Jessica Wooten FASM 420 Importing to the US
Darling Owla: Business Plan • Mission Statement: ““Darling Owla seeks to offer quality merchandise by offering unique and eclectic designs within a varying price range. Darling Owla creates one of a kind silhouettes, while, keeping social good and ethical practices in mind when outsourcing.”” • Sourcing : Women’s woven tops from El Salvador • Sub-classifications: Cotton blouse, Crop Button Up Top, Short Sleeve Blouse, ¾ Short Sleeve Button Up. • Paying for goods: Letter of credit. • Goal MU of 65%
BWA, Inc • Full service apparel company • American owned • Continuously improve manufacturing resources to maintain highest level of quality, productivity & competitiveness • Majority of product they ship to the US is imported duty free under CAFTA-DR • Social compliance is their highest priority. • Believe in well being of employees in the factory (Medical clinic, daycare, educational facilities (free of charge)
BWA, Inc & El Salvador’s Relationship with the US • • • • • • •
Location : Carretera a Santa Ana, KM 26.5. La Libertad, El Salvador, C.A. Relationship with the US : El Salvador offers an open market for US goods & services Tariffs are low due to the implementation of CAFTA-DR. US & El Salvador have a bilateral commercial relationship The US is El Salvador’s #1 investor & leading trade partner. Majority of El Salvador’s imports come from the US and nearly 50% of El Salvador’s exports go to the US
Traits: El Salvador • Political: According to the US department of Senate, El Salvador has a democratic republic type of government. In the past there have been issues of human rights violations and war reforms. • Economic: GDP (purchasing power parity) : $44.78 B • Growth rate: 2% • GDP per capita: $7600 • Industries: Apparel, Agriculture & Services • Geographic location: Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras • Transportation: Airways, Roadways, Railways, Waterways
Business Etiquette • Masculine or Feminine: Depends, women are making a lot of decisions, but in some areas men are the only ones working • Negotiation Styles: : Decisions, are typically made by the person in a senior level position. Decisions are based on strengthened relationship. Decisions made with intuition rather than fact. • Type of communication: Salvadoran’s • prefer indirect communication • Appropriate business attire:: Formal business attire
Business Etiquette Cont’ • Introductions: Presentation of business cards: Exchanged during introduction. One side of business card needs to be translated in Spanish. • Greetings: Handshakes but not too fim. Eye contact. Use of professional titles. First name basis comes later in the relationship.
Code of Conduct • • • • • • • •
Mission Statement Compliance Labor Human Rights Safety Labor Contacts Grievance System Environment