Business in Mexico Our Company Is Considering

¶ … Business in Mexico

Our company is considering outsourcing and selling products abroad, and I would like you to represent us. In specific, our country of choice is Mexico. In order to be successful there, whoever, and make an effective launch as well as hit the right people and best sell our products (never mind interest the locals to our company), it is important that we become acquainted with the Mexican social and business customs of the country as well as their etiquette in related manners.

This, therefore, is a summary of the research that I have done that should give us some rough knowledge of how to be in the various business and outside-business situations.

I was astonished to discover that sharp differences sometimes exist between American culture and Mexican culture and that this intrudes into business relationships and ways of conducting business that can quite possibly spell the differnce between successful or unsuccessful communication between and American and Mexican businessman who are reciprocally unacquainted with the other's culture.

Take this for instance: for the American, professional competence and experience rank first and foremost amongst all other matters. For the Mexican, however, this is less important, with trust being the most important, component. This is terrific to keep in mind for what I means am that you may lack the various credentials but win the Mexican's trust, and you may have his ear.

The American businessman, too, has to assume the challenging (for him) habit of making small talk for seemingly long hours of time and confabulating before getting into business proper. And even then, 'business proper' may likely -- given the Mexican penchant for conversation, drift into gossip and general small talk that may likely irritate the time-conscious American but that, for success, of his business he would have to stomach.

Business meetings start off slowly with the Mexican covertly appraising the other in order to assess how the rest of the corporation may react to the business deal. Mexican corporations indicate a clear gap between the director / executive and the rest of the employees, and oen is often not in touch with the other. Rather than sitting and discussing with the rest of the team, as an American corporation is often apt to do, the Mexican executive ends up guessing.

Setting up an appointment is also not too easy. A line of secretaries often intercepts the call making it arduous and frustrating to reach the intended person. Cellular phones are, however, important in Mexico so it would be helpful to have one with the intended person's cellular number so as to arrange direct and unhindered contact.

Patience and knowledge of fluent Spanish is helpful. If lacking the language, have someone who can help you. Fluency is, however, a must.

Patience is important, too.

In America, time, they say, is money. In Mexico, time is life and money exists for life's enjoyment. Mexicans have the saying: "Americans live to work, but Mexicans work to live" Take this into consideration when dealing with Mexicans, particularly in business settings. Whilst our time is measured in terms of the amount of money we can make in those increments of time, Mexicans may well be frustrated with us for dulling their existence and 'wasting' their time. Wastage of time, therefore, has different meanings to either culture. Awareness too must be given of the fact that the typical Mexican business day starts at 9.00am and ends promptly at 7.00pm. The Mexican lunches, too, last for about 2 hours (between 2.00pm -- 4.00pm). In a similar way, do not expect phone calls or e-mail messages (or any message for that matter) to be returned. Mexicans expect you to talk to them directly if you consider your mission important enough, whilst e-mails, by the way, are often written and responded to by the secretary rather than by the boss.

Dates, too, are read in Mexico the European way, so, for instance 12/01/2012 would be read as 01/12/2012.

For Mexicans, breakfast is often at 8.30am, lunch at 2.00pm and dinner at 9.00pm. The last has posed many a problem for American businessmen who expect the typical U.S. time of 6.00pm-7.00pm. Females too only invite a male for business dinner in the company of the spouse and / other associates. The talk itself is generally approached during coffee and after meal drinks and, only after the Mexican considers you his friend, will he possibly agree to your objective. Do not use his or her first name and call by the title (if he has). These are big status symbols in Mexico. People, too, have three names: their first name, their father's last name, and their mother's last name. Use only the father's last name not the mother's last name when addressing someone.

In general, it is highly advisable to involve a lawyer in your dealings and to consider each and every eventuality tiny as it may be. Given the huge cultural differences, and the need for clear-tight legality in the minutest of instances the importance of having a lawyer cannot be overemphasized.