How do Colombians do business?

Business in Colombia is run traditionally with established hierarchies. Decisions will come from key senior employees. Those decision points will happen in-office, while meals are for creating personal relationships. Those relationships are critical to ongoing business and the decisions at hand.

Is Colombia a high context culture?

Colombia has a high context culture where meaning is greatly influenced by the context in which the communication is made and by the relationship among those who are communicating. The American culture is lower context, where meaning is less influenced by the situation and those involved in the communication.

What do Colombian people value?

The main values were success, maturity and affection. The least important were power, tradition, beauty and emotion.

What are some social norms in Colombia?

Etiquette

• Cover your mouth when yawning.
• It is rude to speak with your hands in your pockets or chew gum with your mouth open.
• Slouching and leaning against things is bad form.
• Punctuality is not tight in Colombia.
• Avoid slamming a car or house’s door unless it will not shut without force.

How is the Colombian culture?

Colombian culture is very similar to a lot of other Latin American countries, with a few special elements that make it unique. The geographical makeup of Colombia, with its treacherousness of the terrain and sheer variety of climates, made communication and travel very difficult and therefore helped foster regionalism.

What are the Colombian beliefs?

Colombia does not have an official religion. However, Roman Catholicism is the dominant faith and deeply culturally pervasive. While the national department of statistics does not record the religious affiliations of the population, various studies and surveys suggest approximately 90\% of Colombians are Christian.

Is Columbia individualistic or collectivist?

Colombians are competitive and status-oriented, yet collectivistic rather than Individualist. This means that competition is directed towards members of other groups (or social classes), not towards those who are perceived as members of your own in-group.

What is important about Colombian culture?

Columbian People and Community Family life is extremely important in Colombian culture (as it is in many Latin American cultures due to the influence of the Catholic religion). For most Colombians, family is the basic element of community and social order. Families are very close, and they stay close.

What is unique about Colombian culture?

What influenced Colombian culture?

Many aspects of Colombian culture can be traced back to the early culture of Spain of the 16th century and its collision with Colombia’s native civilizations (see: Muisca, Tayrona). The Spanish brought Catholicism, the feudal encomienda system, and a caste system that favored European-born whites.

What influences Colombian culture?

Colombia’s contemporary culture reflects a colourful blend of Spanish, African and indigenous influences that have melded together over the centuries since European colonisation .

What is important to Colombian culture?

Family life is extremely important in Colombian culture (as it is in many Latin American cultures due to the influence of the Catholic religion). For most Colombians, family is the basic element of community and social order. Families are very close, and they stay close.

What is the business culture like in Colombia?

The importance of family is also evident in Colombian business culture where often family members will be found working for the same company and many companies are family owned. Indirect Communication – Colombians tend to communicate in an indirect and subtle manner. It is important to not offend others and always be as diplomatic as possible.

What are the challenges faced by foreign businesses in Colombia?

Local laws, corporate procedures, language conventions, and cultural differences can pose a challenge for foreign executives looking to enter the Colombian market, so it pays to get clued up on local business customs.

How does family influence individual behaviour in Colombia?

Close ties between extended families and communities can have a major influence on individual behaviour. The importance of family is also evident in Colombian business culture where often family members will be found working for the same company and many companies are family owned.

What is the way of communication in Colombia?

Indirect Communication – Colombians tend to communicate in an indirect and subtle manner. It is important to not offend others and always be as diplomatic as possible. Meaning is conveyed through non-verbal forms of communication and often a Colombian will say ‘yes’ or ‘maybe’ instead of saying ‘no’ to avoid losing face and maintain harmony.