Episode 7 - Cultural aspects of business in Portugal

Beyond Bacalhau: Cracking the Portuguese Business 'Cod' with Raquel Batista

This one is going to be controversial!! For full disclosure, and before you think I'm bad-mouthing Portuguese, I am one, OK?
Let's dive into some of the most important cultural aspects of doing business in Portugal—the ones that will make or break how you operate here.
🔹 Business is built on trust. Forget the ultra-formal, contract-first approach—here, relationships come first. It’s not about what’s on paper; it’s about who you know and the trust you build over time.
🔹 Talking about money? Prepare for a slow dance. Pricing is often discussed later, not first. If you’re waiting for someone to name their price upfront, well, you might need to clear your afternoon.
🔹 Long-term mindset. Businesses are often passed down through generations, making it emotionally difficult to shut one down—even when it’s not working.
🔹 Avoiding confrontation. Saying "no" directly? Not our style. If someone says, “It might be difficult…”—that’s your cue to move on.
These are just a few insights I share in the episode, along with practical advice on working with these cultural norms instead of feeling like you’re hitting a brick wall.

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