How to give gifts when doing business in China

How to give gifts when doing business in China

It is appropriate to bring a gift, particularly something representative of your town or region, to a business meeting or social event. A gift should always be wrapped, but avoid plain black or white paper because these are the colors of mourning.

The Chinese will decline a gift three times before finally accepting, so as not to appear greedy. You will have to continue to insist. Once the gift is accepted, express gratitude. You will be expected to go through the same routine if you are offered a gift.

In the presence of other people, never present a valuable gift to one person. This gesture will cause only embarrassment, and possibly even problems for the recipient, given the strict rules against bribery in Chinese business culture.

Conversation topics of doing business in China

Conversation topics of doing business in China

It is worthwhile to know some aspects of Chinese culture, history, and geography before your visit, for your hosts will appreciate your initiative.

It is important, during the course of the conversation, to be aware of the speech culture in China. Negative replies are considered impolite in China. Never say "no". Instead, you can respond with "I'll look into that" , 'I'll think about it' or 'maybe' etc. You'll find that the Chinese will do the same. When your Chinese counterparts smilingly and politely or even enthusiastically say 'No big problem' or 'The problem is not serious', they usually mean 'There are still problems'.

How Addressing Chinese and greeting when doing business in China

How Addressing Chinese and greeting when doing business in China

Chinese names appear in a different order than Western names. Each person has, in this order, a family or generational name and a first name. In Chinese names, the family name always comes first. For example, in the name Chen Wu, Chen is the family name and Wu is the given name. He should be addressed as Mr. Chen. Official titles are not used in conversations. Only family members or close friends use first names.

For business purposes, it is traditionally acceptable to call a Chinese person by the surname, together with a title, such as "Director Wang" or "Chairman Li." Address people using official titles such as "General" "Committee Member",or "Bureau Chief" whenever possible. It is customary to address the deputies by skipping the word 'deputy,' such as, 'Chief' for 'Deputy Chief,' 'Chairman' for 'Vice Chairman' 'General Manager' for 'Assistant General Manager'.

How to invest in China good tips

How to invest in China good tips

1. Have clear understanding of China

It is essential to understand the culture of the country before investing in it. Understanding China is vital as China is a land of vast diversity. As such it is important for the company to understand the culture and the society’s values before establishing operations in China. Only through understanding the culture and values strong foundations can be built and higher chance of success can thus be achieved.

2. Understand local business practices

Given China’s distinct culture differences from the rest of the world, understanding China’s business culture is extremely crucial. What works in one’s country will not be applicable at all in China. Understanding how the local people think and their business practices can allow one to engage better and faster with them. Original organizational culture and practices may have to change in order to accustom to China’s practices. Thus flexibility and adaptability is the key for any organization to be successful in China.

3. Acquire local knowledge and establish local presence