| Author |
Message |
chinick
Barker
Joined: Sep 13, 2004
Posts: 171
Location: SH (as in s*** hole)
Status: Offline
|
 Posted:
Feb 10, 2005 - 08:40 AM |
 
|
| Post subject: how young people are considered in the business world? |
sorry it's a repost...
In China, how a young male expatriate would be considered by the executives and managers of chineses factories???
would they respect him and think he's serious or just doesn't care because of his young age?
My employer is a little bit concerned about this fact and because he is, so do I now...
I would run a procurement office that's buying steel components, nothing hi-tech, but in large quantities (2-3M+ USD)
Please give me your inputs on this or share experiences you had.
btw i'm 26
Thanks |
|
|
|
|
peining
Reacher
Joined: July 24, 2004
Posts: 223
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Feb 10, 2005 - 12:05 PM |
|
|
i think whether they take you seriously is depends on how good you are. you will probably have to earn their respect as similar in any working environment.
my friend, who's younger than you, opened a factory out in Sichuan. i'll have to get the details from him.
do you speak Mandarin? i think that would help. |
|
|
|
|
good4kicks
LoopKicker
Joined: Jan 20, 2004
Posts: 955
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Feb 10, 2005 - 12:38 PM |
|
|
There are a couple of things working in your favour here in China. First, as you will be a buyer, you should take note that the Chinese are very 現實 and will "respect" you because you have money to spend. Secondly, the workforce here is unusually young. Middle aged people who should be in the prime of their careers in other countries, are members of a loser generation here, robbed of their educations during the cultural revolution. Therefore, if you are dealing with professional companies, you will find that the majority of the workers are below the age of 40 and you are not so young.
If you can speak Mandarin, it will be less likely that you will be cheated. If this is the case, you should still beware of the locals because they will try to speak in Shangahinese dialect so you cannot understand them.
In conclusion, I don't think your age is an issue. Most people that get screwed over here are naive. That is the issue that your boss should be concerned about. |
|
|
|
|
|
cyfox
Talker
Joined: Feb 10, 2005
Posts: 120
Location: ShangHai PuDong
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Feb 11, 2005 - 01:36 PM |
|
|
I'm an overseas chinese who studied in the local university. Now i work for a foreign co. in Shanghai, in the management level.
Depends on the company culture. Normally, the important thing that allows you to distinguish yourself is always the type of person you are. Smart and experienced employers know what to look for in you. For a foreigner to survive here, you need to be better, at least you need to make others believe. Everyone here often thinks foreigners are far much better in knowledge and professional skills. Of course, if you speak good mandarin, that would make you a killer competitor, haha. |
|
|
|
|
|
chinick
Barker
Joined: Sep 13, 2004
Posts: 171
Location: SH (as in s*** hole)
Status: Offline
|
| Posted:
Feb 11, 2005 - 11:52 PM |
|
|
excellent guys, thanks for the comments!
i only speak basic mandarin, and don't intend to use it to conduct business.
note that my employer is canadian, and i would represent them in china, i'm not going to work for a chinese company. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Forum FAQ
Search
Preferences
Watched Topics
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
