Tariff or No Tariff--7 Ways to Effectively Communicate With Overseas Suppliers
David Marinac
![David Marinac]()
David Marinac
Re-Igniting the Passion and Purpose of the Packaging Reseller...Global Packaging Sourcing & Solutions for Packaging Resellers | used by 🧂McCormick 🍫Mars 🥪Kraft
- Provide lots of direction by clearly describing what you want and how you want it done. The Chinese want to be told what to do and a sense of assurance they are on the right track. This is by no means meant as a slight...we don’t want them to THINK. The Chinese want to know what to do.
- Test your suppliers. Ask them questions. Do NOT wait for them to ask or it will be too late. Again, ask them direct questions about the info and instructions you’ve give them (do you understand...please repeat that back to me, etc)
- Listen when they do have questions and offer encouragement…positive encouragement WHEN appropriate (thank you, that was helpful, I appreciate your insight, etc...common sense!)
- If dealing in mainland China, show LOTS of compliments when warranted. If it’s a Hong Kong factory, this isn’t as necessary
- In Chinese society, they like to refer to each other as brothers or sisters. Consider doing the same and you and the Chinese will feel more comfortable.
- Take the time to learn some basic terms and, by all means…make an attempt--thank you, hello, goodbye, etc--they will appreciate it (even when you botch up words).
- Be respectful (yelling, pounding the table, using curse words...will not only fail but will make things WORSE).
Sales Director
4yThis is Toby from Dongguan OK Packaging Co,.Ltd,we are the Chinese factory specializing in manufacture and export of flexible packaging products for more than 10 years,our main products are aluminum foil bags,standup spout pouches,zipper bags, vacuum pouches,breast milk storage bags, retort pouches,etc.