For more information, please visit the webpage of HKCBA.

China, as the turntable of the new millennium economy, offers unequalled opportunities to Quebec entrepreneurs. Whether its raw materials, expertise in aeronautics, ICT, environment, construction and energy or for food products or luxury products, the Chinese are consuming more and are looking for imported products of a higher quality.

You know how to think in the long term and want to increase the visibility of your business, so it is time to reflect on whether your offer is relevant in the current Chinese context:

• 1.3 billion Chinese people;
• 800 million cell phones;
• 500 million Internet users;
• 1.2 million millionaires;
• 20% annual growth in the luxury market.

In order to conquer China, here are some “assignments” that you must do to make your exportation profitable:

1. Stop thinking of China as an emerging market while multinationals consider it to be the priority market. In 2010, purchases made in China were valued at 1,395 billion dollars compared to 1,935 billion for the United States. This second global economic power has immense needs to satisfy in order to support its growth.
2. Conduct your strategy in China with a coherent approach. Exportation to China requires large and long-term investment, thus start with a market study, analyse your competitors, set your objectives and adapt your marketing methods accordingly.
3. Identify where to sell in China knowing that this vast country is composed of several non-homogenous markets. Sell in large cities where the international competition is fierce or in medium-sized towns? There is a large difference in terms of purchasing behaviour and methods of distribution. Or sell on the internet? As the Chinese are buying in massive quantities online and as a third of the country’s mail is devoted to purchases made on TaoBao.
4. “When in Rome do as the Romans do”. Despite Mandarin Chinese being a difficult language to master, it is possible to study the cultural differences that we have with Chinese people, to understand their values and to RESPECT them. Throw away your prejudices, adapt and do not be imposing in terms of how you do business.
5. Brand matters! Opt for a strong brand and strategic position and communicate your added value. The confidence line that you build with your clients propels your brand and the multiplying effect of word-of-mouth in a country where guanxi (networking and connections) is so important.
6. Make yourself known using Baidu. In a new market, people do not have the same references as your existing clients. So how do they create a benchmark from which to measure the credibility of your offer? From the information they find on the net. For your SEO to succeed in China, it is better to identify the key words linked to your China strategy than to translate your existing website.

In brief, your winning recipe here may not necessarily be the most successful in China. It is up to you to adapt your ingredients to cook a creative and unforgettable dish!

For more information, please listen online!

For more information, please visite Radio Canada International’s website: http://www.rcinet.ca/chinese/program/voice_from_the_north/home/

Orchimedia was chosen again to welcome the Chinese delegation (strategic partner) to visit Bombardier Inc. in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Crédit photo: http://bit.ly/ifnFl7

Year of the rabbit

Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal’s year would have some of that animal’s personality. Those born in rabbit years are popular, compassionate, and sincere.

According to Chinese traditional legend, rabbits are associated with the Alioth in astronomy. They have a nimble, quick-witted and gentle disposition naturally and are the symbol of good luck. In some coastal areas of Shandong Province in old time, wives usually took a rabbit in their arms when their husbands went to sea to fish, believing that this propitious animal would bring them safeness and good luck. And there is an interesting tradition going that a rabbit’s hair would become absolutely snow-white if it can live for 500 years

And rabbits have been given many characteristics in China, such as longevity, loveliness, vigilance, fertility, timidity and good hearing.

Rabbit personality traits

Gentle, friendly, intelligent, discordant, fickle and furtive

Although generally calm, gentle and loving, Rabbit people can be very ambitious and intuitively know how to get ahead in the world.

They are good listeners, kind and sweet by nature, and are therefore often sought out as popular and trusted friends. Generally noted for their physical beauty, Rabbits like to surround themselves with beautiful things. They have a good eye for art, design and fashion, and are usually at the top of anyone’s Best Dressed list.

Others may call the Rabbit timid, but those born under this sign rightly view themselves as wise and cautious.

Rabbits are rarely known to make a move or jump into any new situation without first carefully considering all their options. No one is more surprised than Rabbits when they win a poker hand or hit the jackpot at the races, although at times good luck just seems to come their way unbidden.

Rabbits are regarded as the peacemakers in any group. They remain calm in any situation, and are very slow to anger.

In close personal relationships they can be very romantic, but their natural cautiousness prevents them from settling down or committing to any one person right away.

At work, they excel by remaining cool and collected, and can be relied upon for extreme tact in delicate business dealings.

Orchimedia’s mission is to enable Canadian companies to position themselves within the Asian community using our expertise in branding, communications, marketing, the Internet and Asian social networks.

Thank you for your continued support!

In comparison, the US should experience growth of 12%, 6% in Europe while Japan should show a new drop of 8%. (Source:news.xinhuanet.com)