Comments for For Sale In China Blog http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog Blog on my business development in China. Tue, 07 Sep 2010 05:31:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 Comment on The Best Job in China. by James G http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/the-best-job-in-china#comment-7528 James G Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:15:48 +0000 http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/the-best-job-in-china#comment-7528 Despite the large staff in the "department stores" of China, that isn't the reason for the high prices. Large staffs are actually encourage by low (unskilled) service worker wages, and then in Chinese culture higher end stores and retail stores were typically run by govt controlled entities, entities whose best interest was served by employing as many people as possible. Chinese restaurants (in China, ha) are no different. 6 young ladies in qipao to greet you at the door, a hostess, waitress, and you pay your bill to yet another farmer's daughter with a charming smile and absolutely no skills or higher education. The same women (and to a lesser degree, men) staff department stores, of this I am certain. You'll notice the same thing in other economies that have a large surplus of unskilled workers who would be likely to express "discontent" were they not employed. In much of South America, for example, you see the same thing. Which is not to say you aren't spot on about the Chinese entrepreneur. It's going to be awhile before they "pounce" though, seeing as how they are sorely lacking in entrepreneurial spirit. China may have cornered the manufacturing market of the last two decades, but I suspect that their service industry is deliciously wide open and only government intervention and laowai cluelessness can keep out the sharpest from abroad. Despite the large staff in the “department stores” of China, that isn’t the reason for the high prices. Large staffs are actually encourage by low (unskilled) service worker wages, and then in Chinese culture higher end stores and retail stores were typically run by govt controlled entities, entities whose best interest was served by employing as many people as possible. Chinese restaurants (in China, ha) are no different. 6 young ladies in qipao to greet you at the door, a hostess, waitress, and you pay your bill to yet another farmer’s daughter with a charming smile and absolutely no skills or higher education. The same women (and to a lesser degree, men) staff department stores, of this I am certain.

You’ll notice the same thing in other economies that have a large surplus of unskilled workers who would be likely to express “discontent” were they not employed. In much of South America, for example, you see the same thing.

Which is not to say you aren’t spot on about the Chinese entrepreneur. It’s going to be awhile before they “pounce” though, seeing as how they are sorely lacking in entrepreneurial spirit. China may have cornered the manufacturing market of the last two decades, but I suspect that their service industry is deliciously wide open and only government intervention and laowai cluelessness can keep out the sharpest from abroad.

]]> Comment on Chinese Yuan vs British Pound Exchange Rates by Joel Backaler http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/chinese-yuan-vs-british-pound-exchange-rates#comment-7484 Joel Backaler Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:28:29 +0000 http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/chinese-yuan-vs-british-pound-exchange-rates#comment-7484 Interesting perspective. Great post. Interesting perspective. Great post.

]]> Comment on Operating a business in China. by Owner Operators Wanted http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/operating-a-business-in-china#comment-316 Owner Operators Wanted Fri, 09 May 2008 17:05:43 +0000 http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/operating-a-business-in-china#comment-316 I found your site on faves.com bookmarking site.. I like it ..gave it a fave for you..ill be checking back later I found your site on faves.com bookmarking site.. I like it ..gave it a fave for you..ill be checking back later

]]> Comment on The Best Job in China. by Maggie http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/the-best-job-in-china#comment-62 Maggie Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:09:36 +0000 http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/the-best-job-in-china#comment-62 Richard, its been a while since You posted. I can't wait to read some more stories :) regards, Maggie Richard, its been a while since You posted. I can’t wait to read some more stories :)

regards,
Maggie

]]> Comment on Operating a business in China. by Rob Rosewarne http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/operating-a-business-in-china#comment-33 Rob Rosewarne Sat, 29 Mar 2008 06:53:09 +0000 http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/operating-a-business-in-china#comment-33 Just a quick note to tell you that you are not alone in this I am having exactly the same problems as you have had !!!! I really hope it dosn't take 2 years to get my export licence, I am also struggling to get my VAT licence Never mind, I have to say I do enjoy working in the CHinese way, so much more relaxed than the UK !!! Just a quick note to tell you that you are not alone in this I am having exactly the same problems as you have had !!!! I really hope it dosn’t take 2 years to get my export licence, I am also struggling to get my VAT licence

Never mind, I have to say I do enjoy working in the CHinese way, so much more relaxed than the UK !!!

]]> Comment on The first ‘big deal’ by Tom H. http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/the-first-big-deal#comment-19 Tom H. Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:53:50 +0000 http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/the-first-big-deal#comment-19 I find this subject extremely useful.....I too am attempting to take advantage of the cheaper labour costs in China and expoit that market in the UK sector. It appears that having the factory overseen totally by your own staff is to be an advantage to you. Being so far away from a new factory and new staff, in a different culture to the UK and its work ethics must be slightly un-nerving.....but obviously a gamble that has paid off. As you say, the episode prompted you to go it alone and regain the control you desire. I hope to experience some of the sucess that you have....if only I had a business brain!!! I find this subject extremely useful…..I too am attempting to take advantage of the cheaper labour costs in China and expoit that market in the UK sector.
It appears that having the factory overseen totally by your own staff is to be an advantage to you. Being so far away from a new factory and new staff, in a different culture to the UK and its work ethics must be slightly un-nerving…..but obviously a gamble that has paid off. As you say, the episode prompted you to go it alone and regain the control you desire.
I hope to experience some of the sucess that you have….if only I had a business brain!!!

]]> Comment on The Best Job in China. by Randy Nichols http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/the-best-job-in-china#comment-15 Randy Nichols Sat, 15 Mar 2008 17:59:34 +0000 http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/the-best-job-in-china#comment-15 Nice Blog. I like the layout you used. Did you make that yourself? - Randy Nichols. Nice Blog. I like the layout you used. Did you make that yourself?

- Randy Nichols.

]]> Comment on Guanxi……………The ultimate networking opportunity. by rk http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/guanxithe-ultimate-networking-opportunity#comment-14 rk Sat, 15 Mar 2008 17:06:31 +0000 http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/guanxithe-ultimate-networking-opportunity#comment-14 'Guanxi' is actually two words Guan and Xi which combined are literally translated 'relationships', but as Chinese is a contextual language Guanxi is understood more commonly to mean 'mutually beneficial relationships'. ‘Guanxi’ is actually two words Guan and Xi which combined are literally translated ‘relationships’, but as Chinese is a contextual language Guanxi is understood more commonly to mean ‘mutually beneficial relationships’.

]]> Comment on Guanxi……………The ultimate networking opportunity. by pligg.com http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/guanxithe-ultimate-networking-opportunity#comment-13 pligg.com Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:36:48 +0000 http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/guanxithe-ultimate-networking-opportunity#comment-13 <strong>Guanxi - The ultimate networking opportunity. | For Sale In China Blog...</strong> 'Guanxi' - the mystical word for every entrepreneur doing business in china. What is the real meaning of guanxi, and what benefits you can get if you know more about achieving 'guanxi' in your business...... Guanxi - The ultimate networking opportunity. | For Sale In China Blog…

‘Guanxi’ - the mystical word for every entrepreneur doing business in china. What is the real meaning of guanxi, and what benefits you can get if you know more about achieving ‘guanxi’ in your business……

]]> Comment on Guanxi……………The ultimate networking opportunity. by rk http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/guanxithe-ultimate-networking-opportunity#comment-10 rk Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:31:40 +0000 http://www.forsaleinchina.co.uk/blog/index.php/guanxithe-ultimate-networking-opportunity#comment-10 Hi Debra, Right in the middle of the building project now. Going out next month to check on progress. It is a huge project with a completion date of Jan 09. I have to build an accomodation block for all the staff which is the equivalent to a 200 bedroom hotel in itself. Do you have links with China. Regards, Richard. Hi Debra,
Right in the middle of the building project now. Going out next month to check on progress. It is a huge project with a completion date of Jan 09. I have to build an accomodation block for all the staff which is the equivalent to a 200 bedroom hotel in itself.
Do you have links with China.
Regards,
Richard.

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