Am I ready for doing business to China?

[Jack Welch] In a global economy, scale is a competitive weapon you can't ignore. And with China's vast markets, low-cost manufacturing, and increasing strong technical talent, scale is what it can give you. No wonder companies from around the world are tripping over themselves to get a foothold there¡­. But are you ready for doing business in China?

You need to answer the following questions before you go, if you need more help, please Ask us how to do business in China

1. Prior export experience to at least one foreign market.

2. Commitment to developing export opportunities including top management support, designation of an internal China sales manager, sales and technical staff who are willing to travel to China often, and support staff including an interpreter or translator to facilitate communication with Chinese buyers.

3. Sufficient financial resources to actively support marketing of products in China including translation of product brochures, participation in trade shows, and organization of customer informational seminars.

4. Ability to host visits by potential buyers to conclude sales negotiations, facilitate pre-contractual equipment inspections, and provide installation training.

5. Ability to acquire and analyze Chinese market data, identify sources of competition including domestic and foreign firms, and ascertain distribution channels.

6. Ability to acquire familiarity with export logistics unique to China including negotiation of letters of credit, freight forwarders, export documentation and export licensing.

7. Ability to locate Chinese import regulations, safety certification and labeling requirements and cultural preferences to modify the product and its packaging.

8. Prepared an international marketing plan with realistic goals, China-specific marketing strategies, progress benchmarks and an exit plan.

9. Sufficient financial resources to engage the services of local attorneys or consultants to navigate China's system of international trade regulation, develop a sales contract that is enforceable in China, undertake due diligence investigations, and address problems.

10. Ability and financial resources to provide training for a Chinese sales agent or distributor in the United States, continuous guidance for conducting market research and planning sales goals.

11. Ability to establish a program for protection of intellectual property including trademark or patent registration, market monitoring, and enforcement strategy.

12. Commitment to providing domestic and foreign customers equivalent service quality, which may necessitate frequent travel to China by a technician or establishment of an equipment service and maintenance center with a Chinese partner.