As a procurement director, I have had the opportunity to work with suppliers from all over the world. One particular experience that stands out in my mind is a business trip to Tunisia.

Business culture in Tunisia

Tunisia’s business culture is a blend of Arabic, French, and Mediterranean influences. Hierarchy and respect for authority are significant, and decisions are typically made by top management. Personal relationships and trust are crucial for successful business interactions, so networking is important. Business meetings often start with informal conversations before getting into work-related topics, and it’s common to exchange pleasantries. Punctuality is valued but not rigid, and French and Arabic are commonly spoken in business settings. For more detailed insights, visit the source here.

Purpose with business trip to Tunisia.

I had been tasked with finding a new supplier for a specialized piece of equipment that we needed for our manufacturing process. After conducting a thorough search, I came across a supplier based in Tunisia that seemed to meet our requirements. I scheduled a trip to visit their facility and meet with their team.

From the moment I arrived in Tunisia, I was struck by the beauty of the country. The vibrant colors, the warm weather, and the friendly people all made me feel welcome. As I made my way to the supplier’s facility, I noticed that the streets were bustling with activity, with vendors selling goods and people going about their daily business.

When I arrived at the supplier’s facility, I was greeted by a team of friendly and knowledgeable professionals. They took me on a tour of their production line and showed me the equipment that they had available. I was impressed by the quality of their products and their attention to detail.

Potential business partnership.

As we sat down to discuss the details of our potential business partnership, I was struck by the cultural differences between our two countries. In Tunisia, business is conducted at a more relaxed pace, with a focus on building relationships and establishing trust. While this was different from the fast-paced, results-driven culture that I was used to, I found it refreshing and engaging.

Throughout our discussions, we exchanged stories and learned about each other’s cultures. We talked about our families, our hobbies, and our aspirations for the future. By the end of the meeting, I felt like I had made genuine connections with the team at the supplier’s facility.

Key business principles

As I flew back home, I reflected on my experience in Tunisia. While the business culture may have been different from what I was used to, I realized that it was ultimately the same principles that drove us forward: honesty, integrity, and a commitment to excellence. I was grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented and dedicated team, and I looked forward to the possibility of doing business with them in the future.

In conclusion, my experience during the business trip to Tunisia was a reminder of the importance of building relationships and establishing trust. While different cultures may have different approaches to business, it’s ultimately our shared values and commitment to excellence that bring us together. I will always remember my time in Tunisia as a positive and engaging experience.

When visiting a supplier …. make sure you achieve what you planned.

Learn more about visiting suppliers in David Barr’s course Ensuring Effective Supplier Meetings.

From the perspective of a procurement professional within the manufacturing sector, Dave Barr will provide you with the knowledge, experience and structure to ensure you get the best out of the meetings you have with your suppliers, particularly when you are investing in time, expense and travel to the location of operations.

This course will explain and present how to; 

• Prepare and communicate prior to leaving the office.
• The benefits of having a structured and repeatable process when visiting suppliers.
• How to ensure the supplier is practicing what they preach.
• How to capture the real culture, behaviors and activities that will deliver to your bottom line, increase supplier performance and deliver supplier compliance.
• Ensure actions are agreed and delivered in a timely manner that holds all parties to account.

Dave has over 25 years purchasing, procurement and supply chain experience and has worked in global manufacturing, service and retail environments. Business trip to Tunisia or other places, preparing well is essential.

Rgds Per-Erik

Note: Illustration to the blogpost “Business trip to Tunisia, a particular experience.” was created by Chat-GPT on April 11, 2023.

At Utbildning Inköp you can learn in Swedish about LHTS’ courses.