Portugal - Working and dealing with the Portuguese
Benefits of Attendance
The aim of this seminar is to significantly improve the participants’ effectiveness in their professional relationships with the Portuguese, enabling them to be operational right from the start.
At the end of this training, participants will have acquired insights and techniques to:
- Be aware of their own cultural baggage
- Fully understand Portuguese context and culture
- Analyse possible situations in which misunderstandings may arise and identify ways of communicating
- Reduce stress and misunderstandings
- Decipher and understand Portuguese decision-making and negotiation processes
Training Approach
- Exercises and case studies based on the experience of participants in the company
- Personalized action plan and cross-cultural strategies
- Access to the Nomad’ Network, an exclusive online tool for Akteos’ clients and experts: find resources, exchange experiences, knowledge and insights
Programme Outline
Module 1 : Understanding cultural differences
1. Intercultural awareness, the key to success in international business
- Taking stock of one's own cultural baggage
- The basics of effective intercultural management
- Identifying and going beyond cultural stereotypes
2. Key aspects of Portuguese culture
- A southern European nation
- Historical heritage: an ancient and prestigious civilisation
- A strong sense of national identity
- A multicultural and devoutly Catholic societ
3. The impact of values and behaviour patterns on professional dealings and relationships
- Hospitality and tolerance
- The family as a social bedrock
- A patriarchal culture
- A sense of humour and a flair for derision
- Open displays of emotion
- The prestige associated with diplomas and status
- A flexible view of time
- A class-based society
4. The Portuguese corporate world
- A hierarchical and procedural organisational structure
- A tradition of doggedness and devotion
- A high level of formality
- Professional relationships
Module 2 : Succeeding in work with the Portuguese
1. Effective communication with the Portuguese
- The importance of personal relationships
- Extroversion and frankness
- Gestural and implicit communication
- The advantages of learning Portuguese
2. Adapting your working methods
- Effective management: leadership, attention and an open mind
- Building trust and confidence: discipline and professionalism
- Optimising the working environment in order to boost efficiency
- Respecting other people’s opinions
- Pitfalls to be avoided
3. Successful meetings and negotiations with the Portuguese
- Building trust and confidence in dealings with others
- Acting sincerely and explicitly
- Assessing the value of time
- Written contracts, their interpretation and implications
- Organising the post-negotiation phase
4. Final handy tips
- Caution, patience and humility
- Protocol and etiquette
- Social standards, gifts, business cards, dress code, etc
- Sensitive subjects: politics, history, religion
- Humour: a double-edged sword
