Your business trip is arranged, flight tickets booked, accommodation arranged and your schedule is full. Whether it's your first visit to China, Hong Kong or Taiwan, or if you are a regular visitor to these areas, make sure you don't forget some Chinese business cards.
A bit of background; whilst China is undoubtedly modernising with management and business methods converging with those of the West, there is still an element of conservatism that runs through everyday life, culture and work. The continued rigid use of business cards is an example of this. Business meetings will often begin with an exchange of cards, politely handed to each other with two hands before the card is studied and then carefully placed in a holder.
You may wonder, do you need to be part of this, won't your English cards suffice? Here we outline 5 reasons why you should definitely ensure some Chinese business cards are in your luggage when taking that all important business trip.
1. Avoid misunderstandings.
Make sure that those you meet fully understand what your business does and also your role within the business. If you are at or near the top of your business hierarchy then you need to make sure this is clear. Chinese like to think they are negotiating with those who have the ability to make decisions.
2. Show cultural understanding.
Name card culture is ingrained in Chinese culture. Show that you are aware of the importance of Chinese business cards by ensuring you have professionally translated, designed, typeset and printed double-sided English-Chinese business cards. Your hosts will appreciate the trouble that you have gone to for this.
3. Make it easier for those you meet.
Maybe you've been communicating using email with your Chinese contact for some time but this will be your first face to face meeting. You may well find that in fact, whilst their written English is OK, their spoken English may be poor. They may not be able to pronounce your name and have little confidence in even attempting to. Make it easier for them by having a Chinese translation of your name on your cards. This will help to avoid potentially embarrassing situations when you meet.
4. Have some fun.
Choosing the Chinese translation of your name to go on your name cards can be a fun process. Either go with Chinese characters that form an approximation of sounds within your English name or choose an authentic three character Chinese name using characters with positive meaning. A company that provides Chinese name card creation services will be able to provide name choices that help you with this.
5. The next guy certainly will have Chinese business cards!
Maybe you want investment or looking to secure a new customer or partnership deal. If you haven't gone to the effort of arranging Chinese business cards printing then the next person they meet probably will have. Don't be outdone due to something that is relatively cheap and easy to get produced.
I hope that if you are currently on the fence with regards to whether you need Chinese business cards then the above is useful to you. Doing business in China can be a complex affair, simplify one aspect by ensuring you have some well produced English and Chinese name cards. Visit chinese business cards online to find out more useful information about buying Chinese business cards.
Wilfred is a China-phile who regularly advises companies about doing business with or outsourcing operations to China and has undertaken regular consulting work for Chinese Business Cards Online
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wilfred_Dan_T_Williamson
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Doing business in China
The main characteristic about business in China is that it's relationship driven, this means that in China you have to develop a relationship before you do business, whereas in western cultures you often do a transaction and then develop a relationship. There are certain characteristics about relationships in China otherwise known as guanxi, first of all they tend to be reciprocal in nature, so if someone grants you a favour, you should grant one back, also when you maintain relationships in China, you have to pay attention to other aspects such as whether the Chinese side looses faith and that's going to damage a relationship. You also need to pay attention to hierarchy as this is another aspect which is important in Chinese culture, treating people according to their rank is important.
In a first meeting the exchange of business cards is a really important part of doing business, in this case you should be prepared and have your business card translated into Chinese, paying particular attention to getting your rank and title translated accurately as these are very important in Chinese business cultures. When you give and receive a business card, you should do so with two hands as this shows great respect to the person that you're meeting. Other important aspects on how you can leave a good impression with the Chinese side are knowing a bit of Chinese for example and also showing some formality during a meeting in terms of presenting your company and listening to the Chinese side, and finishing your encounter, if you want to continue your business relationship, by presenting the Chinese side with a small gift.
When it comes to doing business in China, you will need language skills, which is why it's recommended you employ an interpreter and even a Chinese employee to talk to the Chinese and communicate with the Chinese in a language they understand so that there are no misunderstandings. Remember, things like technical jargon and humor will not translate very well. It would also be a good idea to have a couple of pages from your website translated into Chinese along with your business cards.
Whether you're going to China for leisure reasons or for business reasons, you still need a visa. The particular characteristics of a business visa is that you need either a letter of invitation from a Chinese company or a visa notification form from an issuing authority in China and it's that which you use along with your application form to go to the China visa application service center in London or the Chinese consulates in Edinburgh or Manchester. There are different types of business visa that you can apply for, including single entry, double entry, or multiple entry so you have to think about how often you're going to be going to China throughout the year. If you have a letter of invitation, it may need to state which type of visa you're going to have to apply for.
Author name: Kimberlie Hutson
The China Britain Business Council is the UK's leading organisation helping British companies do business in China. In these exclusive sets from GuruOnline, several of their senior staff offer free business advice to anyone thinking of doing business in China. Their sets cover everything from where to find the help you'll need through to the technical aspects of running your China office. http://www.guruonline.tv/cbbc-operational-business-advice-culture.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kimberlie_Hutson
In a first meeting the exchange of business cards is a really important part of doing business, in this case you should be prepared and have your business card translated into Chinese, paying particular attention to getting your rank and title translated accurately as these are very important in Chinese business cultures. When you give and receive a business card, you should do so with two hands as this shows great respect to the person that you're meeting. Other important aspects on how you can leave a good impression with the Chinese side are knowing a bit of Chinese for example and also showing some formality during a meeting in terms of presenting your company and listening to the Chinese side, and finishing your encounter, if you want to continue your business relationship, by presenting the Chinese side with a small gift.
When it comes to doing business in China, you will need language skills, which is why it's recommended you employ an interpreter and even a Chinese employee to talk to the Chinese and communicate with the Chinese in a language they understand so that there are no misunderstandings. Remember, things like technical jargon and humor will not translate very well. It would also be a good idea to have a couple of pages from your website translated into Chinese along with your business cards.
Whether you're going to China for leisure reasons or for business reasons, you still need a visa. The particular characteristics of a business visa is that you need either a letter of invitation from a Chinese company or a visa notification form from an issuing authority in China and it's that which you use along with your application form to go to the China visa application service center in London or the Chinese consulates in Edinburgh or Manchester. There are different types of business visa that you can apply for, including single entry, double entry, or multiple entry so you have to think about how often you're going to be going to China throughout the year. If you have a letter of invitation, it may need to state which type of visa you're going to have to apply for.
Author name: Kimberlie Hutson
The China Britain Business Council is the UK's leading organisation helping British companies do business in China. In these exclusive sets from GuruOnline, several of their senior staff offer free business advice to anyone thinking of doing business in China. Their sets cover everything from where to find the help you'll need through to the technical aspects of running your China office. http://www.guruonline.tv/cbbc-operational-business-advice-culture.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kimberlie_Hutson
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