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I first visited Brazil back in 1994. It was a trip after
college to help better understand my production competition in the
world. I returned to Brazil in January of 2001. Back in
2001 I could never have imagined how far I would have come
personally, given how “Green” I was back then.
I was helpless in Brazil without a guide near me at all times. I did
not know how to navigate airports, book flights, arrange for
transport, how to talk to the girls, or order a pizza. With a
lot of support and personal commitment I now organize and guide
investors from around the world. I am now the voice many count
on to bounce ideas off of and help new comers open the doors to the
countless agricultural opportunities in Brazil. I must say it is a dream come
true to be able to meet so many dynamic people with varying
interests from around the world. When I was bouncing around in a
tour van back in 2001 in the middle of
Mato Grosso, I knew I was seeing the future. I asked myself, how can
a person get more information out of this remote area? Cell phone
towers were just beginning to be built. Fixed line power cables had
just been installed in the year 2000 from a hydroelectric dam north
of Cuiabá.
But how? How long would it take? When would high speed
internet come? Who could have imagined Skype back in 2001?
It is truly amazing how technology has transformed our lives in such
a short period of time.
I have seen many foreigner investors come and go in Brazil. I
watch how successful Brazilians manage their businesses. I
have watched Americans with too much money and too much ego crash
and burn. I have seen individuals try and use American
business models in Brazil. On the other hand, I have met
people that have adapted
themselves to the culture, language and understand the Latin America
dynamics. If one is to live in Brazil and do business here, one must
have social connections. One must place trust into your Brazilian
friends. Problems always pop up. One must always have a network of
confidants that can help guide you down the correct path. I have
seen so many start out trusting the wrong people. I call this the black hole syndrome. In the early
stages one does not see the light start to dim. Before long one has
passed a point of no return. More and more problems begin to arise,
bad advice leads to more bad advice. Money seems to evaporate from
your hands as you try and deal with problems. Time evaporates in
Brazil. Frustration with bureaucracy increases ones blood pressure.
This is why it is paramount to surround yourself with quality people
from the start in Brazil. To make it through the initial Brazil
learning curve one needs financial and emotional fortitude. If one
makes it through and one can overcome your homesickness, it is then,
in my opinion, that you are ready to take your first step into
Brazilian investment. You have graduated.
I have been fortunate to have had a series of angels help me in the
early years. They were a combination of Americans and Brazilians.
Without their support via financial and emotional support at times,
I am not sure I would have made it. Today my confidence level has
risen to a point that I can speak with certainty on a variety of
issues with which newcomers to Brazil will need to deal.
I have been fortunate to have a wife and child to help ground me. I
have been able to prioritize what is important. The city I live in
has many American features to it. I can pick up the telephone and
have McDonalds or Pizza Hut delivered to my front door. I can go to
a shopping mall and watch newly released American movies in English
with Portuguese sub text. I highly recommend this for beginners
learning Portuguese. The newest invention that helps me keep up to
speed on North American current events is Sling Box. Because I
have high speed internet, I have been able to use sling box
technology to connect to the satellite dish receiver at the farm in
Minnesota. I watch all the new shows on my computer screen
while I am working in my office. I am completely up to date on
watching HBO, Fox news, and for that matter my local news out of
Grand Forks, ND. Who could have imagined this in 2001?
In summary, for the next generation that is coming to Brazil, it will
only get easier. The ability to stay in contact with family via
internet telephones and watch Monday night football can
help ease the transition to Brazil. When I think back to how “green” I was and how fast technology has changed
the way
we live and interact - in just 7 years - can we
even imagine where we will be in the next 10 years? |
