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Lee Iwan was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois USA.
Currently lives and works in Leon, Guanajuato Mexico.
Involved in international business develo... (more...)
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Doing business in Mexico. Tips, tricks, advice and information.
Doing business in Mexico can be frustrating, confusing and at times impossible for the foreign business person. This is a basic guide to sites and information that can shorten the learning curve, help you avoid costly and embarrassing cultural mistakes and connect with the right sources of information.
Investment, Economy, Statistics and Information about Mexico
- The NAFTA office of Mexico in Canada
- Site provides information about exporting to and importing from Mexico. Information about investing in Mexico and trade facilitation services and links.
- U.S. Commercial Service Mexico
- The U.S. Commercial Service in Mexico offers market research, consulting, trade events, and matchmaking services to help U.S. companies do business in Mexico, export goods and services to Mexico, and find Mexican business partners and distributors.
- Doing Business in Mexico - World Bank
- Great resource providing benchmarking compared to other international economies. Topics include:
Starting a Business
Dealing with Licenses
Employing Workers
Registering Property
Getting Credit
Protecting Investors
Paying Taxes
Trading Across Borders
Enforcing Contracts
Closing a Business - BANCOMEXT Invest in Mexico
- An official government site, BANCOMEXT is the Mexican government's office responsible for Mexican exports and foreign investment.
A good overview of opportunities for investment, cost simulator, investment projects and a business center. - Business Service Providers -- U.S. Commercial Service Mexico
- The U.S. Commercial Service in Mexico offers market research, consulting, trade events, and matchmaking services to help U.S. companies do business in Mexico, export goods and services to Mexico, and find Mexican business partners and distributors.
- United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce
- The United States - Mexico Chamber of Commerce site.
- Mexican Stock Market -Bolsa Mexicana de Valores
- The official site of the Mexican Stock market, availble in English and Spanish.
- Mexico - Links to economic and financial statistics
- Links to Mexican economic and financial information.
- Mexican currency, monetary policy and financial systems - BANXICO
- BANXICO - The Mexican National Bank and related information regarding monetary policy.
Patience and Chaos in Mexico
To successfully work with Mexico one must understand some fundamental truths inherent in the country and culture.
Patience and Chaos are important factors in understanding the people, culture and history.
Patience.
Mexicans are patient people. The have great tolerance for human error. They run on a schedule that is influenced by work concerns, family concerns, their own mental health, and takes into consideration outside factors and influences that might interfere with their plans.
This is not to say that Mexicans are never in a hurry, or are willing to accept poor quality, or like to move slowly.
What it means is that they are not overly disturbed and motivated to emotional outbursts and threats if something gets in their way, or does not go as planned. They patiently seek a solution, and if no solution is present, they accept the reality of the situation.
Chaos
Chaos is part of Mexican culture and society. Lack of long term planning is quite common (at government, business, personal levels), and everything gets done at the last minute. The curious part is that everything DOES get done.
This chaos and disorganization draws strong criticism from individuals used to order, control, planning and expected outcomes in their own countries. Remember that it is a characteristic of Mexico, not good, not bad, just different.
Living in a chaotic environment allows the Mexicans to rapidly adapt to any situation, take advantages of opportunities quickly, and survive quite well in a every changing world.
There is spontaneity in Mexico. Social engagements are arranged at a moments notice, or simply just happen, unplanned and casually. Things just happen. Expect last minute changes in plans, events, and agendas. "Expect the unexpected" is great advice.
Not surprisingly, Mexico is a country where social relationships and social networks are extremely important. These personal bonds and relationships, which are reinforced constantly, help to create order and get things done.
As is the case of all stereotypes, these observations are broad based and may, or may not, have any validity.
Patience and Chaos are important factors in understanding the people, culture and history.
Patience.
Mexicans are patient people. The have great tolerance for human error. They run on a schedule that is influenced by work concerns, family concerns, their own mental health, and takes into consideration outside factors and influences that might interfere with their plans.
This is not to say that Mexicans are never in a hurry, or are willing to accept poor quality, or like to move slowly.
What it means is that they are not overly disturbed and motivated to emotional outbursts and threats if something gets in their way, or does not go as planned. They patiently seek a solution, and if no solution is present, they accept the reality of the situation.
Chaos
Chaos is part of Mexican culture and society. Lack of long term planning is quite common (at government, business, personal levels), and everything gets done at the last minute. The curious part is that everything DOES get done.
This chaos and disorganization draws strong criticism from individuals used to order, control, planning and expected outcomes in their own countries. Remember that it is a characteristic of Mexico, not good, not bad, just different.
Living in a chaotic environment allows the Mexicans to rapidly adapt to any situation, take advantages of opportunities quickly, and survive quite well in a every changing world.
There is spontaneity in Mexico. Social engagements are arranged at a moments notice, or simply just happen, unplanned and casually. Things just happen. Expect last minute changes in plans, events, and agendas. "Expect the unexpected" is great advice.
Not surprisingly, Mexico is a country where social relationships and social networks are extremely important. These personal bonds and relationships, which are reinforced constantly, help to create order and get things done.
As is the case of all stereotypes, these observations are broad based and may, or may not, have any validity.
General Information about Mexico
- The CIA Fact Book - Mexico
- General information about Mexico, geography, population, government, etc.
- Mexico - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Wikipedia provides a constantly updated general encyclopedic reference for Mexico.
- Economist.com | Country Briefings: Mexico
- Country profile for Mexico provided by Economist.com
- Official Websites of the 32 Mexican States
- Links to the official websites of all 31 Mexican States and the Federal District (Mexico D.F.)
Books of interest
Business in Mexico: Managerial Behavior, Protocol, and Etiquette (Haworth Marketing Resources) (Haworth Marketing Resources)
Amazon Price: $69.95 (as of 05/12/2008)
Inside Mexico: Living, Traveling, and Doing Business in a Changing Society
Amazon Price: $21.95 (as of 05/12/2008)
NAFTA Tax Law and Policy: Resolving the Clash between Economic and Sovereignty Interests
Amazon Price: $65.00 (as of 05/12/2008)
Understanding NAFTA: Mexico, Free Trade, and the New North America
Amazon Price: $17.96 (as of 05/12/2008)
Management in Two Cultures: Bridging the Gap between U.S. and Mexican Managers
Amazon Price: $21.56 (as of 05/12/2008)
Mexico and the Law
- Baker & McKenzie - Mexico Legal
- Overview (PDF file download)of the law and doing business in Mexico. Dated 2004, will give the novice a much better idea of what to expect in Mexico.
- Doing Business in Mexico
- There are several different ways in which a foreign society, (corporation), or other individuals can do business in Mexico.
Types of business organizations
Procedures for establishing a business
Employment and working conditions
Foreign Investment
Industrial property and patents
International Trade
Types of Taxpayers
Different Taxes - Guide to Doing Business in Mexico - Basham, Ringe & Correa
- A PDF file download. Legal overview of doing business in Mexico.
Accounting in Mexico
- PKF International - Mexico Accounting
- Welcome to the home of PKF International. We are a global network of independent firms, offering you first-class accountancy, consulting and business advice wherever you are in the world.
A PDF file download. - Working Globally: Top 10 misconceptions about doing business in Mexico
- Working Globally: Top 10 misconceptions about doing business in Mexico.
Blogs about Doing Business in Mexico
- Business South of the Border
- Business South of the Border
Tips, tricks, advice, information and links to help you successfully do business in Mexico. - Lee Iwan Accumulated Experience
- Lee Iwan, Accumulated Experience
Ideas on leadership, management, planning, how to do business in Mexico and internationally
Mexican magazines and newspapers
New Mexico Magazine
Amazon Price: $25.95 (as of 05/12/2008)
Hola Mexico
Amazon Price: $162.49 (as of 05/12/2008)
Mexico Desconocido
Amazon Price: $100.00 (as of 05/12/2008)
Voices of Mexico
Amazon Price: $30.00 (as of 05/12/2008)
Expansion - Mexico
Amazon Price: $140.00 (as of 05/12/2008)
Business South of the Border
Tips and tricks on doing business in Mexico.
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Trever St. Louis
Just spent some looking at the site and think it's a great idea. I recently moved back to Mexico with a company but have since left the company and started a small business with my brother in law here. Needless to say it has been a learning experience on every level. I'll leave at that for now.
Posted July 10, 2007
