Unfortunately, many Chinese suppliers do not show the truth in their catalogs, websites, and other marketing materials. I found some really good illustrations on the Procur'Asia blog. In Don't select suppliers on a brochure or … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2012
How communication gets distorted in Chinese factories
Have you ever wondered why one of your suppliers promised you that something would get done, and then it never got done? I bet every experienced importer has dozens of similar stories. But, most of the time, it is due to lack of … [Read more...]
What are you looking for in China?
When importers tell me about their frustrations, I usually explain that other buyers have different experiences. And the reason is that they have different needs. Not all buyers are looking for the same thing when they come in China. … [Read more...]
What can you observe in a Chinese factory?
A few days ago, I wrote What questions can you ask a Chinese factory during a visit? Unfortunately, a factory visit is carefully scripted, and you won't get 100% truthful responses. In other words, the supplier's salesperson will tell … [Read more...]
The small buyer’s dilemma in China
Over the years, I have worked with many small and midsize importers who were looking for a good supplier. A very common question they have is "what kind of factory should I look for?". The problem is simple to grasp: Small factories … [Read more...]
Different types of production organization
All factories are not organized the same way. I have explained this concept to tens (hundreds?) of buyers. It is absolutely fundamental if you want to understand how production works. Organization in lines In most Chinese factories that … [Read more...]
Litigation in China: pros, cons, and alternatives
I just watched a video of Matthew Kowalak, an expert in Chinese law who runs Southern Perspective SZ. He describes the main three types of dispute resolution techniques (litigation, arbitration, and mediation) that are available to foreign … [Read more...]
24 questions to ask during a Chinese factory visit
If you spend time in a factory visit, don't just record the information given to you. Prepare your questions! Here's what you should be asking during a Chinese factory visit... … [Read more...]