Global contexts, Inc

Table of Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................. 2
China Overview....................................................................................................... 2
Meeting and Greeting......................................................................................... 2
Business Culture in China...................................................................................... 2
Relationships........................................................................................................ 2
Respect.................................................................................................................. 3
Social Expectation............................................................................................... 3
Management in China............................................................................................ 3
Role on the Team................................................................................................. 3
Seniority................................................................................................................ 3
Conclusion................................................................................................................ 4
Works Cited.............................................................................................................. 5

Introduction
Hello! With recent developments in your company to open new manufacturing
workspaces in Eastern China your company has asked Global Contexts, Inc. to
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provide you with a cultural policy guide. This guide will detail different parts of
Chinese culture both social and business related. You will learn how to better
interact as a business person in a foreign country. This guide is intended for anyone
who will be interacting with the Chinese development of this new factory. We hope
that this guide will help you represent your company in a well informed and
professional way.

China Overview
China is the largest Asian country in terms of population with an astounding
population numbering in over a billion people. You will likely only work with very few
of them but it is important to remember a few key things about China while working
with anyone in the country. While preparing to visit China take into account the area
you will be visiting as weather is very diverse there. From sub-arctic areas to
tropical destinations you must be prepared with the right wardrobe. Keep in mind
that China is a Communist State that is slowly adopting more and more western
business practices. Take care with what you say and how you interact coming from
the Free Market western world. The final general note to take on the country is how
the language differs across the country. There are dozens of different regional
dialects and different ways of speaking the languages there. The best
recommendation is to learn a few key phrases in Cantonese and Mandarin to best
navigate your way through most cities and towns in China. (Kwintessential, 2014)

Meeting and Greeting

A simple hello in the Chinese workplace is not always the right answer while
working in their country. Depending on your standing within the company or the
business relationship will determine how you will greet those around you. Very much
like meeting anyone new a simple calm handshake is sufficient to introduce
yourself. It is important that you keep physical touch to a minimum as the Chinese
prefer to keep physical contact with each other to a minimum. Finally ensure that
you are using your body language in a collected way that shows that you are taking
an interest in what the speaker is saying as to show respect to the speaking party.
(Kwintessential, 2014)

Business Culture in China

Relationships
To begin, you must understand that the Eastern World is much different in how they
conduct business than the Western World. Many relationships formed at work in the
Western world remain simple business relationships with those around you
remaining only your professional peers. This is very much the opposite in the
Chinese model. Their business relationships become social relationships over a long
enough period of time. Do not expect to quickly be joined in the social circles but as
you spend more time working with individuals and groups in China they will open up
to you and you will be part of the social groups. (Cheong, 2014) Once you have
reached that point in your relationship with your business partners take time to talk
about your family, your goals, your interests, even your new car. These are ways
that the Chinese look to as having a closer business relationship. It is important to
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note that they make up minds about the deals you create with them based on how
much of a social relationship youve created with them.

Respect
As with many businesses in the Western world seniority is very important and
respecting that authority is a must. This is taken to a greater degree in China. You
may call your boss by their first name here, but while working with the Chinese if
they are a senior member you must take care to address them as Mr. or Mrs. Or
better yet you could address them by their job roll; manager, etc. It is also
important to note that while you list people in your organization you must list them
in order of seniority as to not only pay respect to the seniors but to also not confuse
the Chinese readers. Ensure that while you hand documents to other members that
you face the recipient as to show respect for them. Showing the right due respect
to those who have earned it is very important in China. Do your research on your
business partners to know what the acceptable way to contact them and how to
treat them while they are meeting with you. (Cheong, 2014)

Social Expectation
While having a Chinese visitor or visiting China it is expected that you will attend a
meal with the guests or you will be the guest at their dinner. It will be an event that
you must be prepared for as they will expect a grand dining experience and will
return one in suit. At this event remember that you must be social and also that
drinks are expected to be had. The Chinese love to have alcohol with their dinners
and expect you to be no different. Ensure that you keep a cool head and do not
drink too much and do not partake in any over the top drinking competitions with
them. As your relationship progresses with them you may ask or be asked to attend
after dinner entertainment. Never turn this opportunity down as it is a sign of
respect for you in the social and business setting. The most important expectation
of this setting is that the host of the evening will pay for the entire night. This
means that if you are hosting you must make sure that you are prepared with the
company for a large bill. Never ask to split the bill or fight for it as this is very rude.
(Cheong, 2014)

Management in China
Role on the Team
As business culture is much different in China so is how to manage that
business culture. Recall that position is very important in China. Seniority and
hierarchy is how the Chinese view that position. Unlike western culture where it is
often expected that team members take initiative to show leadership and
demonstrate that they can take well thought out risks, Chinese culture makes clear
that each member has their own position and must maintain their role there. It is
not a lack of initiative rather a respect for the organization for the younger or newer
members of the team to let leadership take direction of the team. As a leader in this
business deal you must take care to recognize those who are above you and below
you during the dealings. It is paramount that you respect those who are superior to
you and that you direct in a professional and responsible way those you are leading.
(Kwintessential, 2014)
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Seniority
While visiting China or having Chinese visitors to the business you will see that the
members of the Chinese team will enter rooms in order of seniority. To make them
feel more comfortable and help them to understand your work structure you should
follow suit. You will also notice that only the most senior members of the team will
speak at meetings. If you are not the most senior in your party you should let the
most senior members speak at the meeting. The Chinese will be doing the same
and it will be seen as a sign of disrespect if you are to either speak out of turn
during the meeting you could cause not only the visiting party to lose face but also
yourself. (Kwintessential, 2014)

Conclusion
While this Policy guide gives you instruction on how to interact with the Chinese
during your movement into this new deal in China it does not show you all the small
intricacies of Chinese culture. These are things that you must learn to work with as
you continue your interaction with the Chinese. If you use this guide as a spring
board you will be quick to fit into the business culture you are beginning to work in.
The work you are about to do is very important to the company and using these
guidelines will help you create a powerful and functional relationship in China.

(Kwintessential, 2014)
(Kwintessential, 2014)
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(Cheong, 2014)

Works Cited
Cheong, Ken. "Business Culture and Etiquette in China." Business Culture and
Etiquette in China. Kwintessential, 2014. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.
"China - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette." Kwintessential. Kwintessential,
2014. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.
"Doing Business in China." Kwintessential. Kwintessential, 2014. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.
"Intercultural Management - China." Intercultural Management. Kwintessential,
2014. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.