Please Share Your Thoughts on Taiwan
Mar 1, 08 Posted in Asia, Taiwan
If you would like to find out more about how to negotiate effectively in Taiwan, take a look at the corresponding Country Section from the book Negotiating International Business by Lothar Katz.
If you have any experience to share (or questions you would like answered) relating to
5 Responses to “Please Share Your Thoughts on Taiwan”
By Alex Teng on Jun 6, 08
When having business meals you should always offer to pay for the bill but if the business client insists you must oblige and thank him properly. The gesture of offering to pay is very respectful and will help foster a stronger relationship for future negotiations.
Also, it’s not rude to use your middle finger to point in the Taiwanese culture. Pointing is restricted to pointing at oneself or diagrams but never the opposite party as it is considered rude.
By Lothar on Jun 7, 08
Great inputs, thanks. I have updated the country information by adding the point about paying and clarifying the issue of pointing at others.
By William Chang on Jun 12, 08
From talking with a CEO who negotiates with contract manufacturers in Taiwan, it appears that younger generation Taiwanese are more information-oriented than older generation Taiwanese. The younger generation businesspeople (especially those educated in U.S. colleges) tend to negotiate more objectively based on facts and figures, while their older generation counterparts tend to be more subjective and emphasize on relationships. This may be attributed to the fact that the younger generation grew up in the Information Age.
By Joseph Wu on Jun 13, 08
In talking with a clase relative who has his own import/export business in Taiwan. Relationship with the American counterpart was a key to the success of both sides. Over the last 30-some years, my uncle and his suppliers have their annual fishing trip in the Florida and annual skiing/snow mobile trip in Colorado. Obviously, both the Americans and my uncle have treasure their partnership and also their friendship. With the seasoned businessman, they treasure their relationship and work thru the differences. It does not mean they have a high view with regard to relationship and low view in business subjectivity.
By Steven Wong on Jun 13, 08
Taiwanese do not respond as well to competitive pressure as they do to market competitiveness. For example, when you negotiate with a supplier for a product, you would say “Look we need this price so we can be competitive and give you more business at the factory”, instead of “You competitor is quoting us 10 percent less than you price, you need to meet or beat that price.”