“No commerce, no evil” is no more: how China’s ethical standards affect your business
There was a Chinese saying: “no commerce, no evil”. Merchants were thought to be unscrupulous, and commerce was historically considered an ignoble industry in China. This contemptuous attitude towards businessmen no longer exists in current China. Making money is given priority now. However, problems come up when this priority may be the only consideration for […]
A very red summer reading list: books on marketing and business in China
In the spirit of “summer reading list” frenzy that signals the start of the season, I’m jumping on the bandwagon. Interested in learning more about business and marketing in China? Here’s a peek into what’s on my list for this summer and beyond. 1. One Billion Customers: Lessons from the Front Lines of Doing Business […]
Chinese weddings: the market for saying “I do” in the Middle Kingdom
When I say Chinese weddings are a topic dear to my heart, I write these words with a certain authority. As you read this, I will be putting the final touches on a ceremony to be held in Zhejiang Province early July. All the romance aside, let’s face it — weddings are big business. According […]
Five ways to tarnish your company’s image in China
1. Open a store at the Great Wall. We could learn a lot from Starbucks on this front. Their store in the Forbidden City has generated enough negative PR to warrant high-level government discussions on closing it for good. Why? Because the move was perceived as an imperialistic invasion into one of China’s most sacred […]
The appeal and illusion of foreign brands in China
Photo: Wal-Mart in China In China, Wal-Mart is synonymous with good quality and a pleasant shopping environment. It’s a far cry from the low quality – low price image prevalent among US consumers. And Wal-Mart isn’t the only one. Holiday Inn in China is often located in brilliantly decorated downtown high rises, instead of being […]
When red is green: the outlook for the environmentally friendly market in China
Can red be green too — if it’s red China we’re talking about? Headlines such as “With the Olympics Looming, China Goes Green”, “China urges end to polluters’ tax breaks”, and “Greenpeace rates Apple least green, China’s Lenovo scores high” suggest a new momentum to remake China as environmentally friendly. Let’s be clear here — […]
Book Review: Mr. China by Tim Clissold
Mr. China: A Memoir is a book for all of us who have ever longed to “crack” the China market and Chinese culture — and come out as the ultimate “Old China Hand”. “But in the end, it’s an illusion” states the author Tim Clissold of this pursuit. He should know — he’s gotten about […]
The muddled and perplexing state of Japanese brands in China
With the recent visit by Wen Jiabao to Japan, the press is in a frenzy about Sino-Japanese relations. After all, it’s been seven years since any top-level Chinese officials set foot in the land of the rising sun, and anti-Japanese sentiment looms large as China has historically considered Japan a rival. It was only two […]