest time in establishing trust for the first few meetings.
Colombians can sometimes be 'indirect communicators' meaning they tell you more with their body language and context rather than their words; people often to communicate in this way to protect valued relationships and face.
People used to speaking directly and openly must tame their communication style because it may cause offense.
Although they can be indirect, Colombians can also be very animated when speaking. This should not be mistaken for aggression!

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March 11, 2019