China has a long history of confounding multinational companies. Many firms' strategies for China have failed and companies have been forced to revise plans to take into account the idosyncrasies of the Chinese market. This book examines the strategies that have succeeded and those that have failed, with chapters on the political and economic context, how to assess the market and manage corporate expectations and structures, how to negotiate legal and tax issues, manufacturing and distribution, making acquisitions, dealing with corruption and financial crime, attracting and retaining talent, the importance of establishing and maintaining relationships (guanxi), corporate governance and social responsibility, and the China of the future. With many businesses experiencing sluggish growth or even decline in their traditional markets, China seems to offer the chance of heady growth. For those who get their approach right it does, but there are many obstacles to be negotiated on the road to success. This book explores the difficulties of doing business in China and how to take best advantage of the opportunities that exist to achieve the level of success that every business aims for in China but not that many achieve. "The opportunities for those doing business in or with China may be growing but so are the challenges. This highly readable book, with its dozens of anecdotes of success and failure in the China market, highlights the key issues facing investors and how to deal with them."—Tim Clissold, CEO, Peony Capital and author of Mr. China "Sensible, informed and up-to-date information and advice on operating in China comes along surprisingly rarely. This book is a welcome antidote to the extremes of bullish hype and bearish despair that is typical of commentators on this huge market."—Stephen Green, Head of Research Greater China, Standard Chartered

China may soon be the biggest economy in the world. This book is a practical guide to business practices, market conditions, negotiations, organizations, networks and the business environment in China. It is aimed specifically at Western and non-Chinese businesses and managers.

Despite the overwhelming importance of the Chinese economy to the success of Western economies, there has yet to be an examination of why Western companies have had difficulties in doing business with the Chinese. A significant barrier that companies have difficulty to overcome is the effective communication with their Chinese counter parts. This major impediment is caused by no understanding of the cultural differences between the Chinese and Western business cultures. This book offers the solution to this problem: the bi-cultural personnel. The first book presented by a true bi-cultural consultant and researcher who has depth knowledge in the understanding of both the Australian and Chinese markets, culture and more importantly the behavioural pattern of people from both sides of the businesses Provides a totally new perspective for business managers and entrepreneurs to find out how to avoid the same fate as has befallen so many failed enterprises The new perspective is to highlight the acceptance of cultural differences as the focus for devising and implementing successful strategy

China is rapidly becoming an economic superpower, yet has a very different business culture that is often misunderstood outside of China. This can result in costly financial and strategic errors. This book confronts the myths about China and Chinese business practice and gives the reader a clear understanding of the culture and how to engage with it successfully.

This book is a comprehensive, expert guide to doing business in China Western technology, management expertise and capital have fueled an incredible expansion of China's economy. Trade with China is at an all-time high, and so are the numbers of Westerners traveling to China for business. Business from China has also picked up as Chinese firms look to expand abroad. Understanding the ins and outs of the confusing and often contradictory Chinese business culture can lend an enormous advantage. The Chinese Way in Business is an invaluable tool that teaches Westerners the basic Chinese philosophy of doing business and how to cultivate strong personal relationships with Chinese business people and Chinese nationals. The author, Boye Lafayette De Mente worked in Asia for over thirty years as a journalist and business consultant and has long been considered an authority on East Asian business. In this book, he reveals the historical factors, collective traits and individual qualities that determine how the Chinese do business today, and the direction their economy will take in the future. His is a true insider's view--whether the topic is the legal framework for business development, or the importance of social relationships to successful business dealings in China. The book is broken into ten key parts: Introduction: The Land and the People--includes an overview of Chinese ethnicity and the languages of China Part One:Return of the Central Kingdom--an extensive overview of recent events and new technologies in China Part Two: The Historical Perspective--Chinese philosophy and the Chinese mindset from antiquity to modern times Part Three: Doing Business in China--A detailed analysis of the nuts and bolts of Chinese Business Part Four: Key Concepts in Chinese Business--Concepts native to China such as Guanxi (relationships) that drive Chinese business practice Part Five: Additional Business Vocabulary Part Six: Glossary of Useful Terms--designed for quick referencing Part Seven: Internet Gateways to China--An overview of the dynamic online world in China Part Eight: Miscellaneous Information--contains information about English Language Publications and Weather Patterns Part Nine: Learning Some New Skills--Classical Chinese techniques which might benefit Western business people

Navigate China's business culture and etiquette The fun and easy way to grow your business in China This authoritative, friendly guide covers all the basics, from the nuts and bolts of Chinese business and bureaucracy to negotiating with your Chinese partners. You'll also get the know-how you need to manage day to day, from travel tips and advice on converting money to getting past language barriers. Discover how to: * Understand Chinese markets * Develop a strong business plan * Find the right employees * Work with currency controls and the Chinese banking system * Sell and source in China Explanations in plain English * "Get in, get out" information * Icons and other navigational aids * Tear-out cheat sheet * Top ten lists * A dash of humor and fun

An insider reveals what can—and does—go wrong when companies shift production to China In this entertaining behind-the-scenes account, Paul Midler tells us all that is wrong with our effort to shift manufacturing to China. Now updated and expanded, Poorly Made in China reveals industry secrets, including the dangerous practice of quality fade—the deliberate and secret habit of Chinese manufacturers to widen profit margins through the reduction of quality inputs. U.S. importers don’t stand a chance, Midler explains, against savvy Chinese suppliers who feel they have little to lose by placing consumer safety at risk for the sake of greater profit. This is a lively and impassioned personal account, a collection of true stories, told by an American who has worked in the country for close to two decades. Poorly Made in China touches on a number of issues that affect us all.

China has hundreds of thousands of businessmen and women who are driving the fastest sustained national economic growth rate of any country in world history. After decades of being held back by their country's socialist history, the Chinese people are moving forward with the force of water bursting from a broken steam pipe. The intensity of their aspirations, joined with the plans of the government and the presence of the country's hundreds of millions of ordinary people, means that future developments in China will surpass even those of the recent past—and in an extraordinary manner. At the same time, the integration of Chinese business with global business is accelerating, meaning that no major enterprise or financial institution can avoid doing business with China, any more than they can avoid the United States. Success in China, either for a local entrepreneur or a global multinational, is now enough to transform a company's performance worldwide. This book explains the changing nature of China's business environment, its increasingly complex relationship with the rest of the world, and the global business. The China Strategy is uniquely positioned to help business leaders and other observers make sense of China. It provides a holistic view of the Chinese business environment, looking at consumers, competitive enterprises, the government, integration with the rest of the world, and the ways these elements interact. This book is thus the first to lay out a framework that puts together the different (and seemingly contradictory) trajectories of China's future. It shows how change is taking place in non-linear fashion: some factors (like Chinese entrepreneurship) are expanding exponentially, while others (like the value of China's labor arbitrage) may be reaching a plateau. And it shows how to build and execute a global business strategy in light of these changes. During the next few years, successful American and European businesses may have to move to become global businesses, incorporating China in particular into their core identity because it is the fastest-growing world hub of economic activity. They will need to become familiar with the Chinese financial systems, as well as its consumer markets, innovation capabilities, and labor force. These leaders could have no better guide than The China Strategy.

Create meaningful relationships that translate to better business Access to Asia presents a deeply insightful framework for today's global business leaders and managers, whether traveling from Toronto to Taipei, Baltimore to Bangalore, or San Francisco to Shanghai. Drawing from her extensive experience and global connections, author Sharon Schweitzer suggests that irrespective of their industry, everyone is essentially in the relationship business. Within Asia, building trust and inspiring respect are vital steps in developing business relationships that transcend basic contractual obligations. Readers will find in-the-trenches advice and stories from 80 regional experts in 10 countries, including China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, and Korea. Discover the unique eight-question framework that provides rich interview material and insight from respected cultural experts Track cultural progress over time and highlight areas in need of improvement with the Self-Awareness Profile Learn the little-known facts, reports, and resources that help establish and strengthen Asian business relationships Effective cross-cultural communication is mandatory for today's successful global business leaders. For companies and individuals looking to engage more successfully with their counterparts in Asia, Access to Asia showcases the critical people skills that drive global business success.

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