Theme 1 : Chinese culture and society
- Chinese perception of France
- Family evolution
- Women’s condition
- One-child policy
- Digitalization
- Education system
- Chinese holidays : customs & values
- Better understand Chinese tourists
- New Silk Road « One Belt One Road »
Theme 2 : Chinese thinking
In order to better understand the Chinese mentality, it is necessary to bear in mind two philosophies (Confucianism and Taoism), a religion (Buddhism) and an ideology (communism), which have shaped the Chinese civilization and thinking since the ancient days or more recently, which influence the behavior of the Chinese in the business world, and which can be at the origin of misunderstandings of the Westerners.
In the cultural landscape of China, these streams of thought coexist and have each been given their own domain: Confucianism to govern the country, Taoism to preserve the body and Buddhism to save the soul …
Theme 3 : Incidence of cultural factors in business
The Chinese believed for a long time to be the only civilized people, and being the centre of the world: thus the name “the Middle Empire”. Being Chinese means, first of all, to be civilized. In spite of the country’s tormented history, the Chinese have a profound pride of their nation and culture. Even though China has progressed greatly in terms of modernity, one should not expect a sudden shift of mentalities. Mutual understanding and greater knowledge of each other therefore serve as the foundation of a successful communication.
Theme 4 : Work with the Chinese colleagues
At work, some Westerners have lived situations that are, to say the least, disconcerting or even difficult. Behaviors can be diametrically opposed. How to express a refusal from a Westerner to a Chinese? How to point out a mistake to a Chinese colleague without making him lose face? In China, personal identity is often merged with national identity. When there is a conflict between the interests of the enterprise and those of the nation, how will a Chinese employee react? How to deal with it ?
Theme 5 : Negotiate with the Chinese
- Negotiate with the Chinese shareholders
- Negotiate with the Chinese partners
- Negotiate with the Chinese customers
- Negotiate with the Chinese suppliers
- Notion of contract
- Notion of circular time
- Role of the interpreter
- « The Art of War »
- «The 36 stratagems»
Theme 6 : Work with the Chinese SOE
Who are the SOE (State-Owned Enterprises)? A central SOE or a local SOE? Who are the bosses of the SOE? What rules to follow? Besides creating economic values, Chinese SOE has political and a social responsibilities vis-à-vis the authorities and the nation. The enterprises must be familiar with the climate in which public opinion lives and adapt to the country’s historical, political and social context …
Theme 7 : Personal, National and Corporate Identity
How to make balance and reach consensus between the global vision of the corporate headquarter and the operational issues of its Chinese subsidiary? Why does the subsidiary always complain that the headquarter does not understand it, while the headquarter reproaches the subsidiary for not following the group’s policy? Geographical distance, vision gaps, different stakes, misunderstandings between the Western corporate culture and the Chinese local culture…