How Foreign China experts do they see China businessmen

Pre. / Next  2007-05-27 09:50:41

How Foreign China experts do they see China businessmen?
I have read a short but interesting post (here) by Asia Biz Blog (here). The post refers to an audio slideshow (here) written by James Fallow about the megalomaniac attitude of Chinese businessmen. I agree in all terms to this description and I will add in few more.
I will enumerate the characteristics seen by Asia Biz Blog and go further in the analysis:
- Xenophile (but at a distance): I agree. Firstly: China is still a developing country; in terms of technology, China lags behind most of developed countries. They invest very little in R & D; so the best way to catch quickly with Japan, North America and Europe is to make friends with them and grasp their technologies.  Secondly: face is important in China. To be surrounded by Foreign so-called experts shows how powerful a Chinese businessmen can be. To be photographed among Foreign businessmen is to show that Chinese can be the best among equals. Thirdly, xenophile but... at a distance why? They don't like these damned foreign experts criticize or ask questions, you will always get the same answer: "You don't understand China!". Chinese businessmen don' t like to be challenged. An advice: never asks how they got their money, what is the debt ratio of the company, you may be like in the "Apprentice" fired by your Chinese Donald Trump.
-Imitation of "best practices": Asia Biz Blog says nicely what I would call "cut and copy without understanding the meaning of the best practices". So you will often see, companies "implementing" ISO 9000 or 14000 by buying the certification or even Chinese businessmen talking to other businessmen saying they are implementing 6 sigma like Former General Electric CEO and management guru Jack Welch. In surface, it looks like they implement these standards but just ask one question about how far they have been, they will not asnwer you. It is just show off!
-Massive display of wealth: they always show you their BMW X5 or their Porsche Cayenne but they never mention the number of suppliers or staff not paid in order to buy the car. Don't be impressed by this display! The more they show the less reliable they are!
-Rigid enforcement of conformity among employees: in most Chinese companies, there are no middle managers or with little empowerment. Orders come straight from the top to the bottom. Employees are chosen for their loyalty and their flattery to their boss, rarely for their skills. If you have skills, set up your own company or you will be always frustrated and frequently changing jobs.
-The creation of a personal ideology: my favorite. As soon as they make some money, they think they are the new " Mao Ze Dong". So like him, they start to publish on their own account their thoughts that shall be studied like relics by their staff. Study also their body language, you will note that they smoke the same way as Mao or like swimming as the chairman. Pure ego, not everybody can compare himself as Mao!
-Assistants crowding round hoping to collect every tit-bit of his wisdom: if this is not megalomania I don't know how we can call it!


http://www.chinaandi.typepad.com/


            

TAG:

lynn1220 Quote Delete lynn1220   /   2007-07-04 13:25:14
Hey,guys. Recently I have found a really professional financial advisory company for expatriates in China. I think it will be helpful if you guys need such help and services in Shanghai and
Beijing.
You can check it out at http://www.austenmorris.com/
 

Rate:0

My comment

All

:loveliness: :handshake :victory: :funk: :time: :kiss: :call: :hug: :lol :'( :Q :L ;P :$ :P :o :@ :D :( :)

Calendar

« 2008-03-28  
7 1 2 3 4 5 6
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031     

Data

  • Visited: 19
  • Blog: 1
  • Created: 2007-05-25
  • Update: 2007-05-27

RSS

Open Toolbar