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A U.S. business executive traveling to Mexico on business for
the first time most likely will be flustered by the manner and
pace in which it is conducted in Mexico. Similarly, a Mexican
executive in the United States on business frequently will be
baffled at U.S. business tactics. Both executives would be well
advised to prepare for the cultural differences they will
encounter.
This is the first of a two-part look at
cultural differences in the business place.
Let’s say you’re visiting Kokomo, Ind. for
the first time to set up an electronics plant to service the
automotive industry. Operating within you own culture, you’ve
got a logical game plan in your head, a realistic time table,
and a sense of how people will react.
First, you get the name of an individual in
the state government. Your contact may call with an update
before your anticipated arrival: he has accomplished four of six
things you have asked of him, and he hopes to have the rest done
by the time you arrive. You prepare an agenda, and send a
summary of your project ahead of time so that your contact can
get started preparing for your arrival with other appointments,
data, and the like. You meet with the Indiana Development
Authority, who puts some preliminary data in your hands. After
your preliminary meeting, you visit the local government
bookstore or library; pay $60 for some studies. You go to the
county and get an aerial photo of a target property. You meet
two realtors for a windshield tour. You’re done. You have
binders of data on the shelf that signal to all who would be
interested that you are a studious and analytical type, with an
ability to get things done.
Now here’s what’s likely to transpire
in Mexico. You call the contact. He is very open and apparently
eager to receive you. Graciously, he says he will be delighted
to meet with you, and your summary of information will be most
helpful. With eloquence and formality, he assures you that he
will...
...Continued in the pages of Twin Plant News, Subscribe Today!
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