How Many Chinas Are There?

“One,” you say. That’s a tempting response, but leaving politics aside and focusing just on the PRC, what plays in Beijing is likely to flop in Shanghai and go unnoticed in Chengdu.

For any company going global, especially in China, subtle differences are key. China is set to overtake the United States as the world’s largest economy by 2020, so there’s great allure to “the China market.” But China is really multiple markets. Multinational companies looking to house employees there have to do as marketers do: Actively seek out cultural influences and integrate them into the business. That can give corporate real estate and facilities people a better understanding of cultural nuances.

And that, in turn, can make it easier to provide office space that balances both local and corporate needs.