Es ist zutreffend: China hat einen großen Marktbereich, in dem Sie ein sehr annehmbares Leben bilden können, aber erwartet nicht Wunder. Fruchtsirup Groeneweg glaubt, daß thát das Wesentliche des Tuns des Geschäfts mit China ist. Seine Freundschaft mit dem Chinesen Anne Xu ist, was begonnen seinen praktischen übungen; das Verkaufen der chinesischen kunst auf dem holländischen Markt, durch seins gründete eben Geschäft, Xuro. Der Verkauf der chinesischen kunst benötigt noch Zeit zu blühen, die Nachfrage auf Dienstleistungen Xuros, während ein Geschäft Entwickler einerseits schnell wächst. „Lose Unternehmer denken nur an Potential Chinas und haben 1.3 Milliarde Verbraucher, und sind folglich zu eifrig. Jedoch bleibt ein schlechtes Abkommen ein schlechtes Abkommen. Seien Sie nicht zu gierig. Das reale Marktpotential ist häufig viel kleiner dann Sie denken.“

Arbeitend für Kreuzozean Cosco Behälter-Linien, erbt Fruchtsirup Kontakt mit China 1990, weil diese Firma mit chinesischen Angestellten und Auszubildenden für Dekaden gearbeitet hat. „In den Niederlanden, gibt es ungefähr 8.000 chinesische Kursteilnehmer und sie suchen Sie häufig nach Traineeships bei den Firmen, die orientiertes China sind. Ich wurde Freunde mit einem dieser Auszubildenden. 2004 besuchte ich sie in China und ich verliebte sofort in dieses Land. Die Dynamik, die Gebäudeaufstellungsorte und die Atmosphäre, finde ich sie erstaunlich.“

Die façades
Bald erlernt Fruchtsirup den, der Geschäft mit einer chinesischen Nehmenmenge Wissen und Verstehen tut. Ein Bündel Geld ist keine Garantie für Erfolg. „Einige große Firmen haben dieses erfahren. The failures of many multinationals are proof of the fact that behind the neon façades in the big cities, a totally different culture with corresponding traditions is hidden. A culture quite different from ours.”

Spend money to make money
“For companies doing business with China, a contact on-the-spot probably is the most important investment. To find one however, is not easy. There only are a few Chinese who, on a level that we are used to, take initiative themselves, dare to carry responsibility or speak English fluently. Let alone poses a combination of all these qualities. Although the search for the right person can take a long time, it is worth the effort. Without it you’ve got little hold on your business. For example, if you need a shipment from China, it is wiser to check the product and the quantity in China. If you do this on delivery only, it takes a lot of time and money if the shipment is not according to the agreement. A representative of your interests in China therefore is both practical as well as financially wise.

A different calendar
When you have found a suitable local employee, there is still a long way to go. “Chinese are friendly people, but they must be handled with care. One of the things you must reckon with, is the importance they attach to status. That comes in the smallest things, even on subjects where we Westerners don’t pay attention to. Once I had a Chinese employee in the office. By the end of the year, everyone received a calendar from the company. There were different varieties: red, brown and black ones, big and small. These were handed out among the employees randomly. One employee received one too, he did not say a thing, looked at it and ripped it into two pieces. After that, he said: ‘they look down on me’ and didn’t speak for a week. What had happened? He accidentally had become a smaller one than his colleagues.”

Good copycat
Cultural differences prevail on several occasions. “Besides lots of positive qualities, China unfortunately also has a reputation in selling imitations. That copy-culture has made Chinese companies into able producers. Products from China often are of excellent quality. In China, Volkswagens are being produced which are possibly better than the original German ones.” Rob has an explanation for the reason why products from China are of such a high quality. “It is a hierarchical society and copying the master is the ultimate challenge. They want to be equally capable or even better. That is also the reason why there is hardly any taboo on reproducing products in China.”

Next generation
Not to judge plagiarism directly probably is very difficult for most people. On a less burdened area it is much easier to reach the other’s hand regarding habits. “In a Chinese network for instance, it is unusual to thank each other for a service provided. Once I thanked someone, because that person had taken pains to help me with something. He said: you don’t have to thank me, next time you will be the one helping me. To help is normal. Just like addressing each other calmly. Don’t push. Because if you do, the Chinese will resist. Also avoid discussions on difficult topics – like Taiwan and Falun Gong – with business relations. Apart from that, it is no problem to discuss such topics with very good friends.”

“Further the Chinese cannot handle criticism very well. The new generation is eager to make a career and earn lots of money, without problems. As soon as you have a good Chinese candidate for your company, cherish him or her. Because the young Chinese change jobs for more money, power and status, just as easy as we do. And you can’t blame them for that either.”

Printer friendly version of the interview “China and the art of Xuro.”

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