China Expert

By Ting Zhang 

As UK companies seek to take advantage of China’s growing commercial prominence, recruiting and keeping employees is becoming more of an issue; particularly with the increase in forged CVs and Diplomas.

Stories in the press make fairly frightening reading. The China Daily did a test and discovered that out of 3,000 diplomas, 800 had been forged. It also revealed that a Harvard PhD can be bought for as little as $100.

Elsewhere, the practice of ‘Qiangshou’, where people sit exams for other people for a fee, is also on the rise. Read the rest of “Caution is the key in Chinese recruitment” or post a comment

Living in a Chinese Family

It was one thing to work with Chinese people, have Chinese friends and Chinese clients, but one of my most enriching experiences was living as a member of a middle-class Chinese family.
 
For two years, I was married to a wonderful, beautiful and successful Shanghainese businesswoman, Michelle, who had a seven-year-old daughter.

All I had heard about and read about the Chinese culture, I was able to experience from the inside. Family, friends and health awareness are integral parts of their culture.
 
There are no nursing homes in China. Confucian philosophy dictates the relationship between the son and his parents. It is expected that the son will look after his parents in their old age. A room is set aside for the eventual occupation of his remaining parent in the son’s home. Because of the one-child policy, sons are Read the rest of “China Chapter Eight: China Experience” or post a comment

By Andrew Hupert

‘Will there or won’t there be?’ The small clump of young European & Asian salesmen breaks from their huddle and puts the question to me. They try to look relaxed, but clearly they’re concerned. The entire sales department has been watching the economies of the US and Europe losing momentum and asking themselves the same question:

Will there be an influx of talent from the North America and Europe into China? Will Shanghai become the new post-grad landing-pad for casual resume builders and hard-playing English teachers? Or will serious, experienced business-people decide that this is the perfect time to establish their China-presence?

It’s a great question for senior managers with HR responsibility. Read the rest of “What would a US recession mean for China Sales HR?” or post a comment

Ernie Tadla

Food is important in all cultures, but in China, it plays a paramount role as the tool for face and guanxi.

Business eating is where guanxi is established. To get to know another person and to build trust, eating together is necessary. The Chinese don’t eat at their desks, and they don’t rush out to the nearest fast-food joint. It is a specific time for talking and getting to know the other person. Typically, business is not discussed. That’s done during the many business meetings.

The business banquet is the pinnacle of guanxi building, celebrating, and or honoring guests. Read the rest of “China Chapter Seven: Dining in China” or post a comment

By Marshall Taplits

China has been trying to stem an ever growing trade surplus, manage domestic inflation, move development from the coastal areas to the inland areas and decrease its dependence on heavily polluting industries.

Because of these objectives, manufacturing in China is becoming more expensive as China adds in hidden (and sometimes not so hidden) costs into the sourcing equation. 

Here are the top 4 reasons you can expect costs to continue to rise in 2008:

1. Reduced VAT Refund

When Chinese manufacturers purchase goods domestically for use in manufacturing, they pay a VAT (value added tax). For people in the United States or others who are not familiar with the term VAT, it’s essentially a sales tax. Historically, the Chinese government allowed for generous VAT refunds if the final manufactured product is for export. However, as of July 1, 2007, China has changed its refund formula. Many products have had their VAT refunds completely eliminated and many others have been reduced. Since Chinese factories typically take these VAT rebates into account when calculating profit margins, the reduction or elimination of them is likely to… Read the rest of “4 Reasons Sourcing from China will be More Expensive in 2008″ or post a comment