When I first applied for my “green card” immigrant residence permit in Mexico in 2009, I wrote and signed a declaration that I would not participate in activities to influence Mexican politics. As my sense of belonging in my adoptive culture, and my sense of Mexican history, has taken firmer root, I understand on a more gut level why Mexico would ask foreigners (especially US nationals, though we’re by no means singled out) specifically to refrain from interfering.
On top of this solemn gringa-in-Mexico oath, as a business consultant I also indeed live firmly in my role as observer and analyst of Mexico businesses and business communities. Of course I am also a participant in the Mexico business world, and thankfully for my own survival am not prohibited from influencing business here. However, the information gathering and intelligence services our company provides are tools our clients rely on to make decisions about investing in Mexico sales, and these are most valuable when our observations are honed as empirically as possible. Analysis is focused on the applications and objectives of our clients and their operating environments.
While our opinions matter, and they’re what a handful of our clients are actually after when seeking our insight, the rule is you only get our opinions when you ask for them. Why? Because that way it’s clearly delineated as opinion, offset as distinct and separate from the information we provide our clients for planning, analysis and decision-making by them.
This is the first blog, a prologue, in our Mexico Market Intelligence series. The series is conceived as monthly reports developed for North Carolina companies and for the North Carolina Economic Development Partnership. Our Mexico Monthly Market Intelligence, previously shared with EDPNC internally as a list of links to relevant news events every month, will going forward be published here. Monthly blog entries will highlight and provide context on local Mexico events, reported from a local perspective. Where possible/appropriate, we will also seek to substantiate locally known subtext that may not be as apparent to non-Mexico business folks. We will highlight events we believe are generating opportunities for NC companies and communities, events that are hot topics locally in Mexico, and events that illustrate macrocurrents unfolding that are likely to influence the NC-Mexico relationship.
For our first entry, coming up, and all our monthly blogs in the Mexico Market Intelligence series, don’t hesitate to reach out for more information. Including if you want our opinion, or to give us yours.
–Mary Claire, Managing Consultant