MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: PROFESSOR MERCURIO TEAM KENYA PROJECT 2DOING BUSINESS IN KENYA APRIL 2, 2013

Attached is a proposal for doing business in Kenya, authorized by the Professor. Team Kenyas purpose is to establish a working relationship with the African nation, and this report is presented with the intent to gain approval for such an action. Through research and contact with Kenyan natives, we have found much evidence to support pursuing this goal, as well as a greater understanding of a country that may sometimes be overlooked by Western business. These findings will result in great business success. Thank you for your time and consideration. Team Kenya looks forward to your response.

Doing Business in Kenya

Report prepared by Michael Smith, Nathan Cunningham, Darshiki Mugweh, Cesar Morales, and Matt Moses

English 2100 Professor Mercurio Salt Lake Community College March 26, 2013

Abstract
This report proposes doing business in Kenya and will present necessary cultural considerations to be made. Greetings in Kenyan culture are polite and not rushed, with respect given to the elderly. Meetings must be planned with sufficient time. Kenya follows a 40-hour workweek. Suits are the business attire. Vaccinations, a passport, and a visa are required for travel to Kenya. The country is religiously diverse, and tribes must also be considered when doing business. Most businesses are closed during public holidays. Based on the research, doing business in Kenya is recommended.

Table of Contents
Introduction Project Plan Qualifications Findings Business Culture Dress Code Health Travel and Security Religion and Tribalism Holidays Conclusion References 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5

Introduction
As the nations of the world become increasingly connected, the international expansion of business grows in necessity. Doing business globally is a good way to expand the company and make profits. Kenyas beauty is unquestionable, blessed with exotic animals and landscapes that make life extremely enjoyable. It is a developing country that welcomes Westerners with great opportunity for growth. In order to move business activities into Kenya, it is also necessary to know what to expect from the culture and environment there. Thus, relevant results of research on the topics of business culture, dress code, health, travel, security, religion, tribalism, and holidays have been included in this report.

Project Plan
Individual tasks and research topics were assigned to each member of Team Kenya, and team members gathered their own relevant sources. The team also conducted an interview with Eric Kathendu, a Kenyan native who owns and operates different businesses there. Team meetings were held every Tuesday and Thursday to evaluate progress, make assignments, and compare research. Outside of meetings, the team maintained correspondence via email and Google Docs. A PowerPoint presentation was prepared, and the rough drafts of that and the report document were uploaded to the Internet for team members to review and edit. The team practiced presenting the findings to an audience and finalized changes to the report.

Qualifications
Michael Smith is the leader of Team Kenya and was chosen for this position for his constant connectivity to the Internet, which enables him to turn in team assignments. Smith has experience in leadership due to his service in the U.S. Air Force and has spent time living outside of the United States. As a young man, Smith served a mission for the LDS Church where he was required to learn how to work with others and communicate with people unfamiliar with him. Last semester Smith took a computer class in which he learned how to properly use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. He received an A in that class. Nathan Cunningham is the writing lead for Team Kenya. He volunteered for the position as one who loves writing and practices it every day. He received high scores in English 1010 at Salt Lake Community College, and continues to participate in a writing group that meets weekly. Cunningham has worked as a supervisor of operations for United Parcel Service and served as publicity manager for the Taylorsville-SLCC Symphony Orchestra. He is also a contributing writer for The Globe newspaper, the independent voice of Salt Lake Community College.

2 Darshiki Mugweh is the team spokesperson. She volunteered for the task because of her experience with public speaking. As a performance poet for the Salt City Slam Team, she learned how to sway the crowd with her tongue. She has taken a public speaking class and was elected as group leader for speech projects. Mugweh was born in Nairobi, Kenya, with a majority of her family members remaining there as business owners. Her firsthand knowledge of doing business in Kenya, her poetry background, and her public speaking course make her the ideal spokesperson, with her tongue as a weapon shooting words that grab your attention like a tsunami. Matt Moses is the assistant team leader and editor. He volunteered for the task due to his experience with communicating in groups. Moses graduated from Idaho State University with an associates degree in electronics systems. He has 9 years of work experience as an engineering technician and has worked in several workplace environments. Moses has worked at a remote research facility for the Department of Energy and several medical device companies. In addition to school and work, he is also an experienced wedding DJ. Cesar Morales is the PowerPoint technician for team Kenya. Morales has participated in and presented many PowerPoint presentations throughout his high school and college career. He has also taken classes that have enhanced his ability to make PowerPoint presentations look professional. Morales also took AP English his freshman and sophomore year of high school as well as classes outside of school to enhance his English, which further qualify him for this project.

Findings
Business Culture Upon meeting, it is important to greet everyone in a group individually, with the most senior person coming first (InterNations, n.d.). A short handshake is sufficient. After the handshake it is the norm to ask questions about the general wellbeing of the other person, their family, or business in general. Rushing or skipping this part of the greeting process is poor etiquette. People are generally addressed by their academic, professional or honorific title followed by their surname (Australian, 2012). It would be wise to give time to everyone. Meetings seldom have scheduled ending times; what matters is finishing the meeting in a satisfactory manner for everyone. It is therefore prudent to allow sufficient time when scheduling a meeting (Australian, 2012). It is also important to be patient if no one jumps into business matters. Small talk is expected, but discussion of politics must be avoided (InterNations, n.d.). Patience throughout the entire meeting process is recommended. A 40-hour workweek is the norm for offices and factories. Typical office working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with lunch from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Export.gov, 2011). This would be the best way for a foreign business to schedule its hours in Kenya.

3 Dress Code People dress conservatively in Kenya. According to Eric Kathendu, business-professional attire is expected, which entails suits and ties for men and professional wear for women. When not in the office, cargo pants, jeans, and cotton shirts are acceptable ("Facts to know," 2013). It is important to present oneself with dignity, and the best way to do that in the Kenyan workforce is to follow the business-professional dress code.

Health According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, certain vaccinations are required before traveling to Kenya. The vaccine for yellow fever is necessary if visiting Western Kenya, but not recommended for travelers whose itinerary is limited to the Northeastern Province and the cities of Mombasa and Nairobi. Taking a prescription antimalarial drug may also be recommended ("Health information for," 2013). Before doing business in Kenya, it is strongly advised to obtain all routine vaccinations and to talk to a doctor for up-to-date information.

Travel and Security A passport and visa are required for entry into Kenya. Travelers to Kenya and neighboring African countries should ensure that the validity of their passports is at least six months beyond the end of their intended stay. Kenyan immigration authorities require a minimum of two unstamped visa pages in the passport. ("International travel," n.d.). Business travelers should also be aware of a 41% duty fee that could be applied to some items transported through customs. It is recommended that one keeps his or her passport up to date and is prepared to pay duty fees. To learn if these fees are necessary, it is also advisable to contact the Kenyan embassy prior to travel. Internet access is a necessity to most business travelers. The Internet is a fairly new technology to Kenya that has not fully been developed. Subsequently access to the Internet could be expensive, unreliable, and slow. It is recommended to adapt ones work to this condition and conduct as much necessary business offline as possible. When traveling in Kenya it becomes very apparent that security can be a real concern. The exterior of most buildings and homes are protected by large concrete or brick walls topped with electric barbed wire. Many businesses have CCTV surveillance and/or security guards. The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises against all but essential travel to within 60km of the Kenya-Somali border; and to low-income areas of Nairobi, including all township or slum areas (Kenya travel, 2013). The major risks that exist in eastern Kenyan towns near the Somali border include grenade attacks and kidnappings. To do business in Kenya, it is highly advisable to avoid these dangerous areas and outfit the companys buildings with appropriate security equipment.

4 Religion and Tribalism Kenya is a religiously diverse nation. Christians are in the majority at 85% of the population, though Islam, Hinduism, and African tribal religions are also active (Kamaara, n.d.). According to Eric Kathendu, the coast and Northeastern region of Kenya are Islamic. Time is given during the workday for Islamic prayer. Hindus are mostly found in a particular region of Nairobi, and keep in close communities. They control the manufacturing industry. Religion is not typically a major concern when doing business in Kenya. Personally, Ive never had to make a decision based on religion, says Kathendu. However, it is recommended that religious beliefs and traditions be taken into account so as not to offend employees and business partners. Some tribes in the metropolitan areas may be antagonistic in business. Outside the cities, tribes generally avoid each other, and can be distinguished by their language, hair, and other mannerisms. Someone might not do business with you if they dont like the tribe youve done business with, says Kathendu. However, that is not a problem for Westerners or non-Kenyans in general. It would be wise to remain as neutral as possible when conducting business among tribes.

Holidays During Kenyan public holidays, most businesses are closed except for essential services. Some notable Kenyan holidays include: Madaraka Day on June 1st, which commemorates the day Kenya attained freedom from British colonial rule; Id-ul-Fitr, a Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan; and Jamhuri Day on December 12th, which celebrates the day Kenya became a republic in 1964. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is extended to the next business day ("Business and public," 2013). As with religion, it is important to take holidays into account because of their cultural significance. Closing business on these days will successfully avoid offense and promote happy workers.

Conclusion
We have an unprecedented opportunity to grow our business while helping Kenyas developing economy. The nations culture is reflected in its business ethics and etiquette. Americans doing business in Kenya will need to be mindful of this culture, being sensitive to the various religions and holidays of its people, adhering to its dress code, avoiding politics, and allowing for a balanced schedule. By following safe, considerate business practices, not only do we succeed Kenya succeeds, as well.

References
Australian Trade Commission. (2012, Jan. 20). Doing Business. Retrieved from Australian Government Austrade: http://www.austrade.gov.au/Doing-business-inKenya/default.aspx Business and public holidays in Kenya. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.kenya-informationguide.com/public-holidays-in-kenya.html Export.gov. (2011, May 31). Business Travel Information. Retrieved from export.gov: http://export.gov/kenya/businesstravelinformation/index.asp Facts to know before you travel to Kenya. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.kenyainformation-guide.com/kenya-travel.html Health information for travelers to Kenya. (2013, January 02). Retrieved from http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/kenya.htm International travel. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://travel.state.gov/travel/ InterNations. (N.D.). Business Etiquette in Kenya. Retrieved from InterNations: http://www.internations.org/kenya-expats/guide/working-in-kenya-15769/businessetiquette-in-kenya-3 Kamaara, E. (n.d.). Religions and emerging religious movements in Kenya. Retrieved from http://international.iupui.edu/kenya/resources/Religions-and-Emerging-ReligiousMovements_Paper.pdf Kenya travel advice. (2013, March 25). The Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kenya