Bloomberg reports that some very wealthy Chinese entrepreneurs are in hot water. The article is worth a read, especially if you are interested in transparency, the Chinese stock market, and the way that guanxi works.
Here is William Mellor's article.
“… and the way that guanxi works” captured my attention yet again... We have heard the word guanxi many times from Dr. Erickson and tonight I experienced how guanxi works while on the phone with Wu Rachel Nwee-shr (Miss. Rachel Wu).
ReplyDeleteFor the past week, I have been trying to get a site visit appointment with United Family Hospital in Shanghai with very little luck. This partly because when I called, the majority were on their lunch break. (Chinese people do not skip meals :)) Tonight, I called the hospital again. This time I asked to speak to someone from the marketing department. I was transferred, and Wu Rachel Nwee-shr picked up the phone and said, “wei.” (“Wei” is like “hello,” but is typically only used as a phone greeting.) After we greeted, I explained to her my trip objective. When I asked for her contact information, she was a little reluctant. So, I said “How about an email address so that I can send the details?” She gave me her email address and I noticed “Wu” in her last name. So I said to her we have something in common, we share the same Chinese last name! She was surprised and seemed excited at the fact that we have a connection or something in common. After that, we carried on a 30 minutes conversation about stuff… Toward the end of our fun conversation, she invited me to the hospital and scheduled my site visit for 2 PM on 3/16!
Guanxi is about “connections” and truly is the key to securing my hospital visit. “WU” there it is! . . . (again)
Montara, you experienced something important, here! Thanks for posting! And congratulations on establishing some Guanxi. Next, maybe an informal lunch with Ms. Wu and you've really got some fun guanxi workin'.
ReplyDelete. . . and then there's the total and complete lack of guanxi.
ReplyDeleteWhile looking for an additional contact in Beijing, I found a professor at Tsinghua University who appeared to have the perfect background to discuss my research. I sent an e-mail, with an apology for not having been formally introduced to him before asking for such a favor, then proceeded to explain what I was researching. I received a very prompt, polite message filled with well-wishes for my trip, but in no uncertain terms letting me know he was not going to make any time for me, nor was anyone in his departrment. And I'm usually so very charming . . . lesson learned.
Try calling... I did not get any response back (and was feeling discouraged) through emails, so I started calling. Once you interact with the person through phone conversation, email follow up is always good. I use PenneyTalk to call China - realiable, clear line and cheap rates.
ReplyDeleteAs Plafker’s Doing Business in China said, “... a thick skin and a lot of persistence will help your journey into China.”
:)
I, like Scott, have found a complete lack of guanxi.
ReplyDeleteI had been working with a former Chinese MBA student from UMKC in an attempt to make contacts in China. She has been very helpful in narrowing the focus of my project. She also has many contacts in Shanghai. ( I thought I had found guanxi) However, she came back to me today to tell me that most "Chinese are thinking of making money directly, instead of research." As it happens, my project is purely a research based subject with very little business implication for any specific Chinese people. The good news is that she is still trying to find someone. There is something to be said for the persistent advocate. :)
More guanxi at work – funny how a famous dog can open doors…this photo was taken in NY last month during the Westminster show weekend. Besides Uno & myself, the photo includes Mr. Shi Zhaoxin, the President and CEO of National General Kennel Club - China’s version of the American Kennel Club.
ReplyDeleteoops - can't figure out how to get the picture included in the post...
Finally some Guanxi!!! Today I connected with a supplier, Andrew Liu who has lived in Chicago for the last 15years but is origingally from China. His family still lives there. He will be meeting me in Beijing! Wu Hoo!!
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