Expats @KraussMaffei: Between two worlds
24.03.2025 | Verena Foris

Lenka Knop's journey to China began early: she gained her first experiences in the People's Republic while still a student and developed a fascination for the culture. What was originally planned as a short-term project turned into an adventure lasting several years, which has shaped her professionally and personally.

Knop's main task in China was to localize an older machine series for the Chinese market. The goal was to develop a budget-friendly variant that better suited local needs.

"It was fascinating to see how the requirements and expectations of the Chinese market differ from those in Germany." She was particularly impressed by the way people work in China: "While in Germany, we often plan meticulously before implementing, the Chinese start early and solve problems during the process."

This approach brought  speed, but also new challenges, which Knop successfully mastered by observing and adapting. 

One of the biggest differences Knop noticed between Germany and China was the way people communicate. "In Germany, we are very direct – this applies to both positive and critical feedback. In China, it's completely different."

There, great importance is placed on indirect communication, and people practically never say "no". "They tend to use euphemisms, for example, 'I'm not so sure'. I had to learn that first." Relationships are also of central importance in Chinese business culture.

"You can be the best at your job, but without strong relationships, it's hard to be successful." This understanding shaped her approach to leadership and interacting with her team. 

Knop's start in China went very smoothly, not least thanks to the support of KraussMaffei and the hospitality of their Chinese colleagues.

"I was integrated into everything from the very beginning, and I received a lot of practical support, for example with finding a place to live and organizing language courses."

She found it particularly helpful to have a local team on hand to take care of organizational matters. Nevertheless, Knop was active from the very beginning: "I never waited for someone to help me; I got the information I needed myself." 

Knop was impressed by many aspects of life in China – from the advanced digitalization to the fascinating food culture. “Everything, really everything, is done on a smartphone,” she reports. Cash? Superfluous. Even street vendors use QR codes.

"You can pay by cell phone in seconds. Even older people have no problem with that." She also loved the Chinese cuisine. Hot pot, a communal meal where everyone sits around a pot of boiling broth and shares food, was one of her highlights and perfectly reflects Chinese culture.

"It's a convivial experience that you share with friends or colleagues. I will never forget these moments."

The coronavirus pandemic also presented Lenka Knop with many challenges. During the first year, she was able to use the time to travel around China.

Traveling outside the country was out of the question anyway, as the borders were closed. During her time in China, Knop explored many parts of the country – from vibrant metropolises such as Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Xi'an to breathtaking landscapes in Yunnan, Sichuan and Guangxi.

She also visited many other places worth seeing, including luxurious vacation destinations such as the tropical island of Hainan.
The provinces of China are impressively diverse: "You can find everything from beaches and mountains to deserts and tropical regions there, which is more than you would expect."

However, Shanghai remains her favorite city: "The multicultural atmosphere, international restaurants and expat community make the city a perfect place for people from all over the world."

Lenka Knop's time in China was not only professionally enriching, but also an intensive personal learning experience. She recommends that anyone who wants to go to China should be aware of the cultural differences and remain open to new ideas.

Her time in China has had a lasting impact on her. The friendships and professional connections she made during those years continue to this day.