What better time to talk (and learn more) about Asian cultures and values than at the start of the New Year?

The beginning of February, in time with the new lunar cycle, marks the start of the Chinese Year of the Sheep, and to herald its arrival Chinese people will spend up to two weeks celebrating with family and friends.

The New Year, also called the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is a very special time in Asia and if you’re an Australian company doing business in Asia or if you have a significant Asian workforce, then you can expect that your employees will want to take leave during this time. It’s important to be prepared for the fact that many Asian businesses will also shut for the duration of the festivities, and some will amend their operating hours.

2015 is the year of the Sheep. Some people say ‘The Year of the Goat’. If you’re feeling confused, don’t be. The reason for the duality is that in the Chinese language translation, Sheep and Goat mean basically the same thing and that’s why you’ll hear this year referred to as both.

The Sheep is Yin Energy, a gentle energy associated with harmony, co-existence and tranquility. This is good news if you’re already doing business in Asia, because, in many respects The Year of the Sheep signals stability. The Sheep is not a horoscope sign known to cause significant upheaval. In fact, Feng Shui practitioners are predicting a prosperous year for many businesses associated with a variety of industries real estate, electronics, food, automobile, mining, show business, and banking. But these experts have also issued some cautions too. Because the Sheep is an earth sign, then this year could possibly result in great illness. The previous year of the Sheep – 2003 – saw the SARS outbreak. Asian-born people will tell you that such an occurrence during the Year of the Sheep was not merely a coincidence. The good news though is that this emphasis on ‘earth’ could also spark a renewal in all things connected to the earth, and place a sharp focus on matters related to environment and conservation.

While some Australian businesses might consider this type of information mere media fodder, the fact of the matter is that if you are serious about having a successful a relationship with Asian business partners, then you do need to take heed. Having a general understanding of the significance of this year and what Asians are expecting from it, will hold any business discussions or negotiations in good stead; first and foremost, because having a little knowledge will demonstrate that you have the respect for your potential partners to make an effort at getting to know Asian culture and values better.

Asian celebrations and rituals, such as those associated with the New Year are thousands of years old and this is a culture that is steeped in tradition, and superstition too. When Westerners take the time to learn and appreciate, Asians hold this interest in their culture and their values in very high regard.