How NOT To Choose Your China Business Partner. And Why I Take Cabs.
Interesting guest post by Arie Schreier over at the China Solved Blog. The post is entitled, "How Not to Choose a Business Partner in China," and reduced to its essence, it is saying to pick your partner for business reasons.
But it makes for a much better story than that as it relays how so many companies pick their partner because he or she speaks English and has provided top of the line chauffeuring and dining.
I have an unwritten rule when I travel to China (Korea too) regarding people taking me around. My rule is that if someone I have worked with for years offers to pick me up at the airport or send someone out to get me, I will accept. But I never accept a ride or a dinner from anyone else. I have this rule for two reasons. One, I do not want someone I do not know well trying to and possibly succeeding in monopolizing my time. Two, (and though I find it unlikely) I do not want my personal feelings to influence my judgment, which judgment I am usually exercising on behalf of my clients.
If you are new to doing business in Asia, I recommend you read this post. For a somewhat related post, I also urge you to read "Your Chinese-American VP Don't Know Diddley 'Bout China Law And I Have Friggin Had It."
Comments (5)
Read through and enter the discussion by using the form at the endDamjan D - January 21, 2010 8:26 PM
I have seen, exactly twice, male businessmen come to China, find a female assistant that can arrange nice cars and claim to have 'business contacts' in a relevant field, become that business man's girlfriend. Both businessmen have failed miserably in whatever venture they were trying to pull together...I'm not sure how it's related to your post, but I'm almost positive it's related.
Peter - January 21, 2010 10:09 PM
Great article, applies to all partners really, not just in China.
Andrew Li - January 22, 2010 1:20 AM
The client should be advised to set a proper validity period on the exclusivity contract, eg, one or two years. Also, the client should limit the exclusivity contract to a certain region. So, he remains more free space for more choices.
If the client entered into such a exclusivity contract with a Chinese distributer at the very beginning, it is not the fault of the Chinese distributer any more. The client had to bear the potential outcomes from the contract
uk visa - January 23, 2010 8:12 AM
It's a good idea to take cabs and I recommend using safety belts in them.
Last year a good friend lost a friend/colleague in a car crash in Greece minutes having left a meeting they'd been at; if he'd put the belt on his family would still have their father.
Jack - December 22, 2010 2:11 AM
I do the very same thing. I am always loathe to accept "kindnesses" from those seeking my business because no matter what people say, it does cloud judgments.