Culture & Competition

Culture

For your assignment, discuss the cultural differences in conducting business between Australia and your country

ie. Do they shake hands, are female bosses common, etc

How could some of this affect your opportunities? Or enhance them?

Below is a list of eleven common faux pas that you shouldn't make when in China as submitted by international business people.

1. Accept and give business cards with both hands. Study the card first as it represents the person you're meeting. Never write on it or put it in your wallet or pocket, instead use a small card case.

2. When dining, do not start to eat or drink prior to your host.3. Don't compliment anyone for speaking good English. Chances are, most decision

makers had extensive international exposure abroad. It may also be taken as a sign you cannot find better things to compliment.

4. Personal contact must be avoided at all cost. It is highly inappropriate for a man to touch a woman in public.

5. Stand up when others enter the room.6. Avoid embarrassing topics, such as acknowledging Taiwan's independence, freeing

Tibet and Chinese human right issues.7. When dining with a group and taking food from a common plate, use the

implements provided and not your own chopsticks or fork, and choose the items closest to you even if you prefer something on the other side of the plate. As a cultural courtesy, you should taste all the dishes you are offered, but do not eat all of your meal or they will assume you did not receive enough food and are still hungry.

8. Show deference if someone appears to be senior to you.9. Allow the Chinese to leave a meeting first.10. Do not discuss business at meals.11. If you are bringing gifts, clocks, storks, cranes, handkerchiefs and anything white,

blue or black are definite no-nos because of their association with death.

Competition What other business are in your country that are the

same as, or similar to, your business/product ie. Are there already Boost Juice/Cold Rock/etc style

businesses set up? Are they foreign owned or locally owned?

Is there any other relevant information you can tell about them – are they popular, good, expensive, nearby, sell similar products, what makes you different etc? What will set your business apart from them?