Western firms that want to get their ‘Made in China’ products checked for quality need to scoop out the territory and choose reliable business partners at the ground level.
Perhaps the most talked about topic of the 21st century in the financial and manufacturing industries has been the emergence of China's booming economy, particularly in relation to global commodity markets. China is now not just the world's second largest economy but also a country undergoing a myriad of cultural and economic changes at a dizzying pace. These days, for newcomers to China, it doesn't take long to realise that the cost of living in a tier-one city, such as Shanghai and Beijing for example, is perhaps not much different from, say London or Singapore. This may also be true for second-tier cities that not many Westerners may have heard about, such as, for example, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Chongqing. Of course, it goes without saying that you are still going to find a few towns and rural places where you can live a relatively inexpensive lifestyle compared to the bigger cities (Guiyang, the provincial capital of Guizhou Province is a prime example); however, on the whole, the country is not cheap anymore. Nevertheless, there is still one aspect of this booming economy that has most Western firms worried and one that is taken very seriously. I am talking about the quality control checks done on 'Made in China' products and especially the condition of the factories where those products are manufactured before they are exported and end up in luxury high-street stores in the West. At the same time, China is at a crossroads where the stance is slowly moving away from its image as a global hub full of 'sweatshops' to a consumer society. In recent years, China has considerably shifted from being a global manufacturing hub to one that caters for value-added sectors, such as in the innovation and design industry. Because land is becoming expensive in tier-one cities, the vast majority of manufacturers (both local and Western firms) are relocating to cities where land is cheaper. This has resulted in some cases where safety or the quality of the products has been compromised because manufacturers want to save costs. Nevertheless, many supply chain professionals in the West remain unusually unalarmed. "Oh, don't worry, everything will be fine," said one American importer at the Canton Trade Fair in Guangzhou earlier this year. "As the country continues to develop, the quality of its products and the factory conditions will improve." For a foreign company that is purchasing goods from China, knowing some of the major business principles that can determine the difference between success and failure in the quality of the products received across the globe, is crucial even before proceeding with the order online or on the phone. When choosing factories or companies, executives need to work out how the capital, product and labour markets work (or don't work) in the target country; and with China, this is absolute crucial. Sure, there are fake or bad quality products available in every country; however, the fact remains that the spotlight is especially put more on China. A number of high-profile cases of poor quality control in China in the past few years have raised question about how companies, both foreign and Chinese, can make sure that goods they produce in or source from China meet international quality, health and safety requirements. China, being the emerging market that it is, provides unique challenges, but they can be addressed, and eventually overcome, by a thorough, well prepared and well researched entry strategy. There is a whole range of advice about finding the right factories or checking the QC of products, provided by chambers of commerce, embassies, the home country's trade and industry organisations, expatriate blogs and groups, as well as other corporate professionals who have lived and worked in the host country. It's 2015 and while China has come a long way in the past 12 years or so and is pledging to clean up the image of a country that was known widely to manufacture fake products, there are still a few loopholes exposed here and there. Use every source available to find out about the local factory. Check references, particularly those of other foreign firms who have operated there. Hire a local lawyer or investigator to confirm that a potential local company or factory is in good standing with all QC checks, creditors and taxing authorities. If the destination is Shanghai or Chongqing, hiring a lawyer in Dalian or Macau will probably not be productive. It is best to find someone you can trust with contacts in the location where the potential factory or company conducts their manufacturing. In comparison, the factory information structure in a socialist society, such as China, is moderately frail. Workers cannot form independent trade unions in the labour market like in the West, which affects wage levels. Sound advice like this is priceless before entering this massive Asian dragon. Most Western businesses are unfamiliar with their industry markets in emerging economies, such as China. Therefore, it is vital that business owners and importers, especially newcomers to China, do not just look for advice from their management consultants, as the view from the ivory towers in London sometimes looks rather different from the reality on the ground in, say the outfields of Tianjin. Getting it right at the end means getting it right at the start; therefore preparation is crucial to success. Reliable Partners The quality and reliability of the local partner are two key components of success in China. Prior to commencing business with a factory, first establish what precisely is needed from them. Foreign companies need a local partner who is reliable, understanding, co-operative and trustworthy. They must also have a global mindset. The legal systems in China are often not in line with international standards or with Western laws. Local laws are often biased towards their governments and absent from free markets. Therefore any issues with your products relating to bad quality can create a complicated situation and court cases can take months, if not years, and often they are corrupt - though in recent years, both India and China have been trying to clean this stained image. Form takes preference over substance in ways completely unfamiliar to those in China. One minor methodological miscue on the foreign company’s part might negate its right to sue the local partner later on. In unfortunate circumstances it may even lead to the foreign company being expelled from the country, while its assets remain. A good partner may not necessarily have political connections. Usually as a business partner it is best practice not to be engaged politically for any non-business related issues, as this can prove to be risky for the executives and their business. Put in the personal time - hands down is the most important facet to doing business in China is building relationships. This is important in the West too, but not to the same degree. If you try hide behind emails and text messages in China you will get nowhere fast. Pick up the phone more often than you are comfortable with, and meet people face-to-face on every possible occasion. As soon as you do, you will start to notice the effects immediately. Visiting the Factory Premises Paying a visit to the manufacturing facility of the company in China you wish to source from is an essential first step of quality control. By going to the factory in person along with local experts who understand the product in detail will give you a first-hand perspective of what the conditions are like at the ground level. It may be worthwhile to take QC professionals who can help you to carry out detailed technical and non-technical checks. Andrew Reich*, CEO and Founder of InTouch Services based in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, lives by the word when it comes to checking the quality of ‘Made in China’ products. Reich, who started the company nine years ago with the help of a few American investors, says: “One of the most central concerns faced by Western businesses making strategic decisions in China is obtaining accurate market information. I am sometimes shocked at the attitude of many importers of ‘Made in China’ products in the US because they buy in bulk without knowing the true production history of the product’s lifecycle and then later come back with complaints when the products don’t work properly or are unsafe for domestic usage. If foreign executives can carry out the research for QC checks in Chinese factories before they enter China then a lot of hassle can be avoided from their part”. It’s important to get to know potential partners because if they are legitimate and want to work with you for the long term, they will expect you to want to get to know them better and think nothing of your wanting multiple meetings before signing any deal to export ‘Made in China’ goods. It may also be very useful to have your own people on the ground along with local QC inspectors, leading, training and instructing the local staff on business methods, business ethics, efficiency and quality control, among other things. Another approach is to have one local manager working alongside an expat manager to make joint decisions and avoid any cultural differences and conflicts in the workplace. Reich goes on to say: “People don’t realise the challenges involved but are just thinking about how much money they can make from coming to China, and it really is not that simple. China is an enormous, complex and unique market. The market information configuration about quality control is such that businesses have often been operating in their economies long enough to have built up a strong understanding and acceptance of their markets”. Monitoring the manufacturing process is crucial yet challenging when you have limited time during a factory visit, therefore it is best to rely on a well-known and trusted quality control company that can place professionals on your behalf to monitor the manufacturing process, right throughout the whole product lifecycle. Be careful and know the local rules and regulations prior to entering the country. The easiest way for a local competitor to force a foreign company out is for the company to engage in something illegal, although in some cases that may not be deemed ‘illegal’ in the company’s home country. For your peace of mind, it’s probably in your best of interests to request relevant references and customer endorsements from the manufacturers. This will enable you to gain more detailed knowledge and trust about the quality of the company’s manufacturing process. Building Relationships Many executives find that if a project or task takes twice as long in the developed world, then most likely it will take at least four times that in emerging markets. The challenge lies in the fact that business hosts in China will treat a foreign executive both as a businessperson and a professional coach because they will want to learn about how the company operates in Western economies. For the foreign executive, patience will be tested to the limit, especially if he or she has been sent to manage a start-up from scratch. Nevertheless, patience will be required in abundance because it could take many months before there is any sign of return on investment for the business. Engaging in quality control checks in China means taking nothing for granted because the things a Westerner is accustomed to, or any creature comforts that one is used to back home, might not exist in the emerging market. Culture shock will not only affect an executive’s personal lifestyle, but the corporate one too, and this is where an expat needs to find the balance to lead a successful life in an emerging market. China is not the West, and it's really important to embrace the cultural differences, not alienate yourself because of them. For example, I've found that whereas foreigners place more emphasis on things like contracts and punctuality, my Chinese friends and colleagues are more focused on building strong relationships and trust. If you're a foreigner trying to do business in China, don't get caught up on things that are only important to the Western mentality. Sometimes you need to "let go" of your previous ideals in order to find new opportunities in China. At the same time, it's still OK to be different. Your Chinese friends and colleagues understand that you come from a different culture, and that naturally you are going to act and display characteristics that are different from theirs. Don't be shy about saying what you feel and explaining the things that are important to you and your culture, and why. Others will appreciate this education. It is absolutely imperative that the manufacturer should be clear from your communications about your company’s specific requirements for quality standards. This will result from your company building a long-standing professional relationship and one that eliminates all the negativities that come along with cultural differences and misunderstandings. * Andrew Reich is the CEO of InTouch Manufacturing Services, a QC firm that performs product inspections and factory audits in China for US and EU clients. Andrew also maintains a QC-related blog, Quality Wars. Take courage, my French friends (of ALL races and religions).
Prenez courage, de mes amis Français (de toutes les religions). Home to just under 30 million- I say again- 30 MILLION souls, who share an area of 82,403 km2 (31,816 sq mi) -- compare that with London's population of 13.8 million sharing an area of 8,382 square kilometres (3,236 sq mi), Chongqing is one of the world's fastest growing cities. That statement is evident when you visit the city and see for yourself the vast amounts of construction and heavy pollution that dominates the skyline. With the added in humidity and the hilly topography, the city somewhat feels a bit like Hong Kong (except for the heavy pollution and the cultural differences, of course). For more photos you can check my Flickr account by clicking here. Chris Dyer and his wife Joanne in the User-Experience and Design (UED) department at Alibaba in Hangzhou. Highly intelligent yet eccentric and quite talkative, Chris was instrumental in leading the UED team. From my experience, his personality resembled a cross between British politician Boris Johnson and Richard Hammond (Top Gear). He had this bouncing buffoonery and love of whiff-whaff (sometimes repeating/stating the obvious in a patronizing way), which all seemed to be part of a carefully calibrated performative act at Alibaba. Always wearing sunglasses, even on a dark and gloomy day. Photo Copyright Navjot Singh Kyle Shannon Smith, the all-time nice American guy living the Chinese dream. Popular with staff, and highly intelligent, Kyle was the man to go for anything content related. I can say that he was very Chinese...perhaps more Chinese than most Chinese people. This was evident in his daily morning greetings in Chinese....even if you replied back in English, he would respond in Chinese! His reason for being in China was because he had a Chinese partner he had to take care of (he was also working at Alibaba.). Photo Copyright Navjot Singh Don't believe what the travel brochures say...in the past 10 months, I have only seen a blue sky on about 6 or 7 days! (it really is that bad...PM 2.5 levels go over the roof sometimes...).
Popular at home, parks or at the office, the 毽子 is a feather puck (as shown below) and forms part of a very popular activity in China. Usually played in groups of 2 or more (though you can play by yourself too if you want)...the aim is to keep the puck in the air as long as possible while passing it around from one person to another only by hitting it up with your foot.
At Alibaba Group in Hangzhou, we usually play with it after lunch to burn off all the calories. Great fun. The weather's similar to the UK...miserably cold (slightly humid), cloudy...just different way-point to the east of the longitude!
MARINA BAY SANDS and SENTOSA ISLAND ARAB QUARTER CHINATOWN LITTLE INDIA Click here to read about my thoughts on Singapore.
Of course, Singapore is full of gastronomic delights, but there is one place I found that will fulfil any food wish. Sky on 57, the signature restaurant at Singapore’ Marina Bay Sands, is no hidden art of Singaporean cuisine, yet it does not fail when it comes to the challenge of presenting the ultimate gastronomic journey. The eatery is the culinary home to celebrity chef Justin Quek's modern interpretation of Franco Asian cuisine and has a skillfully designed interior oozing an elegant ambiance. I was on a hectic and tight press trip, and with only around an hour to cover what this hyped restaurant has to offer, I had definitely presented their team a challenge to create the dishes as quickly as possible and with the full-on high quality that they are renowned for.
Justin Quek breezed into the restaurant from his kitchen and after the handshakes and broad grins all round, he took the time to sit and was utterly focused on the task ahead of showcasing the best food in Singapore. "People like us because they know of our commitment here at Sky on 57 to the quality, in the food that we serve as well as the service," says the chef who is Singapore's most internationally known chef and the first Asian chef invited to participate in Lufthansa's Star Chefs program. "There has to be the energy, and there has to be passion and whenever I am working I will always try my best to serve an excellent meal." A reviewer interviewed Quek around 10 years ago in Hong Kong, he fondly recalls, and said she could not, and would not eat, Cantonese Raw Fish (魚生 yu saang). Quek responded by not serving the delicacy raw, but fried in a very light and crispy tempura butter, and turned it into a version of Crispy Pan Fried Salmon, Chinese Style (香煎三文魚). The reviewer ate five helpings, and wanted more! "I love talking to my customers," says Quek. "If they don't like something, then I'll try something different." The 12,000 sq ft eatery has a main dining area, private dining rooms, a bar, lounge and an outdoor terrace. The restaurant delivers one of Singapore’s most sought-after dining experiences. The views are equally stunning, facing out to the sea, though not sure if you would want to gaze upon the endless number of freight ships that lie dormant in the calm and clear waters in the distance. Light-filled and family-friendly, the restaurant and its cuisine are sea-inspired, created with a blend of French, Cantonese and other Asian tastes in mind. Make sure you try the ‘Crispy Scale Coral Cod'. It is chef Quek’s belief that ecologically friendly farming results in better-tasting food and drinks. On the whole, I would say that this is a place that provides great food, great staff and amazing natural beauty. The restaurant is so popular that hotel guests make a booking before they check-in. With adventurous days, glamorous nights, and a rich and diverse culture which brings the best of Indian, Malay, Chinese and British colonial history, Singapore offers everything from scuba diving at Sentosa Island to historical parks and some of the world’s best high-end eateries. Located within all this hype on Scotts Road, and a stone throw’s away from the world renowned Orchard Road, is the multi- award-winning Grand Hyatt Singapore.
With tasteful luxury, premier service and all that this tiny city-state has to offer, the Grand Hyatt Singapore, complete with its 677 luxury rooms and suites, is one of its kind. The first thing that hits you as you enter the lobby of the hotel is how remarkably generously spaced it is. The lobby itself feels like a spacious art gallery, except that there are no paintings on the walls but plenty of shops selling all kinds of designer fanfare. The hotel’s lobby and immediate exterior gives the visitor a chance to engage themselves with the hustle & bustle of the local area. The hotel’s guestrooms and suites are some of the most spacious accommodations in Singapore, giving guests plenty of peace and privacy in which to unwind. All the rooms are beautifully designed with every detail crafted by expert hands and are conveniently fitted with every modern creature-comforts required for a stay that gives you a complete peace of mind, such as generous work desks, luxurious beds and elegant baths. Amenities are provided by June Jacobs. The hotel’s Grand Club® Rooms & Lounge are creatively put together with the business traveller in mind. If you are a busy professional who wants to get some work done efficiently and without any interruptions and want to have a good rest to recharge the body before another busy day at work, then the Club rooms are perfect for you. If you are looking for an authentic Singaporean experience but still want high-end luxury, this is your place. After walking around Singapore the whole day, or even after a long day at a business meeting, it’s nice to come back to the tranquil settings, have a swim at the free form swimming pool...or enjoy a soothing treatment to put your senses at ease at the secluded Damai Spa, Singapore, which comes with a fully equipped 24-hour gym. Of course, one of the aims of travel is to make you happy and feel rejuvenated from the pressures of daily life in your own backyard. But there is a fleeting oh-this-is-fun and then there is a deeper, Zen-happy. In Singapore, and especially at the Grand Hyatt Singapore, you can appreciate both. Guests are spoiled when it comes to wine and dine. There are seven dining venues, offering buffet or a la carte choices. The menu focuses on garden-fresh produce, local seafood (especially at the Starits kitchen), and the finest imported meats, used to create a fusion of international and Singaporean dishes. I was most impressed with the cosy surroundings of the glass enclosed ‘martini bar’ located behind the well-popular mezza9 restaurant on the 2nd floor. It can be consider a place to unwind with a distinctly vivacious vibe. In other words, it’s the kind of place where you can just while away the evening with a classy homemade martini in the company of good friends. There are over 30 specially martinis to choose from. Don’t leave without trying their signature Asian-inspired drink, the Lychee martini. For a definitive haven of relaxation and indulgence, head to the CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Hotel and melt away your tensions with their spanking new K-Lift Facial.
If you are in Asia and want to experience what it must have been like to live during the colonial years, then there are some architectural marvels where you can stay and do just that. In Hong Kong, it is the Peninsula Hotel and in Singapore it is without a doubt, the Raffles Hotel. Contrary to popular belief, the Raffles was not established by the British, but by two Armenian brothers from Persia—Martin and Tigran Sarkies—in 1887. The hotel was later named after the British Statesman who founded the city-state, Sir Stamford Raffles (he also founded London Zoo). Designed by the architect Regent Alfred John Bidwell of Swan and Maclaren, the current main building of Raffles Hotel was completed in 1899. The name Raffles is associated with all things connected with Singapore. Amidst the high-rise concrete jungle that modern Singapore is, the Raffles Hotel thankfully sticks out like a sore thumb and it is perhaps one of the key places where people can marvel at how great and powerful the British Empire really was back in the days. While the hand-operated punkhas (fans) may have been replaced with modern air-conditioning, the mahogany furniture, glandular ceilings and the grounds are still in tact. No doubt, this is still the place to see and be seen at, especially for the elite and the A-listers. As I left the Raffles, I noticed that a new high-rise hotel was being built right in front of the main building. While the feeling of sadness conjured up, there was also hope in thinking that thankfully there is only one Raffles Hotel and no one can take away that brand identity from it. If you’re flying into Singapore it’s great to break the trip with a couple of nights at a stylish boutique hotel. The Quincy Hotel may not be quite as petit as some of the other boutique hotels in the city-state, but with just 108 ultra-comfortable rooms spread on 14 floors, the multi-award winning Quincy is ideal for the savvy business traveller or discerning leisure travellers looking to add a trendy touch to their vacation.
This hotel is in a great location with the Orchard Road MRT station only a few minutes walking distance and close to multiple shopping malls. The Quincy is the perfect place to cool down after a long muggy Singapore afternoon because even though it is located close to the busy Orchard Road, it’s neatly hidden away from the crowds and the noise. The thing that I found really attractive about the Quincy was the complimentary extras that are provided as part of the hotel room rate. The list of freebies included as part of the room rate seem to be endless: the one-way airport chauffeur pick-up at Changi Airport, daily free 2-piece laundry service, mini-bar re-filled daily, all day dining by Dean & DeLuca and Modesto's, parking for hotel guests, free local calls, unlimited free Wi-fi and evening cocktails for two every day. These complimentary extras are all enough for me to say that I’ll pay to stay here even when I’m not on an official media trip. You end of wishing that every hotel around the world would stick to this business model. Why? Because it works, and the customers appreciate it for the value of money. At the Quincy, you certainly get more than what you pay for. All of the generously spaced and warmly decorated rooms face the city, as does the open-air swimming pool, sauna and gym on the 12th floor, which is open 24 hours a day (very useful if you are jet-lagged!). The spacious bathroom, complete with a rainforest power shower, is equipped with amenities are provided exclusively by Molton Brown. Most important of all, I found the hospitality staff is nothing short of extraordinaire in providing customer service that exceeded my expectations. They seem to be around just like they are friends staying at the same house as you, but are forever ready to grab you a glass of wine or present you with whatever you need, with a genuine smile included. If you are after an air of relaxation, then the Quincy is perfect for those seeking nothing short of intimate surroundings. This is the place to sit back and appreciate the art of doing nothing. ..CLEAN...in fact, this tiny city-state employs specialist cleaners (more than other countries I am told) to keep the streets, parks and all other public areas in an immaculate condition. All aspects of public life here come across as being well organised, efficient, clean and colorful. More importantly people of all different cultures and faiths live in harmony and tolerence with each other.
The stunning Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, captured from 35,000 feet en-route to Singapore from Hong Kong.
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Get in Touch:LIFE MATTERSHere I share my thoughts
and experiences during my travels, and how some things have affected my life as an expat and world traveller. Travelling is about capturing that moment in life. Every word, view and opinion on this page is that of Navjot Singh - except where indicated. The most recent is at the top. Scroll down to read the archive. Or search using CTRL+F (COMMAND + F) and enter a keyword to search the page. Just some of the stories you never heard before. The NAVJOT-SINGH.COM web blog is separate to this web site....Click blog, which may not be visible in some countries due to local firewall restrictions, so in those cases this weblog may be read. The weblog also includes some of my press trip reports- most of which are not published on the official blog because of copyright issues. The weblog also contains articles that may be associated directly with a PR trip for a country, airline or a hotel. These are PR reviews done in relations with various companies. If you are an investor or a trend watcher then you may find this website useful as investing has a lot to do with personal observations and finding the ideal trend or next big thing. The average human on the street frequently knows far more about the state of the economy than politicians, university professors, subject matter experts, and financial analysts who seldom travel, or if they do so, only from one hotel to another hotel! The pulse and vibrancy of an economy is nowhere more visible than on a country's streets. All photos and words are © Navjot Singh unless stated. Photos taken by others or by agencies are appropriately copyrighted under the respective name. No photo or word/s may be taken without the prior written permission by the author (i.e. Navjot Singh). All Rights Reserved. Archives
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