Spelade
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Ian Mote is a Shanghai based finance professional with 25 years of experience in Europe, Middle East, and Greater China. In China he's been working and living for 17 years and has vast experience working in various companies ranging from large banks to corporations and startups.
In this episode you'll get useful food for thought about these essential topics:
Curiosity and open-mindedness Working in China is not better or worse - it's different Opportunities in cross-border functions Centralised business decision making in China Regional roles spanning all of Asia Handling compliance issues -
Thomas Neubert is leading a local Chinese sales team at Grob Machine Tools China. They are selling world class, high tech 5-axis machine tools as well as manufacturing and assembly systems, mostly for the automotive and aerospace industry. Combining the cultural advantages of German and Chinese culture in the sales team is a key challenge in his daily work. In this episodes, Thomas shares his unique insights in his work and life in a Chinese 2nd tier city, Dalian. Additionally he will give advice on how to enter the fast growing Machine tool industry and how to become an expat for a foreign company.
Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-neubert-b26b2933/
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Many industries, including strategy consulting, is more mature in Europe than in China. In many cases, European business models have been transferred to China - along with expats to build organizations.
Europe-experienced Chinese professionals return to China in order to establish European culture and processes in their home market.
"Returnees": The huge benefit is the language and culture barrier. They speak both English and Chinese, in some cases a third language, such as French or German. They can "read the air" in China, as it is their home market.
Shengyun (Alex) Lu sharing his story and advice - how he made it to partner in a Chinese consulting firm, how he wins business from both international and Chinese customers and how he builds his Chinese team and establishes an international culture.
What can flexpats learn from returnees? Respect both cultures push and speak up (European way) or adapt and confirm (Chinese way).
Connect with Alex on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shengyun/
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Frank Sieren is a bestselling author, documentary film maker (ARD and ZDF) and China specialist for various German newspapers and magazines. He has been living in Beijing / China since 1994. The London Times calls him "a leading China expert in Germany." In this episode Frank shares his bird's eye perspective on the labor market for foreigners in China and delivers a very clear message: Get unique skills and see the world through Chinese eyes if you want to get a job and succeed in the Middle Kingdom.
Key learnings in 30 minutes:
If you’re highly specialised in key technologies, you can make demands. In more traditional fields it’s becoming more difficult. Westerners in China need to see the world through Chinese eyes and history. In the past, the west has set the tone in business. That changed. Shenzhen beats Silicon Valley in many ways. Now is the time to copy from China while sticking to our values.Follow Frank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-sieren-0123056b/
Get access to the daily briefing of China Table:
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Get Frank Sieren's latest book "Shenzhen"
https://www.amazon.com/-/de/dp/B086VDNQC4/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_de_DE=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&dchild=1&keywords=frank+sieren&qid=1627049990&sr=8-1
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Chris Reinert has over 10 years of recruitment experience and successfully placed candidates in APAC (Mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia), Europe, and the USA. In this episode he explains how you can create your own opportunities at different stages of your career and find suitable jobs without competing with locals but solely building on your strengths.
This is what you'll learn in 15 minutes:
How to create your career plan? What to focus on at which stage of your career? What to do with your strengths & weaknesses? How to create your own opportunities? Recent trends in ChinaFollow Chris on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-reinert/
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French Revenue Management Expert, Mikael Bouchet, has worked in China for the past 12 years. He is Senior Regional Commercial Leader in the Hospitality industry and having worked for some of the largest companies the hotel business, we discussed in this 17 min episode what does it mean to be a Flexpat leader in China and what soft skills you need to develop in order to become successful.
This is what you'll learn:
Differences of hospitality between China and Europe How to retain employees How to create a pipeline of great candidates How to make your Chinese team think internationally Principles of leading a team The added value of flexpats Needed qualifications, language and soft skillsConnect with Mikael on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaelbouchet/
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Bill Russo is the Shanghai-based Founder and CEO of Automobility Limited, a strategy and investment advisory firm helping its clients to create the future of mobility. His over 35 years of experience includes 16 years as an automotive executive, including 17 years of experience in China and Asia. Bill is also currently serving as the Chair of the Automotive Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. In this episode he explains what makes the Chinese EV industry special and how it affects the necessary skillsets of flexpats seeking work in it.
Food for thought:
In China, the electric vehicle is a platform for digital consumption Chinese EV prioritise user experience, not driving experience To work in Chinese EV companies, a whole new skillset is neededThis is what you'll learn in 20 minutes:
Concerns of data-collecting cars by foreign brands How Chinese companies solve Chinese problems Why Chinese EVs prioritise user experience, not driving experience Where do foreign professionals fit in? -
French FinTec expert, Yassine Regragui, has worked at Alibaba and Alipay for several years and was responsible for launching the multi-lingual version of Alipay. This task has been a huge challenge, which Yassine succesfully overcame because he had the right mindset and was able to embrace change quickly. He adapted to Jack Ma's core values. To succeed at Alibaba you need an IQ, EQ and the LQ. What exactly these values are, we have discussed in an exciting 16 minutes episode. This episode has a strong focus on soft skills which are crucial for your success in China.
Food for thought:
Ask yourself - do I have a network and do I add value?
Having a foreigner in a Chinese company system is a positive provocation and keeps the system developing!
Beside my hard skills - do I have the necessary soft skills?
Am I emotionally intelligent?
Can I adapt to new teams 12 times in a short time?
Can I speak to people in their mother tongue?Follow Yassine on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yassineregragui/
www.yassineregragui.com
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Por que estudar na China? Como essa experiência pode te diferenciar de outros profissionais? Há muitas bolsas de estudo disponíveis? O mandarim é uma barreira?
Essas e outras perguntas serão respondidas nesse episódio focado no público brasileiro. Nele mostraremos o crescente interesse da China pelo Brasil e como isso pode ser uma ótima oportunidade para os estudantes brasileiros na China, hoje. Também falaremos sobre as diferenças e similaridades dos sistemas educacionais em ambos os países e como é estar dentro da melhor universidade da China, a Tsinghua.
Quer saber sobre uma iniciativa que une professores e estudantes do BRICS? Visite https://thecatalyst.mn.co/
Escute pelo (se você está na China, use o VPN para evitar problemas).
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Peter Willemsen has been living in China for 12 years and has vast experience in setting up Chinese R&D centers from scratch and building successful engineering teams in the automotive industry. As President of Rheinmetall Automotive Investment Holding China he oversees a turnover of more than 1 billion EUR and more than 4,500 employees across several WOFEs and JVs. In this outstanding 40min leadership episode you'll learn everything you need to consider if you will become a flexpat manager in China, especially in engineering related fields.
This is what you'll learn:
Dealing with high employee fluctuation How to reduce risk of knowledge loss How to get tax benefits How to build an R&D center from scratch Motivation, targets and KPIs for R&D teams What companies should localise R&D The role of leaders in China Technical expert, expat or flexpat? Standard of living for flexpatsConnect with Peter on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-willemsen-9469751/
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German IT-entrepreneur, Arne Weber, has been living in China for 10 years. Together with his Chinese wife, they have built their company Faytech from scratch, growing their turnover from zero to 30 million USD and over 300 employees worldwide in only 10 years. Do you think this is fast? Chinese speed is even faster. Learn from Arne why he is not always working at Chinese speed and why it is getting easier to start businesses in China as foreigners. Among others we talked about theses topics:
Why set up a business in China and not in Germany?
How do Chinese work ethics affect your business?
How to run a business as husband and wife
Can foreigners keep up with Chinese speed?
Why producing and selling from China will become easy
The only two options left for flexpats
Connect with Arne on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/arne-weber-9938812/ -
Noriko Takagi has conducted 5,000 interviews and placed 300 executives in East Asia. Her long work experience across three continents allowed her to neutrally work in international and multi-cultural environments and adapt to change quickly. In this episode she shares practical advice on how to properly prepare for job interviews in general and also provides hints on how you can differentiate from expats or local talent to get the job you want: with flexibility, speed and focus!
This is what you'll learn:
How to position yourself in China
How to prepare for a flexpat job interview
Nervousness & questions during interviews
How to land the job and get hired
Why Japanese companies let their expats study Chinese
Advantages of hiring flexpats in international teams
Connect with Noriko on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/noriko-takagi-b679996/ -
Giada is originally from Italy and has studied Chinese language and the economic and cultural dynamics of contemporary China. During an internship in Beijing, at one of the leading foreign-owned WeChat agencies, she has learned all the basics to jump-start her career in China related marketing. The Corona-Crisis has forced her to move back to Italy but she seized the opportunity to help an Italien company enter the Chinese market. In this episode she shares her experiences in China and what you can expect if you decide to follow a similar career path.
This is what you'll learn:
Working with China from abroad Internship in China vs. Italy Insights in Chinese marketing practices Getting familiar with Chinese business & culture Studying Mandarin as a life-long taskConnect with Giada on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/giada-sannazzaro-小玉-793080154/
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Originally from Spain, Marina has studied mandarin in Beijing and later graduated from Nankai University in Tianjin with a master's degree in Chinese economics and politics. Marina’s fluency in Mandarin and love for China has helped her career soar, opening the door to a whole new world in tech. Now she is the Head of Business Development for Yodo1, a renowned company within the gaming industry which operates 100% online.
In this episode Marina explains in detail why you should consider working in the gaming industry. She will give unique insights, like actual salaries, nailing a job interview, work conditions and potential for your personal development in this thriving industry that is setting new standards in the way we live and work. Is this the future of work?
This is what you'll learn in 50 minutes:
4 must have skills when entering any new industry Salary and working conditions in gaming Top reasons to work in the gaming industry How gaming changes traditional industries Perks & challenges of working 100% remotely How to be convincing during an interview How to apply at Yodo1 now + vacant positions How to grow and get promoted at Yodo1Connect with Marina on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mespinfarran/
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Miro Li is a native Chinese and has been living in Hong Kong for a decade, now living in Shenzhen. In 2017, Miro founded Double V., a consulting company helping overseas brands enter the China market. In 2019, Miro founded CHINAble Academy, a training and resources sharing platform for foreign industry leaders to offer courses and workshops about China business, Internet, e-commerce and marketing. In this episode, Miro shares her native Chinese perspective on foreign brands trying to enter the Chinese market a well as foreigners trying to work in China.
This is what you'll learn:
Misconceptions foreign brands have when entering China Where flexpats can add the most value Why China’s generation Z is the key for your branding Why China is not one whole market Foreigner vs. Returned Oversea Chinese How to immerse yourself in Chinese cultureConnect with Miro on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/miroli/
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Sascha Rensen is originally from Germany and has started his career in China as a teacher at a university in Nanchang. After some time in the country he has successfully transitioned into a business developer for a Chinese construction company and is now based in Wuxi. In this episode he explains what it means to be a foreign sales guy or business developer in China and how that helps the organisation you work for.
This is what you'll learn:
Working with Chinese colleagues
Identifying your strengths and using them
Properly dealing with compliance issues
Networking and relationship building
How he interviews and hires Chinese and foreigners
Connect with Sascha on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sascha-rensen-b30261170/ -
Robbert Gorris is originally from the Netherlands and has developed a strong interest in China very early. He studied in Taipei and has been living in China for 12 years. His kids went to a Chinese school which taught him invaluable lessons in Chinese culture. Just recently he moved back to Europe to help more foreign companies set up their businesses in China. In this episode he shares not only his story of his first job at the Benelux chamber of commerce in Beijing but also his view on China's future and young foreign graduates' opportunities in it.
This is what you'll learn:
How he picked his first job in China Why work for a chamber of commerce? The one thing he would have done differently Do foreign kids enjoy Chinese school? Differences between western and Chinese education Is coming to China still worth it?Connect with Robbert on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbertgorris/
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Nadezhda is originally from Kazakhstan, studied in London and has moved to Hangzhou three years ago. After obtaining her Chinese master's degree, she has decided to start her own marketing agency in China, called "SanQ". Now she uses her extensive work experience from her time at the world's leading cosmetics brand to create the best social media and branding solutions for businesses in China. In this episode she shares how she has decided to take the brave step to start her own business in the midst of the current pandemic and how this career path might suit you, too.
This is what you'll learn:
Deciding between a corporate job and entrepreneurship
What it takes to succeed in marketing in China
Why starting a business during a pandemic is not as hard as you think
Proper networking through community building and volunteering
How to obtain a residence permit that allows you to start a business
Connect with Nadezhda on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadezhda-bukina/ -
Till Kundt was a typical expat in Shanghai, sent to China by a large German company. He lived a comfortable life with his Chinese wife and four kids. After only two years in the country he had to transition from expat contract to local contract. He and his family accepted this challenge, made some significant changes in their lifestyle and are now leading a fullfilled flexpat life in China. In this episode Till explains the following aspects of his life:
Life as an expat in Shanghai The different life as a flexpat in Taicang Home-schooling of his kids in China Living in an international community His take on current job opportunitiesConnect with Till on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tillkundt/
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Sabine Neuhaus is from Switzerland and currently works as a lawyer in Shanghai. At the same time, she is a board member of the Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce which made her an expert about professional networking in China. In this episode she shares her own rich experience and insider advice on these essential flexpat topics:
What is active post-event networking? How much time does effective networking require? How much money does networking really cost? How young flexpats can network at low cost How employers can encourage networking More activities that will increase your network automatically 5 challenges for young flexpats and how to overcome themConnect with Sabine on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabine-katrin-neuhaus-584aa5b0/
