How To Be A Success In Business In Asia

I have lived in Thailand for almost 5 years and conduct a lot of business here. Asia is booming. Analysts predict that Asia is going to be the place to do business in the future. However, your ability to be able to conduct business successfully in Asia will be contingent on your understanding of Asian traits. These traits run through most Asian cultures and are very evident when you try to do business here. Knowing and understanding these traits and using them to your advantage can help you be a success in business in Asia.

1. Don't make an Asia lose face. To an Asian, losing face is often worse than death. Losing face means to lose your dignity, and is not acceptable in Asia. Most Asians, if they make a bad decision in business, will never admit it. They just pretend it didn't happen or it happened because that's what they meant to happen. So if you want to be successful in business in Asia, never cause an Asian to lose face. If you help them 'save face' you will be successful in any business in Asia. If you point out their faults and mistakes and cause them to lose face or lose their dignity, your successful business days in Asia are numbered.

2. Be calm. The Thais call it "jai yen", having a cool heart. In most Asian countries, this is very important. In Asia, if you lose your cool and start screaming and yelling, you will have 'lost face'. Losing face makes you look like a fool, and makes most Asian back away from you. Doing business with somebody who is not calm, is not something most Asians will continue to do for very long. They prefer to work with somebody who is calm and polite, as they think you will be a more effective and smarter business partner. If you lose your temper, you're too unpredictable. So stay calm, and your success in business in Asia will be guaranteed.