Here are some interesting or useful articles that I found recently.
This is NOT an article about the average Chinese manufacturer. It describes what one of the most sophisticated manufacturers does, and it should give us a taste of what is to come in the Chinese high-tech industry.
(I found this article via Etienne Charlier from Procur’Asia.)
Your Supplier Didn’t Sign Up For This….
Jacob Yount gives examples of the typical miscommunication that happens between Chinese suppliers and novice buyers. As Jacob writes, “in order for a project and continuous imports to be a success, the buyer has to take the bulk of the responsibility in control and in being proactive”.
Also don’t miss this article where Jacob gives advice on how to follow up on timing targets with Chinese suppliers.
How To Terminate Your China Supplier: Very Carefully
As Dan Harris writes, “it is fairly common for Chinese manufacturers to seek retaliation against their American product buyers if they cease buying product from them”. Dan proceeds to describe what what precautions importers should take in this case.
Why China isn’t losing its sourcing edge
This article is based on a conference that invited me to speak. Both I, and a consultant from AT Kearney, stressed how important China was, and would be in the coming years, in the global supply chain. Many products will still mainly be sourced in China for the next 10 years.
Preventing Corruption Of Purchasers In China
David Collins from CMC gives advice to reduce the risk of bribes in a purchasing department. The best approach is a mix of staff rotation, data transparency, and random auditing.
(This video is available on Youku at http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XODA0ODE1MzMy.html.)