The most oft searched topic of our Thought of the Day posts are from people seeking information on the cultural differences of doing business as an American working with the Chinese or vice versa. I recently attended the 10th Annual U.S. – China Trade Conference in Chicago and would like to share some amusing for sure and perhaps accurate summation on that topic as shared in the presentations by Lou Longo of Plante & Moran, PLLC. Lou was Co-Chair of the event and works in “Global Services” for Plante & Moran.
If nothing else I hope to amuse and to collect some great Comments from our many readers with vast experience in this area so that today’s post might become a valuable tool for others in the future.
First, “China 101” for the benefit of the non-Chinese, Lou gives credit for these “Golden Rules of Business in China” to Clarence T. Kwan. I know nothing more of their origin…
- EVERYTHING is possible in China
- Nothing is EASY
- PATIENCE is the key to success
- The answer “Yes” is not necessarily an indication of agreement or confirmation
- “You don’t understand China” is an indication of disagreement
- “Provisional Regulations” means the rules can change at any time – even retroactively
- “Basically, no problem” means BIG PROBLEM
- “Signing a contract” means the beginning of the REAL negotiations
- When you are optimistic, think about Rule #2
- When you are discouraged, think about Rule #1
The U.S. – China “Culture Clash”
Credited to Heather Wang of GE – China
American Style
“The early bird gets the worm!”
Outgoing
Aggressive
Speak while thinking
Challenge/Push back
Think “out of the box”
Speak up
Action in word
Chinese Style
“The first bird in the flock; gets shot!”
Introverted
Humble
Think before speaking
Obedient
Follow the rules
Wait until asked to speak
Action in deed
“Genuine success has no relation to what you are now; it is your power to BE the person you can become.” – Paul J. Meyer
Please DO NOT Reply to the e-mail notification you received regarding this Thought, please Post your Comments in the “Reply” box below so that others may read and benefit from your insights on the topic, thank you in advance for sharing your experience and knowledge!
Have a great day!
Shawn
Russ M. Miller, LLIF – Chairman & CEO
Performance Institute (Human Capital Development)
Global CEO Academy (Management Training)
Sunny Hong Zhang – Managing Partner – China
Shawn M. Miller – Managing Partner – USA
It’s not 101, but crucial for Westerners – especially Americans – to understand. China has a caste system. The Chinese do not understand our egalitarian management style, and they will see an egalitarian manager as a weak leader. Rather, understand and accept that this is a high personal distance culture, and act accordingly. Do not try to fight this. Employees are not, and should not be, your friends in China. The more you act in a high personal distance manner, the more your employees will respect you. The more at peace you are with having to do this, the less stress you will feel managing employees in China.
Very good summary. The Chinese style, however, is changing these days with the one-child generation coming into workforce and also the impact of US culture on this nation.
Now that our three boxes of samples for our order that needs to be here for next Spring have been tracked to be in China since November 12, but the factory has no idea where they are… so true rule # 3!