Business beyond our Borders
“What I personally think is important to take into account when doing business in China”
Source: http://ciid.dk/education/portfolio/py/courses/computational-design/work-posters/greetings-ujjval/
Each time I have decided to work abroad, I have been bombarded with anecdotes and stereotypes about what I should expect, but rarely have these encompassed what would be expected of me. Though business profiling and anticipations vary from country to country, the impact of your first impression, from the moment you greet someone, does not.
In the US, I was expected to shake hands with each of my bosses and all my customers, in Costa Rica I often had to replace this ritual with a kiss on the cheek, and in Japan I had to move away from direct contact entirely and greet others with a bow.
Beyond the initial greeting, in certain countries, body language can play a huge role in business. In Japan, you could use the most formal vocabulary and present the most appealing business plan, but you will never be taken on as a business partner if you cross your arms in front of someone. I trust that I will be exposed to such customs and rituals in China, and hope to learn the correct etiquette for greeting others, exchanging business cards and setting business hours.
From the Chinese employees I have met abroad, I have the impression that working hours in China are much less flexible than in other countries. Nevertheless, flexibility is relative. In Hungary, working hours are similar to those in Spain, i.e. late-starts, coffee breaks and long-lunches. This, however, obliges you stay in the office far longer than you are required to. In contrast, in Costa Rica, I was strictly required to be at my desk working by 8am, but also had the freedom to leave at the hour stated on my contract. As a family-oriented country with strong business aspirations, I am interested to see how social and work life are balanced in China.
I can only assume that such social structures will vary a great deal within the country, given the sheer size of China. Nearly comparable with Europe, China could be its own continent, so when doing business there it is important to consider that someone from the North may be as different from a Southerner as a Swede is from an Italian. As a lover of languages, I generally try to learn some key phrases before travelling somewhere new, but with China this is tough considering the number of dialogues that exist throughout the nation. It is essential to remember that people will always prefer to conduct business in their native language and to show a little respect for their origins.
Overall, I think the most important concept to take into consideration when doing business in China, or any other country for that matter, is that each person’s behaviour is shaped by their traditions and regional values. As foreigners, if we hope to form business relations, we better be observant and quick to adapt!
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22 Feb 2014
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