Doing Business In Mexico

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To: President, XYZ Corporation

From: Foreign Relations Director

Date:

Subject: Important Info for your Business Trip to Mexico

On Thursday, October 20, you'll be taking a one-week business trip to Mexico to meet with our potential clients there. As you have never visited the country before, I have prepared a short report for you on what you will need to know so as not to offend anybody.

Business Relationships

Mexicans place a good deal amount of emphasis on personal relationships. The key to a successful business trip to Mexico is establishing a close relationship with the client. Good personal relationships are the basis of business success in Mexico. In Mexican business culture, interpersonal skills such as "fitting in", cultivating relationships, and, most importantly, winning the favor of others, are sometimes considered more important than professional competence or experience.

Mexicans prefer to do business only with people whom they "know". Getting to "know" the clients will be a difficult task especially on your first trip. Because establishing close relationships, trust, and favor are so important in Mexico, it may take many return trips to Mexico to build these bonds.

You'll find that Mexican business culture has a warm, friendly relaxed atmosphere, with a slower pace. Mexican men are warm, friendly, and may initiate physical contact. They often touch shoulders or hold the arm of another. Withdrawing from these affectionate gestures can be perceived as an insult. Personal space is not as important in Mexico as it is in the United States, therefore they may be only inches away when they talk to you. To avoid insulting them just relax and speak normally.

Many Mexican companies are family owned, and because families play such a dominant role in Mexican society and have such a large influence on individual behavior it is wise not to ignore or overlook any person in the meetings you will attend. Because Mexicans value close personal relationships, many extended families can include college friends and business associates.

Business Attire

The Business Attire in Mexico is similar to that of the United States. Standard office attire for women includes dresses, skirted suits, or skirts and blouses. Femininity is strongly encouraged in women's dress. However nothing revealing should be worn in public or to a meeting. Women business travelers will want to bring hosiery and high heels. They will also appreciate a light coat for evening wear.

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