Firm information
GUANGZHOU:
Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Technology
www.shku.edu.cn/english.html
Winglok Textile Factory
www.gzpyyl.cn
VTREK Audio and Video Products Factory
www.elec-vtrek.com
Vtrek Group makes up the sub-companies Guangzhou Panyu Juda Car Audio Equipment Co., Ltd. and Vtrek Electronics Co., Ltd. Their website is exceptional and above par in regards to other Chinese companies’ sites I have seen. The company sells a range of audio and video products. VTREK exports its products to Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, South Africa, among other countries. Vtrek markets their high quality and innovativeness and “perfect service”.
As technology continues to grow will Vtrek expand its product line?
How do you define “perfect service” and how were you able to exhibit this in a society that has not embraced the service industry yet as well as the US has?
Pegasus Footwear Company Factory
Pegasus is a holding company involved in manufacturing and sales of footwear products and footwear materials. Most of their products are sold in the US. With 150 sales offices in China, they continue to have stable margins. Their products are made for Nike Vans, K-Swiss, L.L. Bean Bite, and Caterpillar. Pegasus also is involved in other investments and services.
Are there regulations set by the companies you manufacturer for and, if so, what do they entail?
There is much competition for manufacturing in China, how does Pegasus withhold the contracts currently had and obtain new ones?
MACAU:
Macao Polytechnic Institute
www.ipm.edu/mo/
MPI is a newer school but has grown into a modern teaching and research facility, encouraging participation in many conferences. Staying consistent with the area, MPI has a Tourism and Casino Career Center. There are 2700 full time students enrolled in degree programs with over 20,000 students attending professional training courses annually. MPI has worked hard to maintain academic links with universities around the world to accommodate collaboration and academic exchange, in addition to focusing on continuous improvement.
What is the average time it takes for a student to earn his/her degree?
How competitive is the application process? (students accepted v. who apply)
Which programs are growing fastest?
How do you motivate your staff?
What percentages of graduates find employment immediately upon matriculation?
Do you have partnerships with local industries, such as the gaming industry?
Macau University of Science and Technology
Macau University seems to be very interested in student exchange programs and cultural differences. They have agreements signed with many countries, I including the US, for education programs and welcome people from all over. They are encouraging students from Taiwan and Hong Kong to apply. MUST has different requirements for students from mainland China and Macau. It is interesting that they separate themselves when they are all one country. Their philosophy is , “Promoting Cultural Exchanges, Nurturing Intellectual Growth, Fostering Economic Development and Furthering Social Progress,” and I think that they are doing a good job promoting cultural differences and attempting to break barriers by exchange programs and educating.
Is there much competition between universities? How so?
Why do you think college students choose to attend your school?
How do you keep close ties with other universities? Is it not a competition like in the US?
Do you work with any corporations to incorporate their learning requirements into your curriculum?
How is the economic growth of Macao affecting the university (new casinos)?
Sands Casino
www.sands.com.mo/
Sands Macao is the first western operated gaming facility in the People’s Republic of China. They have gaming, dining and entertainment. Their features seem much like those of a casino in Vegas. Vegas is even mentioned on their site. Sands is based in the US and owns many other Casino/expos. It was the first western operated gaming and entertainment destination in China. Currently there are in construction with two other casinos in Macau.
Do you think a lot of the draw to the casino is people wanting to experience America?
What is the motivation behind the gamblers in the casino?
When people come to the casino do they participate in the activities other than their intentions or is it less “addicting” than in the US?
What are the main differences in running a hotel in China and Vegas?
What was it that attracted the Sands to China, and what risks were involved?
Wynn
www.wynnmacau.com/
Wynn Macau opened in September 2006, with 600 hotel rooms, 220 gaming tables, 380 slot machines, seven restaurants, a spa, a salon, and retail stores. Steve Wynn, Chairman and CEO of Mirage Resorts, was also responsible for the development of Bellagio, The Mirage, Treasure Island, and the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada as well as the Atlantic City Golden Nugget in New Jersey and Beau Rivage in Mississippi.
Is hospitality and the service industry different in China than the U.S.?
What are the main differences in running a hotel in China and Vegas?
What was it that attracted the Sands to China, and what risks were involved?
How was the preparation and development of the Wynn Macau different from that of its U.S. cousins?
New Century Casino
www.newcenturyhotel-macau.com/
New Century Casino is gorgeous. They are decorated in European décor, targeting business travelers and international travels wanting a piece of home. They have a private transfer shuttle bus and serviced apartments. They are trying to differentiate themselves through their service and elegance image. They have different types of rooms, some with a family feel. I think this hotel will be very successful, catering to expatriates. One way that Companies entice Expatriates is through luxurious living to make them more comfortable and feel “closer to home” and this hotel is leveraging that demand.
How many long term guests to you have? It seems that this would be a good location for expatriates, being housed by corporations as part of their employment to come overseas.
What is the variance of your guests? (local, international, business, vacation)
Has there been a push by the Chinese towards increased customer service?
Is the casino and entertainment a major source of revenue in comparison to your guest room revenue?
Lisboa Casino/Hotel
www.hotelisboa.com/
Lisboa is an elegant hotel with 15 restaurants focuses in customer service. They have large rooms and huge business meeting areas. The service focus allows them an advantage due to the lack of this in China. For 40 years the owner had the city’s only gambling license until five years ago as Las Vegas tycoons decided to take over. In order to keep up, Ho, the owner, has announced enormous projects including the Grand Lisboa, a pair of huge real-estate/casino developments, and a giant theme park.
Why is it that, according to CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets, the average table in Macao earns three times more than a comparable table in Las Vegas?
How do you advertise to market your extensive business meeting rooms?
Are a majority of your guests local or international?
What shifts in the market are expected with the entrance of many trendy American casinos?
International Game Technology (IGT)
www.igt.com.au/
This Fortune 500 company designs, develops, and manufactures microprocessor based gaming products. It has more than 500,000 gaming machines located around the world. IGT’s global vision and willingness to deliver what customers want have given it the reputation as the world’s leading gaming machine maker. It is licensed to business in every legal gaming jurisdiction in the world, helping to grow their market share even more.
Is there a difference in the products between the U.S. and China?
Are there the same regulations?
What is the shift you see as more American casinos enter China?
SHENZHEN:
Wal Mart Global Procurement Center
www.walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=337
This center manages the company’s direct import business and factory direct purchasing. They have to find new suppliers, new products, build relationships, and manage their exports. In situations where an American manufacturer cannot cut costs any further, the Global Procurement Center steps in to find a foreign production facility for the American supplier, and the American company then switches from being a manufacturer to an importer. They are responsible for finding new trends. There is a supplier team who aligns WalMart with their suppliers. The business development team gets the products on the shelves. The Global Services team works to build a lean system and leverage capabilities. The Trade relations team develops relationships with government to support direct import sourcing. This, I think, is the most important division in China. Government support helps a company operate. Each part of the processes is inspected for quality assurance and is checked by an independent third party.
China is the largest growing and changing country, an ideal place for those concerned with the procurement environment. Because of this, China is attracting more and more transnational corporations. China has been the largest exporter to the U.S. and Wal-Mart is the leading retailer in the U.S. Wal-Mart strives in their diversity. This diversity allows them to operate in different countries, adapting to their culture, being their advocated, and serve and support them. Wal-Mart is attractive to suppliers for their ability to get their name in front of the world. Wal-Mart quotes the partnership beneficial with the following “First, the demand for their products creates jobs and improves the way of life in the communities where those suppliers operate. Then, as suppliers keep up with demand, we can provide quality products and services to our customers at the absolute lowest prices, which, in turn, improve their lives, too.”
Chinese are very price conscious and advertising is not popular, how do you inform the customers of deals?
What is the process for finding new trends, and what is the average success rate of the trends you identify?
Are relationships with suppliers better or worse with the implementation on this center?
Yantian Seaport and Logistics Center
www.ytport.com
This seaport is tremendous in size, being able to handle up to 500,000 containers in a month. The goods vary in destination and type, but the majority are Chinese manufactured goods on their way to the US. Being so busy, they must operate efficiently. They are the 6th largest seaport in the world, comparable to the Long Beach, CA port.
Is this port ever full and have a “wait” line?
How many people does it take to move cargo in and out efficiently?
Are their safety regulations while working at the port?
Do you work closely with the US and Chinese customs?
How are the laws and regulations different?
SHANGHAI:
Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall
www.supec.org/
The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall displays the achievements of Shanghai in planning and construction. The building is huge, with 19 thousand square meters. The exhibits show the future of Shanghai. The main model of urban planning, which is in the proportion of 1:2000, exhibits the urban geography and scenery in an extent of a hundred and more square meters within the inner elevated ring road. It is the world’s biggest model of urban planning.
How are architects chosen?
Who decides the expansion of Shanghai?
Is there a concern for depletion of resources?
Are certain areas set aside for agriculture only?
Shanghai Museum
http://www.shanghaimuseum.net/
The museum was founded in 1952 and developed rapidly. They moved in 1992 because the Shanghai government allocated land in the middle of People’s Square.
They possess a collection of 120,000 precious works of art with collections of ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy. It has eleven galleries and three special temporary exhibition halls. Inside there is a restaurant and tea room. Currently they have exhibitions of western art and art in America. “Its unique architectural form of a round top with a square base, symbolizing the ancient Chinese philosophy that the square earth is under the round sky, is a distinguished architectural combination of traditional feature and modern spirit.”
What is the most prized piece of artwork inside the museum?
How do the Chinese feel about the western art?
KPMG
www.kpmg.com.cn/
KPMG is one of the “big 4” international accounting firms. They just opened their 10th office in China. KPMG in China has ten offices in Beijing, Qingdao, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau. They were the first international accounting firm to be granted a joint venture license in China. Being early entrants, they have been able to focus on quality and industries. KPM has international experience, having seniors from Japan, US, UK, and Germany, who can help with local knowledge. They employee over 113,000 people around the world in 148 countries.
KPMG strives to provide accurate advice to meet the multinationals and their head office. KPMG helps their clients compete internationally?
Are there employees who are responsible for different national laws that assist multiple clients?
When companies first go international, how much time does it take to adapt to their laws and financial statement formats?
On your audits, do you mostly always do one following US GAAP to satisfy investors and future expansion potential?
It seems the Chinese are new with responsibility and accountability is a big part of your operations education?
How do you analyze the clients you want to take on?
In the US KPMG, we do not know international law; there are few that specialize in it. Is it more prevalent in China to be more familiar in both?
What is the certification process and what companies require what certification?
In the US KPMG, charity is a high priority and social responsibility. In China
public property plays a lesser importance, what is your extent of charitable
contributions?
How is it adjusting to different cultures in order to make them feel comfortable with you being their accountants?
Starbucks
www.starbucks.com
Starbucks is an information hub about coffee and, describing the process of making it, where it comes from, and the taste. They specialize in customer service. Starbucks isn’t just a place to buy coffee, it’s a place to sit and have a conversation with another customer or relax. Their employees are treated well, increasing loyalty. They have a China education program to increase the education level. They support locals and the environment. Starbucks tries to unite with the Chinese, not manipulate them into buying their products.
What differences do you see in the customer base in comparison to other countries?
What type of advertising do you feel works best?
Callison Architecture
www.callison.com
Callison’s work is grounded in an understanding of market dynamics that helps companies determine what to build, not just how to design it. They do architecture, develop operational plans, do graphic design, and various other services. They are motivated to strengthening ties with the community and their employees for a sustainable environment. They have a variety of links on their website that teach others tools or issues, such as thinking green.
What do you bring to the Chinese community?
Are most clients foreign corporations, which are more devoted to service?
What types of services do you most offer in China? And is a lot of it about educating?
CF Racing
www.cfracing.cn
Three entrepreneurs built China's first homegrown Formula 2000 car and will debut it in May. The entrepreneurs are a former Wall Street trader, the son of a movie director, and an ex General Motors Corp engineer. They saw this untapped market and opportunity. In an article they quoted, "We are here to develop serious real racing talents - not cater to the hobbies of the rich." This is for people with different backgrounds from all over the country to race. Racing is a costly hobby because of the import duty levied on the racing cars since there have been no Chinese companies capable of producing racing cars and had to be imported. CF racing cut costs by building the cars themselves. CFR was created to fill the gap between the interest for motorsports and the love for competition. CFR made a successful bid for the promotion rights of the established Chinese Circuit Championship (CCC) from the Federation of Automobile Sports of China (FASC). They are financed through a secured five million euro investment from European investors. The website shows images similar to what we see in NASCAR; however the vision is different.
What made you realize this was an untapped market?
What was the strategy for finding international investors for something that takes place only in China?
How do you plan on building enthusiasm for a new industry?
Augmentum
http://www.augmentum.com/
Augmentum’s vision is to be the best software development service provider in the world. The company provides “software development services from people who have outsourced development for their own most complex, most important, and most profitable products and solutions.” They create commercial quality software with minimum resources. They provide services with speed to stay ahead of competition.
How do you make the software worldwide capable?
What is the strongest service or service that clients demand that Augmentum provides?
Is there a trend in the services that you provide? Do you see your company changing or developing new services that are newly demanded from China’s growing economy?
Suzhou Industrial Park
www.sipac.gov.cs
This is the largest economic and technological cooperation project between
China and Singapore and in the most competitive industrial zones in the world. This shows how two countries can work together.
What was the main motivation for this collaboration?
Carre-Four
www.carrefour.com
This French retailing giant has headquarters in Guangzou and Paris. They are a competitor of WalMart. They are part of joint ventures and adjust to the Chinese markets. Their growth strategy is to double in the rate of store openings, to further strengthen the group in markets where it is already well established. They also make sure to follow the customers.
How do you market in China?
Do you feel the growth is more in China than Europe?
What are the difficulties in entering the Chinese market?
BEIJING:
21 Manager
www.21manger.com
The website is an open forum where managers from different industries discuss issues like marketing, project management, IT management, human resources, and corporate culture. Managers can exchange helpful information, suggestions, and opinions. Companies can also recruit on the website. This is a helpful business tool.
How was this idea created?
What is the user base and the amount of use?
Where does the profit come from?
Are their similar sources in China?
Center for International Business and Ethics
www.cibe.org.cn
This is an international non-profit research institution which hopes to help business ethics become more integrated with current business strategies in China. It has conferences and classes to help professionals understand ethics for their business strategies. CIBE wants a standard in China.
Have the ethics of businesses made a substantial improvement since starting these programs?
What percentage of businesses participates?
What is the current state of creating a standard in China?
Thomson
www.thomson.com
Thomson is an international leader in digital video technologies that serves the global Media & Entertainment industries. Thomson focuses on three sectors: services, systems, and technology. The services is management of media, the systems focuses on content, and the technology is where its developed. Thomson’s customers are content creators, content distributors, and users of Internet technology (these include movie studios, TV networks, broadband operators, game and software providers, and consumer electronics manufacturers).
Thomson offers products that help protect audio and visual digital rights protection, that provide secure content delivery, and help deter physical counterfeiting. They also are committed to sustainable development, trying to reduce their environmental impact.
How do you reduce the black market and counterfeiting so big in China?
Are there trials for counterfeiters?
How receptive is the Chinese market, and is it more receptive than other countries?
Do countries work together to protect their property rights?
Why are you focusing on sustainability when so few companies are in China?
Lenovo
www.lenovo.com
Lenovo is an “innovative, international technology company formed as a result of the acquisition by the Lenovo Group of the IBM Personal Computing Division.” They are a global leader in information technology. They provide customers with smarter ways to be productive and stay ahead of competition. They help customers achieve better productivity. It has a $13 billion annual revenue and provides products to consumer all over the world. They are supported by four main company values; customer service, innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, accuracy and truth seeking, and trustworthiness and integrity.
Lenovo globally provides the Think Family of PC products. This includes the ThinkPad notebook, the ThinkCentre desktop, and the ThinkVantage Technologies software tools.
In 1984, 11 computer scientists in Beijing created the company Legend. Their goal was to bring information technology to the Chinese people. By the mid 1990’s Legend created the innovative Legend Chinese Character Card (which translates English into Chinese characters), and changed its name to Lenovo. By 2003 its personal computing products held the leadership position in China. In 2005, Lenovo acquired IBM’s Personal Computing Division and became the global leader in the PC market. This alliance allows Lenovo to combine their superior products with IBM’s distribution and sales network. The goal of this research is to drive down the cost of PC ownership
while increasing quality.
They are proving the computer equipment for the 2008 Olympics.
How did the acquisition change your business model?
Who are your competitors?
How does your customer service play in a role in the market?
Beijing University
en.pku.edu.cn/
Beijing University is sometimes called Peking University. The University consists of 30 colleges with 93 specialties for undergraduates, 199 specialties for Masters Candidates, and 173 specialties for Doctoral candidates. It has become a center for teaching and research. They want to become in the top universities in the world by the next century.
How do you establish co ops with local businesses?
How do you market to faculty and students?
What is the ratio of students accepted to those who apply to the university?
Which programs are growing fastest?
Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Technology
www.shku.edu.cn/english.html
Winglok Textile Factory
www.gzpyyl.cn
VTREK Audio and Video Products Factory
www.elec-vtrek.com
Vtrek Group makes up the sub-companies Guangzhou Panyu Juda Car Audio Equipment Co., Ltd. and Vtrek Electronics Co., Ltd. Their website is exceptional and above par in regards to other Chinese companies’ sites I have seen. The company sells a range of audio and video products. VTREK exports its products to Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, South Africa, among other countries. Vtrek markets their high quality and innovativeness and “perfect service”.
As technology continues to grow will Vtrek expand its product line?
How do you define “perfect service” and how were you able to exhibit this in a society that has not embraced the service industry yet as well as the US has?
Pegasus Footwear Company Factory
Pegasus is a holding company involved in manufacturing and sales of footwear products and footwear materials. Most of their products are sold in the US. With 150 sales offices in China, they continue to have stable margins. Their products are made for Nike Vans, K-Swiss, L.L. Bean Bite, and Caterpillar. Pegasus also is involved in other investments and services.
Are there regulations set by the companies you manufacturer for and, if so, what do they entail?
There is much competition for manufacturing in China, how does Pegasus withhold the contracts currently had and obtain new ones?
MACAU:
Macao Polytechnic Institute
www.ipm.edu/mo/
MPI is a newer school but has grown into a modern teaching and research facility, encouraging participation in many conferences. Staying consistent with the area, MPI has a Tourism and Casino Career Center. There are 2700 full time students enrolled in degree programs with over 20,000 students attending professional training courses annually. MPI has worked hard to maintain academic links with universities around the world to accommodate collaboration and academic exchange, in addition to focusing on continuous improvement.
What is the average time it takes for a student to earn his/her degree?
How competitive is the application process? (students accepted v. who apply)
Which programs are growing fastest?
How do you motivate your staff?
What percentages of graduates find employment immediately upon matriculation?
Do you have partnerships with local industries, such as the gaming industry?
Macau University of Science and Technology
Macau University seems to be very interested in student exchange programs and cultural differences. They have agreements signed with many countries, I including the US, for education programs and welcome people from all over. They are encouraging students from Taiwan and Hong Kong to apply. MUST has different requirements for students from mainland China and Macau. It is interesting that they separate themselves when they are all one country. Their philosophy is , “Promoting Cultural Exchanges, Nurturing Intellectual Growth, Fostering Economic Development and Furthering Social Progress,” and I think that they are doing a good job promoting cultural differences and attempting to break barriers by exchange programs and educating.
Is there much competition between universities? How so?
Why do you think college students choose to attend your school?
How do you keep close ties with other universities? Is it not a competition like in the US?
Do you work with any corporations to incorporate their learning requirements into your curriculum?
How is the economic growth of Macao affecting the university (new casinos)?
Sands Casino
www.sands.com.mo/
Sands Macao is the first western operated gaming facility in the People’s Republic of China. They have gaming, dining and entertainment. Their features seem much like those of a casino in Vegas. Vegas is even mentioned on their site. Sands is based in the US and owns many other Casino/expos. It was the first western operated gaming and entertainment destination in China. Currently there are in construction with two other casinos in Macau.
Do you think a lot of the draw to the casino is people wanting to experience America?
What is the motivation behind the gamblers in the casino?
When people come to the casino do they participate in the activities other than their intentions or is it less “addicting” than in the US?
What are the main differences in running a hotel in China and Vegas?
What was it that attracted the Sands to China, and what risks were involved?
Wynn
www.wynnmacau.com/
Wynn Macau opened in September 2006, with 600 hotel rooms, 220 gaming tables, 380 slot machines, seven restaurants, a spa, a salon, and retail stores. Steve Wynn, Chairman and CEO of Mirage Resorts, was also responsible for the development of Bellagio, The Mirage, Treasure Island, and the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada as well as the Atlantic City Golden Nugget in New Jersey and Beau Rivage in Mississippi.
Is hospitality and the service industry different in China than the U.S.?
What are the main differences in running a hotel in China and Vegas?
What was it that attracted the Sands to China, and what risks were involved?
How was the preparation and development of the Wynn Macau different from that of its U.S. cousins?
New Century Casino
www.newcenturyhotel-macau.com/
New Century Casino is gorgeous. They are decorated in European décor, targeting business travelers and international travels wanting a piece of home. They have a private transfer shuttle bus and serviced apartments. They are trying to differentiate themselves through their service and elegance image. They have different types of rooms, some with a family feel. I think this hotel will be very successful, catering to expatriates. One way that Companies entice Expatriates is through luxurious living to make them more comfortable and feel “closer to home” and this hotel is leveraging that demand.
How many long term guests to you have? It seems that this would be a good location for expatriates, being housed by corporations as part of their employment to come overseas.
What is the variance of your guests? (local, international, business, vacation)
Has there been a push by the Chinese towards increased customer service?
Is the casino and entertainment a major source of revenue in comparison to your guest room revenue?
Lisboa Casino/Hotel
www.hotelisboa.com/
Lisboa is an elegant hotel with 15 restaurants focuses in customer service. They have large rooms and huge business meeting areas. The service focus allows them an advantage due to the lack of this in China. For 40 years the owner had the city’s only gambling license until five years ago as Las Vegas tycoons decided to take over. In order to keep up, Ho, the owner, has announced enormous projects including the Grand Lisboa, a pair of huge real-estate/casino developments, and a giant theme park.
Why is it that, according to CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets, the average table in Macao earns three times more than a comparable table in Las Vegas?
How do you advertise to market your extensive business meeting rooms?
Are a majority of your guests local or international?
What shifts in the market are expected with the entrance of many trendy American casinos?
International Game Technology (IGT)
www.igt.com.au/
This Fortune 500 company designs, develops, and manufactures microprocessor based gaming products. It has more than 500,000 gaming machines located around the world. IGT’s global vision and willingness to deliver what customers want have given it the reputation as the world’s leading gaming machine maker. It is licensed to business in every legal gaming jurisdiction in the world, helping to grow their market share even more.
Is there a difference in the products between the U.S. and China?
Are there the same regulations?
What is the shift you see as more American casinos enter China?
SHENZHEN:
Wal Mart Global Procurement Center
www.walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=337
This center manages the company’s direct import business and factory direct purchasing. They have to find new suppliers, new products, build relationships, and manage their exports. In situations where an American manufacturer cannot cut costs any further, the Global Procurement Center steps in to find a foreign production facility for the American supplier, and the American company then switches from being a manufacturer to an importer. They are responsible for finding new trends. There is a supplier team who aligns WalMart with their suppliers. The business development team gets the products on the shelves. The Global Services team works to build a lean system and leverage capabilities. The Trade relations team develops relationships with government to support direct import sourcing. This, I think, is the most important division in China. Government support helps a company operate. Each part of the processes is inspected for quality assurance and is checked by an independent third party.
China is the largest growing and changing country, an ideal place for those concerned with the procurement environment. Because of this, China is attracting more and more transnational corporations. China has been the largest exporter to the U.S. and Wal-Mart is the leading retailer in the U.S. Wal-Mart strives in their diversity. This diversity allows them to operate in different countries, adapting to their culture, being their advocated, and serve and support them. Wal-Mart is attractive to suppliers for their ability to get their name in front of the world. Wal-Mart quotes the partnership beneficial with the following “First, the demand for their products creates jobs and improves the way of life in the communities where those suppliers operate. Then, as suppliers keep up with demand, we can provide quality products and services to our customers at the absolute lowest prices, which, in turn, improve their lives, too.”
Chinese are very price conscious and advertising is not popular, how do you inform the customers of deals?
What is the process for finding new trends, and what is the average success rate of the trends you identify?
Are relationships with suppliers better or worse with the implementation on this center?
Yantian Seaport and Logistics Center
www.ytport.com
This seaport is tremendous in size, being able to handle up to 500,000 containers in a month. The goods vary in destination and type, but the majority are Chinese manufactured goods on their way to the US. Being so busy, they must operate efficiently. They are the 6th largest seaport in the world, comparable to the Long Beach, CA port.
Is this port ever full and have a “wait” line?
How many people does it take to move cargo in and out efficiently?
Are their safety regulations while working at the port?
Do you work closely with the US and Chinese customs?
How are the laws and regulations different?
SHANGHAI:
Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall
www.supec.org/
The Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall displays the achievements of Shanghai in planning and construction. The building is huge, with 19 thousand square meters. The exhibits show the future of Shanghai. The main model of urban planning, which is in the proportion of 1:2000, exhibits the urban geography and scenery in an extent of a hundred and more square meters within the inner elevated ring road. It is the world’s biggest model of urban planning.
How are architects chosen?
Who decides the expansion of Shanghai?
Is there a concern for depletion of resources?
Are certain areas set aside for agriculture only?
Shanghai Museum
http://www.shanghaimuseum.net/
The museum was founded in 1952 and developed rapidly. They moved in 1992 because the Shanghai government allocated land in the middle of People’s Square.
They possess a collection of 120,000 precious works of art with collections of ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy. It has eleven galleries and three special temporary exhibition halls. Inside there is a restaurant and tea room. Currently they have exhibitions of western art and art in America. “Its unique architectural form of a round top with a square base, symbolizing the ancient Chinese philosophy that the square earth is under the round sky, is a distinguished architectural combination of traditional feature and modern spirit.”
What is the most prized piece of artwork inside the museum?
How do the Chinese feel about the western art?
KPMG
www.kpmg.com.cn/
KPMG is one of the “big 4” international accounting firms. They just opened their 10th office in China. KPMG in China has ten offices in Beijing, Qingdao, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macau. They were the first international accounting firm to be granted a joint venture license in China. Being early entrants, they have been able to focus on quality and industries. KPM has international experience, having seniors from Japan, US, UK, and Germany, who can help with local knowledge. They employee over 113,000 people around the world in 148 countries.
KPMG strives to provide accurate advice to meet the multinationals and their head office. KPMG helps their clients compete internationally?
Are there employees who are responsible for different national laws that assist multiple clients?
When companies first go international, how much time does it take to adapt to their laws and financial statement formats?
On your audits, do you mostly always do one following US GAAP to satisfy investors and future expansion potential?
It seems the Chinese are new with responsibility and accountability is a big part of your operations education?
How do you analyze the clients you want to take on?
In the US KPMG, we do not know international law; there are few that specialize in it. Is it more prevalent in China to be more familiar in both?
What is the certification process and what companies require what certification?
In the US KPMG, charity is a high priority and social responsibility. In China
public property plays a lesser importance, what is your extent of charitable
contributions?
How is it adjusting to different cultures in order to make them feel comfortable with you being their accountants?
Starbucks
www.starbucks.com
Starbucks is an information hub about coffee and, describing the process of making it, where it comes from, and the taste. They specialize in customer service. Starbucks isn’t just a place to buy coffee, it’s a place to sit and have a conversation with another customer or relax. Their employees are treated well, increasing loyalty. They have a China education program to increase the education level. They support locals and the environment. Starbucks tries to unite with the Chinese, not manipulate them into buying their products.
What differences do you see in the customer base in comparison to other countries?
What type of advertising do you feel works best?
Callison Architecture
www.callison.com
Callison’s work is grounded in an understanding of market dynamics that helps companies determine what to build, not just how to design it. They do architecture, develop operational plans, do graphic design, and various other services. They are motivated to strengthening ties with the community and their employees for a sustainable environment. They have a variety of links on their website that teach others tools or issues, such as thinking green.
What do you bring to the Chinese community?
Are most clients foreign corporations, which are more devoted to service?
What types of services do you most offer in China? And is a lot of it about educating?
CF Racing
www.cfracing.cn
Three entrepreneurs built China's first homegrown Formula 2000 car and will debut it in May. The entrepreneurs are a former Wall Street trader, the son of a movie director, and an ex General Motors Corp engineer. They saw this untapped market and opportunity. In an article they quoted, "We are here to develop serious real racing talents - not cater to the hobbies of the rich." This is for people with different backgrounds from all over the country to race. Racing is a costly hobby because of the import duty levied on the racing cars since there have been no Chinese companies capable of producing racing cars and had to be imported. CF racing cut costs by building the cars themselves. CFR was created to fill the gap between the interest for motorsports and the love for competition. CFR made a successful bid for the promotion rights of the established Chinese Circuit Championship (CCC) from the Federation of Automobile Sports of China (FASC). They are financed through a secured five million euro investment from European investors. The website shows images similar to what we see in NASCAR; however the vision is different.
What made you realize this was an untapped market?
What was the strategy for finding international investors for something that takes place only in China?
How do you plan on building enthusiasm for a new industry?
Augmentum
http://www.augmentum.com/
Augmentum’s vision is to be the best software development service provider in the world. The company provides “software development services from people who have outsourced development for their own most complex, most important, and most profitable products and solutions.” They create commercial quality software with minimum resources. They provide services with speed to stay ahead of competition.
How do you make the software worldwide capable?
What is the strongest service or service that clients demand that Augmentum provides?
Is there a trend in the services that you provide? Do you see your company changing or developing new services that are newly demanded from China’s growing economy?
Suzhou Industrial Park
www.sipac.gov.cs
This is the largest economic and technological cooperation project between
China and Singapore and in the most competitive industrial zones in the world. This shows how two countries can work together.
What was the main motivation for this collaboration?
Carre-Four
www.carrefour.com
This French retailing giant has headquarters in Guangzou and Paris. They are a competitor of WalMart. They are part of joint ventures and adjust to the Chinese markets. Their growth strategy is to double in the rate of store openings, to further strengthen the group in markets where it is already well established. They also make sure to follow the customers.
How do you market in China?
Do you feel the growth is more in China than Europe?
What are the difficulties in entering the Chinese market?
BEIJING:
21 Manager
www.21manger.com
The website is an open forum where managers from different industries discuss issues like marketing, project management, IT management, human resources, and corporate culture. Managers can exchange helpful information, suggestions, and opinions. Companies can also recruit on the website. This is a helpful business tool.
How was this idea created?
What is the user base and the amount of use?
Where does the profit come from?
Are their similar sources in China?
Center for International Business and Ethics
www.cibe.org.cn
This is an international non-profit research institution which hopes to help business ethics become more integrated with current business strategies in China. It has conferences and classes to help professionals understand ethics for their business strategies. CIBE wants a standard in China.
Have the ethics of businesses made a substantial improvement since starting these programs?
What percentage of businesses participates?
What is the current state of creating a standard in China?
Thomson
www.thomson.com
Thomson is an international leader in digital video technologies that serves the global Media & Entertainment industries. Thomson focuses on three sectors: services, systems, and technology. The services is management of media, the systems focuses on content, and the technology is where its developed. Thomson’s customers are content creators, content distributors, and users of Internet technology (these include movie studios, TV networks, broadband operators, game and software providers, and consumer electronics manufacturers).
Thomson offers products that help protect audio and visual digital rights protection, that provide secure content delivery, and help deter physical counterfeiting. They also are committed to sustainable development, trying to reduce their environmental impact.
How do you reduce the black market and counterfeiting so big in China?
Are there trials for counterfeiters?
How receptive is the Chinese market, and is it more receptive than other countries?
Do countries work together to protect their property rights?
Why are you focusing on sustainability when so few companies are in China?
Lenovo
www.lenovo.com
Lenovo is an “innovative, international technology company formed as a result of the acquisition by the Lenovo Group of the IBM Personal Computing Division.” They are a global leader in information technology. They provide customers with smarter ways to be productive and stay ahead of competition. They help customers achieve better productivity. It has a $13 billion annual revenue and provides products to consumer all over the world. They are supported by four main company values; customer service, innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, accuracy and truth seeking, and trustworthiness and integrity.
Lenovo globally provides the Think Family of PC products. This includes the ThinkPad notebook, the ThinkCentre desktop, and the ThinkVantage Technologies software tools.
In 1984, 11 computer scientists in Beijing created the company Legend. Their goal was to bring information technology to the Chinese people. By the mid 1990’s Legend created the innovative Legend Chinese Character Card (which translates English into Chinese characters), and changed its name to Lenovo. By 2003 its personal computing products held the leadership position in China. In 2005, Lenovo acquired IBM’s Personal Computing Division and became the global leader in the PC market. This alliance allows Lenovo to combine their superior products with IBM’s distribution and sales network. The goal of this research is to drive down the cost of PC ownership
while increasing quality.
They are proving the computer equipment for the 2008 Olympics.
How did the acquisition change your business model?
Who are your competitors?
How does your customer service play in a role in the market?
Beijing University
en.pku.edu.cn/
Beijing University is sometimes called Peking University. The University consists of 30 colleges with 93 specialties for undergraduates, 199 specialties for Masters Candidates, and 173 specialties for Doctoral candidates. It has become a center for teaching and research. They want to become in the top universities in the world by the next century.
How do you establish co ops with local businesses?
How do you market to faculty and students?
What is the ratio of students accepted to those who apply to the university?
Which programs are growing fastest?
posted by victoria brown at 9:06 PM
1 Comments:
Good job.
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