Analyze your own culture (general & business aspects): Brazil
ICEBERG THEORY (just list a few)
a. Explain what is obvious/immediately visible
b. Explain what is less obvious/more hidden/more difficult to understand
STEREOTYPES
c. Any stereotypes about your country? How is your country/culture perceived abroad? (especially by neighbouring countries). How do you perceive your (or some of your) neighbours. Any harsh ethnic jokes?
CULTURAL PENTAGRAM
d. Use the cultural pentagram (communication, hierarchy, relationship, time/space, negotiation) to explain the differences in culture (use also concepts like power distance, universal/particularist, individualistic, collectivistic, etc.) Be as exhaustive as possible.
e. Any differences in working style and work organization? (e.g. linear, multi-active or reactive, more people-oriented or more task-oriented, …)
CROSS-CULTURAL MARKETING
f. Any peculiarity in how products/services are promoted? What does work/not work in terms of advertising? Anything that is prohibited (e.g. a decade ago, certain ad campaigns of Gucci and D&G were prohibited in a few European countries, since they were regarded as highly ‘female-unfriendly’..today many of these campaigns would be impossible (certain countries LGTB is not possible)
CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
g. Is your culture more low-context or more high context? Explain shortly.
h. Verbal language in a business context: elaborate, succinct, etc.
i. Body language important?
j. Written language in business context (e.g. formal like in Spain or France or rather informal like in USA)
COMPARING WITH ANOTHER CULTURE
k. A few cultural things you noticed that were very different upon arrival in Spain (for Spanish citizens: upon arrival in a country of your choice where you spent at least 1 month). Please provide at least 3 elements and illustrate!
INTERESTING CULTURAL FACTS OR NORMS
L. explain an interesting cultural fact
m. what is a typical ritual or mass celebration in your country