San Francisco. Known for the Golden Gate Bridge, its steep streets, and its yellow cable cars. And of course, for Silicon Valley, the city's business heart. Welcome to one of the United States' most popular cities!
Doing Business in San Francisco & Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is the place where business is king. The business heart of San Francisco, located on the south side of the San Francisco Bay and the center for high-tech innovation. Originally, the term referred to the large number of companies involved in the production and innovation of silicon chips, but now the term refers to the paradise for modern entrepreneurship. Some well-known companies that have their headquarters here include Apple, Tesla, Uber, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, IBM, Facebook, eBay, and Samsung. Add to that nearly thirty thousand startups, and you have a fine array of companies dominating this business heart.
Doing business differently than in the Netherlands
Be careful when you go to America for a business trip and talk to business partners. In America, especially in Silicon Valley, business is conducted differently than in the Netherlands. For example, there are hardly any competition clauses, which gives room for the many start-ups. Moreover, relationships between employees and employers are at odds with many companies: there is a voluntary employment relationship: “employment at Will”. Whereas in the Netherlands there is still room for employees‘ opinions and the influence they have on management decisions, in most cases at an American company the manager makes the decision alone, regardless of the employees’ views. So in the United States in terms of business, it is especially important to show what you have to offer: modesty will not get you there. Developments are rapid here; companies come and go. A good and thorough preparation is therefore of great importance during a business visit to San Francisco. The Silicon Valley Playbook - compiled by the Netherlands Consulate and Business Model Inc. - comes in handy when doing business in San Francisco. This "travel guide for entrepreneurs" is full of tips for the best meetings and insights in the business district.
San Francisco Expedition
If you’re on a business trip to San Francisco, make sure to schedule some free time to leave the business district behind and discover what else the city has to offer. Explore the compact city center, which is perfectly walkable. The only downside is the calf pain caused by the steep streets. The steep hills near Lombard Street are absolute calf-burners.
Leaving the city without having visited at least one of these famous places is simply impossible. Whoever says San Francisco says Golden Gate Bridge, known for its 1.6-kilometer-long span. Despite its bright red/orange color, there's a chance you might not see this handsome piece of engineering. The immense structure is, after all, frequently shrouded in fog.
Where New York has Central Park, San Francisco has Union Square. A square without too much greenery, but a beloved place to meet up and gather, including with business associates. The site that once served as a place for demonstrations during the American Civil War is today the cultural and pulsating heart of the city. Other places to escape the city's hustle and bustle for a moment or to visit after a business meeting are Golden Gate Park and Alamo Square.
Take the cable car
Although many business travelers in San Francisco will use taxis in most cases, a cable car ride is definitely recommended. You'll find few locals on board, and the tram moves slowly through the city. So, you'll need to take your time for the ride and not be in a hurry. Take a seat on the wooden benches and watch as the gripman, the tram's driver, rings the bell and sets this piece of nostalgia in motion.
Fisherman's Wharf
Besides a ride on the cable car, Fisherman's Wharf is also highly recommended. In the 19th century, you would actually find rough sailors and fishermen here, but shipping and the fishing harbor are a thing of the past today. The place still plays an important role as a center for the fish industry. Despite the fact that the majority of the colorful fishing boats no longer sail, it is a pleasant place to spend an afternoon or evening, for example, enjoying crab and seafood in the good restaurants. Those who still want to see some of the maritime past can visit Hyde Street Pier, the place to discover old ships. Not much further, on Pier 45, a visit to a submarine is even possible. The USS Pampantino served in WWII but is now retired and has a new function as a museum.
An hour in a museum
Museum enthusiasts will certainly get their fill at San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art, America's largest modern art museum. Since the art house's expansion, it even surpasses MoMA in New York in size. As soon as you enter, you'll be amazed. In the atrium, you're already greeted by beautiful conceptual artworks. Architecture, sculptures, paintings, and photography are central to SFMOMA.
Without a doubt, the Exploratorium is one of the most popular museums in the city. Its location on the popular Pier 15 perhaps explains the large influx of visitors. In this museum about science, art, and human perception, you are guaranteed to leave smarter than you entered. It's also a nice way to spend an afternoon here with your business associates.
A bit of Asia in America
And then there's the food: San Francisco, like any major international city, boasts numerous excellent restaurants. Yet, you can also feel as though you're in Asia right here in this part of America: order a plate of dumplings instead of a hamburger in one of the largest Chinatowns outside of China. When you enter the neighborhood through the Chinese gateway, you step into a completely different world. Western script gives way to Chinese characters, and gray flats are replaced by ornate pagoda roofs. Majestic lion statues watch motionlessly as throngs of visitors fill the streets. Visit the Buddhist temple there, marvel at the bank buildings – constructed entirely in the Asian style – and enjoy delicious food from a variety of stalls and restaurants.
Green and peace
Had enough of the urban jungle? Hop on your bike and cycle to the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Marin County awaits those seeking greenery and tranquility. Marin Headlands is perfect for a hike – to clear your head after all those business meetings – or to enjoy the many views from a variety of lookout points. The Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco skyline, and Silicon Valley are so close, yet you're right in the middle of nature.
Transportation to and in San Francisco
KLM operates direct flights between Amsterdam and San Francisco. You can reach the city center quickly and easily with the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). This train connection runs between the airport and the city center. Prefer the bus? SanTrans Service departs to the city center every half hour. In addition to taxis, there are also (shared) minibuses that will drop you off at your hotel's doorstep.
Tips for doing business in the USA
- Americans have a smooth and jovial way of doing business. They quickly use each other's first names.
- ‘Time is money,’ so don't be too long-winded and get to the point as quickly as possible.
- Speak plainly. Indirect or vague answers can be seen as untrustworthy. ‘Tell it like it is’ is a common saying.
- American partners are very down-to-earth and business-minded. They are comfortable in conflict situations. ‘Take it or leave it’.
- Don't make appointments that could jeopardize the American partner's free time.
- In America, working breakfasts and lunch are more important for making social contacts and sealing deals.
- Finally, a clothing recommendation: American entrepreneurs are often formally dressed. Therefore, a suit for men and a pantsuit or skirt suit for women is certainly recommended for a business meeting.
This article originally appeared in Traveletc. #22. Eva Hopstaken and Roos Jansen