B A posting to Mexico Joanna works for a large food company based in Dallas, Texas, and has been posted to the company's subsidiary in Monterrey, Mexico. She is having difficulties adjusting to the local business culture. Work in groups of three. Each

WORKING ACROSS CULTURES
DOING BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY

B A posting to Mexico
Joanna Simmons works for a large food company based in Dallas, Texas. She has been posted to the company's subsidiary in Monterrey, Mexico. Unfortunately, she is having difficulties adjusting to the local business culture. Joanna sends some e-mails to her friend, Samantha, who works at head office. Work in groups of three. Each of you reads one e-mail. Summarise it briefly to the others in your group. Then do Task 2 below.

1

11 March
Hi Samantha!
You wanted to know how I'm getting on here. Not too wel, I'm afraid. I'm having problems adapting to the business culture.

My knowledge of Spanish is not as good as I thought. I sometimes get invited to dinner at colleagues' homes. My hosts ask me a lot of questions about serious topics back home, but it's really difficult for me to have a conversation in Spanish with them So I'm taking Spanish classes at the weekend to improve my language skills.

Actually. I've been trying to make things easier for myself by asking questions about Mexican culture. That way, my hosts do most of the talking!

2
4 May
You know, the Mexican way of doing business is so different. I have to go to business breakfasts every week, usually from 8 to 11. I'm not used to that. And business lunches are very important here. They go on for hours, and business is discussed only at the end of the meal. Also, no one seems very interested in my marketing ideas. I feel my Mexican colleagues are watching me and trying to decide if they like me.

3
13 June
I've noticed a few things about the business culture here. Mexicans don't seem to like much eye contact. Maybe they think it isn't polite. And they've got strange ideas about personal space. They stand very dose to you and they often touch your shoulder or arm. But If I step back to get a bit more space, they're not happy.

In small groups, discuss these questions.
1 What features of Mexico's business culture is Joanna having difficulties dealing with?
2 Has she done anything to overcome her difficulties? If so, what has she done?
3 What advice would you give her to help her adapt to the local business culture?
4 Is she the right person for a posting to Mexico? Why? / Why not?
5 Do you think you would have any problems working in a situation like this? If so, why?