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Issue No. 30 - August/September 2006
Tact and tactics in China
International Business Week 2006
China’s emergence as a major trading country represents enormous opportunities for Australian companies, but the differences in language and culture present significant challenges to Australians trying to establish trading relations with China.
While pitfalls and problems do exist, Chinese Language and Cultural Advice principal consultant, Leonie McKeon says the potential rewards are great.
When you enter China, Leonie says, you enter on China’s terms. Trying to force China to adhere to your own business norms is a dead-end road. There are many success stories of Australians doing business with China. Most of them are from businesses that learn how to adapt their business culture to suit Chinese business style.
To enter the Chinese market you need to come to terms with the Chinese way of life and put some effort into researching what makes China — and other countries with Chinese cultures in the Asian region — tick.
After living and working in a variety of roles in Taiwan and China, and completing her studies at The University of Adelaide, Leonie understands Chinese business culture and is fluent in Mandarin.
On Monday August 7 Leonie presents a half-day Understanding Chinese Business workshop. She will give workshop participants an understanding of the differences between China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Even though these regions are close in proximity, there are distinct differences between them including political structure, the written Chinese language, levels of Western influence and the understanding of English.
“China has a one-child family policy system and uses simplified Chinese characters whereas Taiwan uses traditional Chinese characters and has a very different political framework. Within China itself there are differences between the provinces. Knowing the culture of the province in which you are doing business is vital,” Leonie says.
“A common concern when dealing with Chinese business ...
