In business negotiations, clear communication is essential—misunderstandings can ruin everything.
It sounds obvious, but it’s not so simple in international contexts, especially in China, where English is not always the solution.
One of the most common mistakes I see among entrepreneurs and managers visiting China is not paying attention to translator selection..
At trade shows, they often pick someone on the spot—or worse, rely on a translator provided by their counterpart in meetings.
The result? Poor translations that hinder understanding and dilute your message.
I’ve seen promising business deals die at birth because of bad translations.
And I’ve seen partnerships fall apart due to misunderstandings that were never clarified.
In business, a good translator does more than just translate. They must fulfill three key roles:
- Represent your company’s interests to the other party
- Facilitate discussions and steer them toward your business goals
- Observe your counterpart’s behavior and external factors —and report back accurately
How can you ensure that your translator in China can handle all three of these roles?
Here are some tips:
- Choose a native Chinese speaker with experience in both China and Italy.
- They must understand your business, company, and products—so if they’re not an employee, give them proper training.
- Brief them on goals of your trip and each meeting, so they can align with your strategy.
- Have them write brief report after each meeting—while everything is fresh, they’ll give you valuable insight into what was said and what was left unsaid.
English (UK) 
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