Doing business in China: bridging the East and West
Every so often, great resources come along that cause leaders to stop and take notice. The lyric “I get by with a little helps from my friends” couldn’t be truer when it comes to stepping into entrepreneurship and global business.
Learning from colleagues and sharing war stories will make you not only more knowledgeable, but more resilient. Here are a few ready-made “friends” to help you navigate the waters of doing business in China.
- HSBC sponsored Business without Borders is a website dedicated to bridging gaps and making global business connections. The site is chock full of international information and you can be the recipient of some free marketing by having your business profiled.
- The China Business Network is tantamount to a LinkedIn for professionals and companies doing business in China. Joining can be free if you opt for the basic, albeit garnering limited visibility, membership. This network also can serve as a way to be recognized as a subject matter expert through interviews and publications.
- Another great resource to have at your fingertips is The US-China Business Council. This non-profit organization can keep you abreast of a myriad of topics through articles, advisory boards and the Chinese Business Forum. Keep in mind the Chinese Business Forum is a direct link to US-China Legal Cooperation Fund which offers grant money to cooperating US and Chinese non-profit organizations.
- If you are ready to do business in China, you’ll need 2 things: a great tax accountant and an incredible lawyer. While you search for them, The China Business Law Journal is a way to stay familiar with the changes in Chinese law and some important merger & acquisition and corporate finance updates.
As with any resource, it’s only as powerful as you make it. So go forth, hob-knob with other international business hopefuls and discover what works best for your company.
