Is it Safe to do Business in Mexico?

At Centris, we are a nearshore contact center that focuses on bilingual contact center support services. In other words, we are a US-based company that houses a large portion of our operations in Mexico. Our two nearshore contact centers are located in Monterrey, Mexico and Aguascalientes, Mexico. We chose Mexico as our nearshore location because of its proximity to the United States and because there are many residents of Mexico who have spent considerable time in the US and therefore know the language and culture of the US very well.

Many of our contact center staff in Mexico have spent time in the United States and are fluent in both English and Spanish. Additionally, Aguascalientes has been recognized as a strong business location in Mexico, and Monterrey is also a major business hub. These were primary factors in choosing these two cities as locations for our nearshore contact centers.

SAFETY IN MEXICO

Despite all the advantages Mexico offers, we are often asked if it is safe to do business in Mexico. Our reply to this question is a resounding: YES! While there is crime throughout the country and there are places where crime is worse, overall, Mexico is a very safe place to visit for both personal and business travel. In fact, I think this same statement can be made for many areas in the US and worldwide!

Here are some very practical tips that we have learned over the years as we have operated our nearshore centers in Mexico. You can apply these tips to Mexico as well as other areas around the world.

• Choose a safe location: This is, by far, the first and most important step when doing business in Mexico. Do your research and know where the safer places are and establish your business in those places.
• Industrial parks: There are many gated industrial parks throughout the country. These industrial parks are typically located away from city centers where opportunistic crime can tend to be higher. They also will hire security teams to further ensure the safety of businesses and their employees.
• Hire your own security: To further ensure the safety of your business and employees, hire your own security firm to monitor and guard your business. Many firms in Mexico pay for additional private security.
• Use taxis when traveling: When flying into Mexico, it is best to use taxis rather than renting a car. Taxi drivers are familiar with the city and know the areas that are safe and those that are not. Using taxis keeps you from standing out as a tourist or business traveler.
• Don’t flaunt your wealth: Regardless of whether you’re traveling for personal or business purposes, don’t flaunt your wealth. Don’t take your money out of your wallet. This makes you a target for thieves. This is a general rule for all travelers and applies to travel in all foreign countries.
• Take your cues from the locals: The locals know what areas to avoid as well as when to avoid them; follow their lead. They are always your best source for safety information.

Mexico has increasingly become a desirable place to do business because, geographically, it is close to the United States and therefore much more easily accessible. Additionally, nearshore operations in Mexico can help companies reduce support costs compared with U.S.-only staffing while maintaining quality and collaboration. These factors, as well as the closer cultural connections shared, make Mexico increasingly more attractive to foreign businesses. However, the concern about crime is valid and should be addressed.

As you can see, with some simple safety tips and planning, you can rest assured that running a business in Mexico can be both practical and financially rewarding. If you would like to know more about our nearshore contact centers or how to make the transition to Mexico, contact us. We’re happy to help.