Globalization From Different Perspectives

By: Grady Christopherson

This week we learned about the Zapatista movement and heard from an international marketer from Gemalto. Carlos Romero, who handles international marketing for Gemalto, explained to us the scope of the company’s operations. Although the name Gemalto doesn’t really ring out as far as companies go, it is present in many things that we use everyday. For example SIM cards in cellular telephones, ATM technology, and passports just to name a few. He went on to explain the process of marketing on the international level for his company and who he has to do deal with on a weekly basis. All in all it was very interesting to gain an insight into the work of an international marketer for such a large company as Gemalto.

Carlos Romeros sharing his work about marketing in Gemalto.

Later in the week our very own business professor gave a talk about the Zapatista movement—what it stands for, and the history of it. It is a response to neo-liberalization and globalization. It started the day NAFTA was signed, in the morning of January 1^st, 1994. The Zapatistas took over several towns in Chiapas, an impoverished region in Southern Mexico. They manage to retain a major part of this territory even now. Although it may seem like the Zapatistas are a violent guerilla group, they are more peaceful if you take a second glance. They have already pledged to become involved in getting what they want through the political process through peaceful means. They still have guys with masks and guns to protect their territory from the Mexican government. As far as their demands, for the major part none have been met, and they change every couple of years. But they are mainly based around the Zapatista motto, Tierra y Libertad, land and freedom. They see globalization as threatening to their community in Chiapas and you can’t blame them, Mexico definitely sees the ugly side of globalization every day.

All in all it was a great week—we heard about topics from two very different places of the world. But these topics are not so different—Carlos Romeros showed us the rosy side of globalization and Antonio Ortega showed us why the Zapatistas have been fighting globalization for all these years.

Business Program Signs Agreement with UPEMOR

By: Stephanie Jackson

On Tuesday, CGE’s brand-new International Business semester program in Cuernavaca, Mexico, took an important step forward as it signed an institutional agreement with the local Universidad Politécnica del Estado de Morelos (UPEMOR). Antonio Ortega, CGE’s Business program coordinator, and Violeta Jaramillo, a UPEMOR professor of administration, were instrumental in forming the agreement. The two have already been working together with their students throughout the semester to arrange student exchanges, group excursions, and internship placements.

From left: Ann Lutterman Aguilar and Natividad Rosas (from CGE), alongside Violeta Jaramillo and Jose Dario Galicia Reyes (from UPEMOR) during the signing

As two relatively young institutions—CGE’s business program is in its first semester and UPEMOR was founded in 2004—the programs share much in common. Both have a shared interest in international issues, especially due to the ever-increasing role of globalization in our world. Both institutions understand the necessity of learning a second language in order to open doors for their students in the future. And finally, the issue of social responsibility is very important to both CGE and UPEMOR. CGE’s mission has always included social justice as a key component of its programs, while UPEMOR is involved with programs such as the support of a local school in need, la Escuela Conafe de Loma Bonita.

Faculty, staff and business students from CGE and UPEMOR

When representatives for both CGE and UPEMOR met to sign the formal agreement, it was clear that all parties are excited about the opportunities that this agreement will offer. Some of the benefits include student and professor exchanges, joint student projects (one of which is already happening), internship partnerships, and language practice for students. Ortega mentioned CGE’s excitement for continued exchanges, both formal and informal, for its business students, while Jaramillo talked about it as a way to offer experiences that will keep her students competitive in the job market. Everyone is looking forward to a positive and beneficial relationship between these two institutions for many years to come.

Host Family Preparation

By: Hannah Carlson

This week both the International Business and the Crossing Borders students prepared for their upcoming home stays. First there was a discussion or “training” on what is appropriate at the house, what is culturally acceptable or culturally different, and how maintain interaction with the families. For example food and meals, privacy, noise, greetings, family dynamics, guests and friends, going out, safety and health, bathroom, telephone, student as guest versus family members, humor, mannerisms and ways we carry our bodies and gifts were all topics discussed in the home stay preparation.

After discussing each topic individually people who have been in those certain situations before shared their experiences and what they did in the situation to make it better. One student shared about a bathroom situation where the students were forgetting that it was not good to flush the toilet paper and that signs started popping up reminding the students to throw the paper in the trash bin. Another huge theme that was brought up during this chat was communication. The main topic was that no matter what situation you are in it is always important to remember to communicate in order to feel comfortable in the house. While this talk was extremely helpful in most areas I feel like it failed to express that all situations will be somewhat different and even if you study and prepare yourself based on these examples your situation may be extremely different.

Christina and Marisela facilitate the building of the house of hopes and fears.

The day the students actually left for their home stays there was another discussion that included icebreakers and an interesting activity. The icebreakers were nice because, at the same time, it gave people the opportunity to get to know their host families and the families of the other students. After that the students and families had the opportunity to “build a house” that helped expose the hopes and fears everyone may have been feeling. All in all the home stay orientations were very helpful in order to see what may be done in certain situations.

Tequila and Silver!

By: Kaity Berg

This week in Mexico there was a lot to do. We went on three different excursions. The first one was in the city of Tlaltizapan where the business students were able to see and hear a story of how a hometown tequila factory is created. The second adventure we took on was in Taxco where we heard about another co-op business starting from the ground up. Each one of these trips showed us a part of business in Latin America in a different way.

The journey begins with the tequila factory. In the land of the Zapata headquarters we visited a tequila factory. The agave plants were given as gifts to the owners of the land. This particular tequila is made from one hundred percent agave. Upon receiving the plants the men had no formal or informal training on how to make tequila from agave or any tequila plants. Slowly but surely from the ground up the men gained more and more support and funding. Other tequila factories showed the men how to produce tequila, the government became interested and loaned the new agave owners 20,000 pesos to start, and equipment was acquired.

These were the bottles of agave ready to be shelved and sold!

As I was watching this process I became more appreciative of tequila. When drinking tequila one never really stops to think about where it came from or how it was made. I found how long the agave needed to be processed was the most interesting part. Among other processes, agave plants need to cook for twenty five hours, sit for another twenty five hours, and then the freshly made tequila needs to stay in oak barrels for 31 months! The agave factory was a good example of how hard it is and how many things need to be done to keep a business in working order. This visit also opened my eyes to how much the government is involved in the success or failure of a company.

UPA, the silver co-op

The next speaker we had was at a silver co-op in Taxco. This was one of my favorite speakers so far. Not only were the people very friendly, but they had a very successful co-op as well, which we have learned is not in the government’s favor here in Mexico. Upon our first step in the factory door we were warmly welcomed and offered beverages. As everyone got settled into a seat the employees began telling their story. Taxco is known for its silver mines and so many business opportunities arose for people from all parts of the country. This particular company buys kilos of silver and transforms the silver into handmade jewelry and then sells it throughout the world. On a positive note the company is very successful and has many international investors. So it is also important to know that having a successful business without much government help can happen.

Hacienda Santa Cruz

By: Kyle Soderberg

On Friday, the International Business program visited a hacienda. Haciendas traditionally have been plantations for growing a crop such as sugar cane. Many haciendas throughout history have used slave labor. The Hacienda Santa Cruz is located in between the two cities of Tetecala and Mazatepec. The grounds are very beautiful and have a wonderful history. The hacienda was a fully operating sugar cane and rice plantation until the Mexican Revolution in 1910. The hacienda was burned to rubble during the revolution. The great grandfather of the family that currently owns the hacienda bought the site in 1931. It was untouched for many years. Eventually it was passed down through the generations to the current owners.

After many more years and a lot of renovations, the hacienda has been divided into four parts. Two parts are small hotels, one part is a summer camp for kids, and another part is a private residence. The grounds also encompass a small chapel, a few barn animals, and a small mango orchard. There was an agreement between all of the owners to not alter the exterior of the buildings so as to keep intact the historical features of the complex. One of the hotel owners, Eduardo, spoke with us about his business and the operations of his section of the hacienda. The hacienda has a few full time workers that get paid well and get full benefits. Some staff is hired as needed depending on the number of guests. The hacienda is also working towards being completely environmentally responsible—it has started with compost and a strict recycling regiment, among other things.

The chapel and main grounds

Eduardo currently works outside the hacienda, but plans on retiring soon to work on the hacienda full time. It needs a more focused approach on marketing but Eduardo will spearhead that after retirement. The hacienda targets events such as weddings and groups such as business seminars.

It was important for the business students to make this trip. It showed us one more business in a transitioning phase. The Hacienda Santa Cruz is not a highly profitable business now but very well could be in the future. Also, it gave us valuable information about the history of some haciendas and what many are being used for today. Many old haciendas are hotels but some are still in ruins and others have various other uses. This place has a lot of potential and is an exciting prospect to watch.