How to be successful in the Brazilian market?

Have you ever been in Brazil? Do you know how the people interact with each other either in the beach or maybe in a company? The principal word for a good relationship in any area in Brazil is sympathy. The Brazilian people are always able to help someone but for it is necessary to be friendly. In the field of business, it is essential for a good relationship between the both stakeholders to be friendly and respect the Brazilian culture of business. There are many steps to be successful in the Brazilian market, but the mainly three are a good introduction, small talk, and respect.

First of all, a meeting related with business needs to have a good beginning. The employees have to wear according to a situation. In Brazil, an important meeting can occur in different places, since a formal office until the beach for example. In each place, there is a specific kind of clothes to wear to pass a good impression. In addition, the conversation only starts after a warm handshake. It is an old tradition in Brazil and needs to be respected.

Next, another important step in a Brazilian reunion of business is the small talk. After the introduction, the stakeholders never start to get along about the affairs, they need before talk about a topic that is not related with the business, just to create a kind of familiarity. A good suggestion is talking about soccer, this is the best topic to dialogue about in Brazil, and I am sure that the Brazilian part will be happy to talk about this.

Finally, the most important thing in a meeting either in Brazil or any countries in the world is the respect. Each involved person in the negotiation needs to be respectful with the others. A good advice is always talk with the same level of voice and never increase his tone, it can be viewed like a disrespectful act. In addition, a valuable advice for each person who will make business in Brazil is always try to be friendly and charismatic, sometimes just a smile can change the course of a negotiation.

In short, in Brazil the stakeholders must have respect each other, like any another country in the world. But the difference in a Brazilian negotiation is the sympathy and how the businessman can look like a friendly person during his meeting.  So, before start a negotiation in Brazil, you must improve your sympathy and try to adapt for different situations, but remember, never take out your smile from your face.

Pelé is hospitalized in Sao Paulo

One of the most known figures in the sport of all time, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, best-known as Pelé, was on Thursday moved to a special care unit of a São Paulo hospital where he is being treated for a urinary infection. Pelé is 74 years old and according to Brazilian website www.globo.com the soccer legend was “doing fine” and could be discharged as early as Friday. Before, the hospital caused a scare by announcing that Pelé had been taken to a special care unit because of “medical instability”. This news told that the former striker’s condition had worsened but the hospital stated that he was not in intensive care. Pelé was received to Albert Einstein hospital on Tuesday with a urinary infection, just two weeks after undergoing kidney surgery in the same place for the removal of stones. Another Brazilian website named UOL quoted medical sources affirming that the urinary infection was a normal consequence following the kidney surgery. Pelé previously passed for a surgery in November 2012, when he have to make a hip replacement. At this time, Pelé was struggling to cope with life on the road. During his career as a soccer player, Pelé won three World Cups – in 1958, 1962 and 1970 – over a 14-year international career and was a joint winner, with Argentina’s Diego Maradona, of Fifa’s award for the player of the 20th century.  In addition, Pele scored more than 1000 times during his career and he is until now, the player with the most number of goals in the history of the Brazilian National Soccer Team. However, he is not universally loved in Brazil. His speeches often leave him in trouble and open criticism of some other famous people in Brazil, for example with the 1994 World Cup winner Romário that last year said that “Pelé is a poet when he is quiet” after he stand against the wave of protests that took place in Brazil after a series of corruption scandals.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/nov/27/brazil-legend-pele-hospital

Environmental Balance

The environment has a lot of relationships between several kinds of living beings and the components that are part of this perfect balance. If one of the many interactions be changed, it can cause damage in all the system. Nowadays, an important topic has been arguing in the scientific community: how to protect some species of animals of the extinction? In my opinion, the goals of the humanity can be developed with the thinking about the relationships that exist in the environment. For this, it is just necessary a sustainable developing. First of all, there are some species of animals that live just in a restrict area in the world. In this case, the best option for possible uses of the space for humanity, it is looking for another place with a smaller range variety of biodiversity and where they can develop their projects or business. If the first option is not possible, the entrepreneurs are responsible for the damages in the area of the project, and they must take the most adequate methods to preserve the local environment. Second, the biodiversity is import for the humanity because the animals support the proper functioning of the ambient. For example, if the men decrease quickly the amount of a determined animal that make part of a big system, the amount of its prey can increase in the same speed. In addition, a possible predator of the first specie can decrease quickly too. This difference can make an imbalance in the environment, and probably its damage can affect the humanity with some troubles like lack of food or specific nutrients. Finally, the variety of animals is one of the most beautiful characteristics of the Nature Mother. Also, it is an important attraction for the people in general. For example, the business of zoo is very attractive and profitable because most people like to see the lots of different kinds of animals that exist around the world. But it is necessary to remember that in the zoo the animals need to be treated with care and the same is true for the people who will visit the animals. To conclude, besides the biodiversity is attractive and beautiful, it is also important to regulate the conditions of living in the Earth. There are a lot of interactions that the animals make part and to keep the planet safe is better the humanity don't change this.

Corruption in the biggest company of Brazil

Petrobras has been being the biggest Brazilian company for much time, but nowadays this firm has been passing by many problems related with scandals of corruption with the public money. Petrobras is a state-owned company which has a minority part of private initiative and the majority part with the control of the Brazilian government by the Ministry of Mines and Energy. Petrobras currently is a worldwide reference in digging for oil in the deep ocean and also in the creation and export of ethanol, a fuel created by sugar that can be a sustainable alternative for the gasoline in the future. The prediction about the growing of the firm was enormous 5 years ago, but some structural problems that happened recently have been decreasing the hope about this growing. The most important positions in the company are chosen by the government, and because this fact many cases of corruption have been related with the management of the firm. The best-known case is related with billions of dollars diverted from public coffers through a purchase of a refinery in Pasadena, California, United States. The estimated price of the refinery when it was purchased in 2012 was about 2 billions of dollars, but the Brazilian government purchased this refinery for about 5 billions of dollars, but where the 3 billions that remained of the negotiation are, nobody knows. Nowadays, many investigations about corruption in Petrobras has been opened, and the president of the firm has announced the creation of a compliance department to deal with the unfurling corruption scandal that has shaken the state-owned oil giant. Graca Foster, the current president, says the scandal has underscored the need for such an internal body, which she pledged would be operating as soon as possible. Foster made the announcement Monday in a conference call with investors after about two dozen people were detained last week in connection with the corruption scheme. Authorities allege top Petrobras officials operated a kickback scheme on contracts involving several billion dollars, with the money later going back to the governing Workers Party and other top parties for political campaigns.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/11/17/brazil-petrobras-to-create-department-to-fight-corruption-amid-widening-scandal/

The Power of Plants

Since ancient times, plants have been used as a form of medicine to cure some diseases. With the advancement of technology, there was also the advancement of medicine, so nowadays usually is possible to see some questions like: "Is there still room for traditional medicine even with the advancement of modern medicine?". The answer to this question is yes, until now some plants are used and helpful to cure or help in the treatment of diseases. First of all, a kind of plant that is used in large scale to improve health is the garlic. The Chinese and Japanese have used garlic for centuries to treat high blood pressure. Nowadays, garlic has proven a good tool in the fight against cancer, since garlic helps the immune system. Second, a traditional plant, very common in the treatment of diseases, is the ginger. In fact, ginger has been called the "universal medicine". For over 2000 years, Chinese doctors have promoted the use of ginger to treat many health problems. The use of ginger can prove many benefits such as nausea, aids digestions, relax blood vessels and stimulate blood flow, and reduces fever. Finally, another kind of traditional medicine that has been used by humanity since many years ago is tea. There are several different types of tea, just changing the plants used to do the tea. The Chinese have been drinking tea since 3000 B.C. and believe it helps digestion. Green tea, one of the many kinds of tea, is used to fight skin and stomach cancer and help the immune system. Another common tea, the oolong tea is drunk in Korea and other Asian countries to reduce cholesterol levels after a fatty meal. To conclude, either in serious cases such as cancer or in cases not as important as a cold, traditional medicine has shown that it can be a powerful tool in the fight against diseases. Enjoy!

Volkswagen Golf named Car of the Year

The good and old known Volkswagen Golf is named the Car of 2014. We may not agree with the decision because the majority of us don't think that the Golf is the most exciting car in the world, but with the help of a modern design elaborated by the German giant car company, the compact car has been named Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year.

There are four different versions of the Gold available in the mart, and the award is for all versions. That includes the sporty Golf GTI, the diesel-powered Golf TDI, the electric-powered e-Golf and the basic Golf 1.8T. This seventh-generation version of the compact car is lighter and more fuel-efficient but still larger than previous Volkswagen Golfs. Compared to its competitors, the Volkswagen Golf is a small, inexpensive luxury car. Although the internal space that is not pleasant for the passengers of the Golf, the car can be attractive because its price at dealerships and its excellent cost-benefit. The Volkswagen Golf is equipped with a potent engine named Motor Trend that can offer tranquility for the driver but also power when needed along its 292 horse-power. To win the award, the Golf beat out 23 other completely new or substantially redesigned models considered by the magazine. After testing the cars at the Hyundai proving grounds in the southwest California desert, the magazine's staffers narrowed the list to 10 finalists. The other finalists were the Audi A3, BMW 2-series, Ford Mustang, Honda Fit, Hyundai Genesis, Kia Sedona, Lexus RC, Maserati Ghibli and Mercedes-Benz C-class. Even if some of these cars are more popular in the streets than the Volkswagen Golf, the compact could show its qualities and ended acclaimed as the winner of the contest.

http://money.cnn.com/2014/11/13/autos/motor-trend-volkswagen-golf/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Home Sweet Home

People have different opinions about what is a home, but for most people the home is the place where they live and enjoy with their family. For example, the building where you grew up and enjoy your childhood is considered a home, because it is the place that you will visit when you need to rest. First of all, the home needs to be a place where you can feel relaxed and be able to rest. For instance, a person who create a family, with partner and children, this person has a home to rest every day after the job and enjoy his family. If the house is a place where the person cannot rest and he doesn't feel comfortable, it cannot be named home. Second, a home needs to be a place where the person finds love. After a hard day in a job for example, it is important for the person arrive in the home and receive affection from the ones he loves. This affection can be made by his partner or his children, and one way to make a house a home is create emotional lies in the place, for example, making the home unforgettable for his children by the practice of activities between father and son. Finally, what you do inside the house is essential to make your house a home. For instance, what you like to cook and what aromas for cleaning can make your home have the smell that you like. For example, I love the smell of lavender, and I often clean my house with products that have this aroma, so when I enter in my house I can smell it, increasingly this place in my home. To conclude, the home is essential for every person and everyone needs to make the appropriate changes in his house to make this place a home, including also feelings such as love, respect and confidence.

Let's go Sun Devils

On last Saturday, an important football happened in Tempe, Arizona. The hosts representing Arizona State Sun Devils received the division rivals of the University of Utah in a game for the eight round of the PAC 12. It was an interesting game because both teams had the same number until the game, with 6 victories and 1 loss in the first 7 games, and the team that win the game could assume the first place in the division. The game was realized at the Sun Devils Stadium at 8 pm. With the support of the fans vibrating with each bid, the Sun Devils started the game very well taking care of offensive actions. And the pressure had result with the Arizona State opening the score with a field goal when the clock marked 12:12 of the first period. The visitors can not create good offensive campaigns and the Sun Devils quietly dominated the first period. However, the hosts can not transform this superiority in touchdowns, scoring just one more field goal in the end of the first period. The second period started more balanced, with the visitors playing well and achieving good offensive campaigns. But as happened with the hosts in the first period, the team of Utah failed to score touchdowns and just achieved two field goals. Moreover, in a good campaign led by the quarterback of the Sun Devils Taylor Kelly, the hosts arrived at the end zone and scored the first TD of the game. Finally, the teams went to the coat check with 13-6 in the score for Arizona State. The third period started very balanced, with the two teams getting nullify the attacks with solid defenses. The visitors rushed to the attack and achieved to score a touchdown. After, the visitors still managed to score a field goal, going for the first time ahead. In the fourth period, the public helped the Sun Devils to get a field goal, what did the game went to prorogation. The final was surprising, with the visitors first losing a easy field goal that will give the victory for their. After, the Arizona State's kicker Zane Gonzalez hit a 36-yard field goal that gave the victory to the hosts, vibration at the Sun Devils Stadium. Now, the Sun Devils are the leader of the division and they have an important game next Saturday against Notre Drame. Good luck and let's go Sun Devils.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=400548296

Enthusiasm: Why is it important in our lives?

During our live, we can know different kinds of people. Sometimes, we find people who developed a special feeling named enthusiasm. But how the enthusiasm can influence in our lives and why it occurs? First of all, often we can know people who are more enthusiastic than others. It is completely normal, there are different types of people and some developed the power of always thinking good vibes and celebrate all the accomplishments of their life. Second, it is important to know how the enthusiasm appear in our lives. For example, some kinds of people born with this feeling, and they are optimistic and happy for all their live. But it is not easy to another types of people, there are people who are naturally pessimist, but the contact with enthusiastic people can help the pessimistic to become people more happy and optimistic. Finally, there is not a recipe to be excited or not a person. For example, in my life I always try to be optimist in the challenges that I need to win, and if I can accomplish my goals, I always celebrate this feat with very enthusiasm. In addition, I consider myself an enthusiastic person, because like all Brazilians, I always bring a smile to anyone who brings me a challenge. To conclude, enthusiasm can help people to reach their objectives through the confidence that everything will improve. Also this feeling can make our lives happier and more enjoyable.

Elections in Brazil

An important event happened on last Sunday in Brazil. Millions of Brazilian went to their respective constituencies to vote in a fierce race presidential in the history of the country. On one side was the current president and candidate for reelection by the Workers Party Dilma Rousseff. On the other side, representing the opposition candidate and former governor of the state of Minas Gerais, one of the biggest state in Brazil, Aecio Neves by Social Democratic Party. The election result was very important because the current president was suffering strong pressure from opposition and the public, the last one who came last in the streets to protest against the high taxes and high rates of corruption. The growth of the Brazilian economy in recent years has been minimal and everyone wanted to know if the majority of the population of Brazil was satisfied with his government. The current president was based on a number of socially programs that have been developed in Brazil since the government of his predecessor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, also of the Workers Party. These programs helped millions of Brazilians to get out of poverty, but nobody knew that it would be able to ensure the re-election of Ms. Rousseff because she was experiencing strong accusations by several kinds of media because scandals related to corruption of public money. Finally, Dilma Roussef won the election with 51.4 percent of the votes against 48.5 percent of her rival Aecio Neves. Now, Ms. Roussef will have to face strong popular resistance to adoption of programs. In addition, his major goal is to make the Brazilian economy grow again.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/world/americas/brazilian-presidential-election.html?_r=0

A Hard Road

Learning a second language nowadays it is essential for a good career, but it is not so easy, the person who want learn a second language needs to work hard. For example, in my case, a Brazilian guy who would like to improve my English, there are many troubles to achieve this. First of all, the biggest problem in my opinion is the pronunciation. There are a lot of similar words between Portuguese and English languages, but the way how you say the word is completely different. For example, the word “artificial” has the same spelling in both languages, but the pronunciation is distinct. Second, a trouble that affects many Brazilians is the speaking. When an adult thinks about how he will talk some sentence, he first think in the sentence in Portuguese, after he try to say the sentence in English. For example, in my first week in United States, I always thought a sentence in Portuguese before to tell something. Therefore, I usually spoke with a lot of “that”, because in Portuguese you need always join some sentences and in English it is often not necessary. Finally, another problem that are related with people who try to learn a second language is the listening. Sometimes the person know what means some word and can understand it when someone talks only the word, but when a word comes with a big sentence, it is much more difficult to understand. For example in my first class at AECP, I had some knowledge about a lot of words in English but when my first class started and my teacher talked a lot of sentences without stop, I did understand nothing, but it was a mixture of fear and anxiety. Fortunately, now I am more accustomed with English class and I can understand almost everything that some teacher tells for me. To conclude, the knowledge about a second language is something very wanted, but it is something difficult to be achieved. As a personal tip, how Su-Kyeong said for us, it is normal to make mistakes, and you don’t need to be worried about it, just lift your head and try another time. 

Peyton Manning is a famous football player that presently plays like quarterback in the Denver Broncos. He is considered by many people the best quarterback of all time. And it is not by accident, he is always broken records stipulated in the football. And on last Sunday it was not different, with 38 years old, Peyton broke the record of touchdown passes in the National Football League. It was a great feat for Manning, because 3 years ago he passed for a neck surgery, and nobody expected him to return to play at a high level. However, after the surgery chose to change his old team, Indianapolis Colts, for the Denver Broncos, and it was a good decision for his career, because Peyton Manning continue playing very well currently. In the last game, valid by the seventh week of the AFC, when Peyton passed the ball for Demaryus Thomas with 3:09 remaining in the first half, he made history. It was the 509th pass for touchdown in his career. Now, Manning is the quarterback with most passes for touchdowns of all time, overcoming Brett Favre, the old record holder. In addition, he helped his team to win a game against San Francisco 49ers by the score 42-17 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Along the game, Peyton Manning passed for four touchdowns. Now, Peyton Manning has 510 touchdown passes and hardly ever anyone will surpass his mark. The Manning's focus now is fight and help the Denver Broncos to win the Super Bowl, a dream for the people of Colorado, because in the last year the team fell against Seattle Seahawks. Congratulations Peyton Manning and good luck Broncos.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11731334/peyton-manning-denver-broncos-breaks-brett-favre-all-touchdown-pass-record

Introduction

Hello everyone.

My name is Junior and I am from Brazil. I have one brother and one sister. In my free time, I practice sports, mainly soccer. I have been studying at ASU for 2 months. I decided to come to ASU because I wanted to improve my English and learn new topics in my area of engineering. After I finish my studies at ASU, I will looking for a great job with a good salary. My major will be Environmental Engineering. In my life, I always try to be friendly with the people around me.

Thank you for attention.