First: an open and flexible mind. May I introduce my two lady friends?

Some people look at this picture and see a crone. Some people see a young woman. Some people can see both, but not at the same time. They choose the one they will see.

Read the rest of “China Lesson Eight: The two things it takes to do successful business in China” or post a comment >>

Throughout my 30 years in the negotiation game and while playing at all levels, I realised that these three golden rules are really what matter for achieving great results in the game.

These rules apply to any type of negotiation game, whether it is multimillion pound deal, buying a car or a house — The same rules apply.

Read the rest of “The ABC of the Negotiation Game” or post a comment >>

Confucius is still alive in Chinese Asia (as well as in Japan, Korea and Vietnam). Proving far stronger than the (European) ideas of Marx or Lenin, his moral and societal philosophy easily overcame the concerted efforts of the Chinese Communist Party in China to “rid the nation of [his] feudal teachings.” From Shanghai to Taipei to Hong Kong to Singapore, his influence can be seen in all aspects of Chinese society, especially Chinese business communication.

Read the rest of “Confucian Effects on Business Communication” or post a comment >>

Business leaders behind many of the world’s leading brands have long been convinced of the benefits of sustainability reporting.

80% of the top 15 Business Week global brands issue sustainability reports based on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, and more than 1000 organizations have declared their voluntary adoption of the Guidelines worldwide. The case is different in China where the majority of companies hasn’t heard of the…

Read the rest of “Sustainability Reporting: China’s Latest Import” or post a comment >>

Here in my home country the US, nepotism is unanimously scorned upon. A workplace romance has almost as much notoreity among coworkers — if not more — than the local celeb gossip. Employers caught hiring their relatives risk expulsion from their jobs — or worse. Instead, we bow to the American ideal of workers garnering new jobs based on their qualifications.

Read the rest of “Like brother, like coworker” or post a comment >>