How to Doing Business in China? (part 1, Pre-Meeting)

Do (Know)

• Doing business in China, the male dress code is a dark suit and tie.
• In Chinese perspective, female should wear skirt over trouser because it looks more professional and intelligent.
• Even on a hot day, female should wear higher neckline and socks.
• When getting an invite to a banquet or party, it is where you should look utmost best.
• Business card should be double sided. One side is for English and other for Chinese.
• The best time to exchange business card is at the beginning of a meeting.
• Do receive the card with both hands.
• After receiving the business card, you should place it on your desk. So, you don't forget the person name.
• Business card is widely use; do expect that people exchange it often, even if, you are not in a business setting.
• Do know that Chinese people often will be late.
• Chinese companies will only see if you have an appointment with them, and they only do business with a well known company.
• Before coming to China for business, you should hire a diplomat to represent your company oversea.
• Embassy is the best place to hire a representative.
• Do make an appointment 3 weeks or a month ahead.

Don't

• Male never wear bright color or white in meeting.
• Also, male should avoid wear white shoes or white (sport) socks. White represents funeral.
• When a person presents a business card to you, please, don't just look at it and put it away. Do try to read it. You want to show your respect as much as you can.
• Do not write on the back of business card.
• Never be late.
• Do not look at your watch too often in a business meeting.
• Try to avoid making an appointment in the beginning of February (Chinese New Year).
• Don't expect to finish everything you want to do in one trip.
• Often, you may need to stay more than you expected. You should not buy a return ticket beforehand.

Um... What to wear?

If you are doing business in China sometime in the fulture, there are couple things worth looking at before showing up at the meeting. I know some of these are common sense, but it good to go through it together. On this entry, we will only look at before a business meeting start. So, why don't you just relax, take off your tie to the side, take off your shoes, and we shall begin.

First start, it will be the dress code and sorry you cannot dress like in the Kung Fu movie. Formal dress for both man and woman is a must. For man, black suit and tie should always be ready in the closet.

However, never wear white suit (even bright color) into a meeting because white color is for funeral. And yes, this also includes white sock or shoe. So, there you have it, white (sport) sock is uncool for both Western and Eastern cultures.

For woman, it is a little more complicated. Skirt is more acceptable than trouser, simply because skirt label as a more intelligent outfit. Even in a hot summer day, woman should always wear high neckline and not be bare foot.

If it hard for you to find clothes that are qualify for business, you can check out some of the Chinese traditional clothes. I heard that some of designers do come out with something for the business attire. This way you can enjoy the culture as well as working.

As you read couple of my entries from before (an attempt to promote my website), you may know that Chinese people does not finish deals in a business places but at a party or banquet.

So, if you get invite to a banquet or gathering, please, do try to look your utmost best. This is where the business people say "make it happen" will happen.

Business card etiquette

Beginning of the meeting is the time to exchange business card. Do accept the card with both hands, as to show a mutual respect to one and another.

When somebody hands you their card, please, do take a look at it. And by saying to look at it, I meant do try to read it. If you don't, you may consider being disrespectful and lack of interest toward that person.

After looking at it, many people recommend that you leave the card on your desk because you can look at the name while you are talking. Also, you should never write on the back of the business card that other people given to you.

Business card is widely use. If you go to a party or a gathering, exchange business cards is very common. I know that people in the West sometime spray cologne on to the card. I do not know if this work in China or not, but definitely try and let me know. Thank you in advance. Hehehe.

Time is money

Another reason, why being on time is so important. Most of traditional companies, they believe in Feng Shui. Before making a deal or open a new business, they always consult the stars for the lucky hour or day to do so. If you are late or pass the Feng Shui hour, you might need to wait for another time to be chosen. Once again, BE CAREFUL.

However, Chinese people often probably will be late. So, try not to be offended. How ironic.

When in a meeting, please, do not look at your watch too often. This action means that you have something to do rather than be there, or you just want to hurry up and finish the deal. Something to think about, if that is your habit.

I like to make an appointment...

But, let say your company is not very big, what do you do? Now, don't peek below.

According to the professionals, their advice is hiring a representative in China. In the late 1990s', you can find this type of representative at the embassy/Chamber of Commerce.

Today is the year 2008; there might be some outside agencies or consultants that do exactly the same thing. But, I would recommend use the embassy/Chamber of Commerce if you can.

With embassy's representative on your side, they can give your creditability to your company. Their job is to maintain a presence for your company in China. Also, they will be the one giving information about your company to the other side, which making the process of obtain the invitation easier.

When making an appointment for a meeting, you should make it out about 2 weeks, 3 weeks, or even a month before. Definitely, try to avoid of making a business trip in the beginning of February. It is also known as the Chinese New Year. During this time, nobody will open for business, and people normally take off about two to three weeks to celebrate.

Also, you should plan on making multiple trips for one deal, and do not expect to accomplish everything on the first trip. The first trip can consider being on a first date. The goal is to build a relationship.

Most of business men and women I talk to recommend that you should not make a reservation for return trip beforehand. Often, you may need to stay more than expected.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen for stay with me all the way through. It is just the beginning of a business meeting, and hopefully, I do not miss anything. If I do, I will try to add it on later, I'm sorry for all the inconvenience.

When I know how to put a comment session on to my website, you can leave your opinion. Until then, from where I am and wherever you are, have good night, everybody.

<<< Return to Doing Business in China Articles

Recommended Articles

• Gift Giving (part 2)
• Body Language (Gestures)
• Business in China (part 2)