BUSINESS IN MEXICO

INTERNATIONAL MARKETING

TEACHER: Juan Conde Revuelta

MEMBERS: Stefanie Aguila

Natalia Salazar

INDEX

● PEOPLE

● MEETING AND GREETING

● BODY LANGUAGE

● CORPORATE CULTURE

● DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT

● DRESS CODE

● GIFTS

● HELPFUL HINTS

● ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN

PEOPLE

● Mexico is a very class-conscious society where social stratifications are

well-defined.

● Upper class Mexicans will not dirty their hands with tasks they find

beneath them.

● Macho attitudes are inculcated in Mexican males almost from birth, and

machismo plays a pervasive role in shaping Mexican culture.

● The Mexicans are nice, seek to behave with complacency, pleasure and

sensitivity dealing with others.

● There makes good sense of the humor and ingenuity to solve the

adversities.

● They are gentlemanly, seeks to demonstrate comity, nobility and

amiability.

MEETING AND GREETING

Shake hands or give a slight bow when introduced.

Bow when greeting a Mexican woman. Shake hands only if she extends

her hand first.

BODY LANGUAGE

Mexicans generally stand close together when conversing.

Don't show signs of discomfort, which would be considered rude by your

Mexican counterpart.

Mexicans often "hold" a gesture (a handshake, a squeeze of the arm, a

hug) longer than Americans and Canadians do.

Don't stand with your hands on your hips; this signifies anger.

It is considered rude to stand around with your hands in your pockets.

CORPORATE CULTURE

● Punctuality is expected of foreign businesspeople.

● Spanish is the language of business.

● Meet with top executives first.

● Negotiations move slowly. Be patient.

● Expect approximately ten to fifteen minutes of small talk before getting

down to business.

● If offered something to drink (usually coffee), don't refuse. This would be

seen as an insult.

● Take some time for consider or make a decision.

● Personalize everything. Explain how all proposals will benefit a Mexican's

country, community, family and, most important, the Mexican personally.

● Deal-making almost never occurs over the phone (and rarely by letter).

Mexicans prefer to do business in person.

● Be persistent!

DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT

● Don’t show up on time for a social engagement -- you will be the only one

who does, and will most likely be waiting for a very long time (possibly

hours).

● To reciprocate, invite your Mexican counterparts to dinner at a nice

restaurant (French or Italian are your best bets). Pay in advance to avoid

arguments about the bill.

● Businesspeople are often invited to visit the home of their Mexican

counterparts. On your first visit to a Mexican home, it is best to wear

business attire unless specifically told otherwise.

DRESS CODE

● Men should always wear a shirt and tie, except at casual affairs. Both men

and women should dress conservatively. Recommended colors are navy

and dark gray.

● Women should always wear make-up.

GIFTS

● While gift giving is not always a necessity when doing business in Mexico,

gifts are much appreciated. Suggested initial gifts include non-personal

items with your corporate logo.

● Flowers should always be given when visiting a Mexican home. It's OK to

have them sent beforehand, or to bring them with you. If you have them

sent, make sure that they arrive before you do.

HELPFUL HINTS

● Any attempt to speak Spanish is appreciated by our Mexican counterparts

and is seen as a gesture of goodwill. Demonstrating knowledge and

appreciation of Mexican culture wins friends.

● Mexicans are very proud of their independence and have a very strong

sense of national identity and pride. Never compare the way things are

done in Mexico with the way they are done in the United States.

ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN

● Mexican men, business colleagues included, will pay foreign businessmen

many compliments and may even be flirtatious. Graciously accept such

banter -- it is usually done with the utmost respect -- while firmly reminding

your male Mexican counterparts that you are a businesswoman.

● Foreign businessmen should not invite Mexican businessmen to dinner

unless their spouses also come along. If invited out to dinner or to socialize

by a male Mexican colleague, a businesswoman should make it clear that

no opportunity for romance exists. Appearances are important.

VIDEO

MEXICO: CULTURE AND BUSINESS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od8p65oxVwU