Archive for May, 2007
Negotiating in China: Assume NOTHING!
Friday, May 25th, 2007What do you know?
What do you know you don’t know?
What do you NOT know you don’t know?
Sounds like a word game, or a ‘new age’ philosophy discussion. In China, though, figuring out what you DO NOT know is your top priority for surviving your first year. Before you start doing RESEARCH on […]
In China, Service Contracts are not automatic
Tuesday, May 15th, 2007I was on the Shanghai subway recently – which is looking a little less shiny and new these days. It is still damned impressive though - bordering on ‘Sci-Fi’ to a New Yorker who is used to standing on naked concrete platforms as the antique R train goes shambling past. But here, in the futuristic […]
Chinese Negotiations: Hiring China consultants with connections
Wednesday, May 9th, 2007Many local Chinese consultants and partners offer overseas businesses a shortcut to success in the Mainland by offering to use their connections or “guanxi” to help make things happen. Is this a good idea?
Overseas SMEs should think of business in China like a race. Local Chinese managers like to sprint off the line […]
Negotiating in China: Price Bands for Service Providers
Tuesday, May 8th, 2007China business has a well deserved reputation for 2 things – low costs and low quality levels. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – there are times you are more sensitive to cost than to quality. Most businesses, however, have certain standards and minimum levels of quality standards that they must satisfy in order to […]
Negotiating your China Business Entry
Monday, May 7th, 2007Every China business entrant needs to put together a plan for dealing with government regulations, certification and paperwork. Warning: Many Chinese locals will often tell you that a certain type of business is unregulated, under-regulated, or that regulations are ignored or unclear. Be EXTREMELY skeptical of this sort of logic. While it may be true for them […]
Chain of (Outsourced) Fools
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007Know who is really doing the work for you when you hire a China-based consultant or outsourcer!
When you are working with a China-based consultant or service provider, it is a good idea to discuss who will actually be performing the work for you. Don’t assume that the people you are meeting and discussing project specifications […]