An Amazingly Good (And Free!) Intro To China.
Just came across a really good, really easy to read guidebook on China. The guide is the third edition of the China Business Guide and it is put out by The China-Britain Business Council (CBBC). Not only is it good, but it is a free download. It is about 100 pages and it touches on the following:
- INTRODUCTION -- Why China?
- About the China Business Guide
- RESEARCHING THE MARKET -- Where to begin
- How we can help you
- MARKET ENTRY -- Choosing the right location
- Wider opportunities in greater China
- Establishing a presence
- GETTING STARTED -- Finding a customer or partner
- Due diligence
- Employing staff
- Language
- Marketing
- Branding
- Day-to-day communications
- Interpreters
- BUSINESS ISSUES AND Introduction
- CONSIDERATIONS Intellectual property rights (IPR)
- Certification and standards
- Getting paid and financial issues
- Insurance
- Management, control and quality assurance
- Bribery and corruption
- Scams: how to avoid them
- BUSINESS CULTURE -- Relationship building
- Getting started
- Guanxi
- The role of the state
- Making conversation
- Entertainment
- Gifts
- Meetings
- Presentations
- Deal making
- Negotiating techniques
It does not discuss anything in much depth, but it does an amazing job of briefly covering just about everything. It really makes for a great introduction to China and I highly recommend it. In fact, this guidebook, along with China in the 21st Century: What Everyone Needs to Know (see my post on that book here), make for a perfect combination for those just beginning with China.
What do you think?
Comments (4)
Read through and enter the discussion by using the form at the endJuha Lassila - February 26, 2011 7:52 AM
I also stumbled upon this one, too. Definitely worth reading.
Another recent gem is "Inside the Growth Engine" by HSBC:
- http://www.scribd.com/doc/45019189/Inside-the-Growth-Engine-HSBC
It's a PDF (247 pages!!!) reviewing different locations in China.
My list of useful reading is here: http://www.fast-track.to/p/reference.html
For example, ChamberEye Summer 2009 issue on Due Diligence is most useful, too.
Mao Ruiqi - February 26, 2011 8:39 AM
Thank you for the public service gesture.
Kennethe Spense - June 1, 2011 2:02 AM
Not sure I'd call it amazing, but it is cheap and it is helpful so I guess I can't complain.
Jean Wilson - August 20, 2011 1:01 PM
This is excellent (and free!). Thanks for giving us such a great link.