As the political campaign heats up this year, the number one issue on everyone’s mind is the economy; specifically, jobs. The past three years we have seen the worst recession since the depression and—regardless of political party—no side has come up with a clear cut fix. One theme that continues to be a drum beat across the [...]
In our first segment (in the Q1 2011 issue), we discussed some of the key factors associated with the economic growth of Asia. We spoke in-depth about the top 25 global company trends over the past 10 years, the top 50 competitive nations, and how Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has influenced the in/out flows of [...]
“We are prisoners of our own islands of thought until some foreign intruders come to our shores. Then we realize the wonder and perils of interacting with this ‘brave new world’ outside the scope of our former mental models.” “Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” Why do some people seem to handle conflict and form relationships with ease? [...]
It is difficult to hide from the news these days regarding the threats posed by Asia’s growing economies, specifically China, India and Vietnam (the CIV factor). The reactions of many Americans lie in a range of emotions from fear to panic, or even down right loathing. Regardless of where you are on this spectrum, it [...]
In the final installment of The Evolution of the Expat, we would like to discuss repatriation, or whether to bring the expat home or not. A critical, but frequently overlooked step of the expat process is proper repatriation provided by the company. In many cases, expats have grown apart from their home country and the [...]
In our first two issues, we discussed the need for expatriates (expats), why they are important, and the “recipe” for maximizing ROI. In this second installment, we will discuss how the expat needs to manage, how they need to be managed and how they change over time. In the 1980s and 1990s, expats both successful [...]
This is the first of a four-part series that will discuss the transition from the Expatriate (Expat) to Global Executive. For decades, expats were characterized in one of two ways—either they were a loyal lifetime employee who didn’t quite have the talent to run a unit in the U.S., or there simply wasn’t any spot for them in the U.S. These loyal employees were still rewarded with a posting, including the perks of club, car and international school for the kids, in locations such as Hong Kong or Paris.
This is the first of a four-part series that will discuss the transition from the Expatriate (Expat) to Global Executive. For decades, expats were characterized in one of two ways—either they were a loyal lifetime employee who didn’t quite have the talent to run a unit in the U.S., or there simply wasn’t any spot for them in the U.S. These loyal employees were still rewarded with a posting, including the perks of club, car and international school for the kids, in locations such as Hong Kong or Paris.
Clearly, the recession is a global phenomenon that has affected almost every economy. The impact has been felt differently in different countries. The Asian economies, and China in particular, continue to be export driven, with increasing trade within the region.
As you look to develop your business in China, the last thing you want is to have your deal killed over a business or cultural faux pas. Whether you are expanding your own business, going to work in China for your employer, or developing suppliers, you will at some point make a trip to the Middle Kingdom and come face-to-face with the people and the culture. Rather than having an 11th-hour cram session before the trip, here are three basic tips that will ensure that you aren’t a deal killer.
