BUSINESS ETIQUETTE IN THE PHILIPPINES
BUSINESS ETIQUETTE IN THE PHILIPPINES
Doing business in the Philippines is not difficult at all. Even before the country was occupied by its many colonizers, i.e. the Spaniards, Americans and Japanese, it has always been actively trading with many foreigners like the Chinese, the Arabs. Hindus and the Malays.
Barter was the early form of business wherein Chinese, Arabs, Hindus and Malays would bring to the islands their goods in exchange for native produce of the natives. Today, more sophisticated ways to doing business in the Philippines lead to multi-million contracts.
The Spanish conquistadors introduced Christianity to the Philippines. They saw the islands an ideal hub for commerce with Manila and Cebu as strategic trading ports. The seat of government was first established in Cebu and later moved to Manila in 1571. Spanish colonization lasted from the 16th to the 19th century or 333 years, and was marked by a series of uprisings. Filipinos waged Asia’s first nationalist revolution in 1896 and won their independence from Spain on June 12, 1898.
The Americans came after the Spaniards left and introduced their educational and legal systems as well as their democratic form of government. The American ruled for 48 years until World War II broke out in 1941 and the Philippines was annexed by the Japanese for 4 years. The US forces returned to liberate the Filipinos and on July 4, 1946, the Americans finally recognized Philippine independence.
Before a foreign businessman can transact business in the Philippines and create a significant volume of business, one must observe certain practices that are commonly noted in the Philippines. As the saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
I have listed down the top eight most important things to remember when doing business in the Philippines.
(1) Courtesy
Filipinos value respect and courtesy. We respect superiors as well as peers and subordinates. We particular give much
Doing business in the Philippines is not difficult at all. Even before the country was occupied by its many colonizers, i.e. the Spaniards, Americans and Japanese, it has always been actively trading with many foreigners like the Chinese, the Arabs. Hindus and the Malays.
Barter was the early form of business wherein Chinese, Arabs, Hindus and Malays would bring to the islands their goods in exchange for native produce of the natives. Today, more sophisticated ways to doing business in the Philippines lead to multi-million contracts.
The Spanish conquistadors introduced Christianity to the Philippines. They saw the islands an ideal hub for commerce with Manila and Cebu as strategic trading ports. The seat of government was first established in Cebu and later moved to Manila in 1571. Spanish colonization lasted from the 16th to the 19th century or 333 years, and was marked by a series of uprisings. Filipinos waged Asia’s first nationalist revolution in 1896 and won their independence from Spain on June 12, 1898.
The Americans came after the Spaniards left and introduced their educational and legal systems as well as their democratic form of government. The American ruled for 48 years until World War II broke out in 1941 and the Philippines was annexed by the Japanese for 4 years. The US forces returned to liberate the Filipinos and on July 4, 1946, the Americans finally recognized Philippine independence.
Before a foreign businessman can transact business in the Philippines and create a significant volume of business, one must observe certain practices that are commonly noted in the Philippines. As the saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
I have listed down the top eight most important things to remember when doing business in the Philippines.
(1) Courtesy
Filipinos value respect and courtesy. We respect superiors as well as peers and subordinates. We particular give much