Communication is Key: Navigating the Challenges of Outsourcing to Mexico from the US

The idea of outsourcing from the US is nothing new.

Whether it’s car manufacturing in China or tech in India, the US is no stranger to collaborating with some of the largest markets in the world. And now, many executives are shifting their focus from the far corners of the planet to their neighbours in the south.

Outsourcing to Mexico comes with a variety of benefits. Its proximity means simpler supply chain management and more frequent in-person gatherings. Cost savings allow for expenses to be spent on other facets of business. Cultural affinity creates the potential for more meaningful and long-lasting business relationships. But while this all sounds great, it’s important to watch out for the cultural differences that can sometimes create dissonance between both parties.

Cultural Differences

Directness

When talking business, Americans like to cut to the chase. There’s a sense of ‘Time is money, and we’re running out of both’. So there’s little time for niceties. But that’s not how things are done in Mexico. South of the border, there is a lot of value placed in the personal side of business interactions. Not only does this mean that politeness is prioritised over efficiency, but it also means that there is an expectation for some genuine relationship building to happen before any serious deals are made.
When required, a businessperson from the U.S. can give straightforward feedback and not think twice about it. But from a Mexican perspective, this can be interpreted as being blunt or disrespectful. Therefore, when communicating criticism or addressing delicate topics, Mexican professionals choose softer language to avoid confrontation or embarrassment.

Differing sense of urgency

In the U.S., deadlines are not to be messed with. Any delays can be seen as a lack of commitment or efficiency. Whereas in Mexico, there is generally a greater tolerance for flexibility, and relationships may sometimes take precedence over strict schedules. But that’s not to say that time is just being ‘wasted’. Think of it like the difference between ordering a drip coffee and ordering an extra hot oat milk cappuccino. Granted, the cappuccino will take longer to serve, but the quality of the end product and the overall experience justifies the time required.

The Solution

So, how does one avoid misalignment and increase mutual understanding between U.S. and Mexican businesses?

Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.

Communicate early

From the outset, establish priorities and timelines. Because even though the stages of this timeline might not always be met, this at least makes sure that everyone is on the same page about the goals of the project. And if your deadlines are particularly urgent, consider aiming for an earlier date to create a buffer that allows for potential delays.

Communicate often

It’s important to keep everyone up to date on how the project is going. So try to have regular check-ins between both American and Mexican colleagues. The more often you do it, the more you’ll understand each other’s nuances, and cooperation should become easier. By maintaining an open dialogue, everyone clearly understands the state of ongoing projects, and either side has a platform to suggest changes or express concerns if they need to.

Communicate casually

Not all communication needs to be rigidly planned. So instead of just scheduling times for people to understand each other better, also try to foster an environment where colleagues feel comfortable learning about each other’s cultural differences naturally. This might be through generally using more casual conversation, or hosting meetings in a less formal location. Alternatively, by taking a step back as a senior colleague, you can allow your more junior colleagues to talk amongst themselves. Ideally they’ll talk to each other about non-work related topics like sports, travel, or family. This way, their relationships strengthen, and trust is built more and more over time.

If you’d like to learn more about effective strategies for working with Mexican businesses, take a look at our Mexico cultural awareness training.

By exploring key business concepts and practical day-to-day issues, this training is designed to help Mexico-facing employees at all levels understand the drivers and expectations of their counterparts in Mexico.