Looking At China, Standardisation And Certification

I have actually been buying from and integrating China technology and sundry products for 12 years now. I started with ANVIZ and ZKTeco before growing into other areas. Chinese companies are eager and proud to showcase the technologies that utilize and the industry standards and certifications they operate and adhere to, particularly with respect multiple markets. In fact, I believe their products are of top quality because of the high standards of varying markets they adhere to while producing for them.

That said, at the Canton Fair, we observed that they are initially reluctant to engage us with the enthusiasm and seriousness that should naturally greet a prospect showing interest in a vendor or manufacturer’s products and innovation. We were made to understand by our Nigerian guide who has been living and married there for 27 years that it was because they feel we wouldn’t be able to afford certain standards for specific markets. We are in the habits of demanding for quality reduction in some products in order to buy cheap. There are differences between Standardization and Quality. Of course, this should be obvious enough but that is topic for another day.

Many medium and reputable companies will not reduce the quality even if you desire to make the whole order in the world. They will rather refer you to smaller companies who want to make a sale.

So, what SOME of our people do is that, they order lower quality products. (not necessarily fake or bad) which they sell at the price equivalents of the highest standards. So, yes, there can be that subtle stereotype at first interaction. That said, the Chinese are more like our trade oriented Igbo people here. Once you’re designated as a trade or business prospect, you no longer have ‘peace’. This isn’t new awareness about them as I have always done business with them, but being in their society is a different ball game.

That said, China doesn’t joke with their internal security. Having flown hours in-between multiple cities within 4 days, I can say that they do not joke. Domestic travels are almost like International for both citizens and foreigners alike. IDs are thoroughly verified. Bags are thoroughly scanned and bodies are frisked. I have been frisked by two women security operatives so far. I was like “hey! Don’t touch what you are not supposed to while search rubbing my body ooo”. 😀😀😀😀

China is beautiful, orderly and organized. So far, Guangzhou-Nanjing-Xiamen.