Living and Working in China

The most populous country in the world, the People’s Republic of China continues to see foreign businesses race to invest in its increasingly prosperous companies and industries.   A country of complex social and business etiquette and traditions, understanding Chinese business culture and way of life is paramount for any professional embarking on an experience of living and working in China.

An international assignment in China can be a challenging and stressful experience and a failure to adapt to a new set of cultural rules and behaviours can cause frustration and misunderstanding.  Communicaid’s Living & Working in China courses are designed to respond to the needs of international assignees by providing practical information and advice on the various aspects of living and working in China, as well as conveying an understanding of the underlying elements that shape Chinese culture inside and outside the workplace.

Benefits

A Communicaid Living and Working in China course will provide you with:

- A comprehensive insight to China and its historical, social and economic development

- An understanding of  Chinese culture or ‘way of doing things’

- Key communication tools and skills to understand—and respond to— business and social

  subtleties and nuances of Chinese culture while living and working in the China

- An awareness of culture and country “shock”—and ways of surviving it

- Essential practical information to improve your experience of living and working in China

Who should attend

A Communicaid Living and Working in China programme will be of benefit to you if you:

- Are about to relocate or have just relocated to China for business purposes

- Work on short-term assignments or projects  in China and spend periods of time in China

Course Content

All our Living and Working in China training courses are designed to meet the specific needs of our clients depending on their personal/organisational requirements and existing skills set.   A Living and Working in China course typically includes:

- An overview of Chinese culture including Confucianism, collectivism and harmony

- Chinese people and Chinese society

- Practical information on living and working  in China

- Social and business etiquette

- Working with the Chinese: building relationships

- Attitudes and values in Chinese business culture

- Management and negotiation styles in China

- Effective business communication

- Tips and strategies for successful living and working in China

- Working practices and business etiquette in China

Approach

Living and Working in China courses are available seven days a week, 365 days a year, either at one of our  training centres in London, Paris, Frankfurt and New York or at your offices in any location worldwide.  We usually recommend a one or two day course but can also offer a more flexible format to suit your schedule.

Suitably tailored materials will be used throughout your course and your trainer will provide a balance of structured input and discussion of case studies and scenarios relevant to your own particular context.

The most appropriate training format, content and approach for your Living and Working in China course will be discussed during your diagnostic consultancy (please click here to read more about our approach).

Living and Working in China Course Trainer

Your trainer will be assigned to you following the results of your diagnostic consultancy according to your objectives and areas of focus.  Detailed below is a sample profile of a member of our Chinese cultural training team.

BP

BP is a senior business professional with significant international management and marketing experience.  He lived in Singapore between 1977 and 1982 and in Hong Kong for four years during the mid 1990s.  He continues to do business throughout the region with particular focus on China and Hong Kong.

BP started his career as a construction engineer for Eastern Electricity.  He joined Pirelli in 1966 and worked throughout the UK before moving to Singapore as their resident Far East engineer.  His UK career with Pirelli then included roles as marketing manager, corporate external affairs and corporate commercial manager.  As Far East director for Pirelli, BP was based in Hong Kong but opened up the market in China negotiating numerous contracts across the country.

BP is currently on secondment from Pirelli acting as business adviser and export promoter on Hong Kong and China for the Department of Trade and Industry.  He is also business advisor for the China-Britain Business Council giving advice on a variety of sectors including construction, manufacturing and telecommunications.  Part of his present role is to give lectures and seminars and hold clinics on doing business in China and Hong Kong so as to better understand their markets.  As well as running Communicaid’s Doing Business in China public programme, he has delivered successful personalised Living and Working in China courses for clients including the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Gillette and Pfizer.