Mel boteri Project

MEL BOTERI MIKI XU KIKI MCCALLA

BRAND

“Inspiring women to discover their personal style, and to express it through one-of-a-kind, custom and bespoke accessories.”

MESSAGE

CONTENTS

1 2

The Brand • Meet Melanie • Brand Mission • Special Moments

Product Line • Lineup Information • Imported From...

CONTENTS

3

Hecho En España • Traits of the Country • Contributing Factors • S.W.O.T. • Culture Type • Styles and Strategies • Types of Communication • Social and Cultural Elements • Business Elements • Trade Agreements

4

Import Plan • ‘The Kat’ Tote • Kat Cost Sheet • Diana Tote/Backpack • Diana Cost Sheet • HTS Code • Freight Cost • Documents

THE BRAND

Melanie Muller FOUNDER & CEO In 2009, Melanie began her dream of starting her own accessories line aimed at creating a personalized shopping experience that’d combat the “one-size-fits-most, mass produced designs” in today’s market. The idea first came to her, however, while she was working towards her MBA at Emory University in Atlanta. She had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to intern with designer Zac Posen’s marketing team in New York and get an insider view of the luxury fashion industry where she realized something was missing. Even though she does not have an designing experience, it runs in her blood as her grandmother used to handknit handbags in her hometown of Columbia. And with her genuine gift of creating unique, luxury handbags women love and marketing skills she’s turned Mel Boteri into into a brand recognized from E! News to The Atlantan to Vogue.

SIX YEARS

“In a marketplace saturated with “one-size-fits-all,” flashy merchandise, it is becoming more and more difficult to distinguish yourself from the masses with quality and class.

For the modern woman with discerning taste, Mel Boteri offers the opportunity to shop and co-design unique leather handbags and accessories that are a true representation of the customers personal style.

They deliver on their values of craftsmanship and personalized service through our small production with higher quality, versus mass manufactuing and less attention to detail. Each Mel Boteri piece and all leathers and components are carefully sourced from European suppliers who hold high standards of quality control and fair labor practices.

Their mission is to offer the ultimate luxury experience through their distinctive collection of leather handbags and accessories.

OF SUCCESS

Lea Michele and Becca Tobin get custom B.F.F. tassels

Fashion blogger Kerrently (292k followers) posts multiple #ootd with a Mel Boteri handbag

Kelly Rowland appeared on a show with a Mel Boteri bag

Mel Boteri does a collaboration with Mercedes-Benz USA

Blogger FitFabFunMom (109k followers) posts an article featuring Mel Boteri as a top place to shop for holiday sales

Jezebel Magazine features Mel Boteri’s new tassel accesories in their Best Of 2016 issue

Urban Lux magazine features Mel Boteri’s class tote in the July 2014 issue

British Vogue features Mel Boteri in their “Arm Candy” article.

Mattieologie.com interviews Mel Boteri on her blog.

The Atlantan Magazine features Mel Boteri’s in their October Travel issue

Atlanta Brides features Mel Boteri in their July 2013 issue

Mel Boteri is featured on E!’s Fashion Police as a celebrity accessory.

PRODUCT LINE

Current Lineup 53 handbags and accessories Price Range $150.00 to $2,495.00 Average Product Price $1,000.000 to $1,500.000 Newest Products • Customizable “Nice To Meet You” business card holder • Customizable tassels in suede or leather Specialities Their bespoke process. You create a custom handbag to your exact specifications. Start with picking out the body of the bag, choose your preferred leather and color(s), and latest hardware, and you’ll have your custom bag within four to six weeks.

Brand Quirks Most of the handbags are made-to-order and will arrive in four to six weeks unless it is requested for a quirker delivery Additionally • You can borrow a Mel Boteri bag for that one special night!

Europe Alicante, Spain Today, all Mel Boteri products are manufactured in Alicante, Spain. A small town on the coastline of the country. The only aspect not manufactured there is the hardware which is created in Naples, Italy.

Before this, however, some products were produced in New York, and before that, all the handbags were produced in Italy.

Melanie recently, switched production to Spain.

HECHO EN ESPAÑA

TRAITS OF THE COUNTRY SOCIAL/CULTURAL Culturally, Spain is a Western country. Almost every aspect of Spanish life is permeated by its Roman heritage, making Spain one of the major Latin countries of Europe. Spanish culture is marked by strong historic ties to Catholicism, which played a pivotal role in the country’s formation and subsequent identity. Spanish art, architecture, cuisine, and music has been shaped by successive waves of foreign invaders, as well as by the country’s Mediterranean climate and geography. The centuries-long colonial era globalised Spanish language and culture, with Spain also absorbing the cultural and commercial products of its diverse empire.

World Heritage Sites It should be noted that after Italy (49) and China (45), Spain is the third country in the world with the most World Heritage Sites Art Artists from Spain have been highly influential in the development of various European artistic movements. Due to historical, geographical and generational diversity, Spanish art has known a great number of influences. The Moorish heritage in Spain, especially in Andalusia, is still evident today and European influences include Italy, Germany and France, especially during the Baroque and Neoclassical periods.

Cinema Spanish cinema has achieved major international success including Oscars for recent films such as Pan’s Labyrinth and Volver.

In the long history of Spanish cinema, the great filmmaker Luis Buñuel was the first to achieve world recognition, followed by Pedro Almodóvar in the 1980s (La Movida Madrileña). Mario Camus and Pilar Miró worked together in Curro Jiménez.

Music Spanish music is often considered abroad to be synonymous with flamenco, a West Andalusian musical genre, which, contrary to popular belief, is not widespread outside that region. Various regional styles of folk music abound in Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia, Castile, the Basque Country, Galicia and Asturias. Pop, rock, hip hop and heavy metal are also popular.

Cuisine Spanish cuisine consists of a great variety of dishes which stem from differences in geography, culture and climate. It is heavily influenced by seafood available from the waters that surround the country, and reflects the country’s deep Mediterranean roots. Spain’s extensive history with many cultural influences has led to a unique cuisine. In particular, three main divisions are easily identified: Sport While varieties of football had been played in Spain as far back as Roman times, sport in Spain has been dominated by English style association football since the early 20th century. Real Madrid C.F. and FC Barcelona are two of the most successful football clubs in the world. The country’s national football team won the UEFA European Football Championship in 1964, 2008 and 2012 and the FIFA World Cup in 2010, and is the first team to ever win three back-to-back major international tournaments.

POLITICAL Type Constitutional Monarchy; Proclaimed on November 22nd, 1975 by King Juan Carlos I Constitution 1978 Branches Executive-president of government nominated by monarch, subject to approval by democratically elected Congress of Deputies. Legislative-bicameral Cortes: a 350-seat Congress of Deputies (elected by the d’Hondt system of proportional representation) and a Senate. Four senators are elected in each of 47 peninsular provinces, 16 are elected from the three island provinces, and Ceuta and Melilla elect two each; this accounts for 208 senators. The parliaments of the 17 autonomous regions also elect one senator as well as one additional senator for every 1 million inhabitants within their territory (about 20 senators). Judicial-Constitutional Tribunal has jurisdiction over constitutional issues. Supreme Tribunal heads system comprising territorial, provincial, regional, and municipal courts.

Subdivisions Fourty-seven peninsular and three island provinces; two enclaves on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco (Ceuta and Melilla) and three island groups along that coast-Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and the Chafarinas Islands.

Political Parties Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), Popular Party (PP), and the United Left (IU) coalition. Key regional parties are the Convergence and Union (CIU) in Catalonia and the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) in the Basque country.

The Royal Palace in Madrid

ECONOMIC Spain’s capitalist mixed economy is the 16th largest worldwide and the 5th largest in the European Union, as well as the Eurozone’s 4th largest.

Since the 1990s some Spanish companies have gained multinational status, often expanding their activities in culturally close Latin America. Spain is the second biggest foreign investor there,after the United States. Spanish companies have also expanded into Asia, especially China and India. This early global expansion is a competitive advantage over its competitors and European neighbours. The reason for this early expansion is the booming interest towards Spanish language and culture in Asia and Africa and a corporate culture that learned to take risks in unstable markets.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (est. 2016) $1.563 Trillion Growth Rate 3.2% Gross Domestic Product Per Capita (est. 2013) $29,863.18

Spain’s GDP Growth

Spain’s Average Nomial Monthly Wage

Spain’s Unemployment Rate

GEOGRAPHIC Spain lies between latitudes 26° and 44° N, and longitudes 19° W and 5° E. With an area of 505,990km2 (195,360 sq mi), Spain is the largest country in Southern Europe, the world’s fifty-second largest country and Europe’s fourth largest country.

The capital of Spain is Madrid. On the west, Spain is bordered by Portugal; on the south, it is bordered by Gibraltar (a British overseas territory) and Morocco, through its exclaves in North Africa (Ceuta and Melilla, and the peninsula of Vélez de la Gomera). On the northeast, along the Pyrenees mountain range, it is bordered by France and the Principality of Andorra. Along the Pyrenees in Girona, a small exclave town called Llívia is surrounded by France.

Spain’s Geography

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS LABOR Total in Spain was last measured at 23306716 in 2014, according to the World Bank. Total labor force comprises people ages 15 and older who meet the International Labour Organization definition of the economically active population: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period. It includes both the employed and the unemployed. While national practices vary in the treatment of such groups as the armed forces and seasonal or part-time workers, in general the labor force includes the armed forces, the unemployed, and first-time job-seekers, but excludes homemakers and other unpaid caregivers and workers in the informal sector.This page has the latest values, historical data, forecasts, charts, statistics, an economic calendar and news for Labor force - total in Spain.

By Occupations Agriculture 4.2% Industry 2.0% Services 71.7% (est. 2009)

Spain’s Labor Force (est. 2014)

PRODUCTS Top Five Exports 1. Vehicles 2. Machines 3. Oil 4. Electronic Equipment 5. Pharmaceuticals Top Five Import Partners 1. Germany 14.4% 2. France 11.7% 3. China 7% 4. Italy 6.5% 5. Netherlands 5%

Top Five Export Partners (est. 2015) 1. France 15.7% 2. Germany 11% 3. Italy 7.4% 4. United Kingdom 7.4% 5. Portugal 7.1%

Top Five Imports 1. Machinery and Equipment 2. Fuels 3. Chemicals 4. Semifinished Goods 5. Foodstuffs

Railways Totals (est. 2004) 14,781km Iberian Gauge 11,829km Standard Gauge 998km Narrow Gauge 1,954km

Road Systems In Total (est. 2008) 681,298km Expressways (est. 2012) 16,204km

TRANSPORTATION Airports (est. 2006) 455 Airports with Paved Runway 96 Airports with Unpaved Runway 61 Heliports 298 Waterways 1,045km

Merchant Marine Total 169 Bulk Carrier 9 Cargo 13 Chemical Tanker 14 Container 27 Liquefied Gas 9 Passenger 1 Passenger/Cargo 49 Petroleum Tanker 15 Refrigerated Cargo 5 Roll On/Roll Off 20 Specialized Tanker 2 Vehicle Carrier 5

Top Ports and Harbors (***no particular order) 1. Algeciras 2. Barcelona 3. Valencia and Bilbao 4. Cádiz 5. Cartagena 6. Ceuta 7. Huelva 8. A Coruña 9. Las Palmas 10. Málaga

BUSINESS CLIMATE Setting up a business amid an economic downturn is always more risky and there are several facts to consider before you decide to set up a company in Spain.

According to the Global Competitiveness Report for 2008 and 2009 by the World Economic Forum, Spain ranks 29 out of 134 countries for the second consecutive year.

Competitive factors in Spain despite the economic crisis are globalisation of markets, well-developed infrastructures, and good business strategies. However the report also points out that Spain lacks in research and development investment and flexibility in the job markets.

Another report – Global Technology Report for 2008 and 2009 – ranks Spain at 34th position, three positions down from the previous year. This study emphasises Spain has not been as competitive in the information technology market as other countries. This report highlights Spain would profit by paying more attention to innovations in the fields of energy, mobility, health and environment.

Income Tax in Spain According to current legislation, new businesses and SMEs who have a total of EUR 8 million revenue can apply for a 25 percent taxation rate up to EUR 120, 000 instead of the standard 30 percent.

As of 2009, a new incentive to prevent worBkers from being laid off was established for companies of all sizes.

Companies who do not reduce staff in the subsequent 24 months will be allowed to apply for 25 percent taxation on their business profits instead of the usual 30 percent.

Market Size Spain with its 46 million people, where 12 percent are migrants, has had a stable market size for the last decade.

However, the recent economic recession had an impact on local economy. There has been no mass exodus of foreigners as in other European countries, but it is common knowledge that market for commodities has reduced over the last 18 months since the start of recession.

Workforce Availability According to INE, Spain accounts for over four million unemployed. Unemployment has increased in all economic sectors and has affected female and male workers of all ages.

There is a massive availability of very skilled workers who are likely to take on jobs even though the pay is not too high. As opposed to previous years, companies would be able to hire locals who have 10 years of expertise with the same pay offered to a fresh graduate. Most Spanish companies believe that new graduates are an asset because they can be moulded to fit the company philosophy. Thus, experienced workers that become unemployed cannot ask for more than graduates.

Cost of Living According to ExpansiĂłn, one of the major Spanish newspapers in the fields of economics and politics, the cost of living has increased by two percent over the year 2009.

Goods are more expensive, petrol prices are up 30 percent in less than 12 months and all these in addition to higher taxes. According to their study, price of water, bus and taxi fares have increased over 6 percent. Electricity prices are up by almost four percent and shopping basket by almost 10 percent.

STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

• Competitive cost on transport of goods • Highly efficient transportation systems • Stable political situations • Availability of quality, qualified suppliers • Advanced technology and network • Always extending intellectual property rights in bilateral trades

• Language differences can make it hard to communicate • Different cultural backgrounds • The low speed of importing shipping containers (Six days; Rank 21) • Relatively high cost to import a shipping container

S.W.O.T. ANALYSIS OF IMPORTING FROM SPAIN

OPPORTUNITIES

THREATS

• As a member of the European Union, Spain has great relationships with neighboring countries which makes it easy to enlarge business • They have more open attitude to do businesses with other countries • Spain’s government encourages new business by developing benefits like low labor and transport costs • Keeps creating a welcoming environment for foreign investment

• According to CIA reports, Spain’s market competitiveness is declining • The fluctuation of the euro • The European Union keeps asking for higher tariffs especially for manufacturing products • The unemployment rate of Spain keeps increasing

CULTURE TYPES The cultures of Spain are European cultures based on a variety of historical influences, primarily that of Ancient Rome, but also the pre-Roman Celtic and Iberian culture, and that of the Phoenicians and the Moors. In the areas of language and religion, the Ancient Romans left a lasting legacy.

STYLES AND STRATEGIES NEGOTIATION STYLES AND STRATEGIES Though the country’s culture is quite homogeneous, Spanish businesspeople, especially those among younger generations, are usually experienced in interacting and doing business with visitors from other cultures. However, many may expect things to be done ‘their way.’ You should strive to understand, and occasionally emulate, their behavior in order to gain acceptance of your Spanish counterparts. Ways of doing business are gradually changing in Spain. While more and more Spanish companies have received foreign investment and embraced modern management techniques, many industries and enterprises still hold on to the traditional style of doing business.

The information given in this section focuses more on the latter and may thus not always apply in full.

For the business matters to be discussed during a meeting, it is important to follow a set agenda so that the discussion does not stray too far from the topic. You should ensure that your presentation is clear and that everyone in the meeting is able to follow and understand the discussion. Be particularly careful here since Spanish people will not admit that they are having difficulties in front of others, as the loss of face is viewed negatively in Spain. It is therefore recommended that you provide a printout of the executive summary of your presentation in Spanish.

ATTITUDES AND STYLES Leveraging relationships is an important element when negotiating in Spain. Nevertheless, Spaniards often employ distributive and contingency bargaining. While the buyer is in a superior position, both sides in a business deal own the responsibility to reach agreement. They expect long-term commitments from their business partners and will focus mostly on long-term benefits. Although the primary negotiation style is competitive, Spaniards nevertheless value long term relationships. While proposals should demonstrate the benefits to both negotiating parties, neither of them should take attempts to win competitive advantages negatively. It is important to remain non-confrontational throughout the bargaining exchange. Ultimately, the culture promotes a win-win approach.

You will earn your counterparts’ respect by maintaining a positive, persistent attitude. Should a dispute arise at any stage of a negotiation, you might be able to reach resolution by focusing on logical arguments and facts. Ask your counterparts to suggest alternatives if needed. As a last resort, it may be effective to bring in the top managers on both sides and let them work it out.

SHARING OF INFORMATION Even when personal relationships are strong, your Spanish counterparts may be reluctant to share information openly. Many believe that privileged information creates bargaining advantages. In addition, figures and numbers can be unreliable in this dialog-driven culture, which could make them misleading.

PACE OF NEGOTATION Expect negotiations to be very slow and protracted. Spaniards do not hurry and dislike people who do. Be prepared to make several trips if necessary to achieve your objectives. Relationship building, information gathering, bargaining, and decision making may take considerable time. Attempts to rush the process are unlikely to produce better results and may be viewed as offensive. Throughout the negotiation, be patient, control your emotions, and accept that delays occur. Most Spaniards prefer a polychronic work style. They are used to pursuing multiple actions and goals in parallel. When negotiating, they often take a holistic approach and may jump back and forth between topics rather than addressing them in sequential order. Negotiators from strongly monochronic cultures, such as Germany, the United Kingdom, or the United States, may find this style confusing, irritating, and even annoying. In any case, do not show irritation or anger when encountering this behavior. Instead, keep track of the bargaining progress at all times, often emphasizing areas where agreement already exists. If your counterparts appear to be stalling the negotiation, assess carefully whether their slowing down the process indicates that they are evaluating alternatives or that they are not interested in doing business with you. While such behavior could represent attempts to create time pressure in order to obtain concessions, the slow decision process in the country is far more likely causing the lack of progress. People from fast-paced cultures tend to underestimate how much time this takes and often make the mistake of trying to ‘speed things up.’ Again, patience and persistence are vitally important.

DECISION MAKING Most companies tend to be very hierarchical, and people expect to work within clearly established lines of authority. Communication is expected to take place across similar levels in the hierarchy and it could damage the respect you enjoy if you spent much time and attention on someone you outrank. Decision makers are usually senior executives who are often autocratic but will consider the best interest of the group or organization. They may consult with others before making the call. Subordinates may be reluctant to accept responsibility. Decision makers also rarely delegate their authority, so it is important to deal with senior executives. Gaining access to top managers can be difficult, though. You may have to deal with subordinates who could strongly influence the final decision. Maintaining good relationships with these intermediaries is crucial to your success. Decision making can take a long time and requires patience. Attempts to rush or put pressure on the process is an affront to Spanish business protocol. When making decisions, business people usually consider the specific situation rather than applying universal principles. Personal feelings and experiences weigh more strongly than empirical evidence and other objective facts do. Spaniards are often uneasy with change and reluctant to take risks. If you expect them to support a risky decision, you may need to fi nd ways for them to become comfortable with it first, for instance by explaining contingency plans, outlining areas of additional support, or by offering guarantees and warranties.

BARGAINING Most Spaniards enjoy bargaining and haggling. They expect to do a lot of it during a negotiation and may get suspicious if you refuse to play along. Surprisingly strong emotions and many exaggerations may accompany the process. However, Spanish negotiators are more likely to focus on the big picture rather than negotiating point-by-point. Many will concentrate on reaching principal agreement, believing that they can always work out the details later. The bargaining exchange can be extensive. Prices may move by 40 percent or more between initial offers and final agreement. Leave yourself a lot of room for concessions at different stages. However, concessions may not come easily, and Spaniards sometimes find it difficult to change their position. If they appear argumentative, it is important to remain cool and respectful, avoid confrontation, and frequently reaffirm the relationship. If needed, show willingness to compromise as a way to preserve the honor of both parties. However, it is best not to admit errors as doing so may hurt your credibility. After making concessions, always ask the other side to reciprocate. You can use the fact that aspects can be re-visited to your advantage, for instance by offering further concessions under the condition that the Spanish side reciprocate in areas that had already been agreed upon. While Spaniards generally prefer a straightforward negotiation style, they also use deceptive techniques, such as telling lies and sending fake non-verbal messages, pretending to be disinterested in the whole deal or in single concessions, misrepresenting an item’s value, or making false demands and concessions. Your Spanish counterparts may make other attempts to mislead you in order to obtain bargaining advantages. Do not take such tactics personally and refrain from lying at or grossly misleading your counterparts, as doing so might damage business relationships. Even when you can see right through a lie, it would be a grave personal insult to state or even hint that your counterpart is not telling the truth. It is advisable to verify information received from the local side through other channels. ‘Good cop, bad cop’ is a tactic that Spaniards rarely use, though it could be effective on either side of the negotiation table. However, it could be devastating if the other side recognized this as a tactic, and your team will need to exclude any ‘bad cop’ member from future negotiation rounds. Business people are usually too proud to claim or admit that they have only limited authority, even if it is true. Negotiators in the country may use pressure techniques that include making final offers or nibbling. Final offers may come more than once and are rarely fi nal. Be careful when using tactics such as opening with your best offer, showing intransigence, applying time pressure, or making decreasing or expiring offers. Spaniards may consider these inappropriate or even insulting. Silence can be an effective way to signal rejection of a proposal. Spanish negotiators avoid openly aggressive or adversarial techniques. While they may make indirect threats and warnings or subtly display anger, they will be careful not to appear aggressive when doing so. Extreme openings are not frequently used since they may adversely affect the relationship, so be very cautious when using the tactic yourself. Never walk out or threaten to do so in an aggressive fashion as your counterparts will likely take this as a personal insult and may end all talks. However, threatening a ‘friendly walkout’ while strongly emphasizing the relationship may be very effective. Emotional negotiation techniques, such as attitudinal bargaining, attempting to make you feel guilty, or appealing to personal relationships, are frequent and can be effective. Be cautious not to hurt someone’s personal pride when employing any of these tactics, though. At times, defensive tactics such as blocking or changing the subject, asking probing or very direct questions, or making promises may be used. Note that opening with written offers and attempting to introduce writt en terms and conditions as a negotiation tactic is rarely successful. In most cases, businesspeople ignore or tactfully reject them and request that each aspect be negotiated individually. Corruption and bribery are rare in Spain, though not completely unheard of. Both legally and ethically, it is advisable to stay away from giving gifts of significant value or making offers that could be read as bribery.

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION The country’s official language is Castilian Spanish . There are also Catalan -, Basque -, and Galician - speaking minorities in the country. Though many businesspeople speak at least some English, it may nevertheless be useful to engage an interpreter, especially when meeting with older high-ranking managers. To avoid offending the other side, ask beforehand whether an interpreter should be present at a meeting. When communicating in English, speak in short, simple sentences and avoid using jargon and slang. It will help people with a limited command of English if you speak slowly, summarize your key points often, and pause frequently to allow for interpretation. Spaniards will rarely admit it if they do not understand parts of the conversation. Even when the main meeting language is English, your counterparts may frequently speak Spanish among themselves, not necessarily to shut you out from the discussion but to reduce their discomfort and ensure a common understanding among them. While discussions may sometimes get lively, the Spanish dislike loud and boisterous behavior. At restaurants, especially those used for business lunches and dinners, keep conversations at a quiet level. Emotions other than passion are rarely shown in public, and self-control is seen as a virtue. Interrupting others or speaking in parallel is acceptable, though. People generally converse standing around two to three feet apart, which is not as close as in many Latin American cultures. Communication in Spain is rather indirect.

Spaniards prefer to be careful about what they say and how they say it. People may not get straight to the point when trying to get a message across. In addition, they may tell you what they think you want to hear rather than what they really think. They might insist that everything is in perfect order, even when this is not the case. Silence is rare and usually signals that there is a serious problem. You may have to read between the lines or watch for nonverbal clues to understand what is being conveyed. In difficult situations, look for other contacts in your network that may be able to help you find out or interpret what is going on. It is beneficial to use a similarly indirect approach when dealing with Spaniards, as they may perceive you as rude and pushy if you are too direct. The communication may become a little more direct and frank once a strong relationship has been established.

Gestures and body language are often lively, though not as extensive as in Italy. There may be frequent physical contact with others of the same gender. When pointing at people or objects, use your open hand rather than a finger. Eye contact should be frequent, almost to the point of staring. This conveys sincerity and helps build trust.

Anger may sometimes be masked with a smile.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL

APPROPRIATE BUSINESS ATTIRE

Spanish people are very conscious of personal presentation and will perceive your appearance as an indication of your professional achievement and relative social standing. Thus, it is important to dress in a manner that demonstrates professionalism, style and a serious approach to business. It is advisable to dress with elegance and use only top-quality materials in subdued colours. Designer clothes are particularly recommended and elegant accessories are important for both men and women.

For men, dark woollen or linen suits and silk ties with white cotton shirts are recommended. As Spanish weather can be very hot, it is usually acceptable to wear lightweight suits, to loosen one’s tie and throw one’s jacket over one’s shoulder. If in doubt, simply follow the lead of your business host.

Women should wear well-cut suits or dresses made of high-quality fabrics. In general, Spanish women are expected to avoid drawing attention to their physical sexuality and tend to express themselves through their immaculate clothes and hair.

Unless you are visiting Spain as a tourist, it is best to avoid wearing shorts and dress conservatively in the cities.

You should also be well covered if entering a church and dress up for the occasion, if dining out at a restaurant.

Furthermore, high quality restaurants will have a formal dress code, even in hot summer months, such that T-shirts, cheap jeans and trainers are not acceptable attire.

INTRODUCTION AND GREETINGS In the first meeting, Spaniards will want to become acquainted with you before proceeding with business, so you should be accommodating and answer any questions about your background and family life. Spaniards will really check to see if you are honest and reliable, to know they can place their trust in your products or business before starting a relationship.

It is unlikely that a meeting will stick closely to a detailed agenda. Negotiations in Spain tend to be quite open with one party taking the lead, but agreements can be flexible and you will probably need to persevere in order to ensure that commitments are put into effect. Understand that your goal is to do business in Spain, not to impose a business culture.

While many Spaniards of the opposite sex will greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks, this is not as common in business relationships unless you know the other party well. It is wisest to offer a handshake, and if a kiss is appropriate, the Spanish party will initiate it. (And note that you don’t kiss their cheeks. You kiss the air while touching cheeks.)

PRESENTATION OF BUSINESS CARDS The exchange of business cards is an essential step when meeting someone for the first time, so bring more than you need. It is recommended to use cards with one side in English and the other in Spanish. Show doctorate degrees on your card and make sure that it clearly states your professional title, especially if you have the seniority to make decisions. When presenting your card, ensure that the Spanish side is facing the recipient. Smile and keep eye contact while accepting someone else’s card, then take a few moments to look at it. Next, place the card on the table in front of you.

JOKE TELLING Spanish people will do business with you if there is the right chemistry, so try to present yourself in the best positive light - try to be dignified and modest. Moreover, if you are a funny person, feel free to share jokes. Humour will be appreciated even during business meetings, but be careful not to be offensive.

FIRST NAME OR TITLE Names are usually given in the order of first name, family names. Most Spaniards have two family names, the first one from their father, and the second one from their mother. Use Mr./Mrs./Miss or Señor/Señora/Señorita , plus the father’s family name, which is always the fi rst one of the two family names given. If a person has an academic title, use it instead, followed by the family name. You may also hear someone addressed by the titles Don or Dona.

This is a show of great respect. In Northern Spain, only close friends call each other by their first names. This is more relaxed in the South. Introduce or greet the most senior person first. Thereaft er, greet everyone else individually. Introductions are accompanied by handshakes.

GESTURES Gestures and body language are often lively, though not as extensive as in Italy. There may be frequent physical contact with others of the same gender. When pointing at people or objects, use your open hand rather than a finger. Eye contact should be frequent, almost to the point of staring. This conveys sincerity and helps build trust.

Anger may sometimes be masked with a smile.

GIFT GIVING At Christmas, many companies give their employees a basket of fancy foods and drink (cestas de Navidad). It is also common to celebrate a fiesta de Navidad with a lunch in a fancy restaurant. Companies often send bottles of cava, champagne, or wine at Christmas to their best clients.

At the conclusion of successful negotiations, it is not uncommon to give a gift to a broker or professional (including a bank officer) who was especially competent: flowers or chocolates if female, or a good bottle of wine if male. If you receive a gift, you should open it immediately in front of the giver, and say gracias! Any gift should be a high-quality item, and should be finely wrapped. Marketing merchandise will be more appreciated if it is a fine pen or a tasteful desk accessory. You should not give anything too personal or extravagant as your generosity may be perceived as strange or even insulting. If you are invited to a Spanish home for a meal, the right gift is a dessert, a good bottle of wine, or flowers.

TIME

Scheduling meetings in advance is required. However, you can sometimes do this on short notice if the parties had previous business interactions. Since Spaniards want to know whom they will be meeting, provide details on titles, positions, and responsibilities of attendees ahead of time. They will expect to do business with the decision-maker in your organization. The most senior executive to attend on the Spanish side will be at a similar level in the hierarchy as your own negotiation leader. An agenda is usually set upfront, but this is only a formality. It will not be strictly followed.

In Spain, the hours that a shop and business may be open to the public are regulated by the government. Shops are usually open from 9:00 am to 1:30 or 2 pm, then from 4:30 or 5 pm until 8 pm, Monday through Friday, and Saturday morning. Large department stores are open all day. Professional offices usually open from 10 to 2, then from 4 to 7, though it is becoming more common for businesses that receive international calls to stay open from 9 to 5. This could soon mean the end of the traditional siesta hours. Banks are open from 9 to 2 or 3, then by law, they can choose either to open one afternoon a week, or on Saturday morning. In August, when most people take their vacations, office hours often change to jornada intensiva: 8am to 3pm.

Lunch is between 2 pm and 4 pm. Most people in Spain eat at home, though in big cities, it is common to go to a restaurant and have a menu (and avoid the double commute). Dinner is generally a lighter meal; 10pm is the normal time at restaurants.

BUSINESS ELEMENTS PROPER USE OF UTENSILS Forks Go Left, Knives Go Right For those of you who care, this is called continental style. Rather than doing a little two step with your fork and knife, common to the States, the continental style is the lazy man’s way of keeping your tools in the same hand throughout your meal. Generally, I find the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right a very comfortable position until legumes make way to my plate. Although some Spaniards will spear the little buggers, taking half their meal to fetch a few dozen, there are others who will switch positions with the fork so that the scoopage can come into play. However, under pain of death, or simply lack of adequate utensils, I can never find a spoon available for such feats. Unclear as to whether Spaniards fear that I’ll catapult the little green cannon balls across the restaurant, spoons are generally kept far away from me when small round food items are served. Additionally, stick to silverware. Using hands when eating, even if it’s fruit or a croissant is relatively uncommon.

Spaniards do not switch knives and forks. The knife remains in the right hand, and the fork remains in the left.

When the meal is finished, the knife and fork are laid parallel to each other across the right side of the plate. If you put both utensils down on the plate for any real length of time, it is a sign to the waitstaff that you are finished, and your plate may be taken away from you. If you lay your cutlery down on either side of the plate, it means that you haven’t finished.

TABLE MANNERS • Remain standing until invited to sit down • Do not begin eaten before the hostess • Use utensils to eat food, even fruit is eaten using cutlery • The host gives the first toast • Never dipping your bread in the soup • Most of the people hold their fork in the right hand, with a piece of bread in the left, which is used to gather the • food on the fork • You should sit properly, with your elbows off the table • Talking while eating is good • When done, lay the knife and fork parallel to each other on the plate • If you haven’t finished eaten, cross your knife over the fork on the plate • Do not get up from the table until the guest of honor does

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES If you fancy a draught beer, you should ask for a ‘caña’ (small) or ‘tubo’ (300ml). Simply asking for beer (‘cerveza’) will bring you a much more expensive bottle. If you are up to drinking spirits, you should know that Spanish measures are usually extremely generous.

APPROPRIATE CONVERSATION SUBJECTS Good topics of conversation are aspects of your own home country, Spanish football, flamenco and current world events.

TIPPING In Spanish restaurants, a gratuity is usually added to the bill. If it is not included, leave a minimum tip of 15 percent.

SMOKING There is now a regulation against smoking in public places, though as with many regulations, there is some degree of leniency. Spaniards were among the heaviest smokers in Europe. Not any more. Californians will be happier now in Spain, but still some places allow you to smoke. If smoke is an issue to you, look for a smoke-free restaurant, bar, or hotel: now you can find them, and of course you can complain if it is not fulfilled.

TOPICS TO AVOID Although Spanish culture values personal pride, try not to brag too much about your business accomplishments.

Do not get into personal details until you know your Spanish counterpart does so - it is best to let them begin that type of conversation.

Honour and pride are important in Spanish culture, so avoid insulting the Spanish ego at all costs.

Avoid politically charged topics (Gibraltar or Basque separatist, Franco) or issues demonstrating differences between American and Spanish culture or values.

TRADE AGREEMENTS As a member of the European Union, Spain and the United States are partners in the ongoing Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) negotiations.

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) is an ambitious, comprehensive, and high-standard trade and investment agreement being negotiated between the United States and the European Union (EU). T-TIP will help unlock opportunity for American families, workers, businesses, farmers and ranchers through increased access to European markets for Made-in-America goods and services. This will help to promote U.S. international competitiveness, jobs and growth.

The U.S. and EU economies are two of the most modern, most developed, and most committed to high standards of consumer protection in the world. T-TIP aims to bolster that already strong relationship in a way that will help boost economic growth and add to the more than 13 million American and EU jobs already supported by transatlantic trade and investment. T-TIP will be a cutting edge agreement aimed at providing greater compatibility and transparency in trade and investment regulation, while maintaining high levels of health, safety, and environmental protection. T-TIP presents an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen the bond between vital strategic and economic partners.

IMPORT PLAN

THE MEL BOTERI ‘KAT’ TOTE “Mel Boteri’s streamlined ‘Kat’ tote is handcrafted from the finest, textured-leather and is lined in our signature turquoise suede which peeks through the bag’s panels.

Customize yours in your favorite hue and personalize it with initials to make it a one-of-a-kind, memorable gift for yourself or someone special. Designed with slender handles to fit comfortably over the shoulder, this spacious style includes a small zipped pouch also monogrammed to perfectly store your personal items.”

COST SHEET

‘DIANNE’ CONVERTIBLE TOTE/BACKPACK “Mel Boteri reworks the classic tote and turns it into a convertible backpack that’s perfect for traveling, sightseeing and commuting. Crafted from a luxurious blush, snake-effect leather, this slim design has a roomy suede-lined interior complete with a padded compartment and multiple pockets for stowing your smaller valuables.”

COST SHEET

QUICK LESSON What is a Harmonized Tariff Schedule or HTS? HTS is a code for importing products.

How are HTS numbers organized?

HTS codes read as follows: XXXX.XX.XXX. They are broken down this way...

Chapter XX Apparel articles and accessories, not knit, etc.

Heading: XXXX Women’s or girl’s suits, ensembles, suit-type jackets, blazers, dresses, skirts, divided skirts, trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts, (other than swimwear).

Subheading XXXX.XX Of cotton Tariff Item XXXX.XX.XXX Other, trousers and breeches, women’s blue denim Additional infographics can be viewed to the right.

FREIGHT COST Mel Boteri flies their products out from Alicante, Spain to the Harsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta, GA. Since they works on small orders and doesn’t necessarily keep stock as products are made to order the shipping boxes are usually small. A 36 x 36 x 36 cardboard container with handbags and accessoires neatly packed. Each in their own protective dust bag and then placed in their own branded box. Assuming that a ‘Kat’ Tote and Diana Tote/Backpack only take up a half of that space with the box, in total, weighing around 50lbs it’s estimated that shipping costs would average between $170.78 - $188.91.

IMPORTATION DOCUMENTATION

Power of Attorney

Entry Summmary

GSP Form

Inline Bill of Lading

Insurance Certifcate

Packing List

Commercial Invoice

Pro Forma Invoice

Letter of Credit

Arrival Notice

WORKS CITED

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THANK Y O U :)