What are the things you must know about business culture in Morocco?
Most of the people who visit Morocco go there to enjoy touring. However, a few others are only interested in business in Morocco. This doesn’t mean that they won’t enjoy what Morocco has to offer; it just means that they have a different purpose for visiting. For these people, knowing how business culture in Morocco works is something necessary to avoid any potential issues and to better understand Moroccans.
To better understand how business culture works in Morocco, we’re providing this article that will give you a general idea about the subject.
The Fundamentals of Business Culture in Morocco
Moroccan culture is a mixture of Arabic, Berber, Muslim, and Western cultures —mainly France. Hence Moroccan business culture is a complex that takes influences from a variety of principles.
Most Moroccans are practicing Muslims who believe in the Islamic ideals of work seen as the veneration of God, and the Prophet Muhammad’s saying “Who cheated us is not one of us.”
France also played a huge role in shaping Moroccan business culture after the protectorate. Many French business ideals are playing a role in shaping Moroccan culture.
Generally speaking, Morocco’s business culture is strongly hierarchical and depends on relationships, which is the case in most of the countries around the Mediterranean.
In Morocco, decision-making is the role of the people on top. The employees might contribute to the process, but very insignificantly. Their input is not slightly as important as the boss’. Thus the people on top have the whole responsibility of taking decisions. Also, decisions are not taken quickly because they might require several rounds of negotiations.
Building a relationship with a business partner is crucial before making business together for Moroccans. The thing that facilitates relationships is mostly referrals from friends and comrades. Having a friend in common might make the business process a lot friendlier with a Moroccan.
Here are some otherinteresting facts about Morocco.
Making a good first impression with a Moroccan businessman
As we’ve mentioned before, Moroccans prefer to do business with someone after they get to know each other. To make a good first impression with a Moroccan, you’ll have to be willing to have a friendly conversation about something personal or not relevant to the work.
Being too hasty in talking business might leave a bad impression on some people, but not all. Some people might consider that being professional. So, you better leave the person express themselves and react accordingly.
For example, Moroccans from high socio-economic backgrounds tend to be more reserved. And probably would appreciate not getting too personal in the first meeting.
Also, it’s better if you have a French or Arabic interpreter because most of the business is conducted in French and Moroccan Arabic. That way, you can avoid misunderstanding.
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Time Management in Moroccan Business Culture
Punctuality in Morocco isn’t the most important virtue. Moroccans have a looser sense of time than Westerners. Arriving on time for any given meeting is appreciated. However, if you waited a little bit for a Moroccan business partner, don’t be surprised. Moroccans don’t consider it very rude to be late.
Timing an agenda in advance is rarely done, and meetings can start and finish much later than planned.
Greetings and Titles in Moroccan Business
Greeting a Moroccan business person depends on their gender. People from the same-sex might shake hands not too firmly or kiss on the cheeks alternating two to four times.
Some people of the opposite sex are a little bit more conservative and prefer not to touch. In this case, a smile and a slight head nod will do the job very nicely.
Unless the other person says just call me with my name, it’s preferable to use the titles Mrs., Miss, and Mr.
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Gifts in Moroccan business culture
As Arabic and French are the most dominating languages in Morocco, most of the business cards you’ll find have two sides with each language aside.
There are no formal protocols in Morocco surrounding business cards. Just make sure to hand over your business card using your right hand, the left hand is considered sinister in Morocco (no pun intended).
Exchanging gifts in a business setting is not common in Morocco a lot. Nonetheless, if a Moroccan business partner invites you to their home, it’s a nice gesture to bring a gift. Fruits, pastries, flowers, sweets, and chocolate are perfect choices. Make not bring alcohol before making sure that the other person drinks. Most Moroccans are Muslims and think alcohol is evil.
Exchanging gifts after a first business meeting is not too common. Nonetheless, Moroccan business partners may invite you to their home once they get to know you and, in that case, it is strongly recommended to bring a gift. It is appropriate to bring fruit, pastries, and/or flowers. Avoid gifting alcohol unless you are sure that your local counterpart drinks alcohol.
More aboutMoroccan cuisine.
Dress Code in Moroccan Business Culture
Dressing up formally, elegantly, and modestly is a token of professionalism and good manners in Morocco. Women might want to wear something not revealing or provocative in a Moroccan business meeting.
Business Cards in Moroccan Business Culture
As Arabic and French are the most dominating languages in Morocco, most of the business cards you’ll find have two sides with each language aside.
There are no formal protocols in Morocco surrounding business cards. Just make sure to hand over your business card using your right hand, the left hand is considered sinister in Morocco (no pun intended).
How to Manage Meetings in a Moroccan-culture-friendly way?
As mentioned before, business meetings might take more time than scheduled. For that, bringing an Arabic or a French interpreter to facilitate the negotiation process might be required.
Most meetings start casually with small talk. It can be about the weather, late news, family, or sports, particularly soccer. You should avoid taboo subjects like religion, sex, and talking about the Royal Family.
You must keep in mind that Moroccans might avoid direct communication, especially in a negative context. A Moroccan might disagree with you, but to save face and to honor you, might only allude to it indirectly. Double-checking and paying attention to the details of the conversation is something very favorable.
In a business setting with Moroccans, make sure that the most senior person in the room pays attention to your point. You must probably consider addressing them directly. Eye contact is a token of respect, so keep it in mind.
When negotiating, make sure that you reserve some time to discussing pricing. It’s very recommended that you leave the Moroccan business partner to have the last saying, as Moroccans are keen on that. That’s why we recommend suggesting a price that is a little bit inflated to give the Moroccan businessperson the impression of winning the negotiation after reducing the price.
Interrupting is not so rude in Morocco. People might talk at the same time. For that, we suggest that you return to any important points in the conversation later to insure everyone understood.
Traveling to Morocco only to make business is quite a miss. You should definitely enjoy some time exploring the amazing landmarks and landscapes in Morocco. Traveling to somewhere nice in Morocco might just be the thing you need to have something to talk about when meeting a Moroccan. Surely, they would enjoy hearing about your trip.
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