The Seven Keys to Communicating in Mexico An Intercultural Approach

Business / Intercultural Communication / Mexico "The Seven Keys to Communicating in Mexico is essential reading for professionals and students who seek to engage with Mexicans in significant and meaningful ways. This work positions people with the fundamental knowledge and, more importantly, the ability to ask the right questions in order to develop deep and constructive relationships with their Mexican counterparts."—Peter Cardon, Professor of Business Communication, University of Southern California The key to professional success in Mexico is understanding its people. While most books focus simply on common communication mistakes, this book leads US and Canadian readers to an understanding of how to succeed and thrive when interacting with professionals from Mexico. Olivia Hernandez-Pozas, Orlando R. Kelm, and David A. Victor—research professionals and seasoned cross-cultural trainers for businesspeople—present a set of practical guidelines for communicating professionally. The authors employ memorable stories, examples of common misunderstandings, and engaging photographs to illuminate the cultural differences and show readers how to navigate them. The authors guide readers through Mexican culture using Victor's LESCANT model, which evaluates a culture’s language, environment, social organization, context, authority, nonverbal communication, and concept of time. Each chapter addresses one of these topics and demonstrates how to evaluate the differences among Mexican, US, and Canadian cultures. A concluding case study includes insights and recommendations from professionals from each perspective. Olivia Hernandez-Pozas is an associate professor at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, and the author of numerous works on international business, cultural intelligence, and management education, among other areas. She is also a member of the National Research System of Mexico. Orlando R. Kelm is an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin, where he focuses on business language and the cultural aspects of international business communication. He also serves as the director of the UT Portuguese Flagship Program. David A. Victor is professor and director of International Business Programs at the Eastern Michigan University College of Business, where he focuses on cross-cultural business communication, international business ethics, and international differences in organizational structure.