Pitfalls When Doing Business Abroad

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Anders Moller
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Send your best people to China.
Recently in Stockholm I had the pleasure of meeting with John Harrison, Chairman for Asia Pacific and Co-chairman of KPMG in China and Hong Kong SAR.

He gave me (together with Sweden’s business elite) his take on how to go about doing business in China.

Mr. Harrison’s insights from 20 years in Hong Kong coincide on the most part with my own, and I’d like to share with you a few of the points he made:

1. Do your homework! Don’t “wing it”. Come prepared!

2. Send your best people. Chinese businessmen are great negotiators, and expect a dignified, competent adversary. Nobody wants to lose face.

3. Don’t just look at price when choosing a location. Weigh in other factors as well. The different districts of China vary considerably (similar to the different states in the US).

4. Be patient. It takes a lot of time and money to be successful in China.

5. Be prepared to quickly retreat if things go sour.

On an ending note, I’d like to mention some figures on China’s middle-class: To date there are about 300 million middle-class Chinese consumers (this figure has already surpassed the US). That sector is growing at a rate of approximately 1 million people per month.
- 14 Jan 2006, 08:46 am
Anders Moller wrote: > Recently in Stockholm I had the pleasure of meeting with John > Harrison, Chairman for Asia Pacific and Co-chairman of KPMG in China > and Hong Kong SAR. > > He gave me (together with Sweden’s business elite) his take on how to > go about doing business in China. > > Mr. Harrison’s insights from 20 years in Hong Kong coincide on the > most part with my own, and I’d like to share with you a few of the > points he made: > > 1. Do your homework! Don’t “wing it”. Come prepared! > > 2. Send your best people. Chinese businessmen are great negotiators, > and expect a dignified, competent adversary. Nobody wants to lose > face. > > 3. Don’t just look at price when choosing a location. Weigh in other > factors as well. The different districts of China vary considerably > (similar to the different states in the US). > > 4. Be patient. It takes a lot of time and money to be successful in > China. > > 5. Be prepared to quickly retreat if things go sour. > > > On an ending note, I’d like to mention some figures on China’s > middle-class: To date there are about 300 million middle-class > Chinese consumers (this figure has already surpassed the US). That > sector is growing at a rate of approximately 1 million people per > month.
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Joy Robertson
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Re^2: Send your best people to China.
Dear Kath,
i totally agree what you said. i think doing business in different foreign countries is the same thing. you have to do some research on market first and talk to the locals. of course people skills towards different crowds are vary, but one thing garaunteed is to learn how to communicate with the local businessmen who surely will appreciate if you can speak some chinese for example. in particular, culture shock will be the second 'surprise' , 5000 years ago chinese has started their business activities in Qing dynasty. acturally lots of deals in business have been conducted on the dinning table. Chinese businessmen like the consistency of the deal that they've signed with you, which means that they want develop their business relationship to friendship for long-term consideration. my dad has been in textile business and import & export brand name clothes for thirty years. he established his fairly large amount of friendships within the businesses he's done. as foreign businessmen, how to establish your networks in china is crucial. there isn't many rules on that. you just have to be paitent, understanding, and open-minded enough to build your network step by step.
all above is just what i've seen and learned from my dad and his friends' business. as a new grads, 'i have no certainty to conclude anything.' also i am hoping some opportunities that some day i can experience international business myself. wish everyone good luck on the business in shanghai.
cheers,
joy
- 14 Jan 2006, 1:59 pm
Joy Robertson wrote: > Dear Kath, > i totally agree what you said. i think doing business in different > foreign countries is the same thing. you have to do some research on > market first and talk to the locals. of course people skills towards > different crowds are vary, but one thing garaunteed is to learn how > to communicate with the local businessmen who surely will appreciate > if you can speak some chinese for example. in particular, culture > shock will be the second 'surprise' , 5000 years ago chinese has > started their business activities in Qing dynasty. acturally lots of > deals in business have been conducted on the dinning table. Chinese > businessmen like the consistency of the deal that they've signed with > you, which means that they want develop their business relationship > to friendship for long-term consideration. my dad has been in textile > business and import & export brand name clothes for thirty years. he > established his fairly large amount of friendships within the > businesses he's done. as foreign businessmen, how to establish your > networks in china is crucial. there isn't many rules on that. you > just have to be paitent, understanding, and open-minded enough to > build your network step by step. > all above is just what i've seen and learned from my dad and his > friends' business. as a new grads, 'i have no certainty to conclude > anything.' also i am hoping some opportunities that some day i can > experience international business myself. wish everyone good luck on > the business in shanghai. > cheers, > joy
Dr. Jonathan Zhang
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Re: Send your best people to China.
Anders, thanks for inviting me here.

Doing business in China, we are a very good guide, in fact. I suggest you take a look at our website, you will find out very rich and useful information. Our unique China Entry mode will give all foreign companies great help, with little risk and cost. Please take a look at this link here: http://www.ohiti.com/news/1/20061204933.htm

I am ready to cooperate with you, Anders.
- 19 Jan 2006, 02:41 am
Dr. Jonathan Zhang wrote: > Anders, thanks for inviting me here. > > Doing business in China, we are a very good guide, in fact. I > suggest you take a look at our website, you will find out very rich > and useful information. Our unique China Entry mode will give all > foreign companies great help, with little risk and cost. Please take > a look at this link here: http://www.ohiti.com/news/1/20061204933.htm > > I am ready to cooperate with you, Anders.
Dr. Jonathan Zhang
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Re^2: Send your best people to China.
Katharina, how I wish I had met you when you were in China! Which area were you?
- 19 Jan 2006, 02:48 am
Dr. Jonathan Zhang wrote: > Katharina, how I wish I had met you when you were in China! Which > area were you?
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Anders Moller
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Re^2: Send your best people to China.
Kath,

I agree with you regarding local language.

You know, whenever I travel to a new country I try at least to learn two words in the local language: "hello" and "thank you". That simple gesture really makes a difference.
- 20 Jan 2006, 3:42 pm
Anders Moller wrote: > Kath, > > I agree with you regarding local language. > > You know, whenever I travel to a new country I try at least to learn > two words in the local language: "hello" and "thank you". That simple > gesture really makes a difference.
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Pitfalls When Doing Business Abroad

Send your best people to China.

Re^2: Send your best people to China.

Re: Send your best people to China.

Re^2: Send your best people to China.

Re^2: Send your best people to China.