Moving to a foreign country for work is not a straightforward endeavour. But that’s exactly what Benoit Perreault did when he settled in Goiânia, Brazil to oversee the operations at Soucy América do Sul.
A mandate that came with its lot of challenges, both on a personal and operational level.
In this article, Benoit shares what he’s learned and offers advice to anyone else thinking of working abroad.
Benoit and his spouse explore the Alto Paraíso region in June 2024, shortly after moving to Brazil.
When Benoit first set foot in Brazil, he knew he had to approach this new chapter of his life with a lot of humility as he adjusted to new social norms. He also had to embrace the differences that marked his professional environments and daily interactions.
And there were plenty of communication challenges. After all, Benoit was surrounded by people who mostly only spoke Portuguese. Challenges that were exciting in themselves but left him exhausted at the end of the day.
He quickly realized that becoming fluent in Portuguese was essential for his integration into his newfound community.
“It was important for me to learn Portuguese instead of expecting them to learn English.” — Benoit
With that goal in mind, Benoit took intensive Portuguese lessons twice a week for six months. His hard work paid off. Benoit can now confidently speak with his colleagues, vendors, and partners.
In addition to learning a new language and acclimating to a new culture, Benoit also had to embrace a “more casual” type of management style.
While becoming proficient in Portuguese required patience, understanding Brazilian culture required an open mindset.
In fact, learning and progressing at a slower pace than he would have in Quebec helped him adopt a more considered and inclusive approach. This was greatly appreciated, as management in Brazilian companies is generally more directive. Team spirit and collaboration at America do Sul emerged thanks to Benoit’s new approach.
He’s now able to better comprehend subtle cultural norms and is more sensitive to his team’s needs. A new management style that has resulted in a team that is more cohesive and efficient.
In terms of operational activities, Soucy América do Sul always has to contend with one major factor: the weather.
“In Brazil, when it rains, it pours. And the rainy season has a huge impact on agriculture,” said Benoit. “Track systems are an effective solution in abundant rain and enable local farmers to harvest their crops. That’s a pretty big deal. Our teams often have to respond to emergency requests,” he added.
We established a network of partners to help farmers quickly acquire track systems. As a result, farmers can finance their products. In turn, this has boosted the company’s activities.
To ensure swift deliveries throughout South America’s biggest country, the company now stores its products in strategic areas.
In other words, having track systems on hand in various regions mean they can be delivered in record-breaking time!
Benoit is proud to be part of a versatile, responsive, and customer-focused team. These solutions not only help the company thrive, they also ensure local farmers can benefit from economic stability.
Benoit is happy to have reached his sales objectives and to have overseen the company’s first exports of Brazilian products to Africa, Europe and the rest of Latin America. A success that was made possible by his team’s collective drive and ambition.
Be ready to learn!
Benoit says his year of living in Brazil has enabled him to enjoy new experiences and acquire new skills that would normally have taken him 10 years to develop had he remained in Quebec.
He encourages future expats to seize these opportunities with an open, curious mindset. To not be afraid of cultural, linguistic challenges. And to boldly walk through doors that open to them.
The one word that comes to mind when describing his experience working abroad? “Gratitude,” he says. He believes every experience is a unique opportunity to grow both professionally and personally.
This time abroad has allowed him to master new skills and to become more humble and patient.