There are so many differences between Chinese and American consumers. While as a business owner in the United States, you may have a fairly decent handle on the way that you need to market your goods to intended consumers. You know what they want, what they will pay and how they will react when they use your product.
Successful business planning means identify potential issues and having concepts in place that eliminate these challenges. In this post, we discuss some important matters to keep in mind about the Chinese marketplace.
The culture influences how consumers view your brand
Because of our vastly different cultures, the Chinese consumer may not react the same way to your introduction into the marketplace. Small things, like the colors or words you use on your package, can have a big impact upon those contemplating buying your product. If you use the wrong items, you could offend consumers, who will shun your product before ever giving it a chance.
The government plays a strong role in the Chinese marketplace
In the U.S., companies are basically able to sell their goods without much restriction from government officials. As long as business owners comply with state and federal laws and regulations, the government will take a fairly hands-off approach to the companies.
In China, things are a little different, but not in the way you might expect. While China has a central government presence (like our federal government), in many cases, the local officials may be the ones with the real power. They may be the ones who could make or break your business.
Knowing how to deal with these officials is a critical step toward establishing a successful company in China. If you get these individuals to support your plan, you could also find it much easier to gain the trust of the Chinese consumer.
The more local you can be, the better
As we mentioned above, a local approach is a very good idea when looking to do business in the country. You want to make sure that the product you create matches up with the needs of those in the area where you are selling your good or service.
Talking to partners in the region can help you really gauge the needs of the marketplace. This also can help you gain a more thorough understanding of the various cultures and practices in a particular region. The better connection you can make with someone in the area, the less obstacles you will face as you try to move your company forward.