Talking the talk with China’s new high flyers

A new group of entrepreneurs is changing the face of business in China. They’re different — both to the western start up crew and the older generation of corporate managers in China.

Chinese entrepreneur Alicia Liu profiles the new Chinese millennial at work — and offers 7 golden rules for reaching out to them.

1. Hire and hire again. Job-hopping is the new norm. Overseas companies are often surprised by the high expectations of joiners — especially Chinese students returning home from abroad. If you’re setting up in China, keep your recruitment company on speed dial.

2. Keep in touch. The new generation tends to be loyal to individuals, not the corporation. So focus on building that relationship even when the original purpose of your meeting is past. Wherever he/she goes, they will stay in touch. And that could be good for business.

3. Be where they are. While the Yangtze Delta region has always been the home to private Chinese enterprises, according to The Wall Street Journal Beijing still ranks as the top city for start-ups. The city’s universities have set up platforms to foster innovation and entrepreneurship for tech start-ups.

4. Don’t patronise. Because they’re well travelled, Chinese millennials know more about foreign cultures than you do about theirs. You don’t need to explain what House of Cards and Downtown Abbey are. In fact, knowing your Claire Underwood from your Lady Mary can help break the ice.

5. Be entertaining. People still feel more relaxed about sharing their ideas and opinions at a lunch or dinner table than in the office — but not necessarily in the formal surrounds of a banquet. Don’t assume that millennials conform to the stereotypical image of past generations.

6. Satisfy their curiosity. Don’t proffer the most expensive bottle of whisky, but find rare single malt with a story. As in your business, it will pay to know your stuff.

And one thing that’ll never change:

7. Despite the generational difference, the new millennials still follow traditional Chinese cultural values — especially the importance of saving face. So don’t necessarily expect that frank, US-style exchange of views in the first meeting — or even the third.

This article was originally published by Cathay Pacific Airways @cathaypacific