Profile Blog

I believe I may have discovered a good resource for my blog. Not only is the blogger knowledgeable and versed in global business practices, he also has alot of experience. This blogger, Boyé Lafayette De Mente, is a graduate of Jochi University in Tokyo and the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona. Additionally, he has written over 50 books on various aspects of business, culture, and languages of China, Japan, Korea and Mexico. Along with studying in Tokyo, he also worked as a journalist and editor working in Seoul, Hong Kong, and Mexico City, among others.

De Mente blogs about many topics that deal with business and social aspects of Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Mexican culture and currently resides in Arizona. De Mente's blog, entitled "Cultural Insight Columns by Boyé Lafayette De Mente," is quite extensive with over 30 topic categories and a multitude of posts. The blog is not maintained daily as the posts occurred throughout April and May of this year.

As far as the popularity of the blog is concerned, I am a little unsure. The blog seems to have a collection of various articles or topics that De Mente has written about. There are no comments visible on the blog, but several of his articles have been commented on and there are links to other sites about De Mente. Also, from researching De Mente, I have learned that he is internationally known for his work. Even if his blog is unpopular, I do see a wealth of good information for my topic discussion. Two of the more interesting posts are "'Face' in China" (http://culturalnews.wordpress.com/category/face-in-china/) and "The extraordinary importance of connections in China" (http://culturalnews.wordpress.com/category/aspects-of-chinese-culture/.) Just by scanning the post on "face" I discovered this valuable nugget:

"The Chinese concept of “face” is very personal, and covers any act, comment, tone of voice or even facial expression that indicates criticism or disapproval. Because of this extraordinary sensitivity, foreign managers should be cautious about criticizing or disciplining employees in public."

This blog is very relative to my topic. De Mente's posts on cross-cultural issues in business and social environments between China and the West is an important building block for anyone who wants to understand how the business environment actually works in China. Certain practices in the West may not apply or may not be as emphasized in China. For example, in China there is less focus on individualism and more of an emphasis on establishing connections.

This blog is scholarly, academic, and professional as many of the topics and texts are pulled from his existing works. His articles and books are internationally recognized and much of what he is writing about is based on his experiences in dealing with these different cultures. The blog posts themselves are very detailed and I liked how they provided links to other resources and some of De Mente's other blogs. De Mente's audience most likely is foreigners working and living abroad and those planning to do so. Additionally, students such as me also fit the category.

I plan on using De Mente's blog for some of my writing, though it will not be a lynchpin, nor will my site mirror his. De Mente's works seem to focus on interpersonal relationships at the lowest level. While some of these issues are important, I also want to look at "bigger picture" economic issues and the relationship between the Chinese government and the market sector. With that being said, in order to understand the more complex relationships at the higher level, knowledge from De Mente will help me better understand these relationships. As De Mente stresses in his blog about connections:

"The personal as well as the professional lives of Chinese are based on making and keeping connections with a variety of people they can call on for help of one kind or another. Such guanxi are epecially important in matters that involve government offices on any level."

Another way my blog will differ from De Mente's is that I will also be blogging about issues and topics as they occur with an eye on current events. The nature of China is one that is undergoing rapid change and there is certainly more to come.

Hello Post

Crazy enough to do business in China?

Taming the dragon

Chinese private enterprise and the Chinese government: Who will bend first?

Though just a few decades ago China's doors were closed to the world, the story today is starkly different. Travel there today and you will find that investors and businesses have entered this mystical land in search of the largest market of consumers on the planet. You want Starbucks? Try every other corner in Beijing or Shanghai (or any other city for that matter). McDonalds? Try every other corner. The West has flooded the market with restaurants, banking institutions, and goods and services of all kinds. Large foreign automobile companies have established manufacturing centers throughout China in an effort to widen their profit margins. China's cities and megacities are testaments to engineering and architectural achievement. Many of them rival the prominent cities of our time. A place where the old and the new are as present as it is a punch line; China is a land rich with opportunity. However, before taking the plunge it is important to know a few things.

I am by no means an expert, economist, businessman, or expatriate. I am simply a student and an individual who is studying business (in the global sense) and has an intense interest in China (and all things Chinese for that matter). I follow the news regularly and have traveled to China on several different occasions. My travels there have only driven my curiosity further and now I would like to someday work in China or work for a Sino-U.S. company here in the United States. I hope throughout the course of my first ever blogging environment to learn a great deal about this topic.

Business in China is such a vast topic. There are countless blogs, articles, and opinions on the matter. I hope to focus my efforts on a few areas. First, what a potential investor or entrepreneur should know before deciding to work in China. Next, what are the keys to success? Who are the prominent international players in Chinese markets? What are the latest trends and nuances? How is the Chinese economy weathering the current U.S. recession? Last, I want to explore the delicate relationship between the Chinese government and private enterprise.

The last posting topic is particularly interesting and important as it not only shapes China, but the world at large. Chinese exports line our shelves here in the United States and are often available at a lower price. What would happen if the Chinese government tightened their fist or loosened their reins? In an effort to protect its culture, will China limit or deny access to certain foreign businesses? Or will it give way to the almighty dollar (yuan). In fact, China is even loosening its grips on internet filters, which have long been used to block out many western internet sites/companies/groups.

For those still reading and are interested in working in China or just fascinated about the topic be advised that China is an intriguing place, but also fast paced and DENSELY populated! Each time I go there it seems my senses are heightened, my pulse more rapid, and my heart beats faster. There are cultural differences and practices to note. However, if you keep an open mind, you will find that it is an interesting ride, this place called China. Your business calling card awaits!

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