TIPS FOR DOING BUSINESS IN BRAZIL
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עברית (Hebrew)
לעברית לחץ כאן
General
Brazil offers a wealth of opportunities but is also a country beset with various challenges. Business in Brazil involves social interaction. Knowing how to behave and/or what to expect during these interactions will definitely bring you one step closer to success.
It is also elementary to understand local taxes and then adjust prices for your products, including variables like your office, labor and other costs.
Hiring a Brazilian consultant/accountant/lawyer is recommended to make the bureaucratic process much easier.
Advise your contacts in advance about your travel dates.
Announcing your visit two weeks in advance is considered as sufficient timing.
Business Dress Code
Business appearance is very important to Brazilians and should reflect your level of importance as well as the company you represent.
Men: A tie and suit is standard.
Women: Pants Suits, skirts and blouses. Light make up for work.
Avoid: Ties that are too colorful or with drawings, combinations of green and yellow.
Corporate Culture
Business cards and promotional material are expected with information in Portuguese.
Avoid changing involved personnel while negotiations are in process.
Arrive on time even though punctuality varies. Meetings often start and finish late.
First Name or Title?
Formal situations: Mrs. and Mrs. followed by surnames.
Informal situations: First names are acceptable. Address men by “Seu” or “Dona” for women. Doctors and lawyers might be called “Doutor”.
Conversation
Face-to-face communication is extremely important during negotiations to close a deal.
Verbal communication can be complex but is generally cordial, informal, and highly personal.
Brazilians use a great deal of body language and stand in relatively close proximity during conversation while maintaining strong levels of eye contact. Closeness is seen as inspiring trust, which leads to long term relationships.
Men usually greet each other by shaking hands and sometimes offer a gentle slap on the back. Women are usually greeted by shaking hands and/or exchanging air kisess near the face.
Meetings usually start and finish with quite a lot of small talk. This informal meeting time is important and should not be rushed.
Recommended topics for small talk are: soccer, weather, traffic, cultural events, music, or news about economic development in Brazil.
Topics to Avoid are: poverty, security, deforestation, religion, racism, corruption, and social inequality.
General communications tips: If it is recommended to contact someone be sure you follow up on that contact. Try and ensure that you will be dealing directly with the decision-maker rather than a subordinated of that decision-maker.
Don’t rely on emails to pass on information. Always follow things up with a phone call or arrange a meeting to discuss the matter.
Gift Giving
The giving of gifts is not a must to establish a business relationship. In the event you wish to offer a giveaway – choose useful items without great material value such as company materials like: pens, pen-drivers, agendas or any other suitable giveaway.
Not advisable: Expensive gifts can be understood as bribes and are not welcomed.
Eating – Brazilians observe eating etiquette and for them it demonstrates sophistication and refinement.
If you are having lunch or dinner with a client, the best time to talk about business is after you finish eating.
The host will determine whether alcohol is to be served at a business meeting.
The person who offered the invitation is the one who pays the bill.
To learn more about Business Etiquette in Brazil, contact:
Shlomo Lempert Executive Director
Israel Brazil Chamber of Commerce and industry at:
