Chinese Business Etiquette: A Guide to Protocol, Manners, and Culture in the People's Republic of China (A Revised and Updated Edition of "Dealing with the Chinese")
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great Guide to Chinese Culture
  • nice review
  • Rich in cultural anecdotes but lacking in the big picture
  • All Business students should read this!
  • Good first introduction, BUT...
Chinese Business Etiquette: A Guide to Protocol, Manners, and Culture in the People's Republic of China (A Revised and Updated Edition of "Dealing with the Chinese")
Scott D. Seligman
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0446673870

Book Description

In the tradition of Warners Japanese Business Etiquette, here is the newly-updated guide to social and business protocol in the Peoples Republic of China. East-West business is booming, as thousands of Americans flock to China to seek explosive opportunities. Now, Scott D. Seligman, an expert with 25 years of experience dealing with the Chinese, provides complete and up-to-date advice on how to succeed in China. With clarity and humor, Seligman shows how to avoid costly misunderstandings, interpret behavior, avoid the unintentional gaffe, and make positive impressions, all while closing million-dollar deals and forming priceless friendships.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great Guide to Chinese Culture.......2007-08-20

This book contains very useful information about Chinese Culture -- it's not at all just for business people, but for anyone who wants to understand the culture... or at least try to not stick their foot in their mouth when interacting with Chinese people.

Whenever I surprise my Chinese fiancee by knowing something about Chinese Culture (like the seating arrangements at a banquet), most of the time it was learned from this book. I can't rate it highly enough.

4 out of 5 stars nice review.......2007-03-13

Haven't finished the book, yet. But so far, it seems to be worthwhile.

4 out of 5 stars Rich in cultural anecdotes but lacking in the big picture.......2007-02-07

To be sure, with its rich Chinese cultural anecdotes and the author's vivid writing style, this book is not only useful in helping the reader understand unique Chinese concepts like Guanxi, Mianzi and Lijie but also an entertaining read - suitable for business travelers.

However, after reading Wei Wang's The China Executive, I realize that Seligman has not been right on "the single most important and fundamental difference between Chinese and Westerners". On pages 44-47 of Chinese Business Etiquette, Seligman says that this is the difference between the "individualism" of Westerners and the "group-centeredness" of the Chinese. (Of course, Seligman is not alone in getting this wrong; since the publication of Geert Hofstede's Culture's Consequences in 1980, this Western individualism-Chinese collectivism dichotomy has become the most widely-talked assumption in almost every book on China business including the authoritative Harvard Business Review on Doing Business in China).

To elaborate on Seligman (page 45), "[In China,] matters are often debated at great length until agreement is reached on a course of action. Once a decision has been made, however, individual group members are expected to fall in line, embrace it, and act on it, and nobody presumes to question it, at least overtly."

Now, the reality is that, with nearly a hundred million dollars invested in China, one of the biggest complaints our expats have against local staff is the latter's inability to follow a pre-agreed course of action or plan. In addition, the Chinese do not like group discussions, not to mention "debates at great length"; most of them like to remain quiet rather than actively voice their opinions. Also, if the Chinese were group-centered, their state-owned enterprises would have been so successful that multinationals have stood little chance to compete with them - but the very opposite is true (most state-owned enterprises cannot be closed down fast enough because they are "a pile of sand")!

According to Wei Wang in his book The China Executive, "group and individual are the two sides of the same coin; one cannot exist without the other", and therefore Westerners actually exhibit dual individualism-collectivism. And the heart of human relationships in China is human feelings. In other words, Chinese and Westerners do not represent two poles of the same individualism-collectivism continuum.

In addition, "there is a limit to learning the Chinese way," says Wang. "There are things that you need to go about the Chinese way but there are also things that you need to go about the Western way - otherwise, you lose the purpose of going there in the first place."

To understand why and, more important, its profound implications for China business or indeed business in the China era (including management, leadership, strategy and worldview), you have to read The China Executive.

5 out of 5 stars All Business students should read this!.......2007-01-05

This book gives a great summary of the basics of doing business with the Chinese. It's well written and organized and provides great insight into a culture with which most Americans are not familiar. A great resource for any Business, Communications or Marketing student!

4 out of 5 stars Good first introduction, BUT..........2006-11-05

I bought the first edition of this book (previously called Dealing with the Chinese) in the early 1990s when I had to make my first business trip to China. Over the years, it has allowed me to be a bit more inspective of my own behaviour and those around me, and has helped me avoid social faux pas when dealing with the Chinese. So, if you are planning your first trips to there, you should read it, which has useful information and is also a light read.

However, as our company's commitment to China has deepened from initial export to long-term investment, I have found that I urgently need another book to inspire me to deal with the China investment challenge, which involves not only basic business etiquette (which Seligman has entertainingly dealt with), but also more profound issues like market, management, leadership and strategy. To be sure, there are many books published in the West on the above topics but they have all been written for the Western business environment.

Of course, there have been new books on China business too, but most of them came out either supporting the great hype about the "new economy" or offering no added value except to "reveal" to the world what had happened to the authors when they were there.

Recently, I have found my long-awaited book, and it is Dr Wang's The China Executive: Marrying Western and Chinese Strengths to Generate Profitability from Your Investment in China.

What a great book! To know why The China Executive is the best book on the topic, you have to buy a copy and read it.
Chinese Business Negotiating Style (International Business series)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Chinese Business Negotiating Style (International Business series)
    Tony Fang
    Manufacturer: Sage Publications, Inc
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 0761915761
    Release Date: 1998-11-24

    Book Description

    ôTony Fang is uniquely qualified to illuminate and explain Chinese negotiating practices for, as a practitioner, he sat on the Chinese side of the table, and as a scholar he is fully up-to-date with Western social science knowledge. He not only is in full command of the literature on Chinese negotiating style, but he has brought to his analysis a broad perspective that extends to the institutional and ideological ways of Chinese Communism, the Confucian tradition, and the ancient Chinese writings on strategy and the ways for outwitting the enemy. A careful reading of his book should reduce surprises and improve the performances of all who seek to deal with the Chinese.ö ùLucian W. Pye, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts Chinese Business Negotiating Style adds a valuable "Chinese voice" to the current Western-dominated forum on Chinese business negotiating style. This book provides the reader with an in-depth sociocultural understanding of Chinese negotiating behaviors and tactics in Sino-Western business negotiation context. It addresses this fascinating and complex subject by looking systematically at various components of Chinese business culture which range from contemporary Chinese politics to ancient Chinese philosophies and military stratagems. This book offers practical advice on negotiating and doing business effectively within the People's Republic of China. Chinese Business Negotiating Style presents fresh approaches, coherent frameworks, and 40 reader-friendly cases that will be particularly interesting to students, academics, and professionals in management, international business, communication, international marketing, intercultural studies, industrial psychology, sociology, political science, Asian studies, public policy, and negotiation/mediation.
    Succeed in Business: Taiwan (Culture Shock! Success Secrets to Maximize Business)
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Easy to read....really useful!
    Succeed in Business: Taiwan (Culture Shock! Success Secrets to Maximize Business)
    Kevin Chambers
    Manufacturer: Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company
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    5. Chinese Business Etiquette: A Guide to Protocol, Manners, and Culture in the People's Republic of China (A Revised and Updated Edition of "Dealing with the Chinese") Chinese Business Etiquette: A Guide to Protocol, Manners, and Culture in the People's Republic of China (A Revised and Updated Edition of "Dealing with the Chinese")

    ASIN: 1558684212

    Book Description

    Whether you travel for business, pleasure, or a combination of the two, the ever-popular "Culture Shock!" series belongs in your backpack or briefcase. Get the nuts-and-bolts information you need to survive and thrive wherever you go. "Culture Shock!" country guides are easy-to-read, accurate, and entertaining crash courses in local customs and etiquette. "Culture Shock!" practical guides offer the inside information you need whether you're a student, a parent, a globetrotter, or a working traveler. "Culture Shock!" at your Door guides equip you for daily life in some of the world's most cosmopolitan cities. And "Culture Shock!" Success Secrets guides offer relevant, practical information with the real-life insights and cultural know-how that can make the difference between business success and failure.

    Each "Culture Shock!" title is written by someone who's lived and worked in the country, and each book is packed with practical, accurate, and enjoyable information to help you find your way and feel at home.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Easy to read....really useful!.......1999-07-17

    This is an excellent summary of the basics of building business relations in Taiwan. It can be read on the airplane on the way to Taiwan, or at home while you are planning the trip. Foreigners would be greatly benefited by taking the helpful hints that Kevin Chambers provides in this fact filled little book.
    Chinese Business Etiquette and Culture
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • Informative book, but very repetitive
    • Invaluable!!
    • DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA
    • A really good book
    • When West meets East
    Chinese Business Etiquette and Culture
    Kevin B. Bucknall
    Manufacturer: C & M Online
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 0917990447

    Download Description

    In this book, you will be introduced to the basics of Chinese culture. You will discover how to initiate contact, what to expect in meetings, and how to behave there. You will learn the way the Chinese approach negotiations, discover how you can respond to them, and learn how to negotiate a successful conclusion. You will also find out how to socialize for success, how to cope with specific problems of living and working in China, and the best way to treat Chinese visitors to your organization. You are given practical advice throughout on business etiquette, and on how to fit into Chinese cultural expectations in order to achieve your goals. An appendix briefly explains Chinese history, and then considers recent economic, political, and social changes. If you fit any one of the following descriptions, this book will provide valuable help to you in your chosen field: - I am a business person and I am thinking of moving into the China market to buy or sell, or I already buy or sell in China, or I am contemplating investing in China. - I work for the government and I would like to know more about China, its business practices, and how to deal with the Chinese I meet. - I am a university professor and I teach a course about doing business in China, or the Chinese economy and society, or cross cultural management problems, or law and international negotiating practices. - I am a student and I am studying China, or taking courses about cross cultural management, or doing business in China, or international business studies, or negotiating abroad. For author bio and photo, reviews and a reading sample, go to bosonbooks.com

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars Informative book, but very repetitive.......2006-09-25

    Potential buyers should keep in mind that this is a book about Chinese business etiquette. It is a specific topic, not a general treatise on Chinese culture.

    Buknall is thorough, but repetitive. He beats to death the concepts of hierarchy and waiting for approval from various people/governmental agencies.

    He references the late 90's in the book and mentions more than once that certain historical customs are beginning to give way to more modern practices. That was six years ago. Thus, the book is in need of an update.

    One other thing I've noticed is the high number of misspelled and missing words. The editor did a very poor job.

    Overall, an informative book, but one that could be better.

    5 out of 5 stars Invaluable!!.......2005-08-26

    If you ever need to do business in China then don't start anything until you've read this book. It will save you time, money and your sanity! After reading this book we took advice from it and saved a valuable business deal by using some of the knowledge Kevin Bucknall has compiled from his time spent there. This is a seriously good book even if you just want to travel in China as it tells you all you need to know to get the best from your time there.

    4 out of 5 stars DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA.......2005-08-02

    I have no hesitation in recommending this book. It is a must read for anyone planning to do business in China.
    As of 2005,it is out of date regarding lifestyle and living standards in China, however, the cultural facts are correct, in particular the aspects of culture crucial to negotiating with the Chinese.

    5 out of 5 stars A really good book.......2002-10-09

    This is an excellent book for those who want to do business with China, whether buying, selling or investing there. It is full of practical advice and I thought was well worth the money - it will pay for itself over and over again.

    5 out of 5 stars When West meets East.......2002-05-05

    When West meets East
    -Two cents from a Chinese

    Chinese Business Etiquette and Culture is a most persuasive book on Chinese culture and society I've ever read. Mr. Bucknall is really an expert on China!

    Just as proclaimed in the preface, "...how to improve your behaviour to achieve greater success is explained in the context of Chinese culture. The information is practical and provided in a simple and direct way."

    In this book, you can find many practical and interesting examples of cultural shocks westerners would expect in China. For example, in China, "man in a green hat " is a metaphor that his wife or lover has an affair with another guy. Amusingly, I personally happen to have read a true story elsewhere: " Several years ago, a Washington state agricultural delegate used green hats as presents in China*. No recipient bothered to put on it." Another example is about Guanxi -- a network of personal relationships with Chinese characteristic, which I bet will be of immense interest to business men. I absolutely agree with the author that Guanxi is the secret of being successful in China.

    Many business tactics are taught, which deeply impressed me, an individual born and raised in China. One instance is negotiating skills covered in depth. You may also be interested in learning about Chinese business law from this book.

    Although the good news is that Chinese people are more and more understanding towards foreign cultures because of globalization, there is one thing that I can't refrain from not telling: the bloody history between China and Japan in the war from 1937 till 1945. The Nanjing Massacre is a typical example. The most exasperating thing to us Chinese is that until today the Japanese has never formally apologized for their atrocity in the war . A Canadian liquor trader's experience* in Shanghai is a good lesson to those ignorant of that history. He told Chinese reporters that he was confident in the marketing prospect of his products in China because they were very popular in culturally similar Japan. His liquor never sold well.

    However, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the large number of details, a very small part of which are even minor to us Chinese. One such example is Not to Ask about the Weather. In my opinion, this is a small drawback of this book.

    Highly recommend!...
    The New Silk Road: Secrets of Business Success in China Today
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Managing expectations for senior managers on their way to China
    • Valuable Case Histories to Build a Better Business in China
    • Sage Wisdom from Old Hands
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    • A Slender but Solid Primer
    The New Silk Road: Secrets of Business Success in China Today
    John B. Stuttard
    Manufacturer: Wiley
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

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    ASIN: 0471377228

    Book Description

    The New Silk Road
    The first insider's guide to business success in China

    How is China different from other business environments?. . .
    What are the pitfalls and the keys to success there?. . .
    How different is the market place?. . .
    How do you make a joint venture work?. . .
    How do you overcome the bureaucratic hurdles to doing business in China?. . .
    How do you change a traditional Chinese business enterprise?. . .
    How do you develop good relationships with Chinese partners and government officials?. . .
    What experience should business managers have before going to work in China?. . .
    How do I find, train, and motivate local managers?. . .
    How do I manage the expectations of the head office?. . .

    . . .You'll find answers to these and other crucial questions about doing business in China in The New Silk Road.

    Based on interviews with the heads of operations of eleven top global corporations, The New Silk Road provides a fascinating account of how such companies as AIG, ASIMCO, Bayer, Johnson & Johnson, Lucent Technologies, Novartis, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Shell, John Swire & Sons, Unilever, and United Technologies International broke into the China market. In a series of frank narrative accounts, these experts share what they have learned about everything from the nuts-and-bolts of developing a market for their products in China to the subtleties of the Chinese style of negotiating.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Managing expectations for senior managers on their way to China.......2006-10-11

    Some readers will already be familiar with Tim Clissold's cautionary tale, "Mr. China," about the difficulty of doing business in China. But, "The New Silk Road," offers a very different perspective and different kind of cautionary tale about the "early" days of doing business in China in the mid-to-late Nineties.
    Whereas Fishman focuses on his more "entrepreneurial" efforts to revamp factories and set up new industries in the Chinese countryside, Stuttard, as a consultant for PriceWaterhouse, offers a more "professional" perspective. Thus, each chapter is much less autobiographical than Clissold's book, being organized around individual case studies, focusing on the major companies (AIG, Unilever, Bayer, etc.) trying to create a foothold in a hot economy.
    Stuttard's overriding theme and question is: Why do senior managers with 20 years of success in the States fail so badly in China?
    The answers range from lack of support at the head office, political barriers, confusion about the nature of legal contracts in China, to overblown expectations on the part of the Type A manager.
    For a complete perspective on doing business in China, I believe that "The New Silk Road" should be read in tandem with "Mr. China."
    With this book, Stuttard has done hopeful managers in China an incredible service.

    5 out of 5 stars Valuable Case Histories to Build a Better Business in China.......2000-11-10

    Almost everyone who knows little about China is enthralled by the opportunity to sell products to all those people who live there. Those with a little more knowledge also get excited about having products made for export from Mainland China. Those with still more knowledge look forward to outsourcing services to China. Beyond that, some speculate that Mandarin Chinese will even become the dominant language of the Internet, and see amazing opportunities to buuild new economy businesses from a Chinese base.

    But those speculations all beg the question: What should your company be doing today?

    The New Silk Road is the first book I have read that reflects the views of my friends who have 20 plus years of experience doing business there. As such, it counters much of the overoptimism that makes American companies too anxious to expand there, and leads to mistakes that hurt short and long term results.

    Any company that is considering its first stake in China, or re-evaluating the stakes it has today, should be sure that those involved read this book.

    The key lessons are that company goals must be more carefully considered, partners chosen more thoughtfully, expectations of near-term profits lowered, a focus shifted to developing Chinese management and workers, and a longer-term perspective taken on developing and maintaining relationships. Perhaps the most fundamental point of the book is that things are very uncertain in China. With lots of effort you can reduce the uncertainty, but it will still be higher than in almost any other country. So there will be a premium placed on making decisions that will be good ones regardless of what happens in the Chinese business environment.

    When you do your homework, you will find that China has more competition than almost any other country and lots of excess capacity. A small percentage of the people can afford to buy what you want to sell. Regulation and bureaucracy will keep you out of the best markets for what you want to do. The rules will change tomorrow. Everything will take a long time. Political tensions among your home nation and China will be used against you in business. Sounds challenging, doesn't it?

    While China is underdeveloped economically and in entrepreneurial and business skills, the people are well educated and know a lot of things you do not. For one thing, they know the many different markets in China and how to do business there. They have local connections that you need. They also have skills in negotiation and strategy that you may not have. So seek out how to make the best of both worlds, rather than just plan to do business like you do in your home country. In fact, your product will probably have to be customized for the Chinese market.

    Mr. Stuttard does an excellent job in his essay, "Reflections on China at the End of the Second Millennium," of summarizing the lessons from the case histories. Be sure to reread this essay after you finish the book. It will help put the case histories in perspective for you.

    He has done well in choosing a variety of case histories, that reflect varying levels of success. The book is especially lucky to have the perspectives of comapnies with a great deal of Chinese experience like American International Group, John Swire, United Technologies, and Shell. In each case, either the company's CEO or the operating head in China is the person interviewed.

    The people who run the business in China for you will be very vulnerable. When unpredictable shifts cause results to fall, their heads will be on the chopping block in some companies. That's not a good idea, because the set-backs will often not be due to any fault of their own.

    You will also get helpful hints on the best ways to recruit talent, conduct training, and integrate expatriates.

    After you have finished reading and enjoying this valuable book, I suggest that also consider where else the lessons of this book apply. I suspect that your success in many other parts of the world would be enhanced if you employed these lessons there, as well. Also, how else can you overcome communications stalls among your various operations and with your various stakeholders?

    Focus on what needs to be done now to develop your short and long term potential!

    5 out of 5 stars Sage Wisdom from Old Hands.......2000-10-31

    This short book consists of the reflections of John B. Stuttard, former Chairman and CEO of PricewaterhouseCoopers China (1994-1999), and summaries of his interviews with 11 top executives working in Western companies in China. Each interview runs 8-10 pages and includes a short bio of the exec along with a quick snapshot of the company's current Sino-standing. The first chapter is Stuttard's and is a fine read that perfectly sets the context and perspective of the 21st century business environment in the country destined to one day overtake America as the world's single largest consumer economy.

    Everyone featured in the book, including the author, is an "Old China Hand". Several of the companies are legacy firms, those with pre-WWII and pre-Mao histories who returned after the country turned face forward once again. Others are case study JV's with relatively short, 10-20 year pasts. Each chapter is compelling.

    There is some flag waving for the Chinese. These are people who have listened to countless stories at countless banquets about the Chinese fear of chaos and the cultural scar tissue of 150 years (roughly 1790-1940) of shameless behavior by colonial minded Westerners in China. These stories are, after all, Inculcation 101 for any Westerner attempting even superficial commerce or business in the Middle Kingdom. Let's not forget the Chinese did a pretty good job of creating 25+ years of chaos themselves during the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution. The Japanese were several degrees beyond shameless during World War II. These events are much fresher in the Chinese consciousness than King George III, yet he and Emperor Qianlong still seem to dominate every conversation that explains and/or justifies Chinese desire to top down control all macro and micro aspects of their economy, firms and even routine business transactions.

    Still, there is sage wisdom on every page. The book is best when the execs tell what they did in China to be successful. Some of the common themes are the need for good local managers and training programs, a corporate culture of equality with your Chinese partners regardless of equity division, the success of long term strategies versus short term. The deliberate love each exec feels for what they are doing and, in some ways, for China, is clear. The awesome change taking place in this country is also reflected in these interviews. A difference in attitude and tone can be seen between execs in consumer product industries versus sensitive and still restricted ones like oil.

    Very little happens fast in China, except the neckbreaking pace at which Western funds are being spent to form infrastructure and modern physical assets. These are the people who have footed a noteworthy part of the bill. They have alot of value to say and this is a rare peak at thinking at their rung of the international corporate business ladder.

    5 out of 5 stars Insiderýs View of Doing Business in China.......2000-07-31

    China has made such enormous strides towards liberalising its economy over the past decade that it is now the world's second largest recipient of foreign investment after the United States. Yet, in some very important ways, Chinese customs, practices, and values remain alien to Western business thinking and practice as they ever were. As many a hapless expatriate manager has discovered to their cost, gaining a foothold in the vast Chinese market can be an uphill battle on a slippery slope of tradition, conflicting objectives, bureaucratic wrangling, ever-shifting laws and regulations, and regional differences. Despite this, as the stories chronicled in this insider's guide to doing business in China demonstrate, it is a battle that can be and is being won.

    The New Silk Road is based on extensive interviews conducted by the author with business leaders who have many years of experience with the country. It features a series of lively narratives in which these experts share their insights into and observations of all the important aspects of doing business in China. These are important lessons they've learned about everything from making sense of, and marketing to, the patchwork of striking different regions that make up China, to building trust and negotiating with the Chinese.

    This long-awaited insider's view of doing business in China informs you of the pitfalls and tells you what you need to know to succeed in the twenty-first century's great new business frontier.

    John B. Stuttard is a Senior Partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers. From 1994 to 1999, he was Chairman and CEO of PricewaterhouseCoopers China, operating in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Dalian. In his 32-year career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, he has also worked with the UK Government's Cabinet Office think tank advising on privatisation, and for services to Finnish industry was made a Knight First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland.

    See also my review of: CHINA'S FUTURES Scenarios for the World's Fasting Growing Economy, Ecology, and Society James Ogilvy & Peter Schwartz with Joe Flower Jossey-Bass Publishers, 2000 ISBN 0-7879-5200-1

    5 out of 5 stars A Slender but Solid Primer.......2000-05-17

    It is important to understand what this book is not. Specifically, it is not a history of China nor of that country's business history; nor is it a definitive guide to business protocol when doing business with the People's Republic of China (PRC); nor does it suggest specific strategies and tactics which ensure "business success" in that vast country. True, Stuttard discusses several "secrets" and they are well worth knowing. However, you should view this book as a primer. As such, it can be of substantial value.

    Until recently serving as chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers China, Stuttard was uniquely situated to accumulate the information and insights which he shares in this slender but solid book. He and his associates advised more than half of the global companies then operating in the PRC. With precision and concision, he explains the importance of issues such as these:

    * Comprehensive research and due diligence prior to involvement in the PRC

    * Criteria for the selection of a joint venture partner

    * Flexibility of approach and willingness to adapt

    * Criteria for selection of expatriate managers

    * "Localization"

    * Compatibility of cultural values

    * The role of trust

    * Cost management and accountability

    * The importance (and significance) of a long-term commitment

    For me, one of the book's greatest strengths (among many) is the inclusion of information Stuttard and his associates obtained from chairmen of 11 different multinational corporations now doing business in China. Their collective experiences reveal the most common misconceptions about the market, the competition (both internal and external), the regulatory environment, the role of government, and the concept of "partnership."

    If you need a single-volume source of practical advice about doing business in the PRC today, look no further.
    Passport China: Your Pocket Guide to Chinese Business, Customs & Etiquette (Passport to the World)
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Passport China
    Passport China: Your Pocket Guide to Chinese Business, Customs & Etiquette (Passport to the World)
    Jenny Li
    Manufacturer: World Trade Press
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    Job HuntingJob Hunting | Job Hunting & Careers | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
    Exports & ImportsExports & Imports | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | International | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
    Management & LeadershipManagement & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books | Business Ethics | Consolidation & Merger | Decision-Making & Problem Solving | Distribution & Warehouse Management | Industrial | Information Management | Leadership | Management | Management Science | Motivational | Negotiating | Operations Research | Planning & Forecasting | Pricing | Production & Operations | Project Management | Quality Control | Risk Assessment | Statistics | Strategy & Competition | Systems & Planning | Systems Analysis | Teams | Total Quality Management | Training
    Customs & TraditionsCustoms & Traditions | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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    ASIN: 188507316X

    Book Description

    Comprehensive guide to the culture, etiquette and communication of China.

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Passport China.......2000-06-23

    An informative, concise introduction to the culture and customs of the People's Republic of China. The book begins with a brief overview of the country, climate, language, and major cultural influences. It continues with a section on the business environment, which includes: basic attitudes of the Chinese government toward business; the work environment; Chinese attitudes about time, meetings and negotiating; and some strategies for success. There follows a section on Chinese customs and etiquette which includes: Chinese names, titles and greetings; communication styles; dress and appearance; entertaining and socializing. The final section contains additional information about basic Chinese phrases (not helpful since Chinese is a tonal language), how to address correspondence, some useful numbers, and some Internet address and additional books on China.

    Having lived and taught in China for a few years, I can attest to the accuracy of the content. I even learned a few things myself. This is a good book for someone who needs a quick introduction to the subject of doing business in China. However, for anyone having a position of responsibility in a business venture in China, I would definitely recommend further reading on the subject.
    The Chinese Business Puzzle:: How to Work More Effectively with Chinese Cultures (Working With Other Cultures)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      The Chinese Business Puzzle:: How to Work More Effectively with Chinese Cultures (Working With Other Cultures)
      Andrew Williamson
      Manufacturer: How to Books
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

      GeneralGeneral | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | International | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
      NegotiatingNegotiating | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
      EtiquetteEtiquette | Business Life | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
      Customs & TraditionsCustoms & Traditions | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Travel | Subjects | Books
      ASIN: 1857038827
      A Guide to Successful Business Relations With the Chinese: Opening the Great Wall's Gate (Haworth Series in International Business, No 9) (Haworth Series in International Business, No 9)
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        A Guide to Successful Business Relations With the Chinese: Opening the Great Wall's Gate (Haworth Series in International Business, No 9) (Haworth Series in International Business, No 9)
        Huang Quanyu , Richard S. Andrulis , and Chen Tong
        Manufacturer: Haworth Press
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover

        GeneralGeneral | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | International | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
        EtiquetteEtiquette | Business Life | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Etiquette | Reference | Subjects | Books
        ASIN: 1560248688
        Working with Chinese Expatriates in Business Negotiations: Portraits, Issues, and Applications
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • What an inspiration... A woman of Knowledge!
        Working with Chinese Expatriates in Business Negotiations: Portraits, Issues, and Applications
        Maria Lai-Ling Lam
        Manufacturer: Quorum Books
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover

        GeneralGeneral | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | International | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
        LeadershipLeadership | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
        ManagementManagement | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
        NegotiatingNegotiating | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Race Relations | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
        Ethnic StudiesEthnic Studies | Special Groups | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
        All Amazon UpgradeAll Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
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        ASIN: 1567203272

        Book Description

        This is a study of Chinese expatriates who are working for American clients that seek joint ventures and other business relationships with mainland Chinese business and governmental organizations. The main focus of the study is how these Chinese middlemen and women work to create harmonious business relationships between members of the two very different cultures. The data and the interpretations will be of keen interest to any American business seeking to conduct joint ventures and other forms of commerce in China. The research will also be of interest to any Chinese organization seeking to work more effectively with Americans. Dr. Lam explains the problems of U.S. and Chinese negotiators--as perceived by Chinese expatriate middlemen--thus bringing a new depth of understanding. The study shows how Chinese expatriates, acting as middlemen, attempt to establish trust and bridge the cultural differences between U.S. and Chinese negotiators in the pre-negotiation stage as preparation for formal negotiations of joint ventures and cooperative projects. Different types of Chinese expatriates are highlighted and this classification illustrates how each type will act in negotiations and what might hinder them from doing what American clients want or need. A representative of each type is described in detail at the end of each chapter. Finally, Dr. Lam provides training strategies to Chinese expatriates and American negotiators.

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars What an inspiration... A woman of Knowledge!.......2004-02-06

        Dr. Lam's vast knowledge in this area amazed me, she has so much wonderful information. Much of this is aquired from living in Hong Kong and studying in America for much of her life. This book is an excellent source of information for those of us in Business working with Chinese Expatriates. I don't want to ruin the book for you but will tell you her writings are excellent.

        Books:

        1. Command Performance: The Art of Delivering Quality Service (The Harvard Business Review Book)
        2. Cool Careers for Dummies
        3. Deal Terms - The Finer Points of Venture Capital Deal Structures, Valuations, Term Sheets, Stock Options and Getting VC Deals Done (Inside the Minds)
        4. Deduct It! Lower Your Small Business Taxes
        5. Design for Six Sigma : A Roadmap for Product Development
        6. Designing Brand Identity: A Complete Guide to Creating, Building, and Maintaining Strong Brands
        7. DVD & Video Guide 2007 (Video and DVD Guide)
        8. E-Myth Mastery: The Seven Essential Disciplines for Building a World Class Company
        9. Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data
        10. Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data

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