No Slow boats in China
Shanghai was an unbelievable experience! The class went as colleagues and we all formed friendships and bonded. It was great fun.
Shanghai, as a city itself was impressive. China is a great place to do business. It really surprised me the level of infrastructure that's not only in place, but also being planned. Granted, we were focused in the area that's the nidus of commercial activity for the People's Republic of China, but the level of commercial development, and the infrastructure- with regards of commerce, transport, education and real estate development (commercial, industrial and residential) was astounding!
From a commercial perspective, the west is seeing how some companies are profiting form Sino-JVs, and are following, suit. As with any commercial investment or relationship, you have to do your due diligence in order to know what to expect and to adapt your approach or practice accordingly. Other companies go in expecting to apply Western techniques; marketing, manufacturing/operations or distribution only to fail miserably. There are several reasons for that disparity, and not all of them are clear from the outset. One of the great challenges of business is adaptability and maneuverability; that being said, the Sino-environment of business requires an entirely new strategy. Applying what works in Germany, Nigeria or the United States is just lazy, and unless you want to lose money, not a great idea.
I'd go back to Shanghai in a second, and I'd do business in China in second. It's a great place, with a lot of potential. It's neither risk free, nor easy, but what things in business are?
Shanghai, as a city itself was impressive. China is a great place to do business. It really surprised me the level of infrastructure that's not only in place, but also being planned. Granted, we were focused in the area that's the nidus of commercial activity for the People's Republic of China, but the level of commercial development, and the infrastructure- with regards of commerce, transport, education and real estate development (commercial, industrial and residential) was astounding!
From a commercial perspective, the west is seeing how some companies are profiting form Sino-JVs, and are following, suit. As with any commercial investment or relationship, you have to do your due diligence in order to know what to expect and to adapt your approach or practice accordingly. Other companies go in expecting to apply Western techniques; marketing, manufacturing/operations or distribution only to fail miserably. There are several reasons for that disparity, and not all of them are clear from the outset. One of the great challenges of business is adaptability and maneuverability; that being said, the Sino-environment of business requires an entirely new strategy. Applying what works in Germany, Nigeria or the United States is just lazy, and unless you want to lose money, not a great idea.
I'd go back to Shanghai in a second, and I'd do business in China in second. It's a great place, with a lot of potential. It's neither risk free, nor easy, but what things in business are?
posted by Mike at 3/20/2006 10:32:00 a.m.
3 Comments:
ok, but what about the fact that production is based on sweatshop conditions, that susbsistence for the general population is abysmal and that china's record on the environment is horrific. why do business with a country that should be morally and ethically denigrated because of their human rights infractions? isn't it better to make a buck somewhere else than to encourage that kind of system by rewarding it with business? ... just wondering... -B
hey mah brothah
glad to hear you found shanghai interesting, and the experience rewarding.
welcome back.
i missed you!
-yuh sistuh
hey mah brothah
glad to hear you found shanghai interesting, and the experience rewarding.
welcome back.
i missed you!
-yuh sistuh
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