Despite China making gigantic strides of progress, the outsider's view of that country's business environment is still dominated by exotic descriptions. The author, an Infosys Vice President and Building Tomorrow's Enterprise Expert – who has experienced China firsthand in the last five years – dispels many of the myths around China in what could be considered 'A primer for multinational corporations seeking a foothold in China'.
What are the trends in Human Resources transformation practices?
What is the current and future transformation scope?
In which way have recent global economic changes affected HR transformation plans?
The 10 Most Creative Corporate Leaders to watch in 2018”. In this segment, we have featured the journey, learning’s, along with showcasing the mentionable milestones they have achieved over the years.
What are the trends in Human Resources transformation practices?
What is the current and future transformation scope?
In which way have recent global economic changes affected HR transformation plans?
The 10 Most Creative Corporate Leaders to watch in 2018”. In this segment, we have featured the journey, learning’s, along with showcasing the mentionable milestones they have achieved over the years.
How to hire a CINO that can build lasting innovation capabilities.
The way businesses need to organize and behave has fundamentally shifted. Across industries, companies, and organizational functions, we have heard many of the world’s most innovative companies echo the same challenge: businesses must urgently embrace a more nimble and entrepreneurial approach in order to stay competitive. We call this challenge of how big companies can leverage scale while staying innovative “big entrepreneurship.” The Rising Billion is one of five pieces in our report, Big Entrepreneurship, aimed at deconstructing some of the complex challenges around big entrepreneurship and provide actionable insights for business leaders.
This report was created by Fahrenheit 212, a global innovation strategy and design firm. We define innovation strategies and develop new products, services, and experiences that create sustainable, profitable growth for our clients. We challenge the belief that innovation is inherently unreliable and have spent the last decade designing the method, building the model, and assembling the minds to make innovation a predictable driver of growth for our clients' businesses.
Mastering the Art of Executive Engagement (Bloomberg Businessweek Article)//J...Motiv Strategies
The brainstorming session may beget large quantities of ideas, but the executive workshop can help create something far more valuable: focused energy to explore new growth platforms from corporate leaders.
How to hire a CINO that can build lasting innovation capabilities.
The way businesses need to organize and behave has fundamentally shifted. Across industries, companies, and organizational functions, we have heard many of the world’s most innovative companies echo the same challenge: businesses must urgently embrace a more nimble and entrepreneurial approach in order to stay competitive. We call this challenge of how big companies can leverage scale while staying innovative “big entrepreneurship.” The Rising Billion is one of five pieces in our report, Big Entrepreneurship, aimed at deconstructing some of the complex challenges around big entrepreneurship and provide actionable insights for business leaders.
This report was created by Fahrenheit 212, a global innovation strategy and design firm. We define innovation strategies and develop new products, services, and experiences that create sustainable, profitable growth for our clients. We challenge the belief that innovation is inherently unreliable and have spent the last decade designing the method, building the model, and assembling the minds to make innovation a predictable driver of growth for our clients' businesses.
Mastering the Art of Executive Engagement (Bloomberg Businessweek Article)//J...Motiv Strategies
The brainstorming session may beget large quantities of ideas, but the executive workshop can help create something far more valuable: focused energy to explore new growth platforms from corporate leaders.
Achieving Business Excellence (a ChangeThis Manifesto by John Spence)Samuli Pahkala
"There is no single strategy that will carry your company forever—just ask my buddy Tom Peters, who wrote the fantastic book In Search of Excellence back in 1982, only to watch more than half of the companies he highlighted go out of business! Markets shift, consumer preferences change, new competitors appear, technology advances—and so must you. Even though I can recommend which of today’s popular strategies I believe deserve your attention, there is no guarantee that these same strategies will still be as relevant in 20 years. I think they will, but no one can see that far ahead.
With all of that said, [these] are the six strategies on which all the great companies I studied were relentlessly focused."
Canny Bites: Attract, Retain, Grow your team to grow your business by Safaraz...The Pathway Group
Canny Bites: Attract, Retain, Grow your team to grow your business by Safaraz Ali
• Attract – How do I recruit the right people for my business?
• Retain – How do I create a high-performance culture that people are engaged with? How do I keep and engage the right people?
• Grow - How do I develop and grow the right people, and in turn, grow my business?
CEOs at the world’s most successful companies know that they can only safeguard their organization’s competitive future if they have the right leaders to develop and implement their strategy.
The Culture Cure for Digital: How to Fix What’s Ailing BusinessCognizant
Work cultures that have developed over time can be too slow-moving and complacent for the digital age. Business leaders need to intentionally reshape the organizational culture to energize people for the work of the future.
Who Can Benefit from this Report?
This white paper is a must read for any professional regardless of whether they are in purchasing or not as it examines the very culture that defines a corporation, and ultimately determines its ability to survive and thrive in the emerging global economy.
Referencing a diverse set of reports and studies including a Chief Procurement Officers panel discussion, the reader is assured of gaining insights from the previously uncharted waters of executive thought process.
Closing the gap between innovation intent and reality (corporate governance)Guy Pearce
As published in Directorship.
Bright and glamourous on the outside, innovation is pretty messy on the inside. In spite of high profile news that makes it seem like most organizations are successful and even disruptive innovators, the reality is that only a fraction of innovation efforts ever reach the market. This article shows how innovation governance increases the rate of successful innovation.
The fittest win in the struggle for survival because they succeed in adapting themselves best to their environment. That's the law of evolution. In the case of present day organizations, the ones that are adaptable have a better shot at making it than the ones that are merely strong or profitable
Intersting article written some time ago by Robert Hennessy, GLOBAL Practice Team Leader – Pharma/ Health Care/ Life Science, ( http://aims-international.net/global-teams/health-care/find-a-leader )before he joined AIMS International.
Treating job applicants well creates ambassadors for companies’
images and brands, even if they don’t get hired.
Similar to China and the 8 Dragons – A primer for multinational corporations seeking a foothold in China (20)
Infosys commissioned an independent market research company, Vanson Bourne, to investigate the use of digital technologies and key trends in nine industries. We surveyed 1,000 senior decision makers from business and IT, from large organizations with 1,000 employees or more and annual revenue of at least US$500 million.
The report aims to discover:
a) the surging tide of digital technology adoption in organizations – what is used and where?
b) the promised land of digital technology use, and the hurdles organizations face to get there
c) the biggest disruptive digital trends within the next three years and why organizations see them as vital to future success
The summary here presents the survey results and highlights the digital outlook that will define the healthcare industry strategy over the next three years.
5 tips to make your mainframe as fit as youInfosys
Just like a periodic health check-up is important to assess your overall well-being, a detailed reexamination of the enterprise IT landscape is paramount. We take a look at the various ways an enterprise needs to revamp its mainframe and sharpen its functionalities to stay ahead of the game. While APIs aid you in providing superior customer service, migrating to the cloud provides you with scalability and resilience. These and many more sub-offerings from Infosys aid your organization in staying agile and equipped to leverage the latest technologies to cater to the ever-changing market. Learn more.
Human Amplification In The Enterprise - Resources and UtilitiesInfosys
Infosys commissioned a study to develop a research methodology and get insights into the current nature of digital transformation enterprises undergo, across industry verticals. This deck provides industry specific insights from Resources and Utilities.
The study sought to understand a) the specific drivers of digital transformation for enterprises, b) the various facets of this transformation, c) expected and ensuing outcomes, and d) the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Human Amplification In The Enterprise - Telecom and CommunicationInfosys
Infosys commissioned a study to develop a research methodology and get insights into the current nature of digital transformation enterprises undergo, across industry verticals. This deck provides industry specific insights from Telecom and Communication.
The study sought to understand a) the specific drivers of digital transformation for enterprises, b) the various facets of this transformation, c) expected and ensuing outcomes, and d) the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Human Amplification In The Enterprise - Retail and CPGInfosys
Infosys commissioned a study to develop a research methodology and get insights into the current nature of digital transformation enterprises undergo, across industry verticals. This deck provides industry specific insights from Retail and CPG.
The study sought to understand a) the specific drivers of digital transformation for enterprises, b) the various facets of this transformation, c) expected and ensuing outcomes, and d) the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Human Amplification In The Enterprise - Manufacturing and High-techInfosys
Infosys commissioned a study to develop a research methodology and get insights into the current nature of digital transformation enterprises undergo, across industry verticals. This deck provides industry specific insights from Manufacturing and High-tech.
The study sought to understand a) the specific drivers of digital transformation for enterprises, b) the various facets of this transformation, c) expected and ensuing outcomes, and d) the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Human amplification in the enterprise - Automation. Innovation. Learning.Infosys
Infosys commissioned a study to develop a research methodology and get insights into the current nature of digital transformation enterprises undergo, across industry verticals. This deck provides industry specific insights from Automation, Innovation and learning.
The study sought to understand a) the specific drivers of digital transformation for enterprises, b) the various facets of this transformation, c) expected and ensuing outcomes, and d) the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Human Amplification In The Enterprise - Healthcare and Life SciencesInfosys
Infosys commissioned a study to develop a research methodology and get insights into the current nature of digital transformation enterprises undergo, across industry verticals. This deck provides industry specific insights from Healthcare and Life Sciences
The study sought to understand a) the specific drivers of digital transformation for enterprises, b) the various facets of this transformation, c) expected and ensuing outcomes, and d) the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Human Amplification In The Enterprise - Banking and InsuranceInfosys
Infosys commissioned a study to develop a research methodology and get insights into the current nature of digital transformation enterprises undergo, across industry verticals. This deck provides industry specific insights from Banking and Insurance.
The study sought to understand a) the specific drivers of digital transformation for enterprises, b) the various facets of this transformation, c) expected and ensuing outcomes, and d) the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Take a glimpse at few of our efforts that we made to demonstrate that efficient technologies can easily be deployed in large scale in a cost effective manner to make our campus environmental friendly on this World Environment Day 2015
The Information Services industry is in the eye of the digital storm. Two major contenders within this industry - traditional and new age media companies must adopt strategies for the significant mass of millennials and demanding consumers.
B2B payments are rapidly changing. Find out the 5 key questions you need to be asking yourself to be sure you are mastering B2B payments today. Learn more at www.BlueSnap.com.
RMD24 | Retail media: hoe zet je dit in als je geen AH of Unilever bent? Heid...BBPMedia1
Grote partijen zijn al een tijdje onderweg met retail media. Ondertussen worden in dit domein ook de kansen zichtbaar voor andere spelers in de markt. Maar met die kansen ontstaan ook vragen: Zelf retail media worden of erop adverteren? In welke fase van de funnel past het en hoe integreer je het in een mediaplan? Wat is nu precies het verschil met marketplaces en Programmatic ads? In dit half uur beslechten we de dilemma's en krijg je antwoorden op wanneer het voor jou tijd is om de volgende stap te zetten.
RMD24 | Debunking the non-endemic revenue myth Marvin Vacquier Droop | First ...BBPMedia1
Marvin neemt je in deze presentatie mee in de voordelen van non-endemic advertising op retail media netwerken. Hij brengt ook de uitdagingen in beeld die de markt op dit moment heeft op het gebied van retail media voor niet-leveranciers.
Retail media wordt gezien als het nieuwe advertising-medium en ook mediabureaus richten massaal retail media-afdelingen op. Merken die niet in de betreffende winkel liggen staan ook nog niet in de rij om op de retail media netwerken te adverteren. Marvin belicht de uitdagingen die er zijn om echt aansluiting te vinden op die markt van non-endemic advertising.
Cracking the Workplace Discipline Code Main.pptxWorkforce Group
Cultivating and maintaining discipline within teams is a critical differentiator for successful organisations.
Forward-thinking leaders and business managers understand the impact that discipline has on organisational success. A disciplined workforce operates with clarity, focus, and a shared understanding of expectations, ultimately driving better results, optimising productivity, and facilitating seamless collaboration.
Although discipline is not a one-size-fits-all approach, it can help create a work environment that encourages personal growth and accountability rather than solely relying on punitive measures.
In this deck, you will learn the significance of workplace discipline for organisational success. You’ll also learn
• Four (4) workplace discipline methods you should consider
• The best and most practical approach to implementing workplace discipline.
• Three (3) key tips to maintain a disciplined workplace.
Premium MEAN Stack Development Solutions for Modern BusinessesSynapseIndia
Stay ahead of the curve with our premium MEAN Stack Development Solutions. Our expert developers utilize MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js to create modern and responsive web applications. Trust us for cutting-edge solutions that drive your business growth and success.
Know more: https://www.synapseindia.com/technology/mean-stack-development-company.html
Putting the SPARK into Virtual Training.pptxCynthia Clay
This 60-minute webinar, sponsored by Adobe, was delivered for the Training Mag Network. It explored the five elements of SPARK: Storytelling, Purpose, Action, Relationships, and Kudos. Knowing how to tell a well-structured story is key to building long-term memory. Stating a clear purpose that doesn't take away from the discovery learning process is critical. Ensuring that people move from theory to practical application is imperative. Creating strong social learning is the key to commitment and engagement. Validating and affirming participants' comments is the way to create a positive learning environment.
[Note: This is a partial preview. To download this presentation, visit:
https://www.oeconsulting.com.sg/training-presentations]
Sustainability has become an increasingly critical topic as the world recognizes the need to protect our planet and its resources for future generations. Sustainability means meeting our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It involves long-term planning and consideration of the consequences of our actions. The goal is to create strategies that ensure the long-term viability of People, Planet, and Profit.
Leading companies such as Nike, Toyota, and Siemens are prioritizing sustainable innovation in their business models, setting an example for others to follow. In this Sustainability training presentation, you will learn key concepts, principles, and practices of sustainability applicable across industries. This training aims to create awareness and educate employees, senior executives, consultants, and other key stakeholders, including investors, policymakers, and supply chain partners, on the importance and implementation of sustainability.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts that form the foundation of sustainability within corporate environments.
2. Explore the sustainability implementation model, focusing on effective measures and reporting strategies to track and communicate sustainability efforts.
3. Identify and define best practices and critical success factors essential for achieving sustainability goals within organizations.
CONTENTS
1. Introduction and Key Concepts of Sustainability
2. Principles and Practices of Sustainability
3. Measures and Reporting in Sustainability
4. Sustainability Implementation & Best Practices
To download the complete presentation, visit: https://www.oeconsulting.com.sg/training-presentations
3.0 Project 2_ Developing My Brand Identity Kit.pptxtanyjahb
A personal brand exploration presentation summarizes an individual's unique qualities and goals, covering strengths, values, passions, and target audience. It helps individuals understand what makes them stand out, their desired image, and how they aim to achieve it.
LA HUG - Video Testimonials with Chynna Morgan - June 2024Lital Barkan
Have you ever heard that user-generated content or video testimonials can take your brand to the next level? We will explore how you can effectively use video testimonials to leverage and boost your sales, content strategy, and increase your CRM data.🤯
We will dig deeper into:
1. How to capture video testimonials that convert from your audience 🎥
2. How to leverage your testimonials to boost your sales 💲
3. How you can capture more CRM data to understand your audience better through video testimonials. 📊
Kseniya Leshchenko: Shared development support service model as the way to ma...Lviv Startup Club
Kseniya Leshchenko: Shared development support service model as the way to make small projects with small budgets profitable for the company (UA)
Kyiv PMDay 2024 Summer
Website – www.pmday.org
Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/startuplviv
FB – https://www.facebook.com/pmdayconference
Enterprise Excellence is Inclusive Excellence.pdfKaiNexus
Enterprise excellence and inclusive excellence are closely linked, and real-world challenges have shown that both are essential to the success of any organization. To achieve enterprise excellence, organizations must focus on improving their operations and processes while creating an inclusive environment that engages everyone. In this interactive session, the facilitator will highlight commonly established business practices and how they limit our ability to engage everyone every day. More importantly, though, participants will likely gain increased awareness of what we can do differently to maximize enterprise excellence through deliberate inclusion.
What is Enterprise Excellence?
Enterprise Excellence is a holistic approach that's aimed at achieving world-class performance across all aspects of the organization.
What might I learn?
A way to engage all in creating Inclusive Excellence. Lessons from the US military and their parallels to the story of Harry Potter. How belt systems and CI teams can destroy inclusive practices. How leadership language invites people to the party. There are three things leaders can do to engage everyone every day: maximizing psychological safety to create environments where folks learn, contribute, and challenge the status quo.
Who might benefit? Anyone and everyone leading folks from the shop floor to top floor.
Dr. William Harvey is a seasoned Operations Leader with extensive experience in chemical processing, manufacturing, and operations management. At Michelman, he currently oversees multiple sites, leading teams in strategic planning and coaching/practicing continuous improvement. William is set to start his eighth year of teaching at the University of Cincinnati where he teaches marketing, finance, and management. William holds various certifications in change management, quality, leadership, operational excellence, team building, and DiSC, among others.
"𝑩𝑬𝑮𝑼𝑵 𝑾𝑰𝑻𝑯 𝑻𝑱 𝑰𝑺 𝑯𝑨𝑳𝑭 𝑫𝑶𝑵𝑬"
𝐓𝐉 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐬 (𝐓𝐉 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬) is a professional event agency that includes experts in the event-organizing market in Vietnam, Korea, and ASEAN countries. We provide unlimited types of events from Music concerts, Fan meetings, and Culture festivals to Corporate events, Internal company events, Golf tournaments, MICE events, and Exhibitions.
𝐓𝐉 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐬 provides unlimited package services including such as Event organizing, Event planning, Event production, Manpower, PR marketing, Design 2D/3D, VIP protocols, Interpreter agency, etc.
Sports events - Golf competitions/billiards competitions/company sports events: dynamic and challenging
⭐ 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬:
➢ 2024 BAEKHYUN [Lonsdaleite] IN HO CHI MINH
➢ SUPER JUNIOR-L.S.S. THE SHOW : Th3ee Guys in HO CHI MINH
➢FreenBecky 1st Fan Meeting in Vietnam
➢CHILDREN ART EXHIBITION 2024: BEYOND BARRIERS
➢ WOW K-Music Festival 2023
➢ Winner [CROSS] Tour in HCM
➢ Super Show 9 in HCM with Super Junior
➢ HCMC - Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Festival
➢ Korean Vietnam Partnership - Fair with LG
➢ Korean President visits Samsung Electronics R&D Center
➢ Vietnam Food Expo with Lotte Wellfood
"𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐚 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲. 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬."
China and the 8 Dragons – A primer for multinational corporations seeking a foothold in China
1. Insights
China and the 8 Dragons
A primer for multinational corporations seeking a foothold in China
- Anand Arkalgud
Abstract
Despite gigantic strides of progress, exotic descriptions of China continue to dominate the outsider’s view of its business
environment and what it takes to succeed in China. My experiences over the past 5 years, in China, have dispelled many of
these myths. What I have learned from conversations with business leaders, managers and friends is that business in China
is influenced by a set of critical variables – similar to other markets – that must be managed in order to succeed.
www.infosys.com
2. However, over-engineered efforts to manage attrition (pay more and
promote before time) is a surefire formula for failure. It’s, perhaps,
1 Talent
even advisable to begin by assuming that attrition is a known
challenge, and strengthened processes to deal with it effectively.
Empowering employees and carving out clear roles for them in the
company’s growth story will also motivate them to stick on longer.
How is talent in China any different? Talent, fundamentally, is no
Focusing organization efforts on “managing-to-attrition” is likely to
different in China than anywhere else in the world. Smart engineers,
be more fruitful than efforts focused on “managing attrition”. A long
from good universities all over China, are on the market. To most of
term solution is to scale the business as fast as possible.
us, the word ‘talent’ conjures up an image of people with diverse
educational backgrounds, technical expertise, market knowledge
and the like. What we often overlook is that all these capabilities
come into play only when bound by corporate culture, value
systems and governance, typical of a multinational. It is wise not to
underestimate the effort required to nurture talent for your purposes 2 Product and Innovation
to establish these “binding forces” within your organization in China.
The “multinational mindset” is prevalent, for the most part, only in the
younger generations of talent, not the ones before. While Chinese While it may sound obvious, the fact is that one can only sell a good
industries that have been around for a while, they’ve been dominated product or service to someone who can clearly see and appreciate
by State Owned Enterprises. These have a broader agenda than its benefits. Companies must be willing to make enormous effort
the typical multinational corporation. Employees hired from these to educate the buyer (and the organization’s hierarchy), in China,
businesses aren’t necessarily “job-ready” for an MNC environment. about a product and how it delivers on its “better than before”
Assimilating them needs conscious effort and hard work, not to value proposition. I say “enormous effort” because institutions that
mention training in both hard and soft skills as well as matters related influence buying decisions in the developed world – like independent
to corporate culture and governance. industry analysts who also play buyer-advisory roles - don’t have a
comparable play in China. So, products brands must take on that role
Grasping the expectations of talent in a dynamic market, such
too to fill in for this “institutional void”. Because, if consumers do not
as China, mandates a shift in conventional Western mindset. In a
buy into the “better than before” story, they won’t pay a higher price
country, that has sustained tremendous growth momentum for over
to buy your product – even a great one that’s in demand everywhere
20 years, it’s no surprise, really, that its people want to be an integral
else the world over.
part of that growth. They want to grow at a comparable pace. And,
they evaluate their own potential for growth by looking at how their In more mature markets, the emphasis is primarily on efficiency
employers are faring in China. Quite obviously, they don’t want to in the product value proposition. In China, growth is the primary
commit themselves to the wrong lane and risk being left behind. So, need and efficiency is a growing but distant third or fourth on the
talent in China perceives itself as competing with everyone in China list of considerations. So, when “better than before” propositions
not just within the company or even the industry of employment. are crafted, it is also important to address how this will help buyers
capitalize on the all-important growth opportunity.
For an organization seeking a foothold in China, the decision of where
to locate facilities is greatly influenced by this growth expectation. In most customer-centric multinational corporations doing the
There is significant motivation for talent, from across the country, new, or at least some level of continuous innovation, is part and
to shift to larger cities like Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen where parcel of the performance culture. And mere imitation has a clearly
opportunities are greater. But, that move comes at an increased cost negative connotation. In China, however, healthy innovation entails
of living that employees expect significantly improved remuneration assimilation of the existing before doing the new. Getting started
packages to address. Else, employees may not be able to withstand by “copying’ might indeed be the best solution to many problems.
the impact of the shift for long. With this as background, where to I would go so far as to argue that it is the best way to rev up the
locate your office, is a tricky decision to make. While, getting started growth machine. Ask anyone who has spent some time in China,
in a tier 2 city, in China, may prove to be a good first move, if your and they will tell you with a sigh of relief that once you set a direction,
organization has long-term ambitions in China, dropping anchor in things get done, and this is very favorable for business. But then
a tier 1 city, as soon as feasible, is unavoidable. As talent gravitates again, there’s the question of balancing copying with creating
towards the big cities in search of growth and opportunities, today need for the new and “better than before”, which then means
you can perhaps manage with local workers, in your tier 2 city nurturing creativity, initiative and other attributes of healthy
operations, driven by managerial talent imported from tier 1 cities. innovation.
But, it won’t be long before the lure of faster growth in a bigger city
Innovation is as important to the Chinese as anyone else, but
draws them all away.
innovations that succeed are ones that not only reflect the best in the
This brings us to the subject of a highly mobile talent pool and the world, but ones that are likely to create opportunities by questioning
ensuing attrition. It may be caused by a variety of reasons that range traditional business trajectories rather than ones that emulate global
from bachelors looking for higher paying jobs, so they can buy a knowledge. To sum it up” it is not about gaining market share in
home to secure a bride, to more prosaic causes like peer pressure. China, it is about growing the market by creating new experiences
Companies must be prepared to train more people than they need. that consumers will want in the future”
2 | Infosys
3. what it wants to do, and what it stands for – instill in him the conviction
and the integrity of purpose of this organization and empower him so
3 Markets
he does not ever feel the need to apologize for it!”
An organization with a global talent pool will probably have the right
Chinese leaders in its midst, to do the job. Failing that, it can bring in an
What struck me, when I moved to China, is that the business environment expatriate to drive the business forward. It’s important to hire someone
has not matured to a point where companies are categorized into who will not shy away from saying NO, nor hesitate to say why business
logical segments. It falls upon the buyer to determine these details, in must not be pursued under given circumstances. Because, in China,
the absence of coverage by analysts or trade press. Then, to separate one has to say NO, perhaps, more often than in other parts of the world.
the wheat from the chaff, the buyer must be guided by criteria shaped
by his own experience over the years.
First off, there is a general wariness of being cheated or overcharged.
In the absence of clear ways to discern a good product or service from
a bad one, buyers tend to behave in a manner that seems to suggest
5 Scale
that; “I am very likely to be disappointed with the purchase, I’d rather
be disappointed by paying less”! This wariness is often addressed by
Size matters in China, to the extent that “great” and “big” are
negotiating hard on price, inserting substantial penalty clauses in
synonymous. The appeal of big companies lies more in their job
contracts, buying from people who can be influenced in case something
creation and career growth potential than in revenue and profitability.
goes wrong and so on. This is often referred to as local business culture
In the absence of vocal trade media, energies expended to create the
and many companies feel obligated to try and cater to these asks. The
perception of a “big and influential brand takes on an exaggerated
challenge is that we (people working for Multi-National Corporations) are
importance. Size and brand decibel levels count during hiring, in
required to adhere to corporate governance norms, ensure our contracts
government relations and in business deals. Whether a company
don’t carry unreasonably liability, profit from our business deals, and
succeeds or not depends on the scale of its ambition and the decisions
so on. These two don’t mix very well, and companies have to decide
it takes to achieve it. That being said, being conservative or small in
whether they have what it takes to persist and win in such markets.
China is not a good strategy as the cost of doing business is high (unlike
This brings us to the subject of business relations and alliances - which developed countries where SMEs have a favorable ecosystem giving
ones to pursue and which to avoid. The topic of institutional voids is very them a fair chance). In China, the following go in a company’s favor:
relevant to China, understanding the explicit and implicit capabilities FDI (Foreign Direct Investment), large scale or high wage employment,
and dependencies that your company relies on to deliver success (in or operations in certain industries/ fields which are of interest to the
home markets), and using that knowledge to understand the changes government. Being a small company in China does not exactly feed
required in your business and mental model for creating success in China, this appetite.
is critical. Other times, there’ll be inescapable reasons for partnering –
such as the need to comply with regulations that prohibit expansion
in the absence of a local partner – but opportunism is not one of them.
And finally, don’t put too much energy to “figure out the market”. In a
dynamic market, like China, this can prove futile. Growing affluence and 6 Government
changing aspirations will keep the goal post moving. Business must be
in a position to adapt to these changes.
What role does China’s government play in business success? That
question is best answered by remembering that the government
owns a large percentage of companies (in Shanghai, State-owned
enterprises account for around 50% of GDP); judiciary is a branch of the
4 Leadership government, as is law enforcement (or the public protection bureau);
and the public does not vote on policies – it is the government which
debates and decides based on the inputs received.
Success is impossible without the right leadership. A truism the
China’s corporate law is going through rapid evolution, leaving an
world over, this takes on added significance in China - where lack of
impact on business operations and bottom-line. While paid advisors
leadership can bring disappointment and delay the realization of the
offering “interpretation” of these laws abound, companies need to
market’s true potential. The China business leader is ever so critical to
beware of those with poor credentials. The challenge, however, lies
building the DNA of local operations.
in telling the good from the not-so-good.
“So, are there no leaders in China?” One look at cities like Shanghai
Employees care about whether or not their company is recognized
will show how incredulous that question is! My view is that this is less
by the government. This is understandable considering the latter’s
about the availability of leadership and more about grooming local
ownership of industry and land assets.
leadership to match the organizations purposes. Early and sustained
exposure to global practices clearly pays off rich dividends. Having It’s logical to view the government and State Owned Enterprises as
consulted many seasoned heads of multinational companies in China, growth-enablers, and it’s judicious to nurture relationships that qualify
I found the following piece of advice most convincing: “Find the best your enterprise to be considered for business by the largest employer
man for the job; someone who understands what your company does, in the land.
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