Wonder & Wander

This week at my internship, we have been thinking of ways in which we can go about settling negotiations for complete ownership of our factory building. My initial thought was to go directly to the owners and discuss the matter, but my boss explained to me that we must have a middle person to carry out the negotiation initially because of the Chinese way of “saving face.” Saving face is simply a term used to describe the importance of ensuring that one’s actions do not indicate disrespect toward the other party, or undermine them in any way. This first step, as mentioned by Professor Strother, is called pre-negotiation, a conversation in which the other party is made aware of an issue and is given appropriate information regarding what the other party is requesting. So we will send someone  to bring the subject to the attention of the owners and then wait for a response.

              Outside of business, life in China is full of even more strange and wonderful things. I’ve been here over a month and I feel as if every day I am learning something new about the people who live here and what life looks like on the day to day. Sometimes as a special treat, we have pig ear for dinner, getting denied by taxi drivers is a daily event, the Ayi(s) make sure I never go hungry, random strangers occasionally yell at me in Chinese and walk away, the sound of Chinese traditional music playing in the streets keeps you up at night, but part of you doesn’t mind because it is indeed beautiful, when going on an evening walk you might find yourself practicing the Chinese art of dance, fights in the street seem to always end in bursts of laughter, people are kind and might even let you follow them around a mountain all day asking them questions in broken Chinese, my boss calls me family…. Strange and wonderful things indeed.

gǎn xiè shēng huó suǒ jǐ yǔ wǒ de yī qiē , suī rán bù quán dōu shì xìng fú.

感谢生活所给予我的一切，虽然不全都是幸福。

“I am grateful for everything life has given me, even though it’s not all happiness.”

~ Chinese Proverb

 Living in China is anything but easy, in fact, it’s probably one of the hardest things I’ve done. But I am thankful for every amazing and every difficult moment that it has brought me. Living here has made me more aware of what it looks like to meet others where they’re at, persevere in difficult situations, and more than anything understand my limits as a human being and recognize the need I have, that we all have, to be able to lean on others for help from time to time. Thankful for this country and for its people who welcomed me into there homes, taught me valuable lessons and supported me every step of the way.

金窝，银窝，不如自家的狗窝 

East to West, home is best.

~ Chinese Proverb

           I have enjoyed working with the staff at Hands of Hope. Although most of them do not speak English, sitting in the dorms and playing our own version of charades to communicate has become one of my favorite daily activities. Understanding staffing and employment in China is essential for establishing a strong foundation for successful business operations. The company I work for has both done this well and not so well. For one, the firm was founded by a foreigner who desired to hire local people to help the local people. This is a wise business decision because it helped form the community of people that I have had the privilege to be a part of during my time here. On the other hand, the company did not hire an individual with the necessary background to run business operations on an international level. Thus, the company has been facing extreme difficulties in its ability to operate with stability.

           Additionally, it is important to note business ethics in establishing a foreign operation. One of the first things I was asked after giving my English name to my new manager was, “What is your Chinese name?” Thankfully a friend in Shanghai had given me the name 墨莉 which sounds like the Chinese word for jasmine, a white flower. This is the name I am now know by both at work and in the dorms. Needless to say, a Chinese name will be of good use to you if you plan to do business in China. While on this trip, it might also be important to know that any business meetings you attend will likely be quite unproductive, at least in terms of traditional Western business practices. One of the most interesting things I have noticed, somewhat irritatingly, is that when the Chinese business people have business meetings, they do a lot of talking without seeming to get much else done. We had several days of business meetings when I first arrived in Guangzhou to discuss the future of the company. These meetings lasted hours and it seemed that at the end of each meeting, no decision had been reached. Later, I found that decisions had been made during other non-formal conversations that I had not been a part of. Rest assured, things are being accomplished, they just might not be being accomplished in the way that I’m used to.

The company I work with is an organization that supports, trains, and hires women women with disabilities in China. This week I will go to the factory where the women work and be able to help the company with finding new clients so that they can support the women who currently work for Hands of Hope and be able to hire additional workers as well.

 Currently, the company purchases fabric from various outlets in Guangzhou China and occasionally imports fabric from other countries for customized products. This is somewhat of a difficulty considering the gray areas of doing business in China. Many smaller textile producers will not give out an official receipt which is necessary for reporting business expenses and revenue at the end of the year. Without an official receipt for various expenditures, the company will have to pay tax on a larger amount of revenue than they actually realized. Thus, they are kept from pursing company growth as they otherwise would be able too. It’s interesting to me that this is something that is considered legal in China, at least in the sense that if it is illegal, there is little enforcement of the law. As I learn more about these gray areas, I recognize the importance of creativity when it comes to business structure and sourcing. I have much to learn, but I hope that before I leave, I will have helped Hands of Hope at least be a little bit closer to overcoming the various obstacles of doing business in China.

Zaijian!

“Don’t stand by the water and long for fish; go home and weave a net.”

~ Chinese Proverb

Doing business in China requires entrepreneurs to weave many different nets. The market for products is constantly changing and businesses in China must adapt to the changes at an even faster rate due to the density of the population and rotating government policies. 

One of the most important aspects of doing business in China is understanding the consumer market. Because China’s population is so large, the variety of tastes and preferences within the country is also large. Hands of Hope has a fairly broad target market,including Chinese locals as well as Shanghai expats. Products with traditional Chinese print are catered toward expats who might want to send a git home to their family that is representative of the unique cultural attributes of China, while products with a modern more Westernized look are catered toward local Chinese who might want something that looks a little different than traditional Chinese prints. Although these markets are still quite broad, adjusting the price also affects the attractiveness of the products within different markets. Most product lines at Hands of Hope are sold at higher prices to reflect their high-end value; these products sell well at international conventions or to local families with a middle class income in China. 

Another important aspect of running a successful business in China is the development of a marketing strategy. Aspects of a marketing plan might include brand colors, name, and symbolic elements, in addition to a specified target market. At Hands of Hope, all of the tags that accompany the products are red. This is a strategic decision on the part of the company because in China, red is the color of good luck and prosperity, which encourages those who purchase their products to have these characteristics associated with their brand. Additionally, the company is also working on developing social media sites for their US audiences. Stay updated by following them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handsofhopechina/ !

Zaijian!

欲速则不达 yùsù zé bùdá (“You desire speed but cannot reach your destination.”)

~ Chinese Proverb

The Chinese culture is very different from that of the United States. For one, the people here tend to go about their days at a leisurely pace. Even in the modern city of Shanghai, people take their time to move around, eat meals, and visit with friends. I especially appreciate this when attempting to navigate through Shanghai because people are generally willing to stop for a few moments to offer some guidance; a helpful reality for the lost sheep. 

People here are also very friendly, and although most live very independently, they seem to never be afraid to approach a stranger even for the simple pleasure of inquiring, “Nǐ láizì nǎlǐ” (Where are you from)? Another fairly common occurrence, particularly for foreigners, is to be asked to take a picture with a local’s child. The top left picture is of me and my friend Cali participating in a mini photo shoot with a boy from Hongzhou. 

The economic situation in China is also very interesting. In the city of Shanghai, their are many business buildings and shopping malls that stand adjacent to long alleyways filled with mom and pop shops, crowded living spaces, and, in kinder words, different smells. Walks through these small roads in Shanghai give a small glimpse of the widening gap between the economic elite and the poor. Even still, the families who live in these alleyways are still in a far better circumstance than others who live in the rural areas of mainland China. 

Zaijian!

学然后知不足  -  To learn is to know one’s ignorance

~ Chinese Proverb

To learn is to know one’s ignorance. The more I walk the streets of Shanghai and engage with the people who live here, the more I discover the truth behind this simple Chinese proverb. 

Historically, China is a country that has been closed off to foreigners, and it is only in the last fifty years or so that the country has been re-opened to people from across the globe. Although there are a number of foreigners in Shanghai, frequent stares and faint whispers of, “Ta shi Meiguo ren” (American), remind me of the newness of foreign influence, at least in the modern era. Prior to the late 1800s, the country of China was home to many different people groups and, therefore, is certainly no stranger to foreign influence. The impact of these laowai (Foreigner) is especially prevalent in the architecture of Shanghai, much of which is representative of British influence as seen in the church above. 

And, yes, I did just say church. Contrary to popular belief, religion is allowed in China, even Christianity. A few days ago, I was able to visit the China Christian Council, which is the central hub for all Protestant/ Christian churches in China. The organization currently oversees support raising, administrative duties, and evangelism for each of the registered churches in China. One of the most interesting things I learned about was the Chinese Christian view of evangelism.  Evangelism is not just something you do occasionally, when you go to another country and spread the gospel, rather, it is a part of every day life; It is in the way a person works, engages others, and lives there life as a whole. If one is following Christ, then they will be set apart from others and that uniqueness will help draw others to Christ. This is something I believe to be a central calling to all Christians and I am grateful to be in a place where I am reminded of the importance of this calling. 

Zaijian!