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Look both ways before crossing the street

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The People’s Republic of China is on a one-way highway to becoming the superpower of the twenty-first century. Many Western businesses underestimate the challenges they will face when trying to navigate commerce and trips to China. I have learned from my travels that prior to arriving in a foreign country; the more aware you are of that culture, the more respect you will earn as an American (westerner). An effort to understand and value their culture, values and tendencies (both business and otherwise) will go a long way. I will tell the story of my adventures in China; the successes, the failures, the highlights and even the near-death experiences. If you or your company has plans to enter the Chinese market, hopefully this article will give you insight into the challenges and the opportunities of doing business in the world’s most populated country. I arrived in Shanghai late on a Tuesday evening in October after a 13 hour plane ride from San Francisco. My business partner was sending a driver to pick me up from the airport. A voicemail indicated the driver will be one hour late due to an accident on the freeway he was on. I was about to find out first hand why my trip to China to train stabilisation in extrication was justified. I thought the craziest drivers were in Lima, Peru but I ‘When travelling to Asia, it is appropriate to bring a gift, usually regional or industry related, to the owner of the company.’ had never been to Asia. He bumped two cars and then turned the wrong way down a three-lane interstate! Then proceeded to make a U-turn while three lanes of traffic were speeding towards us at 95 km/hr! I came here to sell extrication tools… not be extricated. In the one hour drive from the airport to the hotel my driver was in two separate fender-benders and we witnessed a collision next to us on the freeway exit. Research aside; it is confirmed there is a need in China for extrication tools. I was taken to a restaurant and introduced to my translator, Rick. In the two week period of my trip, Rick proved to be a great resource and friend. He is very knowledgeable on his country’s history and politics and has a desire to educate me in Chinese culture. During my first meal in China, I already began my paradigm shift as Rick taught me Chinese table etiquette. First, it is rude to touch your mouth with your hands during a meal. Second, don’t set your chopsticks facing your plate. It is bad luck. They should be placed on the holders, parallel to the plate with the ends that touch your mouth facing away. My first day in Shanghai, I was to have a meeting with the business owner we have negotiated with to sell our tools in China. When traveling to Asia, it is appropriate to bring a gift,usually regional or industry related, to the owner of the company. I had purchased a traditional American helmet and had a custom shield made for my business owner’s company. It is more appropriate for the gift to be given on behalf of the whole company you represent and is for the whole group on the receiving end. I therefore made sure the company name was written in Chinese on the shield of the helmet. After the meeting, Rick took me on a tour of Shanghai. This is an incredibly vast city, with a population approaching 19 million people. That is the size of America’s top 5 cities… combined. Almost the entire city is under construction, as the 2010 International Exposition will be held there. Shanghai is seeing a metamorphosis similar to Beijing a few years ago prior to the 2008 Olympics. We flew to Beijing that evening to begin setting up the tradeshow booths at China Fire 2009. While at the tradeshow, I noticed many interesting things. First, the Chinese love sales demonstrations. I have attended many tradeshows, but have never seen more things crash, bang and explode. Regardless of the practicality of a demonstration, if it makes a loud noise or causes a scene, it will attract the very short attention span of a crowd. Dozens, sometimes a hundred or so Chinese firemen orusually regional or industry related, to the owner of the company. I had purchased a traditional American helmet and had a custom shield made for my business owner’s company. It is more appropriate for the gift to be given on behalf of the whole company you represent and is for the whole group on the receiving end. I therefore made sure the company name was written in Chinese on the shield of the helmet. After the meeting, Rick took me on a tour of Shanghai. This is an incredibly vast city, with a population approaching 19 million people. That is the size of America’s top 5 cities… combined. Almost the entire city is under construction, as the 2010 International Exposition will be held there.   Shanghai is seeing a metamorphosis similar to Beijing a few years ago prior to the 2008 Olympics. We flew to Beijing that evening to begin setting up the tradeshow booths at China Fire 2009. While at the tradeshow, I noticed many interesting things. First, the Chinese love sales demonstrations. I have attended many tradeshows, but have never seen more things crash, bang and explode. Regardless of the practicality of a demonstration, if it makes a loud noise or causes a scene, it will attract the very short attention span of a crowd. Dozens, sometimes a hundred or so Chinese firemen ormilitary personnel will crowd around a demonstration that pushes a tool to its limits. Once the demonstration is over, they will rush around the tool to get a closer look, take a picture of it, and then move on. I walked around the show two separate times and noticed some very interesting things. Every product that has shown any popularity

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