Visitors from China
Background
Toyworld is a profitable toy retailer based in Seattle, US, with subsidiaries in over 30 countries. Toyworld buys its products from suppliers all over the world.
Mr. Lee Chung, head of a toy manufacturing firm based in Guandong, China, is going to visit the Toyworld subsidiary in your country. Mr. Chung will be accompanied by his Export Manager, John Wong. The purpose of the visit is to get to know Toyworld’s management better and learn more about the company. He may set up a joint venture with Toyworld if he has confidence in them and considers them to be a suitable partner. This is Mr. Wong’s first visit to your company, and to your country.
To…Manager, Public Relations
From…Chief Executive
Subject: Mr. Lee Chung’s visit
Date: 2 June
Mr. Lee Chung and Mr. John Wong will arrive at 9.10 a.m. on Monday 20 June and leave on Thursday 23 June.
When you prepare the draft programme, please schedule a meeting (morning or afternoon) during which we can discuss our business plans with Mr. Chung and Mr. Wong.
Also, make sure that our visitors have opportunities to meet our staff and gain a complete understanding of our business.
The visitors will expect to have some basic information about Toyworld and to be offered activities which give them an understanding of the company. Please also arrange some social and cultural activities during their stay.
Above all, we do not want to make any cultural mistakes during the visit. We want Mr. Chung and Mr. Wong to leave with an excellent impression of our company and the way we treat foreign visitors.
To help you plan the visit, please could you attend the talk by Catherine Eng (an expert on Chinese business culture).
Key
1. Where will the visitors stay?
2. Who will meet them? What transport will be used?
3. What arrangements should be made for meals?
4. When will the business meeting take place?
5. What topics would be suitable for discussion at meals?
6. How will the visitors be entertained? Trips? Special events?
7. What gifts would be suitable? When and how should they be given?
8. Should there be local press and television coverage?
9. Is it necessary to provide an interpreter?
10. Any other ideas to develop a good relationship?