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Presentations

In her presentations, Gail clearly communicates her knowledge and enthusiasm for the nearly-endless possibilities of living and doing business in Central America. Her day-long workshop, ‘Success in Central America’, offers a realistic view of some potential problems and cultural differences foreigners face in the region. She teaches coping skills and presents solutions to some of these problems and differences — so that your time, your life, or your business in Central America is more productive, profitable and enjoyable.

Equipped with twelve years of stories of life in Central America, Gail Geerling’s presentations will inform, entertain and inspire you.

Programs

We offer three core programs designed to help you to succeed in Central America. Each of these programs can be tailored to meet specific needs or interests.

What people say about the program.

Hello Gail:
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you on behalf of the International Council in Massachusetts for your realistic and professional presentation. I think the proposed objectives were well met in an expansive and very explicit way during our event. The information we received was extremely important, and I believe that you planted a seed with our members to look at the possibilities of doing international business in the countries you represent.
It was an honor to have you with us, and whatever program you believe would be interesting to us in the future please let us know and we will schedule you in our calendar.

J.L.E. Boston, Mass.

1. One Day to Success In Central America Program

This program is a full day, in-depth, intensive program covering overview of cultural, social, and business challenges you will face, along with the survival and coping solutions you need. For anyone planning on investing, living, or buying a home or property in Central America, we highly recommend that you enroll in our One Day to Success In Central America Program. More information below...

2. Two Hours to Success In Central America Presentation

This presentation has been designed to provide an introductory overview to living, investing, and doing business in Central America. It's been designed to educate, inform and entertain. It's an ideal stand-alone presentation for groups with an interest in Central America or as part of a larger conference program. More information below...

3. Successful Purchasing and Investing in Real Estate in Central America

One day training program focused on real estate for overseas agents, businessmen, real estate developers, and investors in the process of committing to business in emerging markets. More information below...

Gail Geerling

One Day to Success In Central America Program

If you are planning investing, living, or buying a home or property in Central America, this is a must-attend program for you.

Subject areas and topics that will be covered include:

Why Central America? Yes, you are in the right place!

  • Top ten reasons foreigners choose to live or do business in Central America
  • Mountains, Lakes, Beaches, Rivers… diversity of lifestyle choices
  • Difficult – or just different?

The Culture Gap.

Cultural differences that create challenges for North Americans and how to minimize these problems.
  • Misunderstandings, Misapprehensions, Mishaps, Misconceptions
    Gail Geerling Speaking at Real Estate Investment World Latin America
  • The “Happy Native” Syndrome
  • Close Encounters – Typologies you might encounter
  • Leave Home at Home- We’re not in Kansas any more, Toto.
  • Throw Politically Correct out of the window
  • Noise, Nuisance, Color

Social and Cultural

  • Who do you greet when entering a room?
  • Why is everyone so pushy?!
  • I can’t get answers... How do I get anyone to follow through?
  • Napoleonic Law:  How are Central Americans like the French?
  • The Patron System: “How is that working for you?”
  • What does “Mañana” really mean? 
  • Can you hear me now? The cellphone culture of Central America.

Politics and Perceptions

  • Hidden Meanings – all may NOT be as it seems / all will NOT be revealed!
  • Non-Verbal's: The clearest form of communication
  • The Latin Dance – Accountability, Responsibility
  • The 3 Ps: Patience, Perseverance, Persistence

Let the Success in Central America Team guide you through what you need to know, and when you need to use it. Let them lead you to SUCCESS!.


Two Hours to Success In Central America Program

An abbreviated version of our full SICA Seminar.  This introduction won’t teach you everything you need to know, but it will open your eyes to the possibilities and potential Central America offers. 

The Two Hours to Success In Central America Program covers the following topics:

  • Doing Business
  • Social and Cultural Aspects
  • Buying, Living, and Working in Central America
  • Legal Challenges
  • Executive Relocation

Successful Purchasing and Investing in Real Estate in Central America

A half day training seminar for overseas agents, businessmen, real estate developers, and investors in the process of committing to business in emerging markets.  We also offer a special two-hour version of this program for conferences, seminars and professional interest groups and meetings.

The presentation focuses on Panama and Nicaragua as case studies, addressing the challenges and frustrations- cultural, social, and professional- foreigners will likely face as they do business in the region.

Understanding what you might see and experience in advance saves time, effort, and money. First we pose the problems, then we detail suggested solutions for success in Central America as a region – and the real estate market specifically.

OBJECTIVES:

The program answers two elemental questions:
1) What do you need to know to be able to teach your clients what they need to know?

And...
It was wonderful listening to your presentation this week. You're a dynamic speaker and I enjoyed listening to the information. It taught me so much I needed to know to begin my career in Central America.

Soraya E. Cacici, Realtor
RE/MAX Heritage, LLC

2) What don’t you know that can trip you up?

Subject areas and topics that will be covered include:

Tax & Legal

  • Real Estate Sales
  • Land Development
  • Legal system, titling when you purchase property
  • Title Insurance – what is it and why? Do you need it?
  • How to pick a good lawyer
  • How to get your lawyer to do what you want
  • Tax incentives, finance, banking
  • Setting up a foreign corporation
  • Legal and tax incentives for retirees, business owners, real estate buyers and owners

Mock Interview / Q&A

During the Mock Interview or Q&A segment of the program,, we'll coach you how to avoid mistakes that could cost you - and your clients - time and money. Imagine not being able to answer the most basic questions because of something as simple as differences in the legal system!