We have been listening, reading and writing about this word “nearshoring” and the business relationship with Mexico. And yet, there are so many concepts that we think we do understand. However, from an education perspective related to English as a second language, we still have to work and improve so many skills to communicate effectively with people all around the world. Let´s take a closer look into this topic and check out the opportunities and barriers that we must face in Mexico.
First of all, what is nearshoring? It is an industrial model which consists in relocate manufacturing sites in countries with low production costs and close enough to the final costumer country. Nevertheless, the decision to set up a manufacturing site into a low cost location, it is not only about money. Also, we have to consider time zone, culture, local economy, political stability and very important, education.
Nearshoring it is not something new. Not for now, but since many years ago a lot companies all around the world have settled their manufacturing sites in Mexico. But with current geo-politic business conflict between China and the United States, this word is all around again in our daily vocabulary.
As the United States is the final market to reach, there are so many skills that we must improve in order to keep attracting more companies into Mexico and one is to improve our communication skills. However, we must practice to write and speak in a business scenario. We must understand how to solve-out problems, business necessities and that takes hard work. To invest in ourselves by training and practicing can lead each one of us to find better job opportunities.
By practicing English as a second language, we lead ourselves to communicate better with people all around the world. Meetings face to face, or via Zoom, Teams or Google, or even by writing an email or to have a conversation by phone are all different situations in which we must get better.
It is true that today, concepts such as AI and data science are getting our attention to understand how they work. However, we cannot forget to sharp our soft skills such as: communication, teamwork, creativity, adaptability, problem-solving, work ethic, critical thinking and conflict management.
Speak and write correctly in English can help us to develop more our technical skills by working with people from all around the world, understand their problems and provide a solution. In the global perspective, these actions can help Mexico to lure and attract more companies that can offer better jobs and salaries. In our personal point of view, we must keep in mind to keep improving ourselves.
j.maldonado.gtz@gmail.com
Jorge Maldonado. Egresado de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León como Ingeniero Administrador de Sistemas. Cuenta con una Maestría en International Logistics and Supply Chain Management en la Universidad de Glamorgan South Wales en Reino Unido. Profesionalmente se ha desarrollado en empresas de manufactura y tecnologías de información.
