Mr China went on a long 8 day trip to find biz and to show the locals how to run a lens biz, learnt and experienced alot in his long adventure, his summary:
20 May
12pm - Embarked on 18hr train ride from Xinji to Chang Chun
Rather interesting experience to be squeezed into a 6 bed cabin bunk
1st half an hour was interesting, with the endless plains of farmland
But it gotten boring after 2hrs of the same "picture",
21 May
630am - Disembarked on Chang Chun, searched for a hotel
Located one near area of biz, Mr China is tired n took another nap
10am - Went to XS eye hospital - Met a nice lady that noticed his Hugo Boss perfume
They are reorganising and wanting to eliminate some brands
luckily Mr China came in time to halt this and bring forth a propo
12 pm - Went to WP, a high end retail chain store, very well decorated.
Met the Ah Beng Boss that likes to poke fun at pple
Interesting discussion and headed to lunch
3pm - Went to a big departmental store , no biz there, funny difference in china
All prescription optics doesnt exist in retail departmental stores
They all have specialised buildings catered to their professional
9pm - Rested enough after dinner and did some running.
Rather hilly area in Chang Chun, did 10x slope with strong winds
22 May
5am - Awoke and made preparations to leave
Headed to bus station to Harbin
Long Bus Ride
Noon - Reached Harbin and located a hotel near the Train Station
Train stations are where all the nonsense take place, messy area
Mr China's partner decides to drag e luggage n walk instead
Imagine carrying/dragging 20kg+ thingy for 15min - 30mins in summersun
Headed immediately to a wholesaler's office
Enquired abt the problem and status - resolved some problems
Requested for Mr China to give presentation next mth in his seminar
Booked a hotel for his conference/seminar to retail bosses
Lunch with him, ordered 1L beer for himself, scary.....
Till Evening - Went to town area and met several bosses of retail chains, chances are slim
Have to keep the spirit high.
Went to st spohia church, beautiful , big sq with alot of pple, dancing,
skating, skipping , etc, lights are nice with gd music, inspirational
Walked thru the russian street with interesting slights. Gotten to a seaside
Beautiful........
23 May
am - Woke up to run, explore Harbin abit
Ladies are a pretty sight there with their unique features, bit russia like
Noon - Went on more visiting of bosses, difficult work, established stores unlikely
to give me a 2nd look, all the carrying of big bag up offices is killing me
Had a bad debt to collect, stupid lady kept delaying and acting dumb
Feel like givin her 2 tight slaps, made us run here n there.. pissed
pm - on Board on a long bus ride to Shengyang , 7 hrs ?
Night - received call from a eye hospital that he wanted to give me a presentation slot
Damn, did my PPT on board the bus, wanted to puke with all the bumps
Caught in a bad jam, very delayed
Mr China took his eye off the laptop and looked at the traffic:
He wonders if the driver is an F1 driver? with his "horrific" driving ability
Mr China decides nt to scare himself and concentrate on his work
24th May
- Midnight, arrived at Shengyang finally, stupid Chinese salesman decides to drag
luggage again
Finally taken a cab to a hotel, checked in and found no place for dinner.
Walked 15mins to find a Mac, 24 hrs , thank god... but Mr China hates the "M"
Bo pian and have to succumb to the Clown
130am - Mr China is awoken in hotel room by awesome orgasmic screams from nearby
Some lady is enjoyin her nite and giving Mr China the shivers....
530am - the screams resume , bloody nonsense .........
7am - Mr China wakes up from an "eventful nite", wants to go out for a run, Rain..damn
Did excerises in the room instead
Till Noon - Went around meeting 3 - 4 partners, Sheng yang's optical trade is unique with
no retail chains, all are 1 BIG MEGA high end stores.
Stuck up and arrogant bosses.....
Night - Another bus ride to Da Lian.... ard 3-4hrs , tts fast.....
Rushed to meet one of the Clients, running late, had a nice conversation
Shld be ok with the deal , hopefully
Checked into a beautiful hotel, open the windows and you face the mountains
Took a walk at the beautiful coastal area, imagine cosy bay x 10 the area size
Very peaceful and nice. Had a big castle nearby, a seashell's musesum, its huge
25th May
4am - awoke to run, ran up some hills and peaks in a park. Overseeing the whole of DaLian
Beautiful
till Noon - Rushed off to visit more partners and the endless sales talk, Mr China is getting dry.
Night- took a ship to Yan Tai, big ship, all the train stations and all are not user friendly, plenty of steps and all. Luckily Mr China still have some strenght to drag his lugguage up n down endless stairs.....
Slpt thru the sea ride to Yan Tai, please, its nt some cruise, its a big big ship with 6 pple in a bunk. Mr China is so tired that he knocked out
26 May -
4am - arrived at Yan Tai, have to rush to the bus station to catch the bus to QIng Dao
Caught it , luckily, with time to spare.
Excellent bus service, akin to air travel , Mr China is impressed.
noon - checked into a coastal hotel, nice and beautiful, plenty of tourist also.
Met a client and prepare for the presentation to the eye hospital
4pm - arrived at the hospital, they cant find the eye to the auditorum, what a joke.......
Found it after much effort, even after much preparations and all,
Tiredness drains into Mr China and he blanks out looking at the crowd
Suddenly duno wat to say and stared blankly for some time
Excellent learning experience as he overcomes this and made it. Luckily.....
Night - walked around Qingdao's coast, beautiful with the sea winds blowing.......
27th May
Woke up early to run - nice morning run along the coast, beautiful sights with the sea breeze
Pm - meet one of the clients, gd discussion and went for lunch. N of course, the famous Qingdao beer, damn... he can really drink, every glass is a toast and have to gulp down.
Mr China had to check into a small hotel to rest after that effort of drinking in noon.
NIght - train ride back to Xinji
Arrived back at home at 3am to finish my reporting at 5, knocked out then...... house in a total mess with endless clothes to wash.........
and more follow ups......
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Trip station 1 - Chang Chun
Chang Chun belongs to the Hei Long Jiang Province and considered the worst developed city of them.
Mr China survived an 18hr train ride from ulu xinji to chang chun, train ride started at 1230pm and reached 640am the next. at least Mr China had a bed to slp on the ride. but its 6 person in a small area. 1 small lvl is divided into 3 for a 'triple decker" bed..... the bed has hardly any place to turn and all, but Mr China managed to doze off now and then.... not to mention a killer snorer, having a solo band performance. Mr China really feel like strangling him....
Chang Chun is rather developed to Mr China's surprise. Plenty of buildings , shopping and all, not because he went shopping , but he walked to numerous places as exercise instead. Plenty of nike stores, he lost count. They had a cool t-shirt that reads " our single swoosh is better than the 3 ____" hahaha....
Plenty of pple on the streets despite being a monday afternoon, Mr China wonders if they need to work ? pple in the streets are rather well dressed, very fashion conscious and all. Feels like home....
Mr China visited 3 customers today. an eye hospital, a big high end retail store and a shop in a high class mall. Mr China hopes that deals can be made, its a 50:50 chance. Really really pray hard, Mr China did all he could........ His biggest hopes are the eye hospital and the retail chains.... please....
He will be leaving tomorrow to Harbin. bus ride at 630am... he shld be sleeping...yes....he is....
Mr China survived an 18hr train ride from ulu xinji to chang chun, train ride started at 1230pm and reached 640am the next. at least Mr China had a bed to slp on the ride. but its 6 person in a small area. 1 small lvl is divided into 3 for a 'triple decker" bed..... the bed has hardly any place to turn and all, but Mr China managed to doze off now and then.... not to mention a killer snorer, having a solo band performance. Mr China really feel like strangling him....
Chang Chun is rather developed to Mr China's surprise. Plenty of buildings , shopping and all, not because he went shopping , but he walked to numerous places as exercise instead. Plenty of nike stores, he lost count. They had a cool t-shirt that reads " our single swoosh is better than the 3 ____" hahaha....
Plenty of pple on the streets despite being a monday afternoon, Mr China wonders if they need to work ? pple in the streets are rather well dressed, very fashion conscious and all. Feels like home....
Mr China visited 3 customers today. an eye hospital, a big high end retail store and a shop in a high class mall. Mr China hopes that deals can be made, its a 50:50 chance. Really really pray hard, Mr China did all he could........ His biggest hopes are the eye hospital and the retail chains.... please....
He will be leaving tomorrow to Harbin. bus ride at 630am... he shld be sleeping...yes....he is....
Thursday, May 17, 2007
language of Biz in China.....
Balls n Boss both return from Fair, anticlimax as the price agreement was never brought up. Turn out that both parties were waiting for each other to raise the issue but none did.... great... wonder how can things turn this way. But after that, Mr China had a chance to clarify and determine the pricing and finally gotten the approval for what he deemed right. Going to finish this issue once and for all....
Mr China is in the run of things, going to sales trips and meeting other chinese laopans. In such trips, it never escapes 3 elements , food, alocohol and smoke..... Somehow china pple are never adverse to smoke.... they seem to have immunity to it and tolerating it like nobody's biz. Its a wonder. The everending meal, discussion and the processing of making pple drink. That famous awesome "Baijiu" that Mr China fears is always on the table with its distinct taste and smell... basically Mr China just gulps it down as fast as possible in hope to reduce the torture. It burns down the throat...... more understand Lao Pans will allow Mr China to drink beer, etc.
Mr China went to a nearby city yesterday in a bid to clinch one deal. Competition was too stiff, Mr China presented , talked , advised, show knowledge in the related field to try and crave out a space for him to have his products on the shelf. When all fails, its down to the drinks, the toasting to show appreciation and honour your guest/host. He did what he could, left the proposal and left after ard 3 hours of discussion. Fingers crossed for some good news.
Come Sunday, Mr China is leaving on his longest trip, 10-14days to conquer northen and coastal area of China. Staying about 2-3 days at each city, meeting 2-3 clients everyday to undergo the same process of doing the "Business Language". Its going to tire Mr China down, he needs all the stamina he can in this travel......
an 18 hr train ride awaits to Chang Chun. and trains in China are.................. Mr China advices the extreme of everyone's imagination to understand his journey....
his journey:
Chang Chun -> HarBin -> Shen Yang -> Qing Dao -> Da Lian ->Wei Hai -> Ji Nan
Mr China is in the run of things, going to sales trips and meeting other chinese laopans. In such trips, it never escapes 3 elements , food, alocohol and smoke..... Somehow china pple are never adverse to smoke.... they seem to have immunity to it and tolerating it like nobody's biz. Its a wonder. The everending meal, discussion and the processing of making pple drink. That famous awesome "Baijiu" that Mr China fears is always on the table with its distinct taste and smell... basically Mr China just gulps it down as fast as possible in hope to reduce the torture. It burns down the throat...... more understand Lao Pans will allow Mr China to drink beer, etc.
Mr China went to a nearby city yesterday in a bid to clinch one deal. Competition was too stiff, Mr China presented , talked , advised, show knowledge in the related field to try and crave out a space for him to have his products on the shelf. When all fails, its down to the drinks, the toasting to show appreciation and honour your guest/host. He did what he could, left the proposal and left after ard 3 hours of discussion. Fingers crossed for some good news.
Come Sunday, Mr China is leaving on his longest trip, 10-14days to conquer northen and coastal area of China. Staying about 2-3 days at each city, meeting 2-3 clients everyday to undergo the same process of doing the "Business Language". Its going to tire Mr China down, he needs all the stamina he can in this travel......
an 18 hr train ride awaits to Chang Chun. and trains in China are.................. Mr China advices the extreme of everyone's imagination to understand his journey....
his journey:
Chang Chun -> HarBin -> Shen Yang -> Qing Dao -> Da Lian ->Wei Hai -> Ji Nan
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
The Long Wait
Everyone just gotten back from the Biggest overseas Trade Fair in my Industry. Seems busy, no responses from anyone, not from the chinese side or my company's side. Mr China has been rather anxious awaiting the returns. Chinese Balls is due to meet Mr China's SnM boss there and have a round of discussion. Been fearful of what is going to be exchanged. Especially the distribution agreement contract that is to be signed.
Knew that both sides arent too happy with the agreement that Mr China prepared. China balls didnt like the price, there had been some increases. Mr China is puzzled too and had enquired about it to no avail, he can only follow instructions to convince that big ball abt the new price. Mr China gave up and decide that for the 2 to trash it out.
But alas, no news or whatsoever , just knew that the contract wasnt signed. Something must have happened and Mr China doesnt like to wait for it to happen. With regards to the Distribution Agreement(DA)
They have been talking about it , to bring down the prices and since we are going to have a stake , should nt the pricing be lower? but one of the prices actually increased. Sales hadnt been good and now a price increase? wonderful strategy. Mr CHina talked to SnM-D and NA before, but SnM-D is too high above to go to the ground to discuss this with him. NA have weird ideas and claim this and that.
Even weirder. There had been differences or different versions of pricing given to Mr China to be given to the Chinese Balls. After verification via the classic email with CC to SnM-D. It was finally verified. NA then called Mr China again with his awesome explanations that he never understands. CHinese Balls ask why wasnt a price given to a certain product. NA said no price as they are not interested. But records shows they ordered it before and have shown their interest. But NA refused to put a price down. Then SnM_D being too high up, refused to step in... weird weird....
Now awaiting a killer email with regards to reason for non confirmation of the DA..... hate it..
Knew that both sides arent too happy with the agreement that Mr China prepared. China balls didnt like the price, there had been some increases. Mr China is puzzled too and had enquired about it to no avail, he can only follow instructions to convince that big ball abt the new price. Mr China gave up and decide that for the 2 to trash it out.
But alas, no news or whatsoever , just knew that the contract wasnt signed. Something must have happened and Mr China doesnt like to wait for it to happen. With regards to the Distribution Agreement(DA)
They have been talking about it , to bring down the prices and since we are going to have a stake , should nt the pricing be lower? but one of the prices actually increased. Sales hadnt been good and now a price increase? wonderful strategy. Mr CHina talked to SnM-D and NA before, but SnM-D is too high above to go to the ground to discuss this with him. NA have weird ideas and claim this and that.
Even weirder. There had been differences or different versions of pricing given to Mr China to be given to the Chinese Balls. After verification via the classic email with CC to SnM-D. It was finally verified. NA then called Mr China again with his awesome explanations that he never understands. CHinese Balls ask why wasnt a price given to a certain product. NA said no price as they are not interested. But records shows they ordered it before and have shown their interest. But NA refused to put a price down. Then SnM_D being too high up, refused to step in... weird weird....
Now awaiting a killer email with regards to reason for non confirmation of the DA..... hate it..
Sunday, May 6, 2007
A New Beginning ........ yet ?
After Mr China had gone thru his market research and observation, he drawn a conclusion and had some ideas on how to revamp the situation. Arranged for one of the most important meetings of all to discuss abt the "sales non-performance".
The management team from the chinese side seemed to take things rather lightly, coming in 1/2hr late. That pissed Mr China off, he believe that waiting is the worst way to spend any time. It shows their attitude, which i cant explain.
Meeting well ok initally with Mr China giving a presentation on his observations and what he feels need to be done. That was when things gone horribly wrong. The Chinese Boss decide what Mr China said is not effective, disagrees with what he proposed. That made Mr China very angry. But decidely to give him the benefit of the doubt, he ask then for their proposal. Then Chinese Balls decide to go back to the same old story , same old problem, telling me their difficulties and all. Mr China had enough, he doesnt need to come all the way here to know all these, looking at the pathetic sales record, he already knows. Only fulfillinh 3% of forecast. &^#^&$%* !!!!.
Mr China listened and listened. Listened to his apology , listen to him lamenting that our pdts are exp and no gd. Asking for low price. Price was never the problem. When Mr China's pdts first entered china 3 yrs ago, their price is only 1/2 competitors and still not able to move.
After about 30mins of listening to him, Mr China decided he had enough and stopped him. Ask him what about the solutions? Now with a big investment coming up, it will still have to depend on the current sales force and similar system. Using the same failure system and pple, its bound to doom. But that CHinese Balls doesnt realise it , go on again about the problems. but Mr CHina wants solutions and its running low on time , only a few months left to undo the rot set in 3 years ago.
Finally chinese balls ask Mr CHina to take over the sales team which he refused. Y does Mr China need to help them organise their sales team? and handle everything upon his shoulders. Mr China was very pissed , he nearly wanted to say enough of your nonsense, why did you promise so much to have nothing actually in place ? looking at the perspective of an investment, Mr CHina would never even put his money in here.
Going by the cooperation model. In a JV, wat we expect from them will be at least the distribution network and also the "china way of biz". Which was not in place. Mr China is disappointed, nearly %^%^$^& the Chinese Balls and take the next plane back to sg. He endure and walk off the meeting a very very disappointed man.
Thinking about the situation the whole nite, finally Mr China decided the only way will be to take over the sales team and handle everythin. Next day, he agreed to CHinese Ball's proposal and now begun his journey to lead the Chinese Sales team.. Compromising of 5 old birds and 3 new graduates.
Mr China is having a heavy shoulder..... weight is killing him......
The management team from the chinese side seemed to take things rather lightly, coming in 1/2hr late. That pissed Mr China off, he believe that waiting is the worst way to spend any time. It shows their attitude, which i cant explain.
Meeting well ok initally with Mr China giving a presentation on his observations and what he feels need to be done. That was when things gone horribly wrong. The Chinese Boss decide what Mr China said is not effective, disagrees with what he proposed. That made Mr China very angry. But decidely to give him the benefit of the doubt, he ask then for their proposal. Then Chinese Balls decide to go back to the same old story , same old problem, telling me their difficulties and all. Mr China had enough, he doesnt need to come all the way here to know all these, looking at the pathetic sales record, he already knows. Only fulfillinh 3% of forecast. &^#^&$%* !!!!.
Mr China listened and listened. Listened to his apology , listen to him lamenting that our pdts are exp and no gd. Asking for low price. Price was never the problem. When Mr China's pdts first entered china 3 yrs ago, their price is only 1/2 competitors and still not able to move.
After about 30mins of listening to him, Mr China decided he had enough and stopped him. Ask him what about the solutions? Now with a big investment coming up, it will still have to depend on the current sales force and similar system. Using the same failure system and pple, its bound to doom. But that CHinese Balls doesnt realise it , go on again about the problems. but Mr CHina wants solutions and its running low on time , only a few months left to undo the rot set in 3 years ago.
Finally chinese balls ask Mr CHina to take over the sales team which he refused. Y does Mr China need to help them organise their sales team? and handle everything upon his shoulders. Mr China was very pissed , he nearly wanted to say enough of your nonsense, why did you promise so much to have nothing actually in place ? looking at the perspective of an investment, Mr CHina would never even put his money in here.
Going by the cooperation model. In a JV, wat we expect from them will be at least the distribution network and also the "china way of biz". Which was not in place. Mr China is disappointed, nearly %^%^$^& the Chinese Balls and take the next plane back to sg. He endure and walk off the meeting a very very disappointed man.
Thinking about the situation the whole nite, finally Mr China decided the only way will be to take over the sales team and handle everythin. Next day, he agreed to CHinese Ball's proposal and now begun his journey to lead the Chinese Sales team.. Compromising of 5 old birds and 3 new graduates.
Mr China is having a heavy shoulder..... weight is killing him......
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
The difficult position and "government" authorities
He is stuck in this difficult middle position to play a coordinating role from HQ to China n vice versa. He sees alot of things that HQ doesnt understand. HQ takes for granted that their country is well established and other countries would too. Which is damn wrong. They ask questions like y cant this be done ? y that cant be done that way? in our country, we can do this, we can apply for that. The chinese side doesnt wan to help us???
Haiz..... Mr China had scary stories with the government here:
1. A whole building (ard 30 storeys) have no photocopy machine. Mr China had to go to a nearby florist to zap his documents and check in again.
2. Mr China volunteered to pay taxes but the authorities doesnt know how to suck his money. The authorities looked like they just woke up when he arrived. They have beds in their offices. They doesnt know if its a monthly or yearly amount. its a multi-tier taxation. but if u earn more, like in a level 3 category, u pay lesser than a level 2 one. So the more u earn , e lesser absolute amt u pay. I dun understand their formula.
adding to that , they discover it from a leaflet tt Mr China found, prior to that, they know no shit. askin if there is a difference btw local n foreign income, they insisted no , despite Mr China providing info from Beijing tt there is. After arguing for 1 week and when their boss is in, they gave in.
3, Govt authorities doesnt know wat to do. More often u HAVE to tell them wat to do. Stamp here , sign here , pass this to that department. U have to carry central government's directive n tell them wat to do...........
haizzzzzz
Haiz..... Mr China had scary stories with the government here:
1. A whole building (ard 30 storeys) have no photocopy machine. Mr China had to go to a nearby florist to zap his documents and check in again.
2. Mr China volunteered to pay taxes but the authorities doesnt know how to suck his money. The authorities looked like they just woke up when he arrived. They have beds in their offices. They doesnt know if its a monthly or yearly amount. its a multi-tier taxation. but if u earn more, like in a level 3 category, u pay lesser than a level 2 one. So the more u earn , e lesser absolute amt u pay. I dun understand their formula.
adding to that , they discover it from a leaflet tt Mr China found, prior to that, they know no shit. askin if there is a difference btw local n foreign income, they insisted no , despite Mr China providing info from Beijing tt there is. After arguing for 1 week and when their boss is in, they gave in.
3, Govt authorities doesnt know wat to do. More often u HAVE to tell them wat to do. Stamp here , sign here , pass this to that department. U have to carry central government's directive n tell them wat to do...........
haizzzzzz
Management Styles
Mr China here is no slave driver n no fierce tiger to roar down everyone. He treats everyone as adult and assumes they know their role n responsibilities , gives gd incentives and uses humor to move ideas across. But that may nt be able to work here. Mr China may have to %@%$ them more often, his temper is getting bad to worse and treating to blow up very soon.
Discover plenty of scary stories within. Seem worse and worse when he discovers more. Maybe salary cuts and with no rice to feed their families that would force them to fight? its only when forced to a corner that 1 soldier equals 10......
I hope i need not resort to that..........
Discover plenty of scary stories within. Seem worse and worse when he discovers more. Maybe salary cuts and with no rice to feed their families that would force them to fight? its only when forced to a corner that 1 soldier equals 10......
I hope i need not resort to that..........
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