Pitfalls When Doing Business Abroad

Pitfalls When Doing Business Abroad

Posts 11-13 of 13
  • John Lysfjord
    John Lysfjord
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    Re: Send your best people to China.
    From my experience with Chinese business culture, the best advice I can give is: It's personal.

    While we in western countries like to say - 'It's nothing personal, it's just business', you wouldn't get far with that attitude in Asia. Big dinners, family meetings, karaoke, and (unfortunately) bribes are common, and should be expected. Business relationships are based on trust, while contracts are often considered to be 'just for reference'. Don't assume that taking the contract to a court can resolve your contract issues. You have to trust your business partner!

    So send your best people, but make sure they are open-minded, polite and social. And do make sure they're senior level. Chinese managers will be reluctant to meet with junior executives, as it can make them loose face.

    Hint:
    If you cannot send a senior-level executive, there is another way. I wont recommend this, but quite a few Chinese managers have two business cards. One real, and one that makes them appear more senior. (Assistant to CEO seems to be the norm). This can be a door opener for you, but without authority to make decisions, it can also get you in trouble. :-)
    • 21 Feb 2006, 06:10 am
  • Colin Friedman
    Colin Friedman    Premium Member   Group moderator
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    Re^2: Send your best people to China.
    Having just read through the whole thread I must agree with the general theme. The bottom line is: Send your best people and train them properly.

    One of the services we provide is cross-culture training, so if you hear of any newbies or companies that need business orientation and/or start-up services then please tell them of the problems that can be faced by simple misunderstandings and suggset they use the service of a company like ours.

    You might want to look at our website http://www.china-expert.org so that you can suggest our services to your contacts.
    • 15 May 2006, 12:35 pm
  • Yi 毅 Lu 陆
    Yi 毅 Lu 陆    Group moderator
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    Re^3: Send your best people to China.
    Insightful discussions. While business people of virtually all nationalities are dong business with or in China, the Chinese business people are also starting to set their feet on foreign soil. I figure they might be experience similar issues as those mentioned here. Would you be able to offer them advice?

    I have just created an OpenBC club named "Chinese entrepreneurs going to the world". If you are a foreign businessman looking to interact with your counterparts in China, please feel free to join us!

    Here is the web link to it (if you have any problem joining, please add me as a contact and tell me to invite you):

    https://www.xing.com/app/network?op=home&tab=1&name=...

    This is a new and aspiring forum, and your comments/suggestions will be highly valued.

    Yi
    • 03 Dec 2006, 11:44 am