Know how to do business in China?

Eve, your friendly Work.com editor who recently asked for more green business guides, thanks all of you who have let us know how we can make our businesses more green.

Now she's turning her attention to China. With the Olympics coming up soon in Beijing, more and more entrepreneurs want to know how to do business in China. Are you an old China hand? Do you have guanxi? Please share your advice about doing business from Bejiing to Guangzhou, as Shanghai-based business consultant Kenneth Wong and China Director for Accetis International Frank Mulligan already have! Xie xie ni.

Know about doing business in China? Spread the word - write a guide!

china, china business, beijing, entrepreneur, small business

Comments

[Mike Buckley]

I haven't been in China in several years, but here's my two cents worth.

First and foremost, respect their culture. They've been around a lot longer than we have. Get a good book on their traditions and manners and read it before you go. Then read it again on the plane.

Some things that we consider minor are a big deal to the Chinese. For example, at a dinner or in a meeting, the placement of the guests around the table is very important. Let your host be your guide. Also, you must at least try everything that's put on your plate. It's very insulting if you don't. Better yet, try to eat everything.

We've all heard about "face" and it's very real. Whatever you do, don't embarrass your host. You've seen the cell phone commercial about "Mr. Stinky Fish Face". It's not that far fetched. Unless you're fluent in Chinese, don't try to fake it. Chinese is a very difficult language and you could make a similar blunder.

Remember, you're a guest in their country. Whatever you think about their politics, they're nice people and we can learn a lot from them. They consider it an honor to be your "guide".

[Shara]

Hi Mike, thank you. All good advice. I agree about the importance of face. It goes beyond anything Westerners are used to. Once I was at a Chinese new year dinner at someone's home in Taipei. The host had a very expensive bottle of liquor that he spilled when pouring into the first shot glass. As a result, he let all the other glasses overflow too, as if he had intended to do that. ...I think he did this because of face...though there could be another reason I don't know about!

[Joel Libava]

Hi Eve, Nice Job!
No more Green? Cmon!
Joel Libava
GreenFranchiseDirectory.com
Once in a while Work.com Guide...

[Eve Lopez]

Hi, Joel! Oh YEAH there's going to be more green guides - you can count on it! :)

[Shara]

What I want more guides on is doing green business in China. China manufactures for the world, and it's everyone's responsibility to look for ways we can make China business (and all business) more green. I just read an article about how many fish farms in China and elsewhere use unacceptable levels of harmful chemicals that end up negatively impacting our health. The people who discover ways to make business more green everywhere are going to not only do good, but also do well.