Top Exec Blog (Web Log)

In speaking with a friend recently, someone who lives and works in one of the powerhouse European countries of the world, we got to discussing business opportunities in Latin America. His comments, among other things, brought to bear some of the unknown, or underappreciated, realities of Latin America today.

Some of these include regional development, powerful economic and democratic changes that have taken hold since the turn of the 21st century, as well as a little-noticed items that might surprise you. To wit:

In a Miami Herald article in April of this year, efforts were described throughout the region, notably Brazil, where environmental projects are making headway in reducing greenhouse gases, and other pollutants, through engineering and technological approaches. Notably, one of the persons quoted in this article also called out the vast difference between Latin America and China, stating, "Decision-making in Latin America can be very difficult." Whereas in China, with an authoritarian government, decisions on complex or major environmental projects can "...take two months to develop a plan. It's one year or more in Latin America."

Other commentators, as well, have noted some of the challenges in the region, particularly adoption and usage of the Internet as a major thoroughfare for business, education, commerce and governmental initiatives. Despite some progress, the trend in the region is not keeping up with standards and "through-put" being led by European and Asian nations. This creates challenges for those wishing to offer their "software-as-a-service" or other entities that want to "virtualize" their offerings, cut down on travel expenses or otherwise facilitate service or product offerings via this important mechanism.

That being said, one can also point out to extremely positive changes and progress being made in the national economies of Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Peru and other nations. Brazil, in particular, is on the cutting edge in size, breadth and profitability for any number of industries, including automobiles (8th largest market in the world), PCs (5th largest in the world), cellular phones (3rd largest in the world), and companies of all types are investing to make sure they have long-term success in this giant market. For a quick look at some comments on this overall trend in Brazil, check out this article.

The bottom line? There is a lot of opportunity throughout Latin America, and the firms that understand this and gear up to become truly "local" participants, drawing on their "global" resources as well as using effective representatives or surrogates in meeting the needs of consumers (business or individual consumers), will find that their investment in time, resource and money will pay off significantly. Is it easy? No, it never has been and will continue to present challenges. Is it worth it? You betcha.

Thanks for reading, and if you need help addressing your Latin American business interests, feel free to drop me a line. I can help.

© Daniel A. Cabrera, TopExec.org, All rights reserved, 2008.

Sometimes the ship we set sail in doesn't reach its destination fast enough. Sometimes it does not get there at all. Sometimes the captain at the helm is experienced and knows what to do, and other times, no matter how hard the sailors tote and pull, swing about and hoist the sail, the vessel does not pick up the wind nor make any real headway.

At times like this, one has to ask, is it better to be on that ship and sail maddeningly into the doldrums, or be set adrift in a rowboat on your own? Is it better to fight the battle with all-hands on deck or steer your own course?

Why is it that companies often have skippers who don't really know what course to take, nor how to achieve real progress, even in slow currents and little wind?

How is it that those same captains (colonels, admirals, whatever) cannot hear the shouts from their own deckmates and comrades on shore, those who are in the channel working with the natives, and providing advice and guidance to get the ship into port?

What does it take for captain and sailor, seaman and longshoreman, vendor and customer, to really be working in synch and arriving together at the same successful outcome?

Why is it the deckhand who walks the plank and not the captain, when the ship and its cargo don't arrive, or discover the route to India, or bring home the bars of gold on time?

In this sailor's estimation, for any captain, any ship, it's vision, strategy and courage that make the difference:

•     Vision: to see the way, understand the challenges and plot a course that anticipates difficulty and delays, even while seeing the golden future ahead
•     Strategy: making sure that all elements are created and mapped out to support the ship's long course, even if all supplies are not plentiful, and even if short-handed in savage seas. Making sure that it's not "survival" but rather "arrival".
•     Courage: to stay the course, and hold the tiller steady, even when the way is slow, the tides are against you or the shore line is distant. The ability to work and steer the ship through doldrums and disappointments to get her, her crew and her contents safely to port and back home again.

May your travels on the high seas be successful. Thanks for reading.

© Daniel A. Cabrera, TopExec.org, all rights reserved, 2008.