The Portugal Entrepreneurship trip was a great time, I wish I could have stayed for another couple of weeks. While the sight-seeing and cultural differences were interesting to learn about, the trip wouldn?t have been the same if we did not go around touring businesses. Some of the things that will stick with me after this trip are what I learned about sustainable business practices in Portugal and its sharp definition of sustainability. As I graduate next semester and enter the business and sales realm, an important factor for my hiring decision is the environmental impact of the company I?ll be working for. Portuguese culture also allows for a seemingly relaxed work schedule, all shops (even driving in the city) are closed on Sundays excluding restaurants, hospitality or tourist businesses. Portuguese businesses have a focus on sustainability, reaching past the environment and onto their employees. The role of a middle manager in a cork producing farm is to act in her employees best interests which often means challenging her boss or board. She expressed it as she wouldn?t have been doing her job if she did not fight for her employees? well-being. Reflecting on personal experiences in finance and the military, it is a rare occasion for a leader to ?stick their neck out? for their employees and risk the chopping block. The average turnover on a textile manufacturer we visited was something like 8 years ? speaking profoundly to the culture within the company. While the actual workload is likely to be similar to other textile manufacturers, a focus on employee sustainability turned into a competitive advantage for the business. All in all, the food was priced low and was incredible, I was very bummed out to return to the US and find that Iberian ham was over $100 a pound.
