Business in Portugal can be very rewarding; but if you’re not careful you might not realise until it’s too late that the cultural differences are so great that your success will depend more on how well you get along with the people around you than how effectively you run your business. But it doesn’t have to be this way! With this easy-to-follow guide on how to succeed in business in Portugal; you’ll learn everything from what kinds of gifts and gestures will please your new associates to how to deal with an office romance if it comes up.
Preparing for a New Experience
Moving to a new country for work or study can be daunting. Learning about that country’s culture and customs before you get there is a good way to help you feel less lost when you arrive. Here are some Portuguese customs that might come as a surprise:
- More than just an employer. Being a boss also means being a friend who supports family decisions. That could make your new job more social than expected!
- Food and wine are taken very seriously here! This means they’re served at most meetings, events, and even negotiations.
Connecting with the People
To many Portuguese, even if you have a degree and are a qualified professional, you will never have any luck at all unless you’re able to build relationships. Developing strong interpersonal skills is key, as these can open doors and facilitate success. Knowing who your business partners are and when it’s time to take action is paramount; beware that jumping into any situation too soon could do more harm than good.
Communicating openly with those around you–whether they be clients or coworkers–is crucial; using diplomacy and tactfulness is important, however. Your personal values should come first before business affairs.
Build Relationships With Others
It may seem that building relationships is not particularly important when your main goal is starting a business. But at Portuguese companies, this isn’t always the case. Establishing a good relationship with co-workers, suppliers and customers will go a long way in making things happen. Showing trust and sincerity goes a long way towards strengthening your position in Portuguese business culture as well. The success of your company relies on cooperation from people both inside and outside of it – so don’t be afraid to reach out!
Work Hard and Be Honest
In this culture, work is seen as a noble calling. The Portuguese believe they have an obligation to their family, country and customers to do their best with the talent they have been given. Honesty is respected and expected; not just in business but also among friends and family. You will find people here are quite forthcoming, which has its benefits as well as disadvantages.
Families take great pride in giving back or making room for others less fortunate than themselves. However, this may also mean that much time is devoted towards philanthropic endeavours rather than new ventures or bottom line profits. Your English-speaking skills will be a plus!
Enjoy Life After Work
Although many people would like to escape from their work and spend more time with family, business life isn’t all that bad. Spending time with colleagues after work can be a great way of releasing some pent-up energy. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Portuguese business culture is so focused on building relationships with each other.
In these relationships, members are loyal not only because they are pressured into it by family or societal expectations. However, because they truly enjoy spending time together outside of the office and making an effort to maintain those relationships. This may be why business in Portugal is so
Finding a Law Specialist
If you need legal advice or assistance, be sure to contact the experts at RHJ Law. We’re able to guide you through what you need to know before moving to Portugal.
Our legal team at RHJ Law assists non-EEA nationals to obtain residency in Portugal. Our English speaking team of lawyers, accountants and more specialise in helping entrepreneurs and families to set up, manage and grow their life in Europe.
Working with our trusted partners; we can advise you on where to settle and how to go about purchasing property in Portugal.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
