Starting and maintaining an Amazon business can be difficult in and of itself. What makes it even more difficult, however, is attempting to formulate relationships or outsource products with foreign manufacturers without the proper tools and knowledge. 

Unfortunately, this situation is more than likely to come across the path as you continue on your Amazon journey, as you can oftentimes find less expensive products in other countries. Chinese manufacturers are especially common to come across. 

In this article, we will go over 10 ways in which you can improve your relationship with your Chinese suppliers or get ahead of the game and figure out the ins and outs of foreign product sourcing.

By following these 10 key tips, interacting with foreign manufacturers will be as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Do Your Research

Every good business interaction starts with thorough research about the companies and the people you will interact with. Manufacturing is no different. Get all the information that you can online and if you need more in-depth answers, don’t be afraid to reach out with a few preliminary questions.

2. Keep Your Emails Simple 

Even if your Chinese supplier has exceptional English skills, it is important to remember that English is not their first language. Therefore, technical wording, slang, or spelling mistakes can make it difficult for your business partner to receive the right message. 

It is also important to not mistake simple for brief or undetailed. When contacting manufacturers for an official RFQ (request for quote), be sure to include all necessary details even if it seems obvious to you. Unfortunately, not even suppliers can read your mind.

3. Provide Visual Aids 

Going in-depth can get complicated quickly. If you are covering a more complex topic over email, try including a picture or a diagram that can help you get your point across more clearly. 

4. Share Your Inspection Results

Third-party inspection companies can improve your relationship with your supplier in ways you likely never expect, since most profession QC companies employ workers with a variety of available languages. These inspections can find quality issues that you would never expect and have the potential to improve the supplying process drastically. However, these inspections are worthless without properly communicating with the supplier themselves.

5. Go Beyond Email

When it comes down to it, emails are an extremely impersonal and can leave a lot of room for confusion or misunderstanding. This, ultimately, will create additional stress for both parties. Instead, we suggest communicating on platforms you and your partner are comfortable with. Skype, WeChat, or a simple phonecall are all significant ways to further your relationship and trust. If you can, meet with your supplier face-to-face.

6. Follow Up Over the Phone

No one appreciates it when their inbox is flooded with dozens of emails inquiring about the same thing. If you are having difficulty connecting with your supplier or have had a recent miscommunication, try picking up the phone and talking person to person. A friendly tone and a helping hand are sometimes all it takes to get the ball rolling again. 

7. Communicate Respectfully

While you contact your supplier, be sure to maintain proper titles and etiquette that is common in Chinese culture. Social standing is incredibly important in the majority of Asian countries. Try not to find yourself slipping into casual tones when conducting business. Avoiding direct eye contact, personal touches, and harsh handshakes are ways to get on your supplier’s bad side. Instead, engage in some small talk and remember that you are engaging with professionals. 

8. Cut out the Middle Men

If all of this communication between two people can lead to communication difficulty, image what would happen if you were to involve two or three other individuals in the pipeline. Even if the middle man is a legitimate professional, having them involved will only make it easier to misinterpret what the other is saying. For that reason, we recommend always engaging and interacting with your supplier directly.

9. Uphold Cultural Norms

Throughout all of this communication, it is vital to remember that each party is coming from completely different cultural backgrounds. Do not get frustrated if your supplier does not value the same things that you do, or if they ask personal questions. To them, this is simply common business practice. At the end of the day, there is nothing more important than being respectful toward your equal man. 

10. Build Trust

Last but not least, it is essential to trust your supplier. While the vetting process should be complete and thorough, it is not uncommon for Chinese suppliers to prioritize personal relationships above business ones. Trust, camaraderie, and mutual benefit are all key aspects of a successful business relationship with your Chinese supplier. 

While doing business with Chinese suppliers can be daunting and intimidating, you can make the process much less painful by following these 10 key tips. Now get out there and get selling.