Mexico Bus. Customs

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MEXICO By: Eric Guadarrama Federico Torres

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IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND A LITTLE MORE ABOUT MEXICO, I’M GOING TO ALLOW ME TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO EXPLAIN THE GENERAL CONTEXT OF MY COUNTRY (MEXICO).

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MEXICO BY ITS GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION, IS A SUPPORT IN THE WORLD-WIDE COMERCE, BECAUSE THE PANAMA CHANEL IS NARROW AND SLOW.

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THIS IS…

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MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO MEXICO

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DO YOU KNOW WHAT PLACE DOES MEXICO HAVE IN THE WORLD ECONOMY?

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1? NO

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5? NO

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IT IS … 13

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THE MAJOR INCOME INT0 THE COUNTRY ARE…

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PETROLEUM

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TURISM

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REMITTANCES

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INDUSTRY -AUTOMOTIVE -CEMENT -STEAL -TEXTIL -CHEMICAL

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mexico

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Business Etiquette in Mexico

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Working and business hours Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Authority, Status and Decision Makers Time and Punctuality Language Dress Code Greeting Protocols Women in Business Negotiating in Mexico Social Etiquette in Mexico

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Working and Business Hours   Offices: Office Hours are generally from 8am to 6pm.  Office Lunches are usually taken between 1pm and 3 pm and last for between 1 and 2 hours.

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Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner In Mexico, different kinds of business meetings take place, depending on the time of day. First, though, a note about the Bill... - it is polite to offer to pay, anyway. When you pay your bill, you should include the appropriate tip..( 15 %) Breakfasts: (Start Between 8am & 11am) - Business Breakfasts are very common in Mexico. They take place in good restaurants and it is the meal where most business is done.. Business Breakfasts tend to last no more than 2 hours. Lunches: (Start Between 2pm and 4pm) - A Business Lunch is not a detailed power-business session. In Mexico, this is the main meal of the day and will consist of soup, starter, main course, dessert, coffee, cheese, brandy, et al. During lunch times, Mexican people will want to get to know you - and they will not do business with you if they don't know you, or don't like you. Business ideas, concepts, and possibilities are discussed - specifics are not. Don't get your paperwork and charts out - this is not the time. During lunch, you 'network', you socialize a little, you keep the conversation in the 'concept and possibility' arena only. Lunches are also "deal maker" times, used to close deals once the detail has been pre-negotiated and agreed beforehand Dinner: Dinner in Mexico is a late affair: around 9pm. Family is important in Mexico, and Mexicans like to share time with their families in the evening.

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Authority, Status & Decision Makers Mexican Businesses tend to be very hierarchical. Status and position is important in Mexico, and you should acknowledge this and act accordingly. If a Mexican firm's top managers are present at a meeting; they will expect the same from your firm.  They will feel insulted if subordinates are sent to meet with them. Equally, if a firm sends Make sure that you are meeting and negotiating with the people who will be making the decisions.

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Time and Punctuality The English are so well known for their punctuality that in Mexico, there's a saying people use after agreeing a time with you: "Hora Inglesa", literally translated means "English Time", the inference is that the time agreed should be strictly adhered to. Time is a very flexible thing in Mexico. As such, don't be offended or surprised if your contacts in Mexico don't show up in timely fashion: tardiness can be due to a range of different things and if it happens there will always a be a 'good reason' for it! For social events, you could show up 30 minutes later than the time on the invitation. Even back home, preferring to arrive a little later on.

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Language Spanish is Mexico's official language, and business meetings should normally take place in Spanish. English is quite widely spoken in business circles. You should try to learn some Spanish if you are going to be doing lots of business in Mexico. Even an attempt to communicate with broken Spanish will be warmly appreciated and seen as a sign of interest and respect.

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Dress Code Mexicans dress formally for business meetings with suits and ties. Tennis shoes …are a no-no. The exception to this rule is if you are meeting in a very hot region or climate - Acapulco by the Pacific coast is a good example. Next to the beach, meeting attire tends to be smart informal; formal shorts and short sleeved shirts (not T-shirts) are acceptable, but your feet should be covered - no flip flops or similar. Dress light, but respectfully. For social gatherings (outings, picnics, etc) wear smart casual - chinos, polo shirt, pull-over for the evening, etc. If you're playing golf, you'll be required to wear proper golf wear, just as you would do at established golf clubs back home.

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Greeting Protocols Names: In Mexico, people have three names: Their First name, their Paternal name and their Maternal name. Written, they will use all three (or the third will be often abbreviated with the first letter), but verbally they will use the first two. For example, Maria Vazquez Laredo would introduce herself as Maria Vazquez, or Señora/Señorita Vazquez (although see note below about Titles). Titles: Titles are extremely important in Mexico - a big status symbol. Professionals with a degree are not referred to as Señor or Señora/Señorita, but with their title: The most common titles are: Licenciado/a (Professional e.g. Lawyer, BSc, etc), Ingeniero/a (Engineer) Doctor/a (Doctor), Arquitecto/a (Architect). If you are unsure whether they have a title (a business card should always carry it).

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Men Meeting Men: Men always shake hands when they meet and before they depart each other's company. An "abrazo" (hug) is shared between friends; wait for your Mexican contact to lead with this. If, while shaking hands, he pulls you in toward him, follow through with your left arm on his back, and give him 2 or 3 pats on the back. Men Meeting Women: A formal handshake is appropriate for business when meeting and before departing; some women may learn toward you to kiss; you should follow through with a light kiss on the cheek (only one, unlike Italy, for example). Hugging as above. Women Meeting Women: A formal handshake is appropriate, and it is likely that women will kiss on the cheek when they meet and depart. Hugging as above.

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Generally: If you are introduced to a man or woman, you should always follow the protocols above: Physical contact is essential - never just stand there and say 'hello, nice to meet you'. Once you have built a rapport and have a friendship developing, you will find that your Mexican hosts will be much warmer, and physical contact in the "meet and greet" process will be more prominent (e.g. handshakes and hugs will be firmer and last longer). Don't let any personal reserve you might have interfere with this process: it is essential to gaining people's trust and understanding in Mexico.

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Women in Business Although Mexico is sometimes remembered for its "machismo" attitude towards women, contemporary Mexico is not usually like this in professional circles. The modern Mexican woman is cosmopolitan, professional, and well respected. If you are a woman planning to do business in Mexico, whether independently or as part of an organization, you should find that you are accepted, respected and treated very courteously and professionally by the majority of business people.

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Negotiating in Mexico When you're doing business in Mexico, the most important thing to remember is that the relationship must be developed first. Mexican people make friends first, and then they do business, not the other way around. If you do not take time to develop a relationship - a friendship - building rapport and trust, then you may as well not be in Mexico on business. You may have the best product (they may have the very thing your company needs) but if you don't build the relationship, they will be highly reluctant to do business with you. Therefore your negotiations should initially center around building a relationship. A meeting should always begin with small talk. Family is very important in Mexico, and a friendly enquiry about how the family is doing is often common practice, even among Mexicans. Other topics include the weather (no problem there if you're British), latest fashions, and Mexico's areas of outstanding natural beauty for some background details on this. Business deals are seldom (if ever) closed over the phone; Mexicans like to look you in the eye when they are closing the deal.