Always approach a company for Mandarin translation services

I would always approach a company for Mandarin translation services because translation software cannot be fully trusted and to ignore it and take the risk will be hugely costly and not amusing when I am in front of the board of directors.

In fact, I think I would lose my job which I have worked hard at. The problem is in today's business world it is fast paced and are always looking to reduce costs, which to me means reduces performance and quality if the translation is wrong.

If the wording has gone to print before the errors are found then this will impact on the company's profits.

At the end of the day you get what you spent and below are three funny marketing translations gone wrong.

1. Matsushita and Panasonic were launching a pc and browser in Japan.  The marketing campaign used Woody the Woodpecker.  The campaign was placed on hold when a member of staff noticed the U.S slang translation 'Touch Woody – The Internet Pecker.'

2. Gerber placed a baby picture on their jars and packaging when they entered the African market but due to African's low literacy rate, many companies in Africa used pictures on labels to denote what’s inside.

3. Pepsi translated in China means, “Pepsi Brings You Back to Life.” The message in Chinese literally means, “Pepsi Brings Your Ancestors Back from the Grave.”

The real cost to China's businesses with government anti-corruption crackdown

Many news reports have been published about China's ongoing crackdown on corruption (tigers and flies), but now one of the world's biggest banks has put a price on the corruption.

The report published by the Bank of America Merrill Lynch this week, the Chinese government's anti-graft campaign could have cost China's economy more than $100bn this year alone. 

Many of the small effects of the anti-corruption drive have already been well documented; a slowdown in the restaurant trade and sales in luxury goods has seen Chinese business go out of business.

The gift giving culture is part of the Chinese business culture and required if doing business in China.

The past year has seen Shanghai's posh malls and boutique designer shops business slow to snails pace but the BofAML report suggests that the campaign is also having a significant and troubling macroeconomic effect.

Early last year, government bank deposits have been soaring, by almost 30% year on year and even honest officials are now terrified of starting new projects, for fear of being seen as corrupt that they're simply keeping public funds in the bank.

The cost to the economy of the prohibition on government consumption and the chill on admin spending is an estimated reduction in growth of at least 0.6% this year but it could, the report argues, be as high as 1.5% which gives us the figure of about $135bn of lost economic activity.

The report's authors admit their calculations are a back of the envelope estimate of fiscal contraction, but even if they are only half right it is an extraordinary amount of money and it highlights some of the challenges facing China's anti-corruption crusader in chief, President Xi Jinping.

Since taking office over a year ago Xi has made the cause his goal, warning that official graft and extravagance threaten the very survival of the ruling Communist Party.

Published by Go Frontiers (UK & China)

Isle of Man business to see benefits of Chinese link up

Twelve delegates from the Isle of Man where hosted by a Chinese delegation when they visited China and could soon have produced tangible results for the island economy announced by the chief minister.

Last Wednesday Allan Bell signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the northern Tianjin.

The new alliance aims to provide mutual beneficial trade and technical links between countries.

Mr Allan Bell said: "We have shown how we can support Chinese businesses seeking to do business in UK and Europe" and added, "Strengthening cooperation is key to doing business in China".

 

Published by Go Frontiers (UK & China)

Part B: An important partner in China

Starting the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Chinese delegation visit to the United Kingdom the Home Office has explained the new visa service aimed at making it wasier for Chinese visitors to the UK.

Chinese visitors inc. business/tourism will now be able to use the new single process for British visas. Also the Schengen visa has been created giving access to other EU countries.

The new visa service is a twenty-four-hour service for Chinese visitors and will be launched in late summer around August.

It is not only Chinese tourists but also wealth Chinese visiting the UK visiting Britain.

Roughly £18bn worth of business/commercial agreements/deals were signed and this comes after authorities in China complainted about the difficulties for Chinese people entering.

The Home Secretary Theresa May mentioned, "Chinese tourism in the UK is soaring".

Published by Go Frontiers (UK & China)

Part A: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits the UK yesterday

Yesterday (17th June 2014) the UK played host to China's Premier Li Keqiang and a Chinese delegation on their three day visit to the UK.

The Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in London, yesterday on a three day visit, which is part of Europeon tour for his first official visit with the aim for business talks with the British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Later on in the day Premier Li will have an audience and photo oportunity when he meets Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle.

Their has been plenty of discussions about doing business in China and the UK and the diffeculties in British and Chinese business culture.

However Mr Li said he really hoped his visit would expand Sino-British busines co-operations and create a better understanding between both countries.

The talks went well for both countries but Mr Cameron still remains hugely concerned about China's human rights.

Published by Go Frontiers (UK & China)

The Chinese lady who loves shopping and being a Mystery Guest

My business partner being a Chinese lady who loves shopping and assessing business facilities established our mystery guest program ten years ago and uses British and Chinese people.

For her it has been really interesting because she has gained so many interesting things about the British shopping culture as well as learning the difference between cultures in China and the UK.

The main thing that stands out for her is the lack of customer service in UK shops and the poor quality of food served in pubs and restaurants. Most of the time we find pubs and restaurants don't provide the quality of food expected for the price paid.

 If you want good quality food you have to pay a premium price at a high end restaurant.

Published by Go Frontiers (UK & China)

Boom expected in beer sales, in China for World Cup fever

Beer sales set to boom with the 2014 World Cup fever in China. This is aided by the increasing middle class drinking bottled and canned beers creating a good market for exporting to China, especially for British real ale and craft beers.

The second and third quarters of the year 2014 will see an increase in beer sales between June 12th and July 13th.

Even though there are lots of exported beers in China Tsingtao and Beijing's Yanjing are expected to do well. In China beer consumption is a seasonal tradition of doing well in the summer and but slowing down for the autum/winter due to the Chinese drinking hot drinks instead.

More can be read on our blog  

http://www.gofrontiers.co.uk/blog.php?varPgId=0012-2014-world-cup-approaching-beer-sales-set-to-boom-in-china

Published by Go Frontiers (UK & China)

On business in China and eating out - What you need yo know?

You're doing business in China and are negotiating a big deal for from the early hours of the morning with five Chinese directors discussing your products, brands and the possabilities of exporting to China. At lunch the directors take you out for dinner at an expensive restaurant. When the first dish of chickens feet arrives, one the directors jumps up and using his chop sticks serves you a chicken's foot on to your plate.

What are you going to do? What does this mean to you, your business and your deal?

A: Have you upset him or coursed him to loose Face
B: The director thinks you are struggle with your chopsticks and is trying to help you
C: The director is showing his respect
D: The directors having a bet to see what you will or not eat
E: Think I should have accepted Go Frontiers (UK & China) services in Mandarin and Chinese Translation Services


Then, what are you going to do?
A: Think 'Oh Boy!!!' and get tuck into food thinking of a the bush tucker trial
B: Thank him and eat the food
C: When no one is looking through the food behind the curtain
D: Leave the food and make an excuss

Chinese business culture is some thing you need to know if you are doing business with the Chinese.

Published by Go Frontiers (UK & China)

Derbyshire company's corporate social responsibility work to help Chinese Buddhist Master restock Shanghai Lake

In a suburb near Shanghai Go Frontiers contributed in helping the Buddhist Master Wei Jing to release fish that were originally destined for Shanghai's fish markets.

In a short Buddhist ceremony given by the Master Wei Jing over 20,000 fish were released in to the lake in an effort to help the environment and restock the lake next to their ancient temple.

Based in Loscoe village in Derbyshire, Go Frontiers helps UK companies to do business in China, build relationships and people skills in Chinese business culture with their Chinese counterparts/agents in order to save costs, improve performance, day-to-day communications and reduce risk, employee stress.

More of the story can be read on our news blog

Posted by Gary Rice, Go Frontiers (UK & China)

Dragon Boat Race Festival: The Chinese are on holiday...

Today is a Chinese bank holiday and the famous, 'Dragon Boat Race Festival'.

 

If you are doing business in China expect movement from the Chinese factories. The Dragon Boat Race is to commemorate the poet Qu Yuan which dates back over 2000 years.

 

The legend has it that a Chinese court official named Qu Yuan, was banished... Read more at http://www.gofrontiers.co.uk/blog.php?varPgId=0011-chinese-dragon-boat-race-chinese-bank-holiday

Posted by Gary Rice, Go Frontiers (UK & China)

Helping UK companies to move into the internet age

SpicyTuna web design and web consultancy have been helping UK companies to move into the internet age, since 1999. Originally set up to help fund the director, Gary Rice, through university, Gary quickly found a number of clients who required an online presence and soon built up a portfolio of websites.

 

Gary said, "Since 1999 web design has become much more technical and rich with the increase in broad band speeds and database fed websites".

 

Over this period the internet bubble has burst, flash websites have gone, Microsoft's Silver light struggled to take off and we have moved from the ASP Classic programming language to ASP.NET 4.

Published by Go Frontiers (UK & China)

Working in China

Benefits of working and doing business in China
China is the largest economies in the world and still growing. This is the reason many multi-national companies are relocating to China and other companies who are already located in other parts of Asia are moving their headquarters to China.

The market in China is still very buoyant with new sectors open up, such as banking/financial services and accounting/legal. The demand for foreign talent will continue, particularly if they have the right business/language skills such as Chinese translation, Chinese Interpreters and understand Chinese business culture.

Economy and Job Market

What is the current local job market situation? China rapid rise and booming economy has made it into one of the most candidate short markets in Asia, facing with some of the highest wage inflation and employee turnover rates in Asia. The Chinese market is fairly buoyant with many companies still moving to China and setting up offices.

Published by: Gary Rice, Go Frontiers (UK & China)

Chinese Tea Culture

Chinese tea culture refers to the method of tea preparation; the equipment used and its part played in Chinese culture not only from a health point of view but also as a way to show a persons respect and honour.

The tea ceremony (chayi, 茶藝) also known as the 'Art of Tea' is the method used to first clean the tea and warm the cups. Then the tea is poured into small cups keeping the tea hot. Tea should always be pored hot.

To show your respect to a Chinese person socially and in business, refill their cup when the tea level gets to the half way point. This is a really good way to create a relationship with this person when doing business in china.

The tea culture plays a role in Chinese business culture in China and differs greatly from that of Europe, Japan and Britain. In addition to being a drink, Chinese tea is also used in traditional Chinese medicine and in Chinese cuisine.

In China you can regularly see the Chinese carrying glass jar and flasks of Chinese tea around and if you look closely at universities in the UK you will also see Chinese students and Chinese tourists carrying jars and flasks of Chinese tea.

Published by: Gary Rice, Go Frontiers (UK & China)

Chinese tourism in the UK made easier

Finally, George Osborne understands the need to make it easier for Chinese tourists to visit the UK. Chinese tourism in the UK is set to increase now that the visa process has been made easier.

 

Before the changes were made a Chinese tourist would need to buy two separate visas, one for Europe and one for the UK. It's not only the extra cost that puts the Chinese off but the need to open a recognised bank account and have the right amount for the bond.

 

In my friends case she needed two bank accounts and two bonds which took weeks to organise. After all the hassle she said, "Never again. If Britain doesn't make it easier for them to visit then she will holiday else where".

Published by: Gary Rice, Go Frontiers (UK & China)

Confucianism the key element to Chinese business culture

From 500 BC to the modern age Confucianism still plays a key role in Chinese business culture and China's character and behaviour to create harmony in society.

President Xi Jinping, the new Chinese President, and his government are now promoting the importance of Confucianism and its positive impact on Chinese society focusing not only on social but business values too in order to promote harmony in society and the working environment.

Confucianism is engrained in China's culture plays its role in social/work ethics, family and relationships. The theory of Confucianism is discussed regularly during dinner, especially between business people.

Learning some Confucianism will give you something to talk about at the dinner table and will help you to build relationships with your Chinese counterparts and agents when doing business in China.

Published by: Gary Rice, Go Frontiers (UK & China)

Exporting to China - the new SME buzz words in the Midlands

Exporting to China are the new buzz words being used by the SME's in the Midlands area. Two of the top destinations are India and China which highlights the issue of culture and doing business their way. Providing you want to be successful that is.

The common issue over looked until it is too late is culture. Culture in many countries is a big deal especially if you are doing business in China were you will need to grasp an understanding of the Chinese business culture and Chinese social culture.

Business in China is done very differently as the Chinese prefer to build trust before they do business. So it is important to spend the time and build a good relationship that will last.

To do this you need to know how to show your respect and portray your class. Developing your Face and others is equally important when building Chinese relationships.

Published by: Gary Rice, Go Frontiers (UK & China)

China: Dinner table etiquette whilst dinning out on business

Dinner table etiquette in China plays a special part in their social culture and family as a way to show and demonstrate your status and respect, Face and strength of your relationships.

These areas also play a key part in Chinese business culture which can mean the difference between you wining or losing a business deal.

In China dinning out has to be done correctly and with style. As a westerner you are expected to have good manors especially if you are competing for business.

Disappoint them and you will devalue your brand. Look at it as a game with a set of rules to abide by and you will win business.

Published by: Gary Rice, Go Frontiers (UK & China)
 

Chinese business models work well in Chinese business culture compared to Western business models

Six months ago I spoke with the owner of a medium sized Chinese company about modernising her company from the traditional Chinese business model to using a business model from the west.

Interestingly, the lady owner explained that this is exactly what they had done a few years ago and then laughed. She explained that she wanted to increase performance and profits and that the best way forward would be a western business model.

However, applying this with the Chinese business culture was very different. She got the whole company involved in the process but the culture wouldn't mix with the new business model.

In the end the owner and her work force were unhappy, stressed out and decided to go back to their original Chinese business model. The owner said that she was making money, the work force was happy and that she shouldn't have got greedy in the first place.

Even though this was a medium sized company we hear this problem a lot from the larger British companies who have opened a business in China or are dealing with a Chinese company.

Many blame the language barrier and have to use  to try and drive their message and orders forward but when looking closer it is in fact a cultural issue.

Culture is how people are brought up, educated and how they do things. In that country it works so why change it or struggle to try and change it. When you are doing business in a different country, be it France or China you have to do the business culture their way for it to work effectively.

Published by: Gary Rice, Go Frontiers (UK & China)

Mystery Guest Programs using Chinese and British People

Before hiring a company to run your mystery guestprogram its worth concidering who your consumers are and what they spend.

If you understand the Chinese business culture and social habits you will discover that most Chinese families save 40% of their income.

China is a class society with the need to show their status by purchasing products luxury branded items and want to experience the high end shopping experience.

Our expertise iis n retail, fine dining, hotel, hospitality and tourism inc Chinese tourism in the UK and the Hospitality Services for the Wealthy Chinese visiting the UK (Chinese High Net Worth Individuls (HNWI))

We can your assess your business and check for the level of service the Chinese tourists expect.

For more information contact us on +44 (0)7809 154 467 or visit our website Go Frontiers (UK & China)

In China: How to Meet and Greet

In China: How to Meeting and Greeting

When you are doing business in China it is important to meet people correctly because first impressions count.

Getting it wrong you will loose Face instantly.

Knowing the proper Chinese customs and Chinese business culture is important.

4 Tips for Meeting Chinese People:

1. Learn a few phrases in Mandarin. This will show your respect and interested in learning their culture and will help break the ice.
   
2. Shake hands on the first occasion it is best to use one hand and bow. When your relationship has become stronger use both hands to show your relationship is warm. You must shake hands with every one even if it is a large delegation.
   
3. When you present your business card to the people you are meeting using two hands. The business card must be bilingual (English on one side and Mandarin on the other).Present the card Mandarin side up facing the person you are greeting and bow. You should present the side of your card, facing up in the person’s language.
   
4. When you receive a business card take a moment to study both sides and show your respect and interest in that person. Place the card in a card holder but don't put it in your back pockets.

Go Frontiers (UK & China) does Chinese translation services so we used them to translate our business cards and leaflets in to Chinese Mandarin.

Posted by Gary Rice, Go Frontiers (UK & China)