The first session of the Canton Fair is opening in a few days, and a sourcing agency (the China Performance Group) just published a useful checklist for buyers who are planning to attend it. You can download it here after registering on … [Read more...]
Rising prices in China: 5 solutions for importers
The RMB rate has been going up steadily against the USD (see below), and labor costs have been increasing even faster. When you add the raises in shipping rates and in certain raw materials prices, prices have often increased by more than … [Read more...]
Buying standard products in China: how to inspect quality?
I have been in contact with an Indonesian importer who is in the following situation: He buys standard products, The supplier requests 100% payment before shipment, The factory has shown in the past that it can't be trusted at … [Read more...]
A couple of housekeeping notes
1. Disqus I finally decided to install Disqus for managing comments. By providing more options, I hope to get more comments from readers. For example, some people don't comment because they don't want to reveal anything about themselves … [Read more...]
How to manage Chinese staff: 3 steps to empowerment
After 5 years working full time in China (and a lot of trial-and-error), I start to understand how to manage Chinese staff for best results. I think one can distinguish three levels, from micro-management (everybody hates it) all the way … [Read more...]
How Chinese manufacturers reduce their costs: “the sub-supply chain”
Last week I described a few ways Chinese manufacturers differentiate their products, based on an article from Global Sources. Now let's have a look at how they cut their operating costs. It is pretty ugly, as described by … [Read more...]
List of good books to read before coming to China
I just found an interesting Linkedin Q&A: If you had to read one book (okay, two or three) on China before going to work there what would it be? Is this question naive?? Here is the response from my friend Etienne Charlier, manager … [Read more...]
How can Chinese manufacturers differentiate their products?
Chinese manufacturers feel the pressure of competition. Those based in Guangdong are up against the lower costs of other provinces. And, in certain industries, they all face the lowest costs of Vietnam, Bangladesh, Pakistan... A new … [Read more...]
Imposing fines on Chinese suppliers
Last week I received this question from a reader: What are your thoughts about imposing fines on suppliers for late delivery and quality issues? Does it work or just causes more problems ? My short answer is: yes it can work, but only if … [Read more...]
Adapting to the mentality of your Chinese suppliers
I recently read How to Win Friends and Influence People. It was written by Dale Carnegie, an American author, in the 1930s. And I kept thinking "this is a good description of how to adapt to the mentalities of Chinese suppliers!" Here are … [Read more...]
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