Peter Laanen

A rewarding Mexican business trip

Bo-Peter

By invitation of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Mexico City I was introduced to a new world of opportunities. The trip was initiated by Deputy Ambassador Jaap Veerman, the former Deputy Consul General of the Dutch Consulate in San Francisco.

Day one, in Mexico City, we paid a visit to Popcorn Brain. They produce games, virals and videos, and amongst others work for one of the largest department stores in Mexico; ‘Liverpool’. One of the political parties used them in a last effort to win the Presidential election. Even though female contender Josefina Vázquez Mota didn’t make it, Popcorn Brain’s viral product made a huge impression. Within two weeks they had more than 500,000 active users, with an average time on site of almost 5 minutes. Popcorn Brain’s Co-Founder and Creative Director, Diego Molina, was born in Chili, but grew up in the Netherlands and graduated from the HKU in Utrecht, the Netherlands. After a short business stint in Costa Rica, Diego and partner Francis Brunette Pastor found the wealth of business opportunities Mexico City has to offer.

Héroe de México from Popcornbrain on Vimeo.

Now, pay attention Dutch game makers and visual effects companies; they outsource much of their work to …. the Netherlands. Let’s think in reverse, what about translating, English aside, your Dutch work to Spanish. This opens a vast world of Latin countries to your disposal. Mexico is the biggest exporter of games in Latin American Countries. But wait, there is more, how about Texas and California with their huge population of Hispanics?! Talking about possibilities! And the folks of Popcorn Brain can also be your conduit to the right translators, etc.

The afternoon session was at the Dutch Embassy in Santa Fe, Mexico City.

The afternoon session was at the Dutch Embassy in Santa Fe, Mexico City.

The afternoon session was at the Dutch Embassy in Santa Fe, Mexico City. The presentations were aimed at best opportunities for Dutch companies to collaborate with Mexican partners in the following fields:

  • e-Health, having a close relationship with serious games
  • Design
  • Infrastructure and logistics
  • Energy (renewable)
  • Water and sustainability

For more information regarding these topics, contact Deputy Ambassador Jaap Veerman: jaap.veerman@minbuza.nl

Wednesday the 24th, we travelled to Villahermosa, the capital of the State of Tabasco, one of the richest oil states of Mexico. However, they must focus on an economy without oil given the privatization of oil giant PEMEX.

The State of Tabasco must focus on an economy without oil given the privatization of oil giant PEMEX.

The State of Tabasco must focus on an economy without oil given the privatization of oil giant PEMEX.

We had conversations with Carlos Reyes Abreu, Director General for Energy, regarding the El Macayo Dam that doesn’t really produce energy and needs a lot of work to have it function properly. Other areas of renewable energy were discussed and we will inform and introduce the right parties to the Energy department. Opportunities! The next meeting was with an extended panel, moderated by Carlos Fernando Mayo Gonzalez, Deputy Secretary for the Promotion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. We had a very lively discussion with representatives of the oil industry and folks with a high tech background or business. Of course there are discrepancies, but everybody knows that change is inevitable. One of the companies, truly looking for collaboration, approached us immediately after the extended meeting. The folks of Integra IT are in the field of oil, specifically process optimization, but are also an IT integration company: www.integrait.com.mx

Not exactly Silicon Valley, given the location and the PEMEX dominance, but a good start, that’s for sure. Next to me: Deputy Ambassador Jaap Veerman

Not exactly Silicon Valley, given the location and the PEMEX dominance, but a good start, that’s for sure. Next to me: Deputy Ambassador Jaap Veerman

Wednesday the 25th, we were invited to the Centre for Development and Exchange of Innovation and Technology Knowledge. The following business gathering dealt more in depth with the topic ‘An economy without oil’. Probably better stated as an economy next to oil. Topics and focus areas discussed:

  • Innovation
  • Agro culture
  • Tourism (think also chocolate because of the cacao industry)
  • Renewable energy
  • Water
  • Logistics and transportation
  • Infrastructure
  • Partnerships
  • Regulation to make it all happen

To underline the importance of collaboration with parties from the Netherlands, we were invited by the governor of Tabasco for a formal luncheon. All participants, some 20 people, had their say and we were honored to be such a big part of conversation.

From left to right: David Gustavo Rodriguez Rosario, Secretary Development for Economy and Tourism, yours truly, Governor Arturo Núñez Jiménez, Dutch Deputy Ambassador Jaap Veerman, Embassy Economic Officer and translator Josine van den Bekerom and last but not least, Emilio Martinez de Velazco Aguirre, Regional Director of CONACYT, National Institute for Development and Strengthening of Mexico’s Scientific and Technological Modernization.

From left to right: David Gustavo Rodriguez Rosario, Secretary Development for Economy and Tourism, yours truly, Governor Arturo Núñez Jiménez, Dutch Deputy Ambassador Jaap Veerman, Embassy Economic Officer and translator Josine van den Bekerom and last but not least, Emilio Martinez de Velazco Aguirre, Regional Director of CONACYT, National Institute for Development and Strengthening of Mexico’s Scientific and Technological Modernization.

It was quite the week, but the opportunities in Mexico, with very willing government parties, are overwhelming. Now it is up to the private parties to come to the table and make it happen. Laanen the Brand is ready to guide you into a world of opportunities. Contact Peter Laanen: peter@laanen-thebrand.com

You must prepare when coming to SV

Bo-Peter

Don’t think coming to the USA is similar to revisiting a movie you just watched.
The reason we are so pushy about our tips and ‘do’s and don’ts’ has to do that even people who have visited the USA more than once surprise us with responses to these tips. Sometimes I try them out on these ‘veterans’ and when they answer “what about it?” I get suspicious. Tipping? “Well, you know, 5 – 10% if I’m happy”. My first reaction is always one of total amazement. These waiters and waitresses live on their tip of 15 – 20% (the norm) and always do their utmost to please you. Of course, they can also be pretty ticked off when getting such a pittance for their hard work. It is the reason why many restaurants and bars in a tourist magnet like San Francisco print the various tipping fees (15, 18 and 20%) on their receipts.

Peter Laanen in presentation for Holland in the Valley Startup Bootcamp

Peter presents for startups coming to SV their first time

Again, it has to do with the way one has to prepare before visiting the USA. I’ve heard people say “no way I can do an elevator pitch within sixty seconds” too many times to count. Well, you’d better have one prepared when you are in a networking situation. And, networking is something one can do under all circumstances, even at the ballpark, a social event, a bar, etc. If you really want to come here to Silicon Valley to do business, you must be able to show off all your company has to offer, and how unique it is, in a matter of a minute or minutes. When you are starring in a breakfast event where you are invited to present your company, make sure your body language is one that impresses the audience. Go rehearse in front of a mirror; this is your opportunity to make an impression on a crowd willing to make a deal with the candidate who oozes knowledge and self-confidence.

At a reception where you know literally nobody, make sure you use the ‘ice breaker’. What?! Yes, either wear something fancy or put a pin on your lapel showing off your company, your country or your favorite sport club. Nine times out of ten people will ask you what it means, or give you a compliment about your fancy shirt or tie. Now you have the start of a conversation in your pocket! If you’d like to speak with a certain person but there is no one to introduce you; watch him or her and prepare an opening sentence. That could be about shoes or anything about the apparel, but also a general remark that you, like so many others apparently, have a common interest with that person. That common interest could be the industry you are in, a hobby you share or even the beverage he/she is enjoying that very moment. Be creative! And, always, prepare as much as you can before you take that flight to the USA!

Future blogs will explain more about all these topics. If, in the meantime, you have questions regarding the ‘tips and do’s and don’ts’ on our site, shoot me an e-mail at Peter@Laanen-theBrand.com