Localization in Chinese Markets: Upcoming Lionbridge Webinar
Posted on Wed, Nov 11, 2009
Check out this wonderful post from Tracey Feick, to learn about her personal experiences traveling in China, as well as a webinar she's hosting in December about Localizing for Chinese Markets.
Mention China and it brings a smile to my face. I remember my first trip there as a student only a few years after the US re-established relations with China. Traveling around China in those days was quite an adventure. Piling onto the most crowded bus I've ever seen, seeing the terra-cotta warriors at the excavation site, staying at hotels that weren't exactly "tourist ready," climbing the Great Wall (which was much taller and steeper than I imagined), trying to eat like a local only to discover I needed a ration coupon which foreigners did not have, and then being saved by a generous Chinese man who shared. And best of all, seeing the years of hard work to learn Chinese pay off as I was able to communicate with many fascinating people.
Mention China and I also think of some of the best food in the world. Dumplings, fried rice, spicy Sichuanese dishes, yamcha - the Cantonese "mobile buffet" - beef noodles, and one of my all-time favorites from my days of studying and working in Taiwan - Stinky Tofu. It is a delicious (some might say smelly, I'd say fragrant) version of tofu that is great with a little hot sauce and some sweet pickled cabbage. While it might put you off at first, it is really quite good! I tried it because my number one rule living in Asia was: "Eat first; ask questions later."
Having some strategies like that made life as a student in China more interesting. Now that I am at a different stage in life, I've had the opportunity to do business in China on several occasions - that's an entirely different world, and one that will continue to present huge opportunities for the future.
So, what are some strategies for doing business in the Chinese market today? There is a lot to learn and I am excited to host an upcoming Lionbridge Webinar about localizing websites for China. Rebecca Ray will be presenting "Designing and Localizing Websites for the Chinese Market: Do's and Don'ts" on December 10. Rebecca is an accomplished globalization consultant with 30 years of experience in product design, marketing, localization and distribution. She's also the Managing Editor for the Globalization Insider for the Localization Industry Standards Association. Join me to hear what she has to say about websites in the Chinese Market - you can read more about it and register by clicking here.
And, next time you are in China, try the "Stinky Tofu."