Using the appropriate business etiquette in Mexico will define your business partnerships and ultimately your business success. As Mexico continues to expand and prosper economically, a growing amount of investors and business owners are flowing into the country looking for new opportunities. When doing business in Mexico, it is important to use the right business etiquette to show respect and understanding of the local culture. This article will provide you with some tips on how business etiquette functions in Mexico. From market-entry, to company formation to closing business deals, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the Mexican culture and how it affects business relationships.
Doing Business Etiquette in Mexico -Time Is Relative
Although punctuality is expected on your part, it is normal for Mexicans to arrive later than the set time of an appointment/meeting. Do not be offended by this gesture as the concept of time in Mexico is very flexible. The same applies to deadlines. When a date is set for a task to be completed, the date usually serves as a general target and can easily be moved over a few days, and in some cases, even weeks. Some foreigners actually find that this can be a point of strategic competitive advantage. Often, the services provided by foreigners are seen as more efficient than their local counterparts which can put them in a good position in the competitive marketplace.
Friendship Over Business
Although you’re probably meeting your Mexican business partners to negotiate and close deals, you can’t lay your cards on the table right away. Following up with people, maintaining new relationships and establishing trust is of vital importance in business relationships. In the long-term, like many other business environments, these soft skills prove to be hugely beneficial in forming and developing of business relationships. Mexicans do business with people they like and trust. Therefore, take the time to nurture your business relationships and get to know your partners outside the business environment. If you get invited to a family event or birthday party, don’t decline. This is much more likely get you the terms you want than a formal business meeting. If you go out to a business lunch, don’t expect to actually discuss business until the very end. So take it easy and share a few laughs with your business partner. Although you might feel unproductive, you might be surprised by the results a friendly lunch might have on your potential business partner’s decisions.
Touching and Greeting
Mexicans tend to communicate within a closer physical distance than some western cultures. Don’t be alarmed by a friendly pat on the back, touching of your arm or speaking within a close proximity. Backing out of such situations can seem rude and close your line of communication. When greeting a Mexican woman, shake hands only once she extends hers first. But if not, a little bow will serve as a simple friendly greeting to a Mexican woman.
Biz Latin Hub can assist you doing business in Mexico
At Biz Latin Hub, we provide integrated packages of back-office services that are tailored to every need.
Our portfolio includes accounting & taxation, company formation, due diligence, legal services, and hiring & PEO, and we are active in 16 markets around Latin America and the Caribbean, making us ideal partners for supporting multi-jurisdiction market entry and cross-border operations.
Our experience and understanding of the markets where we operate means that working with us comes with the guarantee of compliance with all local regulations, be that employment law in Mexico or any other legal code related to investment.
Contact us today to find out more about how we can support you doing business in Mexico.
As informações fornecidas aqui não devem ser interpretadas como orientação ou aconselhamento formal. Consulte um profissional para sua situação específica. As informações fornecidas são apenas para fins informativos e podem não abranger todas as leis, padrões e práticas recomendadas pertinentes. O cenário regulatório está em constante evolução; as informações mencionadas podem estar desatualizadas e/ou podem sofrer alterações. As interpretações apresentadas não são oficiais. Algumas seções baseiam-se nas interpretações ou pontos de vista de autoridades relevantes, mas não podemos garantir que essas perspectivas serão apoiadas em todos os ambientes profissionais.
La información que aquí se ofrece no debe interpretarse como orientación o asesoramiento formal. Por favor, consulte a un profesional para su situación específica. La información proporcionada tiene únicamente fines informativos y es posible que no recoja todas las leyes, normas y mejores prácticas pertinentes. El panorama normativo está en continua evolución; la información mencionada puede estar obsoleta y/o sufrir cambios. Las interpretaciones presentadas no son oficiales. Algunas secciones se basan en las interpretaciones o puntos de vista de las autoridades pertinentes, pero no podemos garantizar que estas perspectivas se respalden en todos los entornos profesionales.
The information provided here within should not be construed as formal guidance or advice. Please consult a professional for your specific situation. Information provided is for informative purposes only and may not capture all pertinent laws, standards, and best practices. The regulatory landscape is continually evolving; information mentioned may be outdated and/or could undergo changes. The interpretations presented are not official. Some sections are based on the interpretations or views of relevant authorities, but we cannot ensure that these perspectives will be supported in all professional settings.
Legal Team Mexico
Legal Team Mexico is the Biz Latin Hub leading experts on doing business in Mexico The Team writes on the news, doing business, law, and changing regulations. The team are experts in corporate law, Administrative law, Employment law, Immigration law and legal advisory services. Read more about them here. You can contact Legal Team Mexico via our "contact us page".
Reciba las últimas noticias y consejos sobre la expansión global de su empresa
Suscríbase a nuestro boletín para recibir las últimas noticias y consejos empresariales sobre constitución de entidades, cumplimiento de la normativa sobre personas jurídicas, contabilidad, back office y requisitos fiscales. Reciba las últimas noticias y consejos sobre la expansión global de su empresa.
Permiso de marketing: Al enviar este formulario, doy mi consentimiento para que Biz Latin Hub se ponga en contacto conmigo por correo electrónico utilizando la información que he proporcionado en este formulario y con el propósito de brindarme actualizaciones sobre negocios, formación de entidades, cumplimiento de entidades legales, contabilidad, servicios administrativos, PEO y/o para fines de marketing.
Qué esperar: Si desea retirar su consentimiento y dejar de recibir notificaciones de Biz Latin Hub, simplemente haga clic en el enlace para cancelar la suscripción en la parte inferior de cualquier correo electrónico que le enviemos o contáctenos a través de social@bizlatinhub.com. Valoramos y respetamos sus datos personales y haremos todo lo posible para protegerlos. Al enviar este formulario, acepta que procesemos y utilicemos su información de acuerdo con los términos y condiciones establecidos en nuestra política de privacidad.
Receba as últimas notícias e conselhos sobre como expandir seus negócios globalmente
Assine a nossa newsletter para receber as últimas notícias e conselhos de negócios sobre formação de entidades, conformidade de entidades legais, contabilidade, back-office e requisitos fiscais.
Permissão de Marketing: Ao enviar este formulário, dou meu consentimento para que a Biz Latin Hub entre em contato comigo via e-mail, utilizando as informações que forneci neste formulário, com o objetivo de me fornecer atualizações sobre fazer negócios, formação de entidades, conformidade de entidades legais, contabilidade, serviços de back office, PEO e/ou para fins de marketing.
O que esperar: Se desejar retirar seu consentimento e parar de receber mensagens, clique no link de cancelamento de inscrição na parte inferior de qualquer e-mail que enviarmos ou entre em contato conosco pelo e-mail social@bizlatinhub.com. Nós valorizamos e respeitamos seus dados pessoais e faremos o possível para protegê-los. Ao enviar este formulário, você concorda que podemos processar e usar suas informações de acordo com os termos e condições declarados em nossa política de privacidade.
Receive the latest news and advice about expanding your business globally
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest business news and advice about entity formation, legal entity compliance, accounting, back office and fiscal requirements. Receive the latest news and advice about expanding your business globally.
Marketing permission: By submitting this form, I give my consent for Biz Latin Hub to be in contact with me via email using the information that I have provided in this form and for the purpose of providing me updates about doing business, entity formation, legal entity compliance, accounting, back office services, PEO and/or for marketing purposes.
What to expect: If you wish to withdraw your consent and stop hearing from us, please simply click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email that we send or contact us at social@bizlatinhub.com. We value and respect your personal data and will do the utmost to protect it. By submitting this form, you agree that we may process and use your information in accordance with the stated terms and conditions in our privacy policy.