China’s been around for 5,000 years, and there is endless material you can read about this fascinating land. However, when it comes to doing business, there’s much more you need to be aware of. As a westerner, you might only have to moderately tweak your business plans to adapt to a market like France or Germany. But when you’re in China, it’s a country so alien and so distinct, that you have to really buckle down and reevaluate your fundamentals before attempting any venture.*Picking a phone number for your China office. The numbers 8 and 6 are lucky, so get them in your number. Numbers like 4 are unlucky, because they resemble the Chinese word “death” in pronunciation, so avoid them like the plague!
*Colour scheme - red is lucky in China, and has universal appeal nationwide. But do your research into the local culture. It’s a big country and beliefs and superstitions can vary from region to region.
*Social media barrier - Facebook and Twitter are outlawed - so you have to get into the Chinese equivalents. These include RenRen, Sina Weibo, Tencent Weibo, WeChat and others.
Second, work with local consultants and understand your position better. A qualified consultancy will help you know whether your type of business will be welcomed or shunned by the locals in a certain place. They can also advise you how to navigate the labyrinth of red tape that foreign enterprises often have to face when opening up in China.
Third, do market research, but do 10 times more than you’d normally do. You need a product or service that locals either can’t provide at all or would have great difficulty in doing. These types of enterprises succeed more because they receive more official support from the local government. For instance, English writing, editing and proofreading enterprises do well in China because it’s something that only native speakers can get totally right.
Finally, immerse yourself in the society and culture. There’s nothing Chinese people like to see more than foreigners getting right into the local community and gaining a true understanding of how they think and feel. Don’t be an absent landlord - visit the city, organise public events, sponsor community activities and make friends everywhere. Connections - known as “guanxi” in China - are the most valuable tool in your arsenal when you’re there.
The Chinese market presents marketing and potential sales revenue on scales previously never imagined in Western business. A country with consumers in the billions, with ever-increasing wealth and a desire to buy. Get China savvy and you’ll see your business presence. reach new heights.
