China Business Trip 2023

I have arrived safely in Guangzhou. My constant companion: A pleasant mix of excitement and careful planning. My last visit to China was in 2019. And yes, I was aware of the need for meticulous planning for a business trip to China, which requires a lot of attention to detail – both in tradition and in the modern world. For example, have you ever asked yourself on your last trip whether you should carry cash (and thus: obtain it beforehand) or whether digital payment methods would suffice? In the case of a trip to China, the answer is: Both. From my last trip to China (see picture), I still had some cash, and Alipay is also installed (and works flawlessly) – so I will have both with me. And of course, business cards. In Europe, we usually connect quickly and easily via LinkedIn, for example – in China, however, a business card is still a must, plays a big role in business life, and is an indispensable tool for building relationships. So, I had some new ones made – they are of course up-to-date (with a QR code leading to my website) and consider cultural nuances – small gestures that can have a big impact. Yes, and I have arranged meetings – with business partners, old acquaintances, and new faces I have only met online so far. An exciting part of my preparations, which is mainly characterized by pure anticipation. I look forward to taking you on this journey and reporting on my experiences in Guangzhou.