Tips for Doing Business in China

Chinese business card translationWhole books have been written about business practices in South East Asia and about the correct method of the seemingly simple task of exchanging business cards.

A quick search on the internet will provide you with a plethora of sites offering information about proper Chinese business etiquette, about what you should and shouldn’t do in Korea, and 1001 ways to succeed in Japan.

Whilst some of this information is undoubtedly useful, it’s really not as complicated as some like to make out, as long as you follow a few basic rules:

Business etiquette in #China… what you should and shouldn’t do.

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DO…

  • Exchange business cards at the beginning of your meeting: consider it as part of your greeting when you first meet your Asian counterparts.
  • Bow slightly and present your business card with both hands, the non-English side up.
  • You should receive your clients’ business cards the same way: with both hands, bowing slightly.
  • Study the other person’s card for a moment, making a mental note of their name, and then put it away in a card holder. Alternatively, if there are a number of members present in your meeting, you can lay all the cards out on the table in front of you and leave them there until the end of the meeting.

DON’T…

  • DO NOT pass your business cards out as though you are dealing a deck of playing cards.
  • When receiving someone’s business card, DO NOT just give it a cursory glance, then stuff it away in your pocket to refer to later.
  • Try NOT keep taking people’s business cards out of your pocket to check their names: as a matter of courtesy it is worth making the effort to remember their name when they give you their card.
  • DO NOT play or fiddle with people’s business cards – treat them with respect. A Western businessman once famously lost a big deal for picking his teeth with one of his colleagues’ business cards, and was never given the opportunity to do business with the company again.
  • DO NOT write on people’s business cards (at least, not in front of them): it is considered a direct insult.

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We translate, typeset and print dual-language business cards: English on one side, Chinese on the other. We also offer translation into Japanese, Korean, Arabic and over 50 other languages.

With over 25 years’ experience and a full complement of in-house language and design experts, we are ideally placed to produce high-quality business card translation and artwork, allowing you to make that all-important first impression.

Contact us for a free quote or if you have any questions.

AAITF China Trade Fair, February 2016

AAITFThe 2016 China International Automotive Aftermarket Industry & Tuning Trade Fair (AAITF), will be held on 26th – 28th February 2016 at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center, China.

AAITF is a brand exhibition for the automotive aftermarket which offers access to the latest models, products and trends within the industry. AAITF 2015 saw the attendance of over 3,500 brands, 20,000 new products and 30 high-end automotive industry activities. The 2016 event is

The UKTI Tradeshow Access Programme is supporting a group of UK companies which will attend the AAITF trade fair, led by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Exhibiting grants may be available for eligible businesses.

AAITF Shenzen 2016 | #China @UKTI @ChinaBritain @SMMT

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Company representatives attending trade shows and international market events are advised that Chinese business cards and promotional materials should be considered a basic requirement: overseas events provide an excellent opportunity to make new contacts and to exchange information about your company’s products & services.

Not only is this an important opportunity to provide essential contact information in your client’s language, it also shows a degree of commitment and indicates respect towards your potential business partners.

Contact us for a free quote or if you have any questions.

 

Event Details

  • Market: China
  • Date: 26th – 28th February 2016
  • Sector: Automotive
  • Organiser: AAITF
  • Venue: Shenzen Convention & Exhibition Centre, China

Shenzen / Beijing Market Visit | Mobile Apps and Gaming

exporting-greatJoin UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) on an Mobile Apps & Gaming Market Visit to China, to foster new relationships and showcase UK creativity in this unique market.

The Digital and Creative sector is one of China’s most dynamic and rapidly growing markets. This growth is fuelled by an emerging middle class and government policies which promote wide-scale adoption of ICT.

With more than 500 million mobile-web users, this Market Visit will introduce mobile apps and gaming companies to the unique opportunities in China, as well as a programme of pre-arranged and targeted business meetings.

#China Mobile Apps & Gaming Market Visit | @ukti_LondonSE @UKTI @ChinaBritain

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Company representatives attending trade shows and international market events are advised that Chinese business cards and promotional materials should be considered a basic requirement: overseas events provide an excellent opportunity to make new contacts and to exchange information about your company’s products & services.

Not only is this an important opportunity to provide essential contact information in your client’s language, it also shows a degree of commitment and indicates respect towards your potential business partners.

Contact us for a free quote or if you have any questions.

 

Event Details

  • Market: China
  • Date: 18th – 22nd January 2016
  • Sector: Digital, Creative & Media
  • Venue: The British Embassy, China

Marintec China, December 2015

Marintec ChinaRegarded as a gateway to the Asian maritime market, Marintec China is the most recognized maritime trade show in Asia: an international marketplace for buyers and sellers to showcase their latest marine services, ship design, offshore engineering and port technology.

Taking place every two years, Marintec China has grown to reflect the size and importance of the Asian maritime market: Marintec China 2013 attracted more than 1,700 exhibiting companies from 32 countries and the 2015 event is predicted to be even larger.

Marintec China 2015 | #ExportingisGREAT #China @UKTI @ChinaBritain @SocMaritimeInd

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The trade show is a unique opportunity for suppliers to connect with new and existing contacts from the region, and to present new products and services to trade visitors and experts from around the world.

For UK companies, the Tradeshow Access Programme offers support via a group led by the Society of Maritime Industries, and exhibiting grants may be available for eligible businesses.

Company representatives attending trade shows and international market events are advised that Chinese business cards and promotional materials should be considered a basic requirement: overseas events provide an excellent opportunity to make new contacts and to exchange information about your company’s products & services.

Not only is this an important opportunity to provide essential contact information in your client’s language, it also shows a degree of commitment and indicates respect towards your potential business partners.

Contact us for a free quote or if you have any questions.

 

Event Details

  • Market: China
  • Date: 1st  – 4th December 2015
  • Sector: Marine
  • Organiser: UBM Asia
  • Venue: Shanghai New International Expo Centre, China

Chinese Business Cards

Chinese business cardsChinese business cards are an essential tool for anyone doing business in China, Hong Kong, Singapore or Taiwan, and to be caught without them is a serious breach of business etiquette.

How would you react, for example, if a prospective overseas business client was too disorganized to provide you with details about their company and services in your own language? At best it would show a lack of professionalism, but more importantly it would indicate a lack of planning, a lack of commitment and a lack of respect towards you… their new business partner.

Presenting your overseas clients with business cards in their native language demonstrates that you are taking your international business operations seriously: not only is it important as a sign of respect, but it is also a way of ensuring that your name, job title and other crucial information are communicated accurately, and that the image of your company is promoted positively, professionally and impressively.

Serious about overseas #trade? Present #Chinese clients with business cards in their own language…

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In this article we will run through the basic process of translating your business cards into Chinese… it’s quick, it’s cheap (ask us for a free quote) and we guarantee to make the entire process hassle-free for you.

Step 1 — Contact Us
Just send us a scanned copy of your existing business card and we will get straight back to you with a price quote and a turnaround time.

Step 2 — Translation & Typesetting
Our experienced translators will translate your name, your position and all other necessary information for your new Chinese business cards. If you have certain preferences for the translation of your job title or the pronunciation of your name, simply let us know when you order your cards.

We will also ask you if you require Simplified Chinese or Traditional Chinese translation: Simplified Chinese is used in mainland China and Singapore, whereas Traditional Chinese is used in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Our skilled typesetters will then replicate the layout of your existing English business card (including your logo) so that your dual-language business cards look professional, front and back. This deliberate use of a uniform corporate identity ensures that the Chinese side of your business card is presented as an integral part of the overall graphic design of the card, not as an afterthought.

Step 3 — Proof-Reading
Rest assured that your English/Chinese business cards will be translated accurately and we will email you a copy of the proofs for your approval before going to print.

If any amendments are required (a new mobile number or an additional job title, for example) we will be happy to make any changes required and then email you further proofs: there are no additional charges for amendments (no matter how many times you change your mind) and no job goes to print before you are 100% satisfied with the proofs because we are committed to quality, and the satisfaction of our clients is of paramount importance to us.

Step 4 — Printing
Your business cards will be printed on 335gsm Super White Grosvenor board using state-of-the-art, 7-colour digital presses, ensuring a rapid turnaround and excellent print quality: we believe that quality counts, that first impressions last, and that the humble business card is a vital networking tool in all aspects of business.

Our average turnaround time for printed business cards is just 3 days but we also offer a next-day service for emergencies… you’re not the first person to arrange an overseas business trip and forget about having your business cards translated until the last minute (and you certainly won’t be the last) so we’ve got you covered when you’re down to the wire and out of time.

Step 5 — Delivery
As with amendments to your business card artwork, we don’t believe in charging extra for despatch either: the price we quote is the price you pay, with no extras, no additions and no surprise surcharges.

Contact us for a free quote or if you have any questions.

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We translate, typeset and print dual-language business cards: English on one side, Chinese on the other. We also offer Japanese, Korean, Russian, Arabic and over 50 other languages.

With 25 years’ experience and a full complement of in-house language and design experts, we are ideally placed to produce high-quality business card translation and artwork, allowing you to make that all-important first impression.

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