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03/02/2009Management culture in Spain

Conducting business in Spain is not just about having long lunches and patience. This handy guide from Expertise in Labour Mobility includes information on business hierarchy, negotiations, and etiquette.

Hierarchy
In Spain, most companies are still hierarchically structured, although the old mindset is changing at high speed. For instance family-owned businesses as well as most government undertakings are run in a traditional Spanish way, i.e. with strictly separated divisions and a strong hierarchical system.

However, the strong hierarchical and bureaucratic organisational culture is changing due to a growing number of young managers educated abroad and changes in Spanish society itself. Throughout the Spanish economy, individualism is predominant in management, whereas teamwork is not so much appreciated.

Strategy
In Spanish organisations, planning does not seem to be that important, mainly “because no one can predict the future.” The strategy of an organisation is the sole responsibility of the managing director or the owner of the company, who trusts more on intuition than on systematic research. 
Meetings
Meetings are merely held to give instructions to and exchange ideas with subordinates; making decisions or reaching consensus is not the key activity. 

Spaniards are very social people. It is not uncommon to discuss matters that are rather personal, even during a first meeting with someone.

You may criticise certain Spanish customs, but do not under any circumstances say anything that might be offending their personal dignity or honour. The first meeting is generally formal and is used to get to know each other. Non-verbal communication may tell you which things are not being said out loud.
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