Debunking the Myths about Doing Business in China

Debunking the Myths about Doing Business in China

Business Week came out with an article titled, China: Debunking the Myths. The authors, Charles Bien and Brian Renwick, lay out eight common myths, and shed light on them. Very interest stuff.


MYTH ONE: "Western companies should view the rapid development of the Chinese economy as a competitive threat to which they are vulnerable."

[As globalization increasingly link all nations and markets, i.e. U.S. subprime problems, this view seems quite simplisti. But, in an election year in the U.S., this view might generate good will among some voters.]

MYTH TWO: "The position of Asian superpower can be won by either China or India, not both."

[A Chinese saying has it that “there can be only one tiger in a mountain.” Will that be a self fulfilling prophesy?]
MYTH THREE: "China is a huge, single market with weak local competition."
[If investors get beyond the big first-tier cities, this myth will probably disappear real quick.]

MYTH FOUR: "China has a consistent management culture, which is ripe for introducing human-resource best practices."

MYTH FIVE: "Multinationals wishing to establish operations in China should hire Chinese 'returnees' who have valuable international experience, a non-Chinese perspective, and non-Chinese business education."

[Not all “sea-turtles” d/b/a “returnees” are born equal. An Asian appearance does not make you Chinese, I guess.]

MYTH SIX: "The 'war for talent' is a Western phenomenon. No such war for talent exists in China where supply of talent outstrips demand among leading firms."

[What kind of talent are ye talkin’ about? So, it depends.]

MYTH SEVEN: "Since the reunification of Hong Kong and the People's Republic of China, the administrative and business relationships are seamless."

MYTH EIGHT: "China is a low-cost manufacturer, not a platform for product and service innovation and the development of its own intellectual property."

[Change the “is” into “was.”]

Read the full article here.