Guanajuato, Mexico

Enjoy the sights from Guanajuato, Mexico

Water and other important matters...

My quick trip to Mexico is now complete. It was an interesting, energizing and at times, depressing week.

Here are a few items that I thought were worth mentioning:

1. Not even Mexicans drink their water- everyone gets 4 -5 large multi-gallon water bottles delivered a few times a week. AND, it's not just that the water isn't "drinkable" it's not all that plentiful. Showers are a trickle, toliets are flushed "judiciously". Any company looking to do business in Mexico needs to understand this.

2.Education-as I suspected most Mexicans have somewhere between a Primary and High School education.

3. Baseball seems to be as popular as soccer- "football"- at least in the city I was in

El dia de los reyes

I had the good fortune to be in Mexico for a holiday- "el dia de los reyes". The tradition is that "los reyes" leave treats for the children in their shoes under the Christmas tree. The day is to commemorate when the Three Kings found Jesus in the manager.

Children here have the good fortune of receiving gifts twice in two weeks. Once on Christmas and then again on January 6th. Since many families are do not have much money, the gifts are small but are very much appreciated by the children. It was fun to see the excitement when the little ones found their shoes stuffed with candy.

I was also lucky, as I also received "treats" in my shoe :) I will post a photo later.

All in all, I was glad to have the opportunity to participate in this important holiday. I now have a greater appreciation for "el dia de los reyes".

Mismo cuento, pais diferente

How many times have we said in business "it's all about the relationship in business"? Nothing could be more true in Latin America especially in Mexico.

Today I had a director at the language school I'm attending approach me about potential partnerships for teaching students about the language, culture and business.

It's important for U.S. business people to understand that it takes time to build relationships but once those relationships have been solidified, it can be a very powerful thing.

We saw similar things when we were in Brazil. Everyone told us, "come, listen, understand and be successful".

I'm looking forward to working with this director and his staff to put together programs to help students become better global business people.

"la clave" go with the flow

In global business, we are always talking about "going with the flow". Good advice to be sure especially when something major happens. Imagine sitting with your 'host family' having dessert when suddenly you discover you're at the wrong house! Now, before anyone says "that dippy professor", this was not my fault. It was the driver who picked me up from the airport.

The most comical part of this was that I just presented the family with the "world famous" Fannie May Pixies and Meltaways. When I thought I was going to have to leave I thought "now, what, I have nothing to give the other family".

As with most things, it all worked out and I am going to stay with my family. They are very attentive and keep me talking!

Mexico, me voy!

As crazy as this may sound, I have really not spent any time in Mexico! I've been all over the world and have only been to the touristy areas of our neighbor to the south.

I'm off to Guanajuato for a week of "immersion". I'm hoping to polish my Spanish a bit more and to learn more about Mexico, its people and the culture.

Stay tuned....