Articles » Business Meeting with Chinese

Preparation:

• Try and understand the management structure of the Chinese organization. Often the person with the most impressive title is not the one who makes the decisions.

• Carry plenty of business cards to distribute.

• All documentation should be presented in both Chinese and English.

• Language should be kept as straightforward as possible to assist the interpreter in a correct translation.

Using interpreters:

•  An interpreter will be required at most meetings and their role is central to the success of the negotiations.

• Ideally a member of your staff should be trained, he/she will understand the nature of the business under discussion.

• An interpreterĄ¯s understanding of local dialects (i.e. Cantonese) is vital for accurate comprehension.

• Before the meeting, check that your interpreter can translate technical or business related words, as well as any numbers which may be mentioned .

• All documentation being discussed should be available to the interpreter prior to their presentation.

• Agree on signals the interpreter can use to let you know if he/she cannot follow what you are saying.

• The process will be slow with an interpreter, so be patient. Take breaks often, as this will allow the interpreter to fully brief any additional remarks made during the conversation.

• If your interpreterĄ¯s sentences are consistently shorter than yours, take a break to check they fully understand what you are saying.

• If your party includes other Chinese members, do not make your interpreter lose face by having the other members openly question their translation, except in moments of serious confusion.

• Attempt to make eye contact through the interpretation process.

Gift giving:

Corporate gift giving is an expected part of the Chinese business scene. Make sure the gifts take the form of objects and not money. Items like pens or a book from your native country. All gifts should be wrapped, but do not expect them to be unwrapped in your presence.