In China Capitalism Rampant, But How Business Works Not So Much
I just a attended a business leaders meeting in Beijing as part of a Chamber of Commerce trip to China. Actually, in our meeting were several Chamber groups from California. The trip was aimed at showing off China’s economic engine. Capitalism is on fire there. Everyone is selling something. And American’s are welcomed with open arms to receive both our money and good will.
For me, it was the trip of a lifetime — a chance to get a first hand look at the new China in action. I can’t tell you how much I learned. I came away with a very positive attitude about China and the people.
As for business meetings, designed to bring American and China business partners together to do business, they haven’t seemed to figure it out. Our delegation had submitted our requests ahead of time to meet with potential suppliers or business partners so they would be in the room when we arrived.
Instead, the organizers welcomed us and then said “enjoy your meeting” with no individual introductions.
There was no organization to it. Ultimately, I persuaded an interpreter to introduce our people at the microphone to determine if their were Chinese counterparts in the room. For the most part, there weren’t. Ultimately, however, the organizers met with members of our delegation and said they could facilitate contacts with suppliers, etc.
My headline suggests the Chinese don’t understand business. They certainly do. But based on our experience, not in the nitty gritty meet-and-greet fashion — the tried and true mixer — that is the staple of business interactions, at least locally, across the U.S.
Based on our short visit, this small problem will be remedied soon. The Chinese are moving at light speed as they increasingly dominate world markets in so many areas.
One insight: we should be teaching our kids mandarin at a young age — the same way they teach Chinese kids English — to put us on a solid business footing in the future. While everything in China seems to be in both Chinese and English and many people speak English, business interactions will be improved if Americans can speak and understand the language and culture.