This is the presentation of my partner and I for my Cross Cultural Management Class. It discuss the metaphor of the Brazilian Samba and how it correlates to the country
2. Overview
186 million people
Almost equal size to
U.S.
BRIC member
Contains many
aspects of grandeur
Division between
North & South
Tremendous spirit
in the face of
adversity
Beginning to
emphasize future
3. Brazilian Samba
Demonstrates passion for life
“a binary, percussive rhythm in which the first beat is never
sounded, causing a continual, hesitant urgency”
1st
appeared on plantation farms
4. Small-Step Circularity
Grew with small, controlled steps in a circular pattern
Government formulation
Military to civilian & back
Monarchy dead, Brazil created in 1889
Complex business process
5. Currency formulation
Since 1940, used five different currencies
Hesitant to bring about change
Circularity
Lax & controlled education simultaneously
Early stages are relaxed
Vestibular
Rigid like tight control of the torso and movement in samba
Colegas & Business
Colegas- Acquaintance
Want to be considered family
First establish solid friendship
6. Family relationship
Most important institution
Father is final decision
Younger family takes care as older members age
& respect
Gender relations
Direct responses
ALP #1: Careful advancement
7. Strategies:
• Implement changes slowly, not rapidly
• Allocate extra time
• Build strong and close relationships
• Facesaving
• Be prepared to hear “No”
8. Physical Touch
Samba is danced in close proximity with
others
Family Ties
Establish homes in same geographic area
Communicate daily
Sunday Meal
Family is social network
9. The Self and Collectivism
Sense of equality and freedom to pursue dreams
Idea of self in close-knit group
Concern for outcome of others; groups over
personal goals
Human Warmth
Facial grazing and touching
ALP #2: Caring Individuals
10. Strategies
• Formulate personal relationships
• Be aware and sensitive of family ties
• Understand everyone is individual but treat as one group
• Be comfortable with closeness and physical touch
11. Undulation
“A distinctive moving of the hips”
Shortcut to a solution
Accomplish by circumventing rules and obstacles
This act is traced to original Portuguese
Saci
Impact of status
Hierarchical structure of respect
Cordialidade
Jeitinho
13. strategies
• Respect social status
• Expect an unconventional business style
• Expect favors to families
• Hire temporary workers
14. Spontaneous Escape
Escape from reality of everyday life
Lose track of time and the environment (polychronic)
Monochronatic behavior
Spontaneous activities mixing social classes
Sambodromo
Create Samba beat in universities
Samba soccer
15. Rich or Poor
Most favelas (ghettos) in Latin America
Tudo bom: everything turns out good in some way or
another
Delay of business practices
Individualism/collectivism
Mixing Business and Pleasure
High correlation between personal and work lives
Business lunches: 1.5 - 3 hours long
Few rules
ALP #4: Escape Hardships
16. Strategies:
Take time less seriously
Make work fun
Be prepared for personal and informal
conversations and negotiations
Positive attitude
Rewards should benefit the family rather than just
the employee
Understand their way of
literally “dancing around things.”
17. Paradox of Dancers
Dancers are full of contrasts
Different costumes
Represents diverse backgrounds of
the people
Mesticos: mixed races
Importance of race and social
class
Poverty is concentrated among
those with darker skin
Brazilian rainbow
18. Importance of religion
Great tolerance for contradiction
Conservative traditions Catholicism are adapted to ideas of
witchcraft and supernatural powers
Brazilian Flag
“Ordem e Progresso”
Each color has a meaning
ALP #5: Diversity
19. Strategies
Be aware and comfortable of racial and
social differences
Not difficult to integrate yourself into
culture
Be patient