That Guy From China

So, today I’m checking out the Globe and Mail online, and find an article titled, “The entrepreneurs who see opportunity in crisis“.  I’ve been almost preaching to Canadian businesspeople the need to be aggressive in this recession, that there are plenty of opportunities available to those with vision and guts.  So I want to read about other Canadian entrepreneurs who share this idea.

The first paragraph quickly sets me straight:

YIWU, China — Zhou Xiaoguang knows a thing or two about surviving hard times. As a girl of 17, she left her poor Chinese village to make a living as a peddler. She sold embroidery hoops, needles and patterns, hefting a 100-kilogram sack as she moved by train from town to town.

It goes on to detail how this penniless peasant went on to build a multi-million dollar enterprise.  And it profiles other successful Chinese businesspeople as well.  The message they all have in common — yes, the economic recession is going to hurt a lot of people.  Even put a lot of people out of business.  But for those who survive, they’ll come out stronger on the other side, not only more experienced, but with a lot of their competition out of the way.

While Canadians are cutting back on spending, closing down facilities, etc., they are doing the opposite.  They’re buying up other companies (at bargain basement prices), expanding their facilities, etc.  So when this is all done, they’ll be in a far stronger position, and ready to dominate.

Folks, China’s rapid growth, and their increasing domination on the world market, isn’t because of the government.  Its because of the people.  The Chinese are the New Capitalists, and they’re out-competing us in every way possible.  Its not just about “cheap labor”; it is about businesspeople with both the vision and the guts to excel.

While there are some entrepreneurs here in Canada, by far the majority of businesspeople I talk to seem to be stuck in the “I’m doing well enough, I don’t need to do more” mode.  That, or “Now is not a good time to be taking risks.”  In the short term, that may work.  But over the longer term, those companies that are taking a passive stance, or that are afraid to take risks, are simply going to be out-competed and rendered obsolete by other companies that are aggressive, and that take risks.

This is, in part, simply to test out the functionality of some of the plugins I’ve added, in this case to make sure that video can easily be inserted.

But I’ll also give some background.

In 2006, I started a new business in China called “Shou Ling Tong” (literally translated, it means “Smart Hands”).  It was one of the very first companies in China to introduce Baby Sign Language to Chinese families.

We had to set up everything from scratch…designing teaching materials (using Chinese Sign Language instead of American Sign Language), training the teachers, etc.  However, my staff were absolutely wonderful, and also very creative.

At one point, my teachers got together, took a popular Chinese song, and added sign language to it; the result looked beautiful, so we made a video of it that we added to YouTube.  Here, for your enjoyment, is that video:

I hate to say it…but it seems that an awful lot of Canadians just don’t have balls any more.  American, Australian, and European companies are aggressively pursuing the Chinese market, but Canadians are almost invisible.  At a recent industrial trade show in Shanghai that had over 2000 international exhibitors, not one single Canadian company was present.

It can’t be because the culture is too different…Americans, Australians, and Europeans are doing fine.  It can’t be the distance…we are closer in Vancouver than the vast majority of American companies who are in China.  It can’t be that we don’t have anything to offer…we’re one of the most advanced countries on the planet, with huge natural resources and a thriving technological sector.

In fact, the only possible excuse that I can come up with is that Canadians are simply too complacent.  They rely primarily on the Canadian and American markets, and just can’t be bothered to go any further than that.

Of course, now that the financial crisis has crippled the U.S. economy, and Canadian companies who relied on that market for their profits are facing serious problems, perhaps it will inspire them to get off their butts, and actually be a little adventurous.

Don’t get me wrong…I’m proud of being Canadian.  I’m proud of my country, and everything it stands for.  Which is why I am so embarassed and dismayed by this Canadian apathy.  We could be a major world player.  We’ve got the people, the tools, the talent, and the resources.

All we lack is the drive and determination.

Perhaps the current economic situation will shake people out of their apathy, and get them thinking more internationally.  I sure hope so.  We have so much to offer, and so much that we could do.  Its a shame to see it all squandered.

“The China Challenge” is a monthly seminar that I am running, at which I explain to participants some of the most frequent problems that Canadians will face in doing business in China; what the root causes are; and how best they can prepare themselves for those situations.  It is very practical, with role plays and case studies based on real situations. The purpose is not just to give you head knowledge, but to develop practical skills — to both be able to identify the causes of cultural conflict, and to find effective solutions.

The seminar is a half day seminar, usually from 1:00-5:30.  The location may vary, but usually is held at UBC Robson Square in downtown Vancouver.  The seminar is followed by an optional Chinese dinner, at which I will explain many of the intricacies of eating and drinking at a Chinese business banquet.  This portion is very lively and fun for everyone involved, as well as being very important (since the odds are that a great deal of your business dealings with Chinese will take place around the dinner table).

If you think you might be interested to check it out…be sure to let me know!

For the past 15 years — from 1993-2008 — I have been living and working in China.  During that time, I’ve established two successful businesses, and a non-profit organization.  Probably 75% of my work in China focused on cross-cultural issues: helping foreign companies/organizations understand how to do business in China; and helping Chinese companies/organizations understand how to do business with the West.  The core of my focus was on cultural differences, and helping both sides understand each other better.

I was, however, rather embarassed at times to be a Canadian.  While American, Australian, and European companies were expanding aggressively into China, Canadian companies were doing almost nothing.  In fact, the vast majority of Canadian professionals in China are working for American or European companies.

Now that I’m back in Canada, I’ve decided to focus my attentions specifically on Canadian businesses, and encourage/push them to be more proactive and aggressive in getting into the Chinese market.  This blog has been set up to comment on some of the issues that are relevant to Canadians doing business in China.

In addition, I’m going to be hosting a monthly seminar called The China Challenge, which will provide very practical and useful advice for those who are interested in China.

Unfortunately, while I personally enjoy debates, and dislike censorship, the practical reality is that I need to be very cautious about my reputation in China.  If this blog were to have a lot of strongly anti-China posts, it not only could cause problems for me to renew my Chinese visa, but could also cause problems for my non-profit organization, and the Chinese who are associated with it.  Therefore, I’ve decided that all posts will require approval before they appear; and if I feel that the post would cause problems, I may either edit the content, or not post it at all.

My apologies in advance to those who I know will be upset or offended by this; but I’d point out that this in no manner, shape, or form stifles your own freedom of speech.  There are tons of places available to you where you can say whatever you like, and let your own sentiments and beliefs be known.  And I’d encourage you to use them.

That being said, I do hope that people will find this blog interesting and useful; and I do look forward to peoples comments and opinions.