3. 1. FITZBURG TIRE COMPANY
• AMERICAN COMPANY BASED IN PHILADELPHIA,
PENNSYLVANIA
• NEW PLANT IN CUERNAVACA, MEXICO
4. NAMES AND POSITIONS
• PARTICIPANTS:
- MAX BIERMAN, CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
- LEOPOLDO SANHEZ GARCIA, CHIEF ENGINEER
• MENTIONNED:
- MAESTRO MIGUEL MUNOZ, SUBCONTRACTOR
- ANN BLOCK, VP OVERSEAS OPERATIONS
- JOHN PERKINS, ASSISTANT OF GENERAL
CONSTRUCTOR MANAGER
6. DOCUMENTS
• DIALOGUE BETWEEN MAX AND LEOPOLDO
• MEMO FROM SEÑOR GARCIA TO MR BIERMAN
• MEMO FROM MAX BIERMAN TO LEOPOLDO SANCHEZ GARCIA
• BIERMAN’S PROGRESS REPORT TO ANN BLOCK
• MEMO FROM SANCHEZ GARCIA TO MAX BIERMAN
9. STRENGHTS
Intercultural differences
• In Mexico, better do the job well than quickly
Communication
• Monthly reports with Philadelphia
Management
• Strict Management instructions from Philadelphia
Ethics
• The American point of view: You are responsible for your mistakes
10. WEAKNESSES
Intercultural Differences
• 90-minutes « siesta break »
• Mexican work rhythm: too slow
• USA/Mexico: a different work education
Communication
• Language barrier
Management
• Lack of supervision
• Lack of managing experience
• Hostility at work: not the right choice in Mexico
Ethics
• Faults never come from only one person
11. MEXICAN PLANT SITUATION OVERALL*
Cuernavaca plant
Strenghts Weaknesses
*Considering current state of progress
and management decisions
12. 3. OPTIONS
Fight
Weaknesses:
1. Arrange a cooperation with a management in Mexico
2. Increase supervision, diminish the use of sub-contractors
3. Replace the American manager by a Mexican
4. Replace John by a more experienced supervisor
5. Compose management head only of Spanish and English speakers