Finance Intern: Business Trip To Tianjin| 3 min read

Although the two scheduled business meetings were conducted in Mandarin, I felt I was still able to follow along because of the overview I got prior to the trip. I was very interested in learning what was involved in an investor meeting. I stayed focused and attentive even though there was a language barrier. Showing interest during the meeting was important for me because I might be able to shed some light on a different outlook and way of thinking. I was asked “How might foreign investors begin to look at Tianjin?” To me it was quite simple, I believed that Tianjin just needs the right exposure; people need to be made aware of the city and how it may benefit a foreign company to begin operations. I had never heard of Tianjin and it is the 3rd largest city in China.

I was able to do my best to follow along by using the eye test, which allows me to observe the room and make certain hypotheses as to where the conversations were going. In addition, I used my own knowledge to try to predict and create a replica meeting in my head as to how the meeting progressed. This allowed me to stay engaged as well as think of ideas that could potentially contribute. During and after the meeting at dinner, a comment was made (might have been joking) that I could be an ambassador for Tianjin in the Los Angeles community. I was very humbled to be even recognized to help Tianjin progress moving forward. I was however asked how I would feel about being an ambassador for Tianjin back home in Chicago. I would be given an official government title to help establish myself on behalf of the Tianjin community. I thought it would be an honor to try and help bring more foreign investors to Tianjin so that they can continue their prosperous growth. Being able to apply and continue building my connections with the Tianjin government I believe would further help my professional career.

One of the most interesting parts of the trip was the culture and level of respect during the meeting and at dinner. Knowing when and how to properly show respect was interesting to witness. Again watching very closely how everyone moved helped me not to accidentally show disrespect. From waiting until the leaders sat down, to the individual and numerous toasting that happen during the course of a business lunch was enlightening. I was told by Sally from ImmerQi that when toasting to show respect, we were to never toast at the same level. However when toasting with the different Directors, everyone tried to show respect to everyone else and we ending up toasting below our waists. In all it was a very mind opening trip that showed me a lot about the Chinese culture as well as my first look into an investors meeting and some of the questions, comments, and concerns that arise while trying to set up joint ventures.

Edward Martinez, finance intern from China Internship Program; was placed in Beijing on a 24-week internship; a student from Roosevelt University in Chicago, the United States