The United States and Mexico, while close neighbors, have vastly different work cultures. Therefore, American companies must consider this when launching a nearshore operation with Mexican teams. Despite growing cultural alignment, certain work culture aspects remain unchanged. Thus, companies must learn to blend these cultures to achieve the best results.

These tips explore culture-merging methods that U.S. companies have successfully adopted in their Mexican operations. Consequently, they keep both their teams and CFOs happy.

Create a Family-Oriented Nearshore Workplace

In the United States, workers often prioritize career advancement, sometimes even ahead of family life. Comparatively, Mexican workers traditionally see their families as the top priority, which is important to remember when building Mexican teams.

By creating a work culture that promotes a family-oriented balance, your Mexican workforce will be more motivated. Consequently, this will help your operation run more smoothly. Companies that have found success in Mexico make their teams feel like one big family. They organize group activities or events and invite spouses, children, parents, and even grandparents. It is normal for Mexicans to celebrate Fathers’ Day, Mothers’ Day, and Dia del Niño (Children’s Day) in the workplace. Therefore, use these opportunities to bring people together and build your company’s family.

Develop a Young, Vibrant Nearshore Workplace

Overall, the Mexican workforce is younger than that in the United States. Young people between 15 and 29 form the largest age group in Mexico. Additionally, the median age in Mexico was projected to be 29.3 in 2020. Comparatively, the American median age was already 38 in 2017 and continues to rise.

Any newcomer to Mexico should be prepared to hire and support a younger team. This comes with its own pros and cons. On the plus side, young workers can be molded to embrace the U.S. style of working. However, this might take more time and incur training costs. Moreover, young workers are eager to learn and impress despite their relative lack of experience. This eagerness is a massive advantage.

By supporting and developing your teams from the start, you can better infuse the U.S. work culture into your new nearshore operation in Mexico.

Manage Hands-On and Encourage Collaborative Criticism

When it comes to suggesting company improvements, U.S. workers generally do not hesitate to speak up. This constructive criticism is encouraged by American organizations but is less common in the Mexican workplace.

There are many opinions as to why this is, but the most common is that the country’s traditional management style is a “top-down” leadership approach. Consequently, this can create a sense that regular employees don’t often share their input on company operations.

However, many U.S. companies have settled in Mexico and are helping to shift the status quo. They give their workers ample chances to share valuable opinions. They also adopt a more “hands-on” management approach, which helps develop stronger relationships and trust between workers and upper management.

Try blurring the lines between authority figures and entry-level employees by starting with one-on-one feedback sessions. You’ll find that your Mexican teams are eager to contribute to the company’s improvement. They can provide vital insights into aspects of their job you may not have been aware of.

Take a More Personal Approach

The American workplace commonly maintains a clear boundary between professional and personal lives. As a result, managers and colleagues often avoid engaging with employees on a personal level, keeping interactions strictly business. Conversely, in Mexico and most of Latin America, the traditional culture encourages bonding with coworkers and interacting on a more intimate level, akin to a workplace “family.”

This personal touch can be applied in various ways. For example, take employees out for a long lunch, ask about their interests, or show a more relatable side of yourself. By balancing American and Mexican work cultures, you can create a friendlier and more enjoyable work environment. Your teams in Mexico will respond well to this approach, giving your nearshore operation the momentum it needs for success.