Empresarios Mexicanos vs Empresarios Extranjeros

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the need for a new generation of nationalistic and forward-thinking entrepreneurs in Mexico. They contrast the actions of foreign business owners, such as selling Mexican companies to foreign investors, with the resilience of foreign entrepreneurs like those in Korea who built successful companies by focusing on science, technology, and education. The speaker criticizes Mexican entrepreneurs for lacking vision and commitment to national development and urges them to invest in the country, emphasizing the importance of innovation, education, and hard work to secure a prosperous future for Mexico.

Takeaways

• 😀 Foreign control of Mexican assets, such as banks and gasoline companies, has left the country dependent on outside forces.
• 😀 The example of Fiat and its refusal to sell to foreign interests demonstrates the type of nationalistic entrepreneurs Mexico needs.
• 😀 Mexico requires business leaders who are willing to invest in their own country and not sell out to foreign corporations.
• 😀 The speaker criticizes businessmen like María Asun Aranburuzabala who sell major Mexican companies to foreign groups, undermining national interests.
• 😀 An 80-year-old Italian businessman rejected a foreign buyout offer, recognizing the harm it would do to his country’s economy by shifting production abroad.
• 😀 Mexico needs entrepreneurs who think long-term and care about the nation's future, not those who focus on quick profits or tax breaks.
• 😀 A comparison is made to Korea, which was once economically behind Mexico but caught up by heavily investing in science, technology, and education.
• 😀 The Korean government played a crucial role by supporting local businesses in developing industries like technology and manufacturing.
• 😀 If Mexican businessmen were more like their counterparts in Korea, they would invest in national industries, rather than seeking labor reforms to lower costs.
• 😀 The speaker urges Mexican entrepreneurs to show their commitment to the country by becoming more innovative and nationalistic, similar to American, Australian, and British businessmen.

Q & A

What is the main concern about foreign ownership in the script?

The script highlights the concern about foreign ownership of key industries in Mexico, such as banks and gasoline companies. The speaker emphasizes the importance of supporting Mexican businesses instead of selling them to foreign entities.

What anecdote is used to illustrate the type of businessman needed in Mexico?

The speaker shares the story of the Fiat owner who, despite being close to death, refused to sell his company to Korean buyers. He wanted to protect Italian jobs and prevent the destruction of his country, showcasing the type of nationalistic, long-term thinking that Mexico needs in its businessmen.

How does the speaker compare Mexico to South Korea?

The speaker compares Mexico’s economic situation with that of South Korea, noting that over 40 years ago, South Korea's economic indicators were below those of Mexico. However, South Korea's focus on investment in science, technology, and education helped it surpass Mexico in key industries.

What role does the speaker believe the Mexican government should play in business development?

The speaker suggests that the Mexican government should follow South Korea's example by encouraging investments in science, technology, and education. The government should focus on creating an environment where businesses can thrive and compete internationally.

What does the speaker suggest Mexican businessmen should focus on?

The speaker urges Mexican businessmen to focus on investing in their own country, fostering innovation, and supporting the local economy rather than seeking cheap labor and tax breaks. They are encouraged to work hard and show true national pride.

How does the speaker describe the approach of Korean entrepreneurs?

The speaker describes Korean entrepreneurs as proactive and nationalistic, with a focus on technological innovation and global competitiveness. They worked closely with the government to invest in critical sectors, resulting in the creation of successful companies like Daewoo.

What is the significance of the example of Daewoo in the script?

Daewoo is used as an example of a company built by South Korean entrepreneurs who prioritized technological advancement. Despite South Korea not being a major oil producer, Daewoo became a leader in offshore oil platform construction, illustrating the results of strategic, long-term investment.

What does the speaker believe would have happened if the Korean businessmen were Mexican?

The speaker suggests that if Mexican businessmen had been in the same situation as the Koreans, they would have focused on reforming labor laws to reduce wages and sought tax exemptions instead of investing in technological and industrial development.

What does the speaker want to see from Mexican businessmen?

The speaker wants to see Mexican businessmen who are truly invested in the country's success, showing patriotism and a willingness to compete at the global level, similar to businessmen in countries like the United States, Australia, and the UK.

How does the speaker view the Mexican education system in relation to entrepreneurship?

The speaker notes that there is a significant number of Mexican engineers and technology students who leave the country to seek opportunities abroad. This is seen as a failure of the Mexican business and educational systems to provide opportunities for these individuals to contribute to their home country.