Working for a company headquartered in Portugal can be both an enriching and challenging experience. This setup offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in a different culture, broaden your professional horizons and develop intercultural skills. That’s exactly what I thought when, in November 2016, I joined CarmoWood, taking over the management of Carmo France and Carmo France Structure en bois.
The challenges and objectives were very different from those I experienced during my 25 years working for a large American company. The cultural diversity that this experience has given me is an invaluable asset for professional interactions, allowing me to broaden my perspectives, foster innovation and develop unwavering resilience. Although this experience can present some challenges, it offers valuable opportunities for growth.
Geographical distance encourages more structured and intentional communication, while cultural diversity enriches interactions and promotes greater open-mindedness. Reconciling headquarters guidelines with local specificities allows teams to develop great agility, a strong ability to adapt and a deep understanding of international dynamics.
Despite these challenges, working for a company in Portugal was an opportunity for personal and professional growth. This experience encouraged open-mindedness, tolerance, and the ability to work in dynamic environments.
In short, working for a company headquartered in Portugal is an adventure that requires both technical and interpersonal skills. It is a valuable opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to a common project, even if on a small scale.
In these nine years, my greatest satisfaction to date has been recruiting and surrounding myself with people I admire. I believe I have contributed to building a cohesive, diverse, dynamic and talented team, united by common values and goals, especially that of ensuring customer satisfaction through profitable development. When the team respects and appreciates each other, as is the case with us, this translates into more effective communication, greater creativity and increased productivity. Colleagues become not only work partners but also friends, making the professional experience much richer.
However, I have always been aware and careful that even when recruiting people we like, this connection should not compromise objectivity. It is essential to fairly assess the skills and potential of each candidate, ensuring that everyone can contribute in a unique way to the team. The diversity of profiles and skills enriches the group and increases its effectiveness.
Today, I am fortunate to work alongside people I admire and respect, which makes my daily professional life a motivating and rewarding experience.
The second great satisfaction is having earned the recognition, loyalty and respect of our customers. For me, this was a fundamental goal and I believe it should be the goal of any company that wants to prosper in the long term. This process goes far beyond a simple commercial transaction: it is about building lasting relationships and creating added value in line with customers’ needs and expectations.
Customer recognition is achieved, above all, through the quality of the products and services provided. When customers perceive real value in what they purchase, they are more likely to value and recommend the brand. This includes not only product performance, but also the overall experience, which encompasses ease of access, customer service and the fulfilment of their expectations. I have learned throughout my career that customer loyalty is often the result of repeated positive experiences. To achieve this, it is essential to maintain open and transparent communication.
Responding to their concerns on a daily basis and listening to their feedback are key elements in strengthening this loyalty. I am convinced that customer respect is built on values such as integrity, honesty and responsibility. Companies that deliver on their promises, are transparent in their practices and make social or environmental commitments often end up earning the respect of their customers, at least that is how I see it. Furthermore, continuous innovation is essential to maintaining customer interest and engagement.
By staying attuned to market trends and the ever-changing needs of consumers, we are able to adapt our offerings and remain relevant. This demonstrates to the customer that we care about their satisfaction and are willing to evolve with them. In short, earning customer recognition, loyalty and respect is a multidimensional process that requires an ongoing commitment to quality, transparency and innovation. By cultivating authentic and meaningful relationships, companies not only build customer loyalty, but also a solid and lasting reputation that sets them apart in a competitive market.
Success is often seen as the culmination of a journey filled with effort, sacrifice, and determination. The joys that accompany it are many: the satisfaction of achieving a goal, the recognition of peers. These moments of joy are sources of motivation that drive us to pursue our ambitions. I fondly remember the opportunity I had to participate in and lead the construction of our floating offices. It certainly required a lot of work, days and days of meetings, resilience in difficult moments, but what a joy it was to see the goal achieved, and what pride I feel every day as I enjoy an extraordinary working environment.
Despite this, the path to success is not always linear. For any company, establishing itself and developing its sales and positioning in a country other than the one where its products are manufactured is a goal fraught with obstacles and challenges that sometimes seem insurmountable. Failures, doubts and disappointments are part of this journey. Learning to deal with these difficulties is essential, and each failure can be a valuable lesson, an opportunity to grow and reinvent oneself. This is our mission, every day.
Custodio Ximenes – Commercial Director, CarmoWood France