No quest para a essência de fazer o negócio com China, Hong Kong está falando historicamente um porto lógico da chamada. Neste cit dinâmicoy com uma população de mais de 7 milhões, nós equipe acima com Daniël Ben-Ezra, diretor dos meios de meios de Spotz. Dezembro 2005, severed seus laços e ajustou-se para fora para China, armado com um planeta só feito sob medida bolso. Que são seus findings assim distantes? Pode confirmar os preconceitos prevalecendo sobre o chinês e negócio fazer em China? Ou dispel algum formulário do clash cultural?

A apelação do negócio de China, Hong Kong no detalhe, é como um pano vermelho ao Daniël energético Ben-Ezra. Isto conduziu-lhe já em alguma força de de de excursões Asian típica; de uma reunião estágio-controlada com uma maioria intimidating dos participants, para binge competições bebendo em jantares do negócio. Entretanto, de acordo com ele, a abertura incorporada entre Hong Kong e Europa não são aquela enorme. “Naturalmente há algumas diferenças. As promessas são mais fáceis feitas do que nós tendemos geralmente a fazer. E conseqüentemente, são de pouco valor. Isto poderia ser devido ao fato que os chineses, em minha experiência, evitam conflitos. Conseqüentemente são rápidos fazer promessas, mesmo se não compreenderem realmente o que você significa.”

Hierarquia

“If you compare the European way of doing business with that of the Chinese, the importance of networking in China is paramount. Moreover, decisions are invariably made at the top of the pyramid. There is a strong hierarchy. For example, it is a waste of time talking to assistants as they have little or no authority to make decisions. The Chinese are also very bureaucratic, they love the red tape of seals, multiple signatures and copies of forms.”

To put it differently: managing to get in at top level, and not attaching too much value to promises; is that what defines the key to success in Asia? “Of course you should never generalise. To give an impression: even in a relatively small city like Hong Kong, there is a big difference among its inhabitants. Between ‘real’ locals, people born in Kowloon or the New Territories, and Island Chinese. Island Chinese are often American Born Chinese, referred to as ABCs. A local Hong Kong Chinese often speaks poor English, is in general not very assertive and has specific cultural habits. On the contrary, an American Born Chinese is usually very westernized in his take on the world. In addition the inhabitants of Hong Kong, in comparison to the inhabitants of other Chinese cities, are better educated and more sophisticated. Foreigners can easily get by using English in this Metropolis, whereas on the mainland being able to speak a little Chinese generally proves to be of value.”

Trends

Apart from the demographic diversity, there are of course similarities between mainland China and Hong Kong. “The Chinese are equally ambitious and keen to profit from the growth of their super power. The country is developing itself just like the former British colony, to western standards of lifestyle and income. That does not necessarily mean that Europe or the United States of America set the tone. For example Japanese fashion is very trendy and pop stars from South Korea are very popular.”

Essence

When it boils down to how to successfully position yourself between all the other budding trendsetters, Daniël Ben-Ezra is more than emphatic. “The Chinese business culture is hard, ambitious and networking is very important. That demands versatility, determination and an open-minded approach, alongside the willingness to learn and work hard: common sense really. If, on top of that, you are able to communicate clearly, be polite and show respect to others, doors will open, which otherwise would have remained firmly closed. In my opinion, that probably is the key to business success in China!”

Printer friendly version of the interview “China demands common sense.”
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