OAO Ivatsevichdrev - Siempelkamp

SIeMpelkAMp | nUCLeAR teCHnoLoGy 70 71
SNT engineer Peter Reinsdorff has been working for more
than ten years as an expert for nuclear waste treatment in
the Chinese market. In his interview with “Bulletin,” the
52-year-old talked about the special cultural features of
Chinese construction sites.
Nǐ hǎo, Mr Reinsdorff. We would love to hear about the
differences in business behavior between the Germans
and Chinese…
Peter Reinsdorff: I‘d be glad to! Many modes of conduct
between both partners are adapting as a result of globalization,
and as a result of the new generation of Chinese, who are adopting
more european conventions. nevertheless, there are a number
of significant differences.
For example?
Interview:
China experience, between
business and “Lunchi Lunchi”
Nĭ hăo – Peter Reinsdorff
in talk with ”Bulletin“
Peter Reinsdorff: Chinese partners like to follow clear formal
processes, an exact procedure. By contrast, making decisions
often takes far longer.
With most processes, we benefitted from our experience with
French partners and their conventions. our many years of cooperation
with AReVA form a good basis here. there, too, very clear
structures are a major characteristic of their business practices,
which forms a conceptual bridge to China.
How exactly would you characterize the nuclear market
for waste treatment in China?
Peter Reinsdorff: there is an enormous demand for our
services. the way siempelkamp is set up, this market represents
an immense opportunity for us. For every nuclear power plant
that is built in China, the concept includes a waste treatment
plant.
Do you actually speak Chinese?
Peter Reinsdorff: I originally intended to learn Chinese, but I
never got beyond gān bēi, nǐ hǎo and xiè xiè (see box).
Business meals in China are a popular topic amongst our
engineers. What has been your impression?
Peter Reinsdorff: some dishes really take a lot of getting used
to for a european stomach. over time, you just learn to say “no”
politely, for example when sea urchin gets brought to the table.
Lunchtime without lunch never happens in China. At 11:45 a.m.
on the dot, it’s time for “lunchi lunchi” on the Chinese nuclear
power plant construction site. there are 15,000 Chinese working
there in three shifts. Feeding this entire mega-team is a true
logistical masterpiece. the employees are transported to lunch
in buses, with the Chinese personnel and the “long-noses”