Business in Peru
Relationships
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Peruvians place a high emphasis on relationship building. This means that networking and personal contacts are extremely important in Peruvian business and drive success.
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Family is the highest priority to Peruvians and the needs of the family are often placed above the needs of the company.
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People in Peru take their time in getting to know their business counterparts before making deals. They will often merge their private and professional lives together, so it should not be a surprise if they ask you questions you may consider personal or private.
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Peruvians appreciate relationships over professional experience.
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Your personal identity is based on the social system and the history of one’s extended family.
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Never switch your company’s representative during the negotiation process; this will break the important relationship with your company.
Hierarchy
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Authority is expected to be respected, so people are addressed by their title. Mr. (Senor) or Mrs. (Senora) and then last name, or Mr. (Senor) or Mrs. (Senora) then professional title (Dr, Engineer, etc.) then last name.
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First names are not to be used unless you are invited to call the person by their first name.
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Business is hierarchical in Peru. Decisions are almost always generated at the top.
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Women are beginning to enter the workforce, but the business world is still dominated by men. Women are encouraged to dress and act with great professionalism to promote equality in the workplace.
Is this Heirachal structure changing and evolving like it is in the U.S.?