Comments on: Tips for working in China http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Sun, 20 Jul 2008 06:53:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Asia » Blog Archives » CRM Adoption ‘Biggest Problem’ in 83 Percent of Cases, Wigan Gets ... http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-118715 Asia » Blog Archives » CRM Adoption ‘Biggest Problem’ in 83 Percent of Cases, Wigan Gets ... Fri, 07 Dec 2007 02:57:05 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-118715 [...] Tips for working in AsiaThe sisters - ages 23 and 25 — work at importing company Acme Merchandising and Apparel. They both do business overseas for the majority of their work. And while they live in Boston, they travel in Asia one third of the year. … [...] […] Tips for working in AsiaThe sisters - ages 23 and 25 — work at importing company Acme Merchandising and Apparel. They both do business overseas for the majority of their work. And while they live in Boston, they travel in Asia one third of the year. … […]

]]> By: Justin Fenwick http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-116786 Justin Fenwick Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:09:52 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-116786 anirban is right. To add to the technique...after accepting with both hands make sure you turn the card over and look at both sides (most are two-sided). Business cards are made to impress in China on purpose. Take time to notice the small details of the card before removing it from view (not in your back pocket). This will help begin business or even personal meetings off on the right foot. anirban is right. To add to the technique…after accepting with both hands make sure you turn the card over and look at both sides (most are two-sided). Business cards are made to impress in China on purpose. Take time to notice the small details of the card before removing it from view (not in your back pocket). This will help begin business or even personal meetings off on the right foot.

]]> By: anirban http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-116626 anirban Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:25:21 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-116626 No one mentioned about accepting business cards in China. When you receive a business card in Hong Kong, make sure you extend and take it with both hands. Also , do not put it in your back pocket. This is considered disrespectful. No one mentioned about accepting business cards in China. When you receive a business card in Hong Kong, make sure you extend and take it with both hands. Also , do not put it in your back pocket. This is considered disrespectful.

]]> By: Justin Fenwick http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-113407 Justin Fenwick Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:40:39 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-113407 Well played Penelope! I lived in Beijing for six months and spent nine days there recently. Rule of thumb number one, in urban areas, is that one year in China is like 10 anywhere else. The economic growth and "capitalist communism" makes way for quick change. And quick it is, as three new office building sprung up in the two years away and this was just as neighbors to my old campus. This can also often bleed into the career/business market, often times making it necessary to travel often if not just live there to keep up. Thank you for your comments on cultural differences and respect. Often times I've seen foreigners, even well traveled ones, react suddenly when they find themselves out of their element. That cleaned plate might get you too much food or that empty cup too much booze, but in China you respect those two. Of course even further challenging when it's 3x to deny something and 3x to offer something. The key, like you mentioned in different words, is to keep in mind that any first "crazy" reactions you may be having they could very well be having in return. Mind your space and respect theirs. As a quick response to those commenting on spirituality and materialism. I think it is right to say that every location has a mix. But if a country has a cultural and intellectual rug pulled out from underneath it (Cultural Revolution, etc.), then preached a form of capitalism, there is a level of spiritual replacement. I just think to over generalize from my experience, spirituality is not yet at its cultural maturity quite yet in China. Materialism will seem to reign as much, or more than, we might say so for the West. To conclude I'll leave with some jet-lag tips: 1) Vitamins! On the flight over, when you arrive, and etc. Don't exceed the recommended amount though. 2) Get out into the sun when it's day time and keep the lights low when it's time for bed. 3) Sleep on the plane only when it's sleepy-time at your destination. This works well if you are well rested before you leave on your trip. Thanks! Oh China... Well played Penelope! I lived in Beijing for six months and spent nine days there recently. Rule of thumb number one, in urban areas, is that one year in China is like 10 anywhere else. The economic growth and “capitalist communism” makes way for quick change. And quick it is, as three new office building sprung up in the two years away and this was just as neighbors to my old campus. This can also often bleed into the career/business market, often times making it necessary to travel often if not just live there to keep up.

Thank you for your comments on cultural differences and respect. Often times I’ve seen foreigners, even well traveled ones, react suddenly when they find themselves out of their element. That cleaned plate might get you too much food or that empty cup too much booze, but in China you respect those two. Of course even further challenging when it’s 3x to deny something and 3x to offer something. The key, like you mentioned in different words, is to keep in mind that any first “crazy” reactions you may be having they could very well be having in return. Mind your space and respect theirs.

As a quick response to those commenting on spirituality and materialism. I think it is right to say that every location has a mix. But if a country has a cultural and intellectual rug pulled out from underneath it (Cultural Revolution, etc.), then preached a form of capitalism, there is a level of spiritual replacement. I just think to over generalize from my experience, spirituality is not yet at its cultural maturity quite yet in China. Materialism will seem to reign as much, or more than, we might say so for the West.

To conclude I’ll leave with some jet-lag tips:
1) Vitamins! On the flight over, when you arrive, and etc. Don’t exceed the recommended amount though.
2) Get out into the sun when it’s day time and keep the lights low when it’s time for bed.
3) Sleep on the plane only when it’s sleepy-time at your destination. This works well if you are well rested before you leave on your trip.

Thanks! Oh China…

]]> By: Scott http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-113100 Scott Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:15:05 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-113100 I have to agree and disagree with you simultaneously. International business is very much about 1. culture and 2. communication. You explained that quite well in your points. However, I disagree somewhat with the concept of such a lush and friendly job market for international opportunities. Provided if someone is very entrepreneurial in nature they can get into an international market any way they wish, the typical business is not necessairly welcoming for young employees interested in the international side of the business in my experience. It has been hammered to me again and again that you have to EARN your way towards an international position, that companies don't let just ANYONE have such opportunities. I have always been very transfixed by the complexity and challenge of working internationally, but the more I look into it, the less it seems like legitimate opportunity. Here's a nice little note from someone very experienced with the international side on successful practices: http://internationalexperiences.blogspot.com/2007/10/major-mistakes-companies-make-when-they.html I have to agree and disagree with you simultaneously. International business is very much about 1. culture and 2. communication. You explained that quite well in your points. However, I disagree somewhat with the concept of such a lush and friendly job market for international opportunities. Provided if someone is very entrepreneurial in nature they can get into an international market any way they wish, the typical business is not necessairly welcoming for young employees interested in the international side of the business in my experience.

It has been hammered to me again and again that you have to EARN your way towards an international position, that companies don’t let just ANYONE have such opportunities. I have always been very transfixed by the complexity and challenge of working internationally, but the more I look into it, the less it seems like legitimate opportunity.

Here’s a nice little note from someone very experienced with the international side on successful practices:

http://internationalexperiences.blogspot.com/2007/10/major-mistakes-companies-make-when-they.html

]]> By: Dale http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-113099 Dale Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:08:51 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-113099 Back in the day, the kiss of death for a promising career was to be sent abroad to a "third world" division. Being sent to Europe or Japan was fine since if you were sent there you were probably being primed for upper upper level management. Now, there does not seem to be as dire a penalty for being sent to the "third world" since good performance there signals adaptability and this is what most companies want. How the times have changed:) Back in the day, the kiss of death for a promising career was to be sent abroad to a “third world” division. Being sent to Europe or Japan was fine since if you were sent there you were probably being primed for upper upper level management. Now, there does not seem to be as dire a penalty for being sent to the “third world” since good performance there signals adaptability and this is what most companies want. How the times have changed:)

]]> By: +DJ FunkyGrrL+ http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-113031 +DJ FunkyGrrL+ Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:49:07 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-113031 "Learn the local laws," as China is notorious for cracking down “Learn the local laws,” as China is notorious for cracking down

]]> By: Working internationally? Avoid reductionist tips… « La Vie Quotidienne http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-113027 Working internationally? Avoid reductionist tips… « La Vie Quotidienne Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:31:58 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-113027 [...] , business, culture, global careers, intercultural Over on Penelope’s blog, there is an interesting article offering tips on working in Asia*, drawn from the experience of two American businesswomen who travel in Asia a lot on work. This [...] […] , business, culture, global careers, intercultural Over on Penelope’s blog, there is an interesting article offering tips on working in Asia*, drawn from the experience of two American businesswomen who travel in Asia a lot on work. This […]

]]> By: baby names » Blog Archive » Tips for working in Asia http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-113024 baby names » Blog Archive » Tips for working in Asia Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:14:27 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-113024 [...] Read the rest of this great post here [...] […] Read the rest of this great post here […]

]]> By: Orside.Com » Tips for working in Asia http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-113021 Orside.Com » Tips for working in Asia Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:26:54 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/25/tips-for-working-in-asia/#comment-113021 [...] Morgan wrote an interesting post today on Tips for working in AsiaHere’s a quick [...] […] Morgan wrote an interesting post today on Tips for working in AsiaHere’s a quick […]

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