Paper Topic:

Team project

Internal Analysis : Management

In a country that regards business as a social event , American companies like Under Armour need to adapt to Brazil 's trading culture Business transactions should not be hurried lest you offend a Brazilian investor or customer

In terms of management , the company 's main concern would be on human resources . To successfully manage people from a different culture , it 's important to note their

customs

traditions , and

language

While it would be necessary to assign in the top management people who have known the

business at heart , it would be practical to hire local junior executives to guide the non-Brazilians in how to hire and fire employees in the country

Under Armour 's management should be flexible and willing to understand a culture that is different from what they 've always known . For instance , in the selling area , salesclerks might spend time on what seems like idle chat . The managers have to remember that Brazilians don 't hurry in buying . They like to feel comfortable and friendly with the persons doing the sales . What may seem like over socializing should not be prohibited because making small talk is a way to make the potential customers feel that they are buying quality products . In the same manner , management should also make their employees feel like they care for them . American 's no-nonsense , business-like attitude might offend and hurt employees . It is necessary to maintain a working environment that is fun and encourages camaraderie

While Brazilians are generally friendly , they are very conscious of rank and position in the workplace1 . A member of management , especially one who is American , should expect to be treated with deference and be called with an honorific title

One very important aspect in communication is language . Portuguese is the main tongue in the country and is considered a unifying factor in a nation whose population is diverse2 . Non-Brazilian managers could enroll in language training program in to learn the national language . By doing so , they would be able to project a sincere intention to fully understand their subordinates . On the other hand employees should also be given lessons to learn the English language In this manner , both sides would be able to understand each other more effectively

1 . Maria-Brazil Home of Brazilian Culture on the Web "Doing Business in Brazil

2 . The U .S . Library of Congress "Language

References "Doing Business in Brazil " Maria-Brazil Home of Brazilian Culture on the Web . Retrieved

March 30 , 2008 , from HYPERLINK "http /www .maria-brazil .org /business_in_brazil .htm http /www .maria-brazil .org /business_in_brazil .htm "Language " U .S . Library of Congress . Retrieved March 30 , 2008 , from

HYPERLINK "http /countrystudies .us /brazil /39 .htm http /countrystudies .us /brazil /39 .htm...

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