Cote d’Ivoire - Selling Factors and Techniques Cote d’Ivoire - Selling Factors
Ivoirians are generally positive toward U.S. firms, but language and cultural barriers can create problems. Some Ivoirians are suspicious of large foreign businesses, so it is important for U.S. companies to establish and maintain a high level of personal contact if they wish to be successful. It is difficult to mount a successful enterprise via telephone, fax or internet connections alone, as many Ivoirians prefer initial face-to-face contact before engaging with an overseas partner. Yet, despite differing business styles, Ivoirians generally respect the United States, welcome U.S. products, and encourage U.S. investment in Côte d’Ivoire. It is often expected that foreign-owned businesses will partner with Ivoirians. Côte d’Ivoire maintains strong historical, cultural and economic links with France. However, increasingly young Ivoirians prefer a North American university education over a French one. Younger generations have been exposed to American culture through travel, sports, film, technology, general consumer goods, and business. This increasing exposure to U.S. culture and the English language should continue, helping to further U.S. business interests. A number of universities and leadership schools offering business and technical training in English have opened in the past several years.
Ivoirians are in general extremely polite and rather formal, and it is customary to greet everyone that one meets. Even a long-term partner or business contact is usually greeted with an exchange of pleasantries, followed by a handshake and inquiries about one's health, family and relatives. While coming to the point directly is admired in American culture, Ivoirians tend to be more reserved and patient, and some may, in fact, view the straight-forward manner of many Americans as disturbing. Ivoirians prefer regular, face-to-face contact; in fact, personal visits are warmly welcomed. While visits may not be the most efficient method of transacting business, they are generally regarded as more effective in obtaining results. For Ivoirians, trust in a business relationship is paramount and cannot be achieved sight unseen. The cornerstone of a successful business relationship is to adapt to a business pace and life that is different than that of the United States.
The Lebanese community plays an important role in business in Côte d’Ivoire, particularly in retail, wholesale, and processing. There are about 130,000 Lebanese in Côte d’Ivoire, most living in Abidjan. As a group, they are very receptive to U.S. products and U.S. company representatives, and they are generally conversant in English. However, French is still their preferred language for business transactions.
The Lebanese community plays an important role in business in Côte d’Ivoire, particularly in retailing, wholesaling, and processing. There are about 130,000 Lebanese in Côte d’Ivoire, most living in Abidjan. As a group, they are very receptive to U.S. products and U.S. company representatives, and they are generally conversant in English. However, French is still their preferred language for business transactions.