What to expect in the workplace:

Though your ultimate designs might be to launch your own business, spending some

This is thankful changing and much of the dead wood that  once was fuel for politics and hobnobbing is now being swept out.  Larger, more visible companies don't have such a problem with the shady workings of the country, but smaller businesses are known to.  Regardless, orienting yourself through working for an employer first can mediate this so when you do strike out, be that with computer store or a winery, you know the ropes.

In the workplace itself, expect a good ration of chaos:  while male chauvinism is being eclipsed by longer hours for all, computers and communications are still way below the developed world's norm.  Not as much attention is paid to details; doorknobs and fax machines can remain broken for months.  Even if they realize that faxes have ceased and no visitors have been able to get through the door, it won't be fixed for months. Ironically, the Argentine consumer displays a real bent for order:  clean, fresh, air conditioned shopping malls are packed.

Possible Market Niches

The first trick of any expat entrepreneur is think what wonderful achievements their developed homeland has and bring them here.  It's not a bad idea and indeed it works:  franchises are popular and of course multinational companies everywhere bank on their products success in new markets.  In this light, I've thought of a few myself.  In many cases, the value of the franchise's name would be lost upon local markets and thus one could do without, saving the expense.  Some look-a-likes might be:

l Argentines flock to concerts in herds like the spring migration in Africa.  People queue in lines for hours for tickets.  Something like a Ticketmaster could revolutionize the entertainment industry.  With credit cards more and more common, the market base is unlimited.  Organize it, launch it, and sell it back to Ticketmaster in five years.  Take the money and buy a ranch in Patagonia.

• Outlets. Visitors with a curious eye will ask: "Why are there so many banks, one, and two, why all the lingerie shops?" Victoria Secret would undoubtedly be a rave.  Argentines pay handsomely for the worst quality stuff. What's more, there seems to be a complete market gap between the lower end products and cost prohibitive versions sold in the Recoletta.
• But if you really want to do something fun, you have to shed the commandeered 

• images of McDonald's and other Western architecture blanketing the landscape and get creative. Time to think up and launch your own idea. A few come to mind here:
• Web design. Don't fool around with being a service provider or anything like that, get some business cards and start introducing yourself as a web designer. Obtain a mobile phone (more common than house phones virtually) and publish web sites.
• Relocation consulting.  Is it an insult not to play golf with an Argentine if they invite you?  What do you do when a colleague is having a baby?  How's the best way to approach a company you wish to buy?  These are questions that many business people and new residents ponder. I know a few in other countries that have been extremely successful at this.