👉90% Of Western B2B Companies Fail In China

In my nearly 20 years working with Western companies to enter the Chinese market, here are 6 main reasons they struggle:

Dminorstudio Newsletter

March 12th, 2025

Hi, Stephen here.

China has the biggest consumer market, attracting many Western companies.

But success there isn't as straightforward as most think.

In my nearly 20 years working with Western companies to enter the Chinese market, here are 6 main reasons they struggle (from a B2B and marketing perspective):

  1. Investing too heavily without proper market testing first

  2. Copy-pasting strategies from home countries without necessary adaptation

  3. Ignoring China's unique ecosystem and regulatory environment

  4. Misunderstanding Chinese user behavior and digital platforms

  5. Failing to recreate the right value proposition for Chinese consumers

  6. Not identifying the proper market segments in China

  7. Lacking patience for long-term market development

Remember:

It's a journey that takes time.

Your goal should be increasing your odds of success with fewer costly mistakes along the way.

The real winners aren't those with quick initial gains, but those who survive and thrive in the market long-term.

🤔 I'm curious:

  • What's your experience with entering new international markets?

Let me know:

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  • Why 90% of Western B2B Companies Fail in China's Digital Landscape

  • ROI vs. VOI: Smart Marketers Look Beyond the Numbers

  • 5 Ways to Enter the Chinese Market in 2025

  • And more…

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Before you go: Here are 2 ways I can help

  1. B2B Digital Marketing Solution — We help B2B companies grow business through proven B2B digital marketing approaches.

  2. China B2B Digital Marketing Solution — We use China-specific digital marketing approaches to help B2B companies grow in China market.

Until next time,

— Stephen Tseng

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