Advances Fusion, April, 2016
Vol. 6, #2, April 2016, No. 57
CAC Installed Ahead of Rio Olympics
Midea’s air conditioning has been installed in the 2016 Olympic village
1
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
www.midea.com
ADVANCES
Contents
NEWSLINE
RAC Wins Major North
America Certification PAGE 7
Page 1 Pic courtesy of
International Olympic
Committee via Google Images
RAC Attends United Nations
Environmental Conference
CAC to Shine at Summer
Olympics PAGE 3
2015 Report Supports
Moody's A3 Rating PAGE 4
Minnie Mouse Makes Midea
Memorable PAGE 5
PAGE 8
Central Europe Training
Takes in the Mars Rover and
BMW PAGE 9
China’s World-Beating
Swimmers and Divers Come
to HQ PAGE 10
PEOPLE
FUSION
Belying the Myths about the
Youth of Today PAGE 14
FUSION
Turning Japanese! PAGE 15
Getting by in Brazil PAGE 17
Fan Base at Olympic Trials
Training Center Established
in Venezuela PAGE 5
Little Swan up 28% Year-onYear PAGE 6
4 Factory Workers Win Good
Samaritan Award PAGE 6
PAGE 11
Finding the Right Balance
with Chef Robert Pengson
PAGE 12
CAC Wins Angola Cement
Plant Project PAGE 13
Midea Advances Newsletter is published monthly
by Midea International Business. We welcome all
comments, suggestions and contributions of
articles, as well as requests for subscription to our
newsletter. You can reach us by email at:
kevin.mcgeary@midea.com
Quote of the
Month:
Address:
ADVANCES, Midea International Business
Midea HQ
No. 6 Midea Road
Beijiao, Shunde, Foshan, Guangdong
P.R.C. 528311
Every man I meet is
my superior in some
way, in that, I learn
of him. —Ralph
Waldo Emerson.
Web: www.midea.com/global
Phone: 0086 13266591586
2
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
NEWSLINE
CAC to Shine at Summer Olympics
By CAC
B
eijing 2008 had the Water Cube, London 2012 had
the wave-like roof, and Rio 2016 has unveiled the design that
will adorn its main aquatics arena.
Rio2016.com has revealed that the Olympic Aquatics
Stadium that will host the world’s best swimmers and water
polo players next year will be enveloped by a work of art by
Image via International Olympic Committee
could become as iconic as its predecessors. Rio-born artist Varejão, who is behind the design, has had her work displayed in
the Tate Modern in London, Paris’s Fondation Cartier, the
Guggenheim in New York and Tokyo’s Hara Museum.
Making it possible for spectators to enjoy watching world-
Image via International Olympic Committee
renowned Brazilian artist Adriana Varejão.
Characterized by images of oceans and angels, the venue
class sports in the Brazilian summer will be the V5X series from
Midea Commercial Air Conditioning (CAC).
The variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system boasts advanced direct current (DC) inverter technology, precision refrigerant control, energy-saving heat transfer, and powerful lowtemperature heating technology.
The VRF has maximum parallel capacity of 88 HP, the
highest in the industry, and the leading integrated part load value (IPLV) of 8.3 W/W.
Image via International Olympic Committee
3
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
NEWSLINE
By Moody’s
2015 Report Supports Moody's A3
Rating
M
8%-20% in its refrigerator, washing machine and small appliances segments.
Midea reported RMB16 billion (US$2.46 billion) in revenue generated from online distribution channels for 2015, the
highest such revenue among large white goods manufacturers in
China. Moody's says the strong online sales helped Midea maintain its strong market position.
Overall, Moody's says that Midea's total revenue will likely
stay stable over the next 12-18 months. Continuous product
upgrades and sustained low input costs resulted in Midea's adjusted EBITDA margin rising marginally to 12.0% for 2015
oody's Investors Service said March 31 that
Midea Group Co., Ltd.'s results for 2015 support its A3 issuer
rating and the stable outlook on the rating.
Midea reported stable adjusted earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for 2015,
despite a modest 2% fall in revenue," says Lina Choi, a
Moody's Vice President and Senior Credit Officer. "These
results were driven mainly by product upgrades and diversification, growth in online distribution and low raw material
prices."
"Proactive
inventory clearance during the
fourth quarter
also
helped
Midea maintain
healthy inventory levels on a
company as well
as
distributor
basis,"
adds
Choi. The modest 2% fall in
Midea's
total
revenue
to
RMB138 billion
(US $22.1 billion) was in line
with the 0.4%
fall in revenue
for the home
appliances industry as a
whole, based on
data from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
The stable EBITDA was supported by: 1) product upgrades in its air-conditioning, refrigerator and washing machine segments, where higher average prices resulted in improved gross margins; and 2) encouraging revenue growth of
from
11.8%
the
year
before.
Midea's liquidity remains very strong. It held in excess of
RMB40 billion (US$6.41 billion) in cash and cash like assets on
hand at 31 December 2015, and generated RMB25-RMB27
billion in operating cash flow.
4
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
NEWSLINE
Minnie Mouse Makes Midea Memorable
By Advances
O
ver 600 Midea products were put on display at
China’s oldest trade fair from April 15-19. Minnie Mouse
and Daisy Duck were on Midea’s Canton Fair stand to
mark Midea’s cooperation with Disney.
Products on show included the Bubble home automation series, the family set of small appliances and the
latest products from each division.
The Canton Fair has been held twice every year since
1957. According to China Daily, this year's fair saw an increase in
buyers from South Asia, Middle East, South America and Africa.
By CAC
Training Center Established in
Venezuela
V
sessions
in
the
South
American
country.
Engineers
were on
hand to explain how the technology works and how best to
present products appealingly. Generating economic activity in
Venezuela is challenging but necessary. Copper and other raw
materials are in short supply but swimming upstream is the
Midea way.
enezuela is going through tough times. Due to an
energy crisis, two million public sector workers are working a
two-day week and women have even been called on not to use
hairdryers. In
spite of this,
Midea Commercial Air
Conditioning
(CAC) has
opened
an
after-sales
training center and held
5
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
NEWSLINE
Q1 Profit up 17% Percent Year-on-Year
By Advances
M
In the same quarter,
Midea-owned washing machine brand Little Swan
pulled in US$652 million, a
year-on-year increase of 28.71
percent. Profit was US$48.7
million, a year-on-year increase of 30.84 percent.
Highlights of the quarter included winning ten trophies at the Aipu Lan
Awards, the Oscars of China’s appliances industry; the
The Aipu Lan Award
awarding of the Most Efficient
Mini Split Certificate by the
United States Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute; and the installation of Midea’s commercial air conditioning systems in the Olympic Village for Rio 2016.
idea Group’s revenue for Q1 2016 was 38.3 billion
RMB (US$5.9 billion), according to the quarterly report which
was published April 29. Net profit was 3.9 billion RMB, a yearon-year increase of 17 percent. Earnings per share were 0.92
RMB.
Successes included Residential Air Conditioning in China,
where installations were up 10 percent, and market share was at
27.4 percent,
an increase of
0.9 percentage
points.
The
net amount of
cash
from
operating activities was at
6.6
billion
RMB, an increase of 164
Little Swan’s Beverly Series
percent.
4 Factory Workers Win Good
Samaritan Award
F
canteen were also awarded 5000
RMB (US$775) each.
On the night of December 22, the
four men were on their way home
when they saw a car that had lost
control and swerved into a creek.
The four men waded into the creek
to rescue the driver from the car and
drag him ashore.
The Shunde District Public Security
Bureau and the Shunde District People's Government got together to
present the men with The Good
Samaritan Award.
our workers at
Midea’s kitchen appliances
factory in Foshan, China
were awarded for bravery
and selflessness by local
police after they rescued
the driver of a crashed
truck late last year. Deng
Xunu, a line worker at the
microwave factory along
with Yi Xiang, Chen
Jinyang and Li Jianjun
who work in the factory’s
6
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
NEWSLINE
RAC Wins Major North America Certification
By RAC
M
idea Residential Air Conditioning (RAC) was
awarded the Most Efficient Mini Split Certificate by the United States Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) on April 5. The recipient of the award was the
Variable Speed Mini-Split Heat Pump, with Remote Outdoor
Unit Air-Source, product number MS11M-09HRFN1MZA5W(A).
AHRI President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen
Yurek, Vice President Henry Hwong, Project Manager Richie
Mohan, and Chief Representative Bridge Xue attended the
ceremony at which the certificate was awarded. Midea’s head
of RAC Winson Wu and deputy head Mariana Zhao were also
in attendance
According to certification institution Intertek Group,
the product’s seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) is 37.5
and its heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF, a measure
of energy efficiency) is 14.1, putting alongside the top products of its kind in North America.
In a speech, Winson Wu said the air conditioners were
designed with North American users’ demand for high efficiency, energy conservation and comfort in mind. Stephen
Winson Wu
About the AHRI
The AHRI is a trade association formed in 2008 by a merger of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI)
and the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
The organization performs political advocacy on behalf of its
member industries, maintains
technical standards, certifies
products, shares data, conducts
research, and awards scholarships.
Its 300+ member companies
produce more than 90 percent
of the residential and commercial air conditioning, heating,
water heating, and commercial
refrigeration equipment made in
North America. Through its certification program, standards,
advocacy, and other activities, it strives to help save energy,
improve productivity, and ensure a better environment.
Stephen Yurek giving a speech
Yurek said that as a world class white goods manufacturer,
Midea was guaranteed to be welcomed by North American
consumers with open arms.
7
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
NEWSLINE
RAC Attends United Nations Environmental
Conference
By UNEP
O
rganized by United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) and Ministry of Environmental
Protection/Foreign Economic Cooperation Office
(MEP/FECO), a workshop on environmentally
friendly refrigerants in air conditioners was held in
Shenzhen, China from February 29 – March 1. The
event was attended by 100 delegates representing national ozone units, industry associations, enterprises
(including Midea) and media from about 30 countries.
The workshop aimed at helping countries in the
region adopt environmentally friendly refrigerants in
residential air conditioning. Developing countries are
making efforts to phase out hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in the production and consumption
sector in order to meet the obligations defined under
the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the
Midea’s delegation
Ozone Layer.
As a major consumer of HCFCs, the air conditioning industry has been making efforts in developing
obstacle.
alternative technology. As of today, there are available alternaRepresenting Midea Residential Air Conditioning (RAC),
tives that yield higher energy-efficiency and lower global
production engineer Lu Dongping explained that RAC was
warming potential. However, flammability property appears to
complying with the replacement of HCFC with r290 (propane)
be the key barrier for the adoption of these alternatives.
and how it was keeping its workers safe despite the flammability
As a result, there are needs to share unbiased inforof the substance. At the opening of the workshop, Mr. Xiao
mation
Xuezhi, Deputy Director General of FECO‐MEP, remarked
about the
China’s high recognition on the significance of international
alternaenvironmental agreements compliance and emphasized that
tives, exChina has been taking its responsibilities seriously.
change
As the major global manufacturer for RAC, China conpolicy and
tributes 75% of global RAC products and exports. With finantechnical
cial support from Germany and the Multilateral Fund for the
measures
Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, the country was able
such
as
to convert nine production lines for R290 RACs and 11 more to
establishbe converted by the end of 2017.
ment
of
Midea Residential Air Conditioning has distinguished itself
proper
Lu Dongping
in complying with environmental regulations. As an industry
safety standleader and pioneer of green manufacturing, it has a cooperation
ards, improvement of product design, conversion of the prowith the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
duction lines to the selected technologies, as well as carrying
out servicing technicians training programs to overcome this
8
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
NEWSLINE
Central Europe Training Takes in the Mars
Rover and BMW
By MIP
A
five-day training session in Europe attended by nine
Midea employees involved everything from The Mars Rover, to
3D printing, to Transformers-like robots. The nine trainees,
representing various Midea product divisions, attended the Industry 4.0 training in Munich and Zurich from March 14-18.
The training included visits to BMW, HAWE Hydraulic,
Maxon Motor and other major European companies. Trainees
got a taste of the latest industry developments such as augmented reality glasses that can identify faults in industrial machines
and prescribe solutions.
and seminars. During the field trips, trainees were given practical problems to solve.
One trainee commented that visiting the BMW factory in
Munich, with its 900 robots, was like being on the set of a
Transformers movie. HAWE provided a lesson in customization.
Maxon
Motors,
a supplier
to
NASA,
produced
the
Mars
Rover,
which
survived
eight
years on Mars in temperatures of minus 120 degrees. A visit to
the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology provided a lesson in 3D printing.
Prof. Marc Sachon, academic director of IESE Business
School's Advanced Management Program (AMP) in Munich,
said the training provided a valuable lesson in the future of industry. The workers who completed the training now have firsthand experience of how the world’s top companies approach
factories, manufacturing, distribution and business models.
The training was led by Vice Provost of China Europe
International Business School Katherine R Xin. It revolved
around "Real Situation Learning" and involved both field trips
9
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
NEWSLINE
China's World-Beating Swimmers and Divers
Come to HQ
By Chen Minshan
S
ince 2008, Midea has sponsored China’s international
swimming, diving and synchronized swimming team, a period
that has coincided with its golden era. After the team’s trials for
the Rio Olympics were held for at Century Lotus Sports Park in
Foshan City from April 3-10, the competitors stopped off in
Midea’s global HQ to say hello.
As the team’s main sponsor and corporate partner, Midea
invited over 30 athletes to its global headquarters to pose for
photographs, meet staff and learn about the group's history and
some of its leading products.
―I am a massive fan of this team. Midea will do everything
within its power to help them make us proud in Rio‖ said
Group President and CEO Paul Fang.
Posing with a gold medal winning rice cooker
Secretary General of China Swimming Association Wang
Lusheng (l) with Paul Fang (r)
Patriotic Midea staff with autographed shirts
10
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
NEWSLINE
Fan Base at Olympic Trials
By Chen Minshan
M
idea sent employees and their families as cheerleaders and fans at the Olympic trials for aquatic sports at Century
Lotus Park in Foshan City on April 3-10. They may have been
slightly biased toward competitors from Midea’s home province
of Guangdong, such as the promising female swimmer Liu
Xiang, but the atmosphere was lively and good-natured.
Though Olympic and world-record holding swimmer Sun
Yang was unfortunately absent, there was plenty for people to
get excited about.
Ning Zetao - Winner in the 100m freestyle at the World
Aquatics Championships. His success lit up social media.
Liu Zige - Gold medal winner in the 200m Butterfly at the
2008 Olympics
Liu Zige - Gold medal winner in the 200m Butterfly at the
2008 Olympics
11
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
NEWSLINE
Finding the Right Balance with Chef Rob
Pengson
Via Malaya
cause he needs something that lasts, and also its simplicity, functionality and ease of use so he could bond more with his wife
and sons. Bonding time means watching their favorite movie or
TV series, helping his eldest son, Santiago with his homework,
or playing with Sevi.
When asked what his favorite Midea appliance is, Chef
Rob shared that it would be the induction cooker. ―It’s top-level
technology which is great for cooking and very efficient because
it doesn’t waste energy. Efficiency in the kitchen is very important.‖
He also uses it at home so he can cook meals without any
added stress to give him more time and energy to be with his
family. ―People shouldn’t be afraid of new technology but rather embrace
it,‖ Chef Rob
adds.
―It’s
here to make
our lives better and save
resources at
the
same
time.‖
―We’ve already worked
with
Chef
Rob in past
events and felt that he understood Midea’s positioning and
shares the same views, especially when it comes to the new
wave of cooking,‖ Midea General Manager Phillip Trapaga said.
―When we considered getting a brand ambassador for the full
range of Midea products, Chef Rob was on the top of our list.
We feel that Chef Rob and his family embody the typical young
Filipino family or young upgraders, which Midea wants to reach
out to in order to achieve harmony at home.‖
The following was published in Philippines-based newspaper Malaya
Business Insight on April 20
M
any Filipino families are still trying to catch up with
today’s fast-paced lifestyle and trying to adjust with it creates an
imbalance when it comes to being with the family or when
working. Chef Rob Pengson, one of the country’s well-known
chefs, understands this well. He tries to make good use of his
time, whether at work when getting meals out quick and hot off
the kitchen, or at home where he can be with his family without
carrying so much work-related stress.
Chef Rob has found the right home appliance partner
which can
save him
time, effort
and money
while allowing him
to take care
of his family’s comfort
at
home, in
one of the Rob Pengson and family
world’s largest manufacturers of home appliances. Midea offers an array of
products and solutions that are reinvented for a new generation
and inspired by the way most people live now — products that
make it easy for anyone to get the job done from the very first
use.
―Confidence in the kitchen is provided by skill, experience
and the tools one uses. Having the right kitchen partners mean I
can be confident that the appliances work at par with my standards,‖ Chef Rob said when asked about his thoughts on his culinary success. At home with his wife Sunshine and sons Santiago
and Sevi, Chef Rob also uses the same Midea products like the
air-conditioner, refrigerator and washing machine and other
small appliances to give them more time for themselves as a
family.
Chef Rob also looks at the durability of the product be-
http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/living/finding
-right-balance-home-and-work-chef-rob-pengson
12
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
NEWSLINE
CAC Wins Angola Cement Plant Project
By CAC
M
Other recent projects include the ZETES Power Station
in Turkey, DCT Logistics Emirates in Dubai, AP Honda in
Thailand, Avantha Group Transformer Factory in Hungary, Bali
Power Plant in Indonesia, and the Cirtek Project in The Philippines.
idea Commercial Air Conditioning (CAC) won
the bid to install its equipment in the Nova Cimangola Cement Factory in Angola. Based in Luanda province, Nova
Cimangola is the largest cement enterprise in the country with
a production capacity of 5000 tons per day.
The plant will create employment and boost the developing country’s construction industry. On March 17, Midea
CAC signed the contract agreeing to provide Precision A/Cs,
DC Inverter VRFs and Fresh Air Processing Units for the
project. This is one of a long line of major industrial projects
that CAC has won throughout Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe.
13
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
PEOPLE
Belying the Myths about the Youth of Today
By Yao Jie
B
ritish politician Ian
Duncan-Smith famously said:
―Never underestimate the determination of a quiet man.‖ In the age
of mini-celebrity through social
media, the job market tends not to
favor people with an unprepossessing appearance and a softlyspoken manner.
There are also many doubts
among older Chinese about the
generation born in the 1980s and
90s, many of whom grew up in
Throughout the busy season when orders are going
through the roof and workers are run off their feet, he
gained a reputation as a positive and supportive teammate. A modest man, he cites his reputation for precocious diligence to the good team and work ethic
around him.
―We must let the quality of our products speak for
itself,‖ Zhu told MIP. ―The market is changing and
we have to change with it.‖ People like Zhu will be
the rock that the new Midea stands on.
households of six wallets (two parents and four
grandparents) feeding one mouth. In just a year
with Midea, Zhu Hong has overcome both of
those prejudices due to his unusual patience and
meticulousness.
Recognizable for his slight build and soft
smile, he has excelled in his role as a product tester at the Midea Residential Air Conditioning
(RAC) factory in Chongqing. His ability to spot
quality problems and his good interpersonal skills
have enabled him to be given increased responsibilities despite being at the beginning of his career.
14
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
FUSION
Turning Japanese!
Via Matador
M
idea has formally opened two joint ventures with
Japanese robot giant Yaskawa as well as confirming the purchase of Toshiba’s white goods business, the most high profile
acquisition in the group’s history. For this reason, it is time for
us all to turn a little Japanese.
Here are ten tips on how to conduct yourself on a visit to
the land of the rising sun:
extended, 70-degree bow.
2. Table Manners
1.
If you’re with a dinner party and receive drinks, wait
before raising the glass to your lips. Everyone will be served,
and someone will take the lead, make a speech, raise his drink,
and yell ―kampai!‖ (cheers).
You will receive a small wet cloth at most Japanese restaurants. Use this to wash your hands before eating, then carefully fold it and set it aside on the table. Do not use it as a napkin, or to touch any part of your face.
Addressing Someone, Respect
3. No Tipping
Bowing is nothing less than an art form in Japan, respect
pounded into children’s heads from the moment they enter
school. For tourists, a simple inclination of the head or an attempt at a bow at the waist will usually suffice.
The duration and inclination of the bow is proportionate
to the elevation of the person you’re addressing. For example, a
friend
might
get
a
lightning
-fast 30degree
bow; an
office
superior
might
get
a
slow,
There is no tipping in any situation in Japan – cabs, restaurants, personal care. To tip someone is actually a little insulting; the services you’ve asked for are covered by the price
given, so why pay more?
4. Chopsticks
Depending on the restaurant you decide upon, you may
be required to use chopsticks. If for some reason you aren’t
too adept at it, try to learn before passing through immigration. It’s really not that hard.
5. Thresholds
Take off your shoes at the entrance to all homes, and
15
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
FUSION
Turning Japanese! (Cont.)
Via Matador
most businesses and hotels. Usually a rack will be provided to
store your shoes, and a pair of guest slippers will be sitting
nearby; many Japanese bring a pair of indoor slippers just in
case.
8. Bathing
Public bathhouses are alive and well. Sento, or neighborhood bathhouses, can be found from the largest area in Shinjuku to a small town on the island of Shikoku. Onsen, or hot
springs, are very popular as weekend excursion resorts.
Unlike in western cultures, the Japanese bath is used
after you have washed and rinsed, and feel like soaking in extra
-hot water for 10, 20, 30 minutes. It’s an acquired taste to be
sure, but can be very relaxing.
6. Masks
Sterilized masks,
like the ones
you’d see in
the emergency room, are
commonly
used by Japanese to protect
other
people from
germs.
9. Speaking English
If you do not look Japanese, locals will generally assume
you are a native English speaker until you prove otherwise.
Although you may speak some or fluent Japanese, the
default language of choice is English. Many Japanese will insist
on using their own English language ability, however limited,
to converse with foreigners, in spite of the fact that the person
on the opposing end may have more knowledge of the local
tongue.
7. Conformity
When groups of high school students in Japan were asked
to identify the dangers facing children today, the majority
agreed on the number one threat: individualism.
Japanese society is focused on the group. Drawing attention to yourself as an individual is a huge no-no: don’t blow
your nose in public, try to avoid eating while on the go, and
don’t speak on your cell phone in crowded public areas like
trains or buses.
10. Safety
Japanese people may often warn you to be safe on your
travels, and to take care of your belongings.
However, Japan’s
low
crime
rate is evident when
you see businessmen
who
have
missed the
last
train
sleeping outside on a
park bench, or a group of 5-year-old boys walking by themselves for over a kilometer to make the starting bell at school.
16
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
FUSION
Getting by in Brazil
By Advances
D
espite the country going through uncertain times
politically and economically, Brazil remains one of Midea’s
most important markets, especially in the year of the Rio Olympics, at which Midea is the supplier of commercial air conditioning (see page 3). Here are ten things you may not know
about the largest country in South America:
2. Parties Are Important.
Brazilians produce two of the world’s biggest bashes in
Carnival and the New Year's Reveillon celebration. In Rio de
Janeiro, the city puts on free music fests, with bands performing across the city, while in Recife, at the city's outdoor concert stage across the
street
from
the
beach, free concerts
range from rock to
forro to an event
featuring
every
drummer with a
drum kit in the city,
more than 100 of
them playing in
unison.
The
Bumba
Meu Boi festivals in
Sao Luis, in the
northeast state of
Maranhao in July mix
the folkloric traditions of Africa, indigenous Indian and
Europe together into
a party unlike any other.
1. Brazil Is an Outdoor World.
From the sidewalk cafes of Rio, to backyard barbecues, to
beaches up and down the long coast, to the wild interior, Brazil
is a place to be outside. Brazilians revel in an outdoor culture,
as befits a tropical land, and they have world-class natural environments to play in.
For scale, it's hard to match the immensity of the Amazon rainforest, the
largest in
the world,
or
the
power of
Iguazu
Falls,
which is
the
second widest and in volume in the world.
3. Rhythm Is King
The Brazilian knack for improvising on any musical
theme makes this country unrivaled in the quantity and quality
of different musical rhythms and styles. The outside world
knows bossa nova, a slowed-down samba mixed with American jazz and French impressionism; and samba, a blend of
African drum circles and European marches.
The top Afro-Brazilian styles range from afoxe, ceremonial soundtrack for the religious processions of candomble, to
lundu, maracatu, axe, ijexa, and frevo, the latter of which
comes with a feverishly playful dance.
17
Advances Fusion, April, 2016
FUSION
Getting by in Brazil (Cont.)
By Advances
4. Kissing Strangers Is Customary
wear conservative, dark-coloured business suits. Three-piece
suits typically indicate that someone is an executive.
Women should wear suits or dresses that are elegant and
feminine with good quality accessories. Manicures are expected.
Getting to know people in Brazil is a fast-track process.
It's customary for a male introduced to an adult female to provide a kiss on both cheeks -- and on leaving, too.
Body language is as important as Portuguese. Guys aren't
afraid to put an arm around another male to emphasize a point.
Placing a hand on a shoulder or providing a robust bear hug
and a salvo of air
kisses is part of
an intricate social
dance.
8. Business Cards
Business cards are exchanged during introductions with
everyone at a meeting. It is advisable, although not required, to
have the other side of your business card translated into Portuguese. If you do, present your business card with the Portuguese side facing the recipient.
5.
Brazilians
Need to Know
Who They Are
Doing Business
With
9. Dining Etiquette
Arrive at least 30 minutes late if the invitation is for dinner. Arrive up to an hour late for a party or large gathering.
Flowers for a hostess are appreciated.
Brazilians prefer
face-to-face meetings to written
communication
as it allows them to know with whom they are doing business.
The individual they deal with is more important than the company.
Since it is a group culture, it is important that you do not
do anything to embarrass a Brazilian. Criticizing an individual
causes that person to lose face.
6. Never Rush Business Talk
Brazilians take time when negotiating. Do not rush them
or appear impatient.
Often the people you negotiate with will not have decision-making authority. It is advisable to hire a translator if your
Portuguese is not fluent. Use local lawyers and accountants for
negotiations. Do not change your negotiating team or you may
have to start over from the beginning.
10. Family Values
The family is the foundation of the social structure and
forms the basis of stability for most people. Families tend to
be and the extended family is quite close.
The individual derives a social network and assistance in
times of need from the family.
7. Dress Well
Brazilians pride themselves on dressing well. Men should
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Advances Fusion, April, 2016
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