Doing Business in China

Dr Theo Lynn, a Senior Lecturer at DCU Business School and expert in strategy for e-businesses and the mechanics of digital marketing, has just returned from a special trip to China with a group of DCU Business School Masters students and alumni.

The weeklong journey to the Far East was filled with business meetings, workshops and cultural excursions aimed at providing the participants with an introduction to 'doing business in China'. The language and deep cultural differences can sometimes be challenging to first time Irish businesses, yet those that succeed can gain access to huge domestic market opportunities. As of 2012, China has the world's second-largest economy in terms of GDP, totalling approximately US$7.298 trillion.

The high tempo trip saw the group travel through some of the largest cities in the world, with three days in both Beijing (pop. 20 million) and Shanghai (pop. 23 million). In Shanghai, the group had a business meeting with Tourism Ireland who outlined some of the challenges of selling brand Ireland in China. The productive trip included business visits to PayPal, Microsoft, Disney, Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland, some of which have links to the Business School through alumni members. While in Beijing the group also took time out to deliver a social media workshop at Disney offices based in the metropolitan city.

Cultural highlights along the way included visits to the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and a traditional Chinese banquet, each providing further opportunities for East-West business and enterprise networking opportunities.