Common myth about design environment in China:
- Myth 1: China’s market is in Beijing & Shanghai.
- Truth: China has 9 economic zones designated by the government which determines the rise of economic development in cities of these regions.
- Myth 2: Localization means Chinese translation.
- Truth: Products need to fit the needs of China users not only in terms of language but also their cultural thought model, usage behaviors and political context.
- Myth 3: Business success in China is done via optimizing operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness and gaining market share.
- Truth: Business success in China predominantly comes from building successful relationships and trust.
Survival kit for foreign Designers in China:
- Learn PuTongHua Do not assume that English is the international business language in China. If you are lucky, you might work with Mainland Chinese people who speaks English. Even then, do not automatically assume that Mainland Chinese speaking English will mean that they understand you conceptually. Often times, miscommunication arises when you think the other party understands you but they really don’t and are culturally resistant to ask clarifying questions. If you are in the food chain where you need to travel to China to either oversee manufacturing in China or design for the China market, it is a good idea to learn the Chinese national language: PuTongHua. Your Chinese associates will be taken by surprise, and this will move you miles ahead in the game. For a good start, when meeting someone new, say: “Ni hao ma,” meaning “How are you?”
- See China for yourself If you have never been to China but your work is inseparable from China, take some advice from a traditional Chinese proverb: “Rather than read ten thousand pages of a book, its better to walk ten thousand miles.” Fear is driven by “not knowing.” Be there and see China for yourself. The media could very well tint your perception of China, and the China experience could be way beyond your expectations. (There are no “fortune cookies” in China, by the way.)
- “Do as the Romans Do” In China, the rules of the game are different. What works in the U.S. might not apply to China, and insisting on how things should work in another culture is not a very good idea. Immersing yourself into the culture, you might find that certain concepts that you take for granted such as perception of time, concept of money, philosophical world-view, policies, arts, concept of law are not the same in China. One has to understand that working in China is not only working in another country, it’s also working in another culture that has a history steeped in a very different political system based on a planned economy with state-driven policies. Working against the grain will only frustrate foreign companies, pushing them to retreat.
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