Inside China

Business Aspects

Management Style

Management styles in China are widely influenced by the Confucian approach. In this Confucian philosophy, it is said that all relationships are considered to be dissimilar or in other words unequal. These ethical behaviors are also highly respected and obeyed by the citizens of China. In conjunction with this, the senior person in an organization should consequently receive respect from the younger co-workers. With this, the management styles in China works in a way where the senior manager will give instructions to their colleagues down the line. The younger co-workers are likely not expected to change or question the decisions of the superiors as this will show disregard and also be the direct loss of “Minanzhi”/ “Lian”. “Minanzhi”/ “Lian” is known as “face” which means, pride and dignity of a person in the community due to his or her social standings. Prior to this, the manager in an organisation is seen as a highly respected individual who expects to receive support and honor from his or her colleagues. In returns, the manager is also likely to consider the well-being of their co-workers to build a harmonious working atmosphere.  

Team Working

The Chinese in an organisation, usually work in teams where consensus decision making is always practiced  This means that, the team members will come up with a mutual agreement and this will automatically result in an effective product. The downsides of this group orientation is that the structure and organisation in China is highly hierarchical according to the Confucian philosophy, where the seniors in an organisation takes lead gives orders to their colleagues. This practice results in a lack of individual enthusiasm to do or to project some of their thoughts and ideas as that would be viewed negatively. In a culture where only the boss is allowed to voice out, people tend to only follow instruction. Therefore this might bring personal difficulties and this makes it unable to bring out the best of them.

"Alone We Can Do So Little, 

Together We Can Do So Much"

-Nolen Bushnell-

Business Meetings

It is very important for you to show respect to other members/workers when you are in a meeting through this you can portray your honorable side and in turn you will be respected. In China, when you are in a meeting respect should be shown to people of all age without taking into account about the seniority, traditions of China and the company. Moreover, you must be attentive even if the key person's English is not good, you should also stand up when a senior member enters or when an honorable person enters. Business cards are always exchanged on the first meeting to get more new contacts. It is best to have your card printed in Chinese on the reverse and always offer it Chinese-side up. Handshaking is the norm but a Chinese handshake will tend to be light and lingering.

Communication in Business

The most common dialect spoken in China is Mandarin. If you are going to speak in English make sure there is a translator to translate what you speak. You have to be very careful when you are communicating during the meeting because there is chance for misunderstanding and mistranslated. The Chinese use a very little of visual body language. When you are going to deliver a bad news it is the best to have an intermediary who can speak softly and deliver the bad news indirectly and preserve a good relationship.

Translation of English - Mandarin

"Behind the need to communicate is the need to share.

Behind the need to share is the

need to understood"

-Lisa M. Hayes-

Gift Giving Etiquette

A beautiful basket of food is a wonderful gift because the Chinese likes food. Avoid giving sharp things such as knives because to them it means a breaking relationship. Besides, gifts such as straw sandals, handkerchiefs, flowers or clocks should be avoided because it is associated with death. Moreover, gifts that are associated with number 4 and wrap with blue, black or white paper is considered unlucky. Present the gift with two hands and do not immediately open the gift upon receiving it.

Business Dress Code

In Chinese business culture, men use to wear suits and ties to meetings. It is important to wear attire such as black, white or beige because bright colours are considered as inappropriate for a meeting. For formal events, wear suits and ties, but not tuxedos as tuxedos are not a part of Chinese culture. On the other hand, Woman should wear conservative suits.  Do not wear anything too revealing and women also must try keep to the conservative colours like men. For both men and women jeans are typically worn for casual activities.

Dining Etiquette

The Chinese prefer to entertain in public places rather than in their homes, especially when entertaining foreigners. During dining it is advisable to talk about any business related. It is not advisable to bring families but is common for businessmen to bring secretaries. You should also arrive on time. Remove your shoes before entering the house. Table manners are expected. Besides, you should also wait to be seated . The guest of honour will be given a seat facing the door. Wait for the host to begin eating than you can eat. Prepared to be toasting (gan bei) at all time and the first toast must to be offered by the host. Make sure to toast others first before drinking it is considered rude and if you are been toasted sip the drink in reply. Slurping or belching sounds indicates they are enjoying their food and it is not considered rude.Do not leave your bowl empty to show honour of the host generosity.

Women In Business

Basically, men and women have the same rights in the workplace and the party has promoted this sense of equality over long time ago. However, traditional Confucian thinking does not sit easily with this notion of gender equality and it is somewhat ironic that the liberalization policies of the last decade might have reversed many of the advances made by women in Chinese society under the previous hard-line regimes. Great respect will be poured over foreign businesswomen. Within a delegation, the Chinese defer to male colleagues regardless of the actual seniority of the western party - male will naturally be the decision maker according to Chinese assumption. As for now, it is more and more common to place women in reasonably senior roles in large Chinese organizations especially in the cities which are larger and more modernized.  The women in China are highly successful in their education and also actively managing their career life.

"women are but the toys which amuse our lighter hours-ambition is the serious business of life"

-Walter Scott-

 A Successful Women