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These three scams, or variations on them, could occur when doing business anywhere in the world. I’ve had to assist UK businesses regarding all three of them recently, with regards to communications they’ve had with China. Read on… 1.Notarisation of contracts Imagine that you're a manufacturer or supplier and you receive an unexpected enquiry from China. How exciting! You develop the enquiry over several weeks, and get to the point where you’re both ready to sign a contra

In 2017-2018 we won and succesfully delivered a major China distributor intervention project for world-leading seismic instrument producer G

You can find this video and other client reviews on our About / Testimonials page. For more information about LMK Thermosafe’s products please click here #distributor #SME #strategy

This week and next I'm visiting businesses in four major China cities – Chengdu, Shanghai, Ningbo and Zhengzhou. Chengdu and Zhengzhou are both cities I've lived in previously, and it's great to be back again. One thing I am keen to observe is how ordinary Chinese people see Sino-British relations right now, especially in the light of President Xi's recent trip to the UK. Well, it's only two days into this trip but I've already noticed people using that term "a Golden Era" (

An experienced SME manager sets up a successful production facility in China, but there are still things he wishes he'd known in advance… Lots of Western businesses have set out to establish production in China (and other countries too, of course) – some successfully, others less so. Each story is unique, and we should beware of elevating specific instances to become generalizations, but they can at least help us to think. I heard a fascinating story of this type from Rob N

Our new essential guide Hosting Chinese Delgations Well just went on line (click title to read). It's written with British SMEs, universities and other organisations in mind, as they try to understand the nature of their relationships with Chinese partners and customers. We've given it a dedicated page on this website because it contains such fundemental know-how. Do make sure you read it! It's the kind of content that we can offer at training events too. #SME #relation

"Business in China can be easy" – that's what Andy Clayton, CEO of LNP China says, and he's staking everything on that assertion. Having experienced the ups and downs of working in an office in China for more than ten years, I'm keen to know more. The first time we met I was struck by his enthusiasm, so I start out by asking what it is that excites and inspires him about the work of LNP China? "That is such a great question! I have been involved in business in China, and pa

Last week I was at a business exhibition where a number of British hotels were represented. I stepped up to each of their stands, and asked them about their Chinese customers. Here's how those conversations went, roughly: MG: You're one of the top hotels in this region. Hotel: Yes we are, we're very highly rated on Trip Advisor. MG: Do you get many Chinese customers? Hotel: I think we get one or two. MG: People from China don't use Trip Advisor you know. Hotel

'Intellectual property' is one of those subjects on which everyone has opinions, and it's very hard to find a real expert. But James Love is a real expert. James' legal practice specialises in sorting out international IP issues – China has been an important focus for him for many years, and he visits there regularly. His senior colleague at James Love Legal in Harrogate is Lindsey Wrenn, a Registered Trade Mark Attorney; together they help British companies protect their I

Q. What challenges do you face doing business in China? A. Language and feng shui The first answer came as no surprise, but feng shui? Really? DWA Architects is a chartered architectural practice with offices in York, Warrington and London. Over 26 years it has built up an international reputation for excellence in the field of post-hospital care – from childcare to elderly care, delivering tailored accommodation for dementia sufferers, for example. Mel Fairbourn-Varley, D

Last week I was interviewed by George Baily - Digital Marketing specialist at KnowledgePower. You can read the full article here: https://www.knowledgepowerltd.com/pg/uk-china-business-interview-with-matthew-grandage/ #SME #business #export #marketing

Q. How do they support young reps in China, with no rep office? A. WeChat Today I'm talking with Stephanie Day, Operations Manager for the Southampton-based company Opportunity China - "a gateway for English teachers, lecturers and au pairs to find exciting and enriching teaching positions in China". Founded by university friends in 2011, the business is now well established with 6 full-time staff (3 in the UK, 3 in China), plus a network of associates who bring specialist s

My new keynote article Chinese Business Relationships - Are We Strangers or Friends? just went on line (click title to read). It's written with British SMEs in mind, as they try to understand the nature of their relationships with Chinese partners and customers. I've given it a dedicated page on this website because it contains such fundemental know-how - do make sure you read it! It's the kind of content that I can offer at training events too. #culture #export #supplych

Building bridges to China through scientific research A few weeks ago I stumbled across the story of a small Hampshire-based high-tech materials company who won a £400k order from Zhengzhou University (where my wife and I were students back in 1999-2000). This deal got them quite a bit of attention; last year they were even "favourited" by Prime Minister David Cameron on Twitter! This was all too good to resist, so I phoned them up and asked if I could pay a visit. Plasma Q

Driving their suppliers to guarantee new levels of service quality in west Sichuan Our second SME Spotlight features a very different kind of business from the first. Extravagant Yak Travel Company (EY) are Tibet travel specialists offering “personalised tours on The Roof of the World”. They are a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE) in Chengdu, Sichuan, whose holding company is in Hong Kong and whose founders come from Canada and the USA. Earlier in April I had pleasure

No secret, just good business practice... and patience Our first ever SME Spotlight features a small, family-owned engineering manufacturer from my home town in West Yorkshire - Arthur Jackson & Co Ltd. Jacksons was founded more than 60 years ago, and they make high precision patterns, dies and other types of tooling in metal, resin and wood. Custom made for some of the world's biggest brands, these are used to produce items as diverse as high-speed turbos for diesel engine

China-based consultants Maxelli produced a report recently asking which of China's 2nd tier cities is "the most international". Now that is an interesting question, especially if you're planning to open a rep office! Most British SMEs already realise that China must be understood regionally, and that regional variations can be a great as the differences between some European countries (e.g. in terms of industry, language, application of law, culture, development)[1]. Furthe

I'm planning to do an occasional spotlight feature on SMEs who are getting into China - to hear their stories and learn from their insights. This will begin with someone in manufacturing, who is exporting east... Let me know if you'd like your business to be featured! #SME