OK, so the global economy has tanked and you’re considering going to work for a local company in one of the world’s only safe markets – China.
But the reality is that fewer than 50 percent of foreigners who make the jump to Chinese companies survive. So here’s a tiny primer of what to expect and do, according to the Beijing office of a global research firm, first cited in the Asian Wall Street Journal:
1) The office culture is really different. Expect to feel some isolation. Learn to endure the loneliness.
2) Don’t come in with a heaven-sent air of superiority. The Chinese won’t see you that way.
3) Ask to report to top management. That will leverage your authority.
4) Read your leader’s style, and don’t contradict him or her.
5) Use the phraseology common to the new company.
6) Start with small steps.
7) Learn to play office politics – but without taking sides.
According to the report by Russell Reynolds Associates, many foreigners (and Chinese who have experience working in foreign companies) fail on returning to Chinese companies.
“A majority of these executives leave within a year of their arrival. This rapid turnover inflicts financial loss, lowers company morale and impugns the image of managers who advocated their hire,” the report says.
These tips seem to apply in any situation, not just for foreigners working for Chinese firms.
Anyway, what are the usual jobs for foreigners in Chinese companies?
Posted by: otoh | February 27, 2009 at 03:34 PM
I read the five-page report, and I believe it would be mostly useless to an American. The writer, Cheng, is writing based upon observations of Chinese management, without a cultural translation to be understandable to an American, probably because she doesn't know herself. Like the poster above, these 7 key points are universal for going to any new company, foreign or otherwise. Saying they have a different culture is rather obvious -- would you care to be more specific as to how an American would address them? The "heaven-sent superiority" line came from a quote from a Chinese Executive, giving the impression that all Americans are breezing in, saying "I am better than you". My take on this is that in an American company, one absolutely has to "toot your own horn" or languish forever in obscurity. Tooting your horn in China I suppose doesn't work. Then how does one let one's manager know you are good at your job? I imagine there is a way, and the Chinese must be doing it, but Ms. Cheng doesn't describe it. Also, point number four really refers to a public contradiction. An American would be comfortable with a give and take discussion at a staff meeting, but I am inferring that a Chinese manager would be uncomfortable with that, although the article doesn't really say that outright. How best then, would an American speak to their Manager (in private) to make their views known without offending? I don't know, the article doesn't address that either. This article really does nothing to help an American, it is more of an excuse for the Chinese Managers to use to explain why the Americans aren't working out. I am not saying it is the Chinese company's duty to explain in detail to each American working there how to adjust to the culture, but it would be the duty of a consultant writing an article titled "Guidelines for Executives in Transition" to actually be a guideline, and perhaps give links to further explanation of these circumstances. I can't imagine this article being of help to any American.
Posted by: Dee | February 28, 2009 at 09:15 AM
This article surely can help many Americans. Differ with the boss only in private, never in meetings with other people present, and only then after taking special pains and lots of time to establish personal trust. Always remember you're there as a guest, not as a gift from heaven, and that the guest's job is to induce appreciation of international principles, not to toot horns or take sides. Good stuff.
Posted by: sumnerg | March 01, 2009 at 06:56 PM
Here are my tips: 1)get used to supposedly "middle class" Chinese spitting and smoking in the restroom. 2) get used to deductions being taken from your pay for no valid reason. 3. Get used to people shoving and pushing to get on the elevator before you even though you arrrived before them. 4. If you dare to express an opinion on anything they will say you are an arrogant foreigner. 5. Get used to breathing coal dust and soot. 6. Use your imagination to any number of other disgusting habits you may encounter.
Posted by: johnny justice | March 08, 2009 at 10:48 PM
#2 and #3 are contradictory. Also, office politics usually involves 'taking a side'- inherent to the meaning of 'office politics.' Tim, I'm usually on board with what you post, but not this time- glad it came from an outside source.
If an American is planning to take a job with a Chinese company, here's my 2 cents: play by "their" rules. It's not "your" territory anymore. Before I moved to China, my grandma sat me down and said "what you do in China is a reflection of your country." I didn't do the best job, but I tried. It's good advice.
Posted by: Aimee | March 12, 2009 at 12:17 PM