Here are some interesting or useful articles that I found recently.

Levels of China Sourcing (Infographic)

Etienne Charlier gives a roadmap to companies that source industrial products/equipment and that want to get more out of their China supplier relationships.

The takeaway for buyers of consumer goods: leveraging more supplier capabilities, as well as investing in supplier development, can pay off in a big way.

China NNN Agreements. Watching The Sausage Get Made

Dan Harris provides an overview of what terms go into a non-disclosure, non-compete, non-circumvention agreement (also called “NNN agreement”). And, more specifically, how to handle confidentiality issues when a supplier introduces himself under a Hong Kong company and a Chinese company.

Too Small to Work with a Factory? Consider Buying Wholesale

Liz Long gives excellent advice for small buyers who want access to the “China price”. There are actually many solutions: finding a wholesaler, making small changes on stock products, buying materials wholesale and having a factory transform these materials into finished products…

Mastering the Chinese Chop System

If you have a company in China, you absolutely must understand the role of company stamps. This article provides a good overview on the subject, some valuable advice, and is a good read.

“Corporate Social Responsibility” Reports in China: Progress or Greenwashing?

In 2012, 1,722 Chinese companies filed CSR reports. But, as this short BusinessWeek article asks, does this translate in better social and environmental practices? The response is not obvious.

Changes in the China Sourcing Fairs

This quick video explains how Global Sources adapts their Hong Kong trade shows. Among others, “Mobile & Wireless” products will have their own event… with 800 booths expected on the first session.

Rose George: Inside the secret shipping industry 

An interesting TED talk for those who want to learn about the massive ships that transport containers of products across oceans, and about their impact on the environment.

Ultimate Guide To Sourcing From China And Developing Your Suppliers [eBook]

This FREE eBook starts from the beginning, discussing whether you need to hire a sourcing agent, and follows the sourcing process right through to developing a trusted supplier’s quality and productivity.

There are 15 chapters over 80+ pages to explore, providing exhaustive guidance on the entire sourcing and supplier development process from start to finish, including:

• Identifying suppliers,
• Negotiations,
• Quality inspections,
• Developing Chinese suppliers,
• Improving factory quality and productivity,
• and much more…