Soccer: The true international language, says bank exec

Global | Nov 19, 2015 | Gabelli School of Business

Alberto Sanchez, GSAS ’96, spoke to Fordham University students during International Business Week.

Doing business in a global community demands a good understanding of cultures, many of which can differ dramatically from your own.

But there is one topic of conversation that is nearly universal in the business world: soccer.

“Every country loves soccer,” said Alberto Sanchez, GSAS ’96, the Banco Santander executive who spoke to a group of Fordham University students this week.

His advice for businesspeople? “Know who won the league last year, know a few of the major players in that country, and, of course, know what happened to that country’s team in the World Cup.”

The Fordham graduate is the managing director and head of investment strategies for the Americas Banco Santander.

Sanchez, whose visit was the subject of an article on the Fordham News web page, spoke on the Rose Hill campus Tuesday as part of the Gabelli School of Business International Business Week.

His address, the article said, was a mix of smart advice on how to conduct oneself in an international business environment and some humor.

The full article can be read here.