Tough Times Call For Smart Measures
June 23, 2008
The growth in China in the past 10 years has been unprecedented. China is still the most popular destination for foreign manufacturing investments on the globe. In 2007 it attracted more than $80 billion in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). The China economy continues to “over heat.” Read more… »
Run To The Revenue - Part I
May 27, 2008
It is difficult to hide from the news these days regarding the threats posed by Asia’s growing economies, specifically China, India and Vietnam (the CIV factor). The reactions of many Americans lie in a range of emotions from fear to panic, and even down right loathing. Regardless of where you are on this spectrum, it will not change the course of economic development. Let’s take a look at some facts and options. Read more… »
Business Lessons From Aristotle
May 21, 2008
I have gained this by philosophy;
That I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the law.
Aristotle
When searching for inspiration on delivery of strategies and techniques, why not start with the original masters of thought. To this day we still use the Socratic method to test a theory. Plato’s “Republic” is introduced to budding students between the ages of 16-19 on a regular basis and used as a concrete example of how to manage a state or organization. Read more… »
Strength Through Unity
May 20, 2008
China has long held a fascination for me. I have lived in China for 6 years, married into a Chinese family and built a network of local friends and associates. However, perhaps my greatest fascination is how it fares in the views of the outside world and how it embraces the challenges of progress. A Nation in development, often misunderstood and frequently criticized (rightly so in many cases), it has been a challenge and privilege to be part of China as it has faced up to external pressures. But, what about the internal pressures? How would it respond to a major issue with the spotlight of the world upon it? How would the country pull together when there is such a disparity between the “haves and have nots”? Read more… »
Internet Sourcing: Easy To Do, Hard To Control
April 23, 2008
Over the last 10 years, on-line purchasing by the general consumer has become commonplace.This trend will continue to grow at double-digit rates for the foreseeable future. Most of the products are high-quality brand names that are recognized by the public. This buying process saves money, transaction time, and allows buyers to return products for a variety of reasons at the supplier’s expense. This is all part of the doing business in America. Read more… »
Get Globally Calibrated
April 23, 2008
“All mankind is divided into three classes: those who are immovable, those who are movable, and those who move.”
Benjamin Franklin
This is an interesting time in American History. It’s a time when the masses are fueled with a fear/anger over jobs being sent overseas, mixed opinions over the role of the military and political parties displaying the type of in-fighting that is associated with 3rd world countries. However, through all of this turmoil, the strategic-minded are walking around with gigantic smiles on their faces. Read more… »
“ABE” The 21st Century Global Salesperson
March 15, 2008
There are best practices in sales that span geographies, cultures and time periods. Many of these are summed up by ABE, Attitudes, Behaviors and Execution.
Unfortunately, when a salesperson has been selling at one company, in one industry or in one geographic area their whole career, they develop provincial habits that don’t transfer well. For example, a joke about “The Sopranos” during a sales call may work in certain regions of America, but would be misunderstood or considered completely inappropriate by 99% of the world. Read more… »
Audio: II-Asia Interview On NPR
March 13, 2008
Ravi Sastry, President of International Innovations, was recently interviewed on National Public Radio in his home state of South Carolina. Listen as he discusses the company, the business environment in Asia, the emergence of China and India, and the opportunity for US companies to improve their performance by taking greater advantage of Asia.
Is China Quality An Oxymoron?
February 19, 2008
The transformation of China from rice bowl to iron bowl has been done expediently. For example, in 2000, 30% of the world’s toys came from China. Five years later, this had increased to over 75%.
China increasingly dominates manufacturing in industry after industry. Over the last decade, China exported one out of every three pairs of shoes in the world. Between 2001 and 2004, China’s auto parts exports increased from $1.3 billion to $9 billion. In 1996, China exported $20 billion worth of computers, cell phones, CD players and other electronic devices. Eight years later China exported $180 billion worth.
As the West’s craving for products from China has grown, the cost of poor quality has increased at proportional rates. In recent years, there have been a number of massive recalls of Chinese-made products, from pet foods to toys to consumer electronic goods. Read more… »
10 Power Tips For Global Execs
February 1, 2008
In a globalized world, best practices are sometimes overshadowed by expedient policies. This trend attenuates organizations at the core and leads to sky-high attrition rates and substandard performance.
However, at the foundation of laudable organizations regardless of age, culture or revenues, best practices are endemic. With the economies in Asia burgeoning, some executives find it hard to instill the elementary, yet crucial, practices that are the building blocks for long-term success. Read more… »