Doing Business in China

Learn what you are likely to encounter, both personally and professionally, when starting to do business in China. With the right knowledge and expectations, and the tools and techniques to deal with business encounters, you may well avoid the worst of the culture shock and steep learning curve which other professionals have dealt with.

Schedule is To Be Announced

OBJECTIVE

When it comes to doing business in China, it has been said "everything is possible but nothing is easy". This course is an introduction for those who will be interacting directly with Chinese business counterparts. Attendees will learn how to anticipate, interpret, and react to the very different behaviors, assumptions, norms, practices, and communication styles that they will inevitably encounter. This understanding will lead to learning how to best achieve business objectives.

SUMMARY

The course covers basic background on Chinese culture as experienced through business practices. Participants will learn what to expect and how to interpret the things they are likely to face.  The course is designed to be practical, and deals with common business activities such as meetings, presentations, negotiations, agreements, behavior, courtesy, and dining/entertaining. Particular attention will be paid to developing an understanding of “mian zi” (face) and “guan xi” (relationships). A key “take away” will be trip and business meeting checklists, as well as useful reminder summaries. The course will also include group exercises that will allow participants to experience and practice the situations and principles included in the course content.

(Please note: We are currently negotiating the participation of 2-3 Mandarin speaking Chinese business representatives to participate in the class in order to provide their perspective and to make the group exercises as realistic as possible.)

DESCRIPTION

The course provides a basic introduction to China – geography, history, culture – to set perspective. The bulk of the time will deal with norms and behaviors, how these differ from the familiar, and how to interpret and deal with these experiences. Very practical "do’s and don’ts" (along with the associated whys and why nots) will be explicitly identified and illustrated with real life examples. The basic flow of the course is:•    Country Briefing•    Chinese Values, Assumptions, and Business Relevance•    Chinese View of Westerners•    Chinese Communication Styles, with role play and simulation•    Business Awareness for China•    Group Exercises - What We‘re Likely to Experience•    Dining and Entertaining Etiquette•    Summary and Planning Check Lists•    The course will conclude with a Chinese banquet, hosted by Best Consultants, to allow participants a final debrief and discussion.Participants will gain an understanding of the societal differences that they will encounter, and how to deal successfully with these experiences.This is a two day course. Participants should expect to conclude at about 3:00 PM on Day 2 to allow for travel planning.

About the Instructor: Sam Weinberger served as an Exxon Vice President engaged in Joint-Venture business development in China, and has lived in Hong Kong. After early retirement from Exxon he became a Managing Director of PetroStar Associates (Beijing) and he has undertaken multiple consulting engagements in diverse areas with major companies in China. He has also made presentations at industry and business conferences in Shanghai and Guangzhou and lectured at Nanjing University.

INSTRUCTOR
Sam Weinberger

COST
$1500 Individual. Group rates also available - Contact Best Consultants for Details.

» Back to training