Yes in a very short time we seem to achieved a great deal. My previous business experience in Spain had always been a bit frustrating, slow and lots of excuses why things couldn't be done. I learn that the solution is to surround yourself with the right kind of good people, taking the time and effort to put a team together that will work together well is seriously worth the effort. 

Since last week, the warehouse outside is painted, the racking all constructed (in 2 days), the walls knocked down and new warehouse constructed, we have a full functioning website, lots of people registering one every few minutes. Contracts signed for all sorts of things.. from shipping companies to water cooler machine. Even though we have very limited stock orders are coming.. over Christmas we will get fully loaded and ready for action in the new year. 

But one thing you need in Spain is a Stamp.. we had to get a stamp made, because a signature is not good enough.. you need to stamp & sign all official documents. 

Why do you need a stamp for your business in Spain but not in the UK.. (or other countries come to that)? 

It's the trust factor. 

One thing I have noticed from travelling around the world doing business in different places, is that the "Trust Factor" is almost a cultural thing, different places have different trust levels.

In India for example trust is very low, people really don't trust each other much. If you buy a new phone or toaster for example, they will take you to the testing room, where you sit with a tester person to make sure everything is functioning correctly before you can take it away. People want to be sure what they have works, and companies want to make sure goods are not switched and returned later.  Although in recent years trust has improved a lot.. it's still not great - why? I don't really know.

Whereas in Indonesia trust is so high, small companies do business on a handshake, shops are left open and unattended (call if you want something).. it's really easy to do business and quick and easy build up a trusting relationship. 

We leased a 1000 meter warehouse with minimal bureaucracy in Bali, the land registry and legal stuff all clear and easy. Compared to Spain.. a breeze.

Spain.. I never realised until now.. but it's a low trust country. Maybe because the legal and company law system is very slow and very weak .. it is possible to run up credit and not pay and get away with that for years. It is simply not possible to find who owns a company, in England or India you can search online and find out - all is open and clear. Here you have to work hard to find such things. In UK you would have to work hard to hide such things. Think about that for a minute, it means no-one really knows who they doing a deal with, or if the contractor who gets to build the new town hall is really owned by the brother of the Mayor. 

So trust is low.. this translates into bureaucracy in government, companies wanting deposits or bank guarantees before trading with you - all barriers to starting a business that don't exist in the UK. 

Now I understand why Spanish people spend so long being nice to each other - developing a bond, kissing warmly, enquiring about each others families, having endless business lunches.. it's all about establishing a degree of trust though relationship. Oh and you need a pretty company stamp.. that helps :)

It's Christmas no? 

Even here the poinsettia christmas tree's are everywhere, the supermarkets are playing "Last Christmas" on loop. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are behind us.. only Christmas Day to come.. 

In Sheffield at AW HQ - Katka (the acting CEO in there) is bravely marshalling the troops and ever optimistic and happy and is leading the effort to get all your orders out.  

I know she is in the thick of it - picking orders and encouraging everyone to keep moving.. only another 10 days to go..


Katka has worked for AW for over 15 years, she is from a small village near Brno in the Czech republic.. we used to joke she was our company Russian spy, but now her accent is more Yorkshire than Easter Europe. There is nobody more clear thinking - positive and perennially cheerful than Katka - and an absolute asset to AW. Married to Philippe the French guy (also helping out today - thanks Phill!) with two charming kids - Katka manages a family and our business amazingly.  She is the commercial director at AW but will deal with almost anything that needs to be done..  And with Tomas, Rodrigo and me in Spain - she is extra busy.. 

Today picking and packing orders..

Oh did I mention a container of new wonderful stuff arrived.. it's really stuff for the Spring season - but we are working hard to get some of it onlne. See below..

I know you are busy also.. 

Take care.. have a great weekend.