Lisbon Challenge Spring 2015, U.S. Roadshow - San Francisco

The departure day was approaching at a fast pace. No, not again!!!
Not again, the bums on the streets.
Not again, the poverty, the bumpy roads.
Not again, the never ending flights, the race against the clock to be at every meeting on time, to apologize for every hiccup.

Not again….

The flight took off and we were on our way to the home of the free and the land of the brave.

Landed in Philadelphia airport, connected to the wireless network and saw the first messages. “The hostel does not allow us to check in, they want full payment!!!”
And the party begins!!!
Called the hostel to inform them that I am arriving late and since we already had a down payment they can consider first night fully paid.
The receptionist kept on repeating the same record “No one checks in until all fully paid”.
After a while with no success “Can you please let me speak with the manager”.
Took a deep breath and started the conversation with a smile requesting for a “one time exception - let the startups check-in and I will resolve the rest of the payment on my arrival”. It worked.

For those who don´t know, as opposed to Portugal, in America the prices are without VAT and 11%-20% tips are compulsory.
This always pisses me off, you never know exactly how much you will pay, until you get to the cashier, plus add the tip to it.

Why do they do that and what effect does it have on the Americans?

There was something that I realized was common to all the places I have been to. The people are more positive than in Portugal.
After all you are greeted with a handshake, as opposed to a warm fluffy Portuguese kiss.
I wanted to check out this positive tendency, so in order to spark it up, here are some tips that can make the whole difference:

1. Put a nice smile on your face,
2. Connect on a personal level (avoid help requests without context or without explaining the situation)
3. Wherever you can squeeze in a joke, just do it.

P.S: If everything fails, call the manager and repeat steps 1-3.

And the results:
Waiters - the service just exceeded all expectations.
Uber drivers - wow what a service. [Side tip: whatever you want to know or do, Uber drivers can help.]
People in the street - extremely friendly and helpful.
Security guards - serious at first, one joke turns them into your friends.
Everyone (suited or not) is approachable.

Yosemite incident

On the last day, we had the chance to visit Yosemite Park and after a long hike I jumped into the water… 2 minutes later I hear a lady screaming “SIR, GET OUT OF THE WATER NOW!!!!”. Even though I told her that I am coming out, she continued to come towards my direction.

Oh no, will I have to pay a fine????

As she came closer blabbering in a serious tone that got softer and softer and more apologetic, I slowly realized that she was concerned for my safety, not to get drifted away in the current. She started explaining the signs of current in the water and that someone was extremely injured the some days earlier.

Then the smile came and all was good.

It is amazing how each service person that I met during the visit seemed like they are happy to do their job, from the top level positions to the low ones, and I remembered our visit at BlackBox.
Fadi Bishara, founder and CEO of BlackBox, mentioned the differences between the European and the American mentality towards startups.

He said that one of the main difference is that the Americans BELIEVE.
They believe that they can make it, no matter what the odds are. And you know what, even when things go wrong, at least they tried.

I wonder how the startup ecosystem in Portugal would change if we just start BELIEVING more.

Would there be more innovation?
Would investors invest more and provide more trust in the capabilities of the teams to succeed?
Would the economical situation be better?
And the big question is why don’t they believe?

On my flight back to Portugal I saw a movie were a american football team with no chances of winning any competition ends up winning the championship….

I bet some of you are thinking “haha, typical American movie - Rambo, Rocky, Commando…. etc.”.
Hold that thought one second !!!

Imagine passing through childhood to adult, being exposed to these movies on a permanent basis.
Would you believe more?

How about when you make your first waiter job, and the size of the tips are aligned to the level of service that you provide.
Isn’t this a signal saying that the harder you work the more you gain?
Would that make you believe more?

These are 2 simple examples of some differences that has positive affect on the american mindset.

What kind of movies or series did you grow up on?
Can you detect any kind of systematic signalling that make you believe in yourself?

I also have the perception that most American movies are cliché, but could it be that this is the main contributor to the intrinsic drive for huge success?

Ask yourself this, DO YOU BELIEVE?