As a Project Manager, you may be leading a project for a foreign client or working with an off-site team member from another country. Understanding cultural differences prior to engagement will assist in a productive collaboration.
Corporate Etiquette in Mexico
Punctuality is an established mark of professionalism, however, keep in mind that in Mexico, thirty minutes past an appointment time is still considered to be “on time” for a meeting. Take time to build a personal relationship, don’t rush when making project decisions, and as with all projects, get everything in writing so everyone starts and stays on the same page.
Be sure to articulate how your partnership will benefit your client personally first, then professionally. It is customary to meet with the top executives at the start of a project, but you should interpret not seeing them again as a good sign that everything is going smoothly. Make sure either you know the language, or you have someone on your team who can serve as a native speaking interpreter to facilitate cohesive communication throughout the project.
Top 3 Project Management Applications for Mexico
When working with clients or members of project teams located in Mexico, keep in mind that some software products may work better than others. You want to facilitate the best, most cohesive interaction possible. Here are the software products that you may find are best suited for the Mexican market.
1 Wrike
Tackle complex projects with Wrike’s award-winning project management software. Break projects into simple steps, assign tasks to team members, and visualize progress with Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and calendars. Manage resource allocation and forecasting with software that’s easy to launch. Automation and AI features strip away time-consuming admin tasks so you can do the best work of your life. Streamline your practices, align your team, and ensure you hit deadlines and stay on budget.
2 Smartsheet
Smartsheet is an online work execution platform empowering organizations of all sizes to plan, manage, automate, and report on work. Over 80,000 brands rely on Smartsheet for project and work management.
3 monday.com
monday.com Work OS is the project management software that helps you and your team plan, execute, and track projects and workflows in one collaborative space. Manage everything from simple to complex projects more efficiently with the help of visual boards, 200+ ready-made templates, clever no-code automations, and easy integrations. In addition, custom dashboards simplify reporting, so you can evaluate your progress and make data-driven decisions.
Cloud Computing in Mexico
While Mexico may not yet be as advanced technologically as some countries, there is potential for growth dependent upon the country’s political determination and public financing. There is a disparity between federal agencies, who are more up-to-date, and those in the private sector. Many citizens may have mobile phones, but internet usage isn’t as common. Mexico doesn’t yet have heavy saturation of broadband access, which causes challenges when it comes to Cloud Computing capability.
However, the Mexican President is working on expanding the country’s wireless capability as announced in 2014, in an effort to bolster Mexico’s competitive standing. Two of the top cloud computing firms in Mexico are Mexican founded, which shows they want to move forward and develop from the inside out.
Wrap-Up
Fundamental to all successful projects is clear communication and effortless sharing of information. When working with contacts in Mexico, incorporate extra time to allow for personal engagement and deliberate decision making. Be sure to choose the collaborative software that best supports your Mexican counterparts’ technological capabilities. Taking these steps will facilitate a great experience with your foreign clients and their in-house project team.
