By Richard Brubaker 

In terms of human resources, the current debate is focused on the continued need for multinational corporations in China to increase hiring of local staff, particularly for operations management, while decreasing or completely removing expatriate staff. Reasons for this shift away from expatriate staff include the high cost of salary and benefit packages, questionable value (in terms of productivity and ability to drive the business), high failure rates and most recently, the large readily available talent pool of expatriates already based in China (“halfpats”).

Many within China agree that there is a shortage of local talent in the middle management sector. In the past, this was a significant issue as companies had only two options – to hire and relocate expensive expatriate staff from overseas, or inexpensive, inexperienced local staff. Read the rest of “Halfpats: the New Expatriate” or post a comment

While domestic companies have a wide range of alternatives in establishing business operations in China, foreign companies are more restricted, with the most common business vehicles for foreign investors being:

- Representative Offices
- Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprises 
- Joint Ventures (Cooperative and Contractual)

Read the rest of ”China Business Vehicles” or post a comment >>

Get 100 RMB off by mentioning China Success Stories!

CultureFish Media will host a one-day trio of charity events designed to raise awareness and generate funds for the China Dreamblogue and its associated charities. The three events (YOU CAN COME TO ONE OR ALL!) include:

1. A One in a Million Charity Golf Tournament,
2. The China Digital Media Workshop,
3. and the China Dreambash featuring international hit singer and Capitol records artist Che’nelle. Read the rest of “China DreamBlogue Dream Bash” or post a comment

The more I learned in China about the contrast between the way folks in the East and the West make use of their names and titles, the more fascinating it seemed, maybe because I think it implies something about the deep differences between our two cultures.

In China, one first identifies oneself in relation to the larger group, then the smaller group, then within the family, and only after that, as an individual.

Read the rest of “What’s in a name?” or post a comment >>

Although modern times are catching up quickly within the cities of China, understanding the roots of this ancient and complex culture is essential when doing business there. In part II of ‘doing business in China’ Nannette Ripmeester takes a closer look at some of the cultural nuances your expats in China need to be aware of.

Read the rest of “Successful business in China” or post a comment >>