Small Business Today Magazine APR 2015 POSSIBLE MISSIONS | Page 16

EDITORIAL FEATURE

Doing Business in

mexico

BY LUDMILA (MILA) RUSAKOVA GOLOVINE

A

merican businesspeople looking to
engage in international business
ventures, one country stands out
among all others - Mexico.  First,
the United States shares its entire southern border with the country.  Second,
there is already a longstanding history
of business cooperation between our
two countries.  Last but not least, Mexico has the thirteenth largest economy in
the world and it is only growing.  All of
these factors make Mexico an extremely
attractive place to do business.  Nevertheless, just because we are so close does
not mean business etiquette is the same. 
There are subtle differences in Mexican
culture that must be learned and adapted so that your business venture will be
accomplished successfully.

ly formal meetings, so please keep this in
mind.  For women, dark business suits or
dresses are preferable.  If the meeting is
taking place in a more tropical area, more
casual dress is allowed such as pants and
a light shirt.  Regardless of the situation,
you should try to look as formal as possible just to be on the safe side.

Upon meeting your Mexican counterpart, it is customary to shake hands.  If
the relationship has already developed
between businesspeople, it is not uncommon for a woman to give a small kiss
on the cheek or for men to give each other a short hug.  Bear in mind that there is
more physical contact in Mexican business culture.  It is not at all uncommon
for a Mexican businessman to touch his
counterpart’s shoulder or hold him by
The first issue is the concept of time.  the arm.  This is a friendly gesture.  Any
Quite simply, it is not viewed the same recoil will be taken as an insult and can
way in Mexico as it is in the United harm the business relationship, so please
States.  Americans typically think of time adapt accordingly.
as money but this not how it is considered in Mexico.  Most Mexicans prefer to
Your way of addressing your Mexican
take their time believing that you work counterpart is also important.  In Mexiin order to live and not vice versa.  Punc- co, people usually have three names: the
tuality is fa \