DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA: Consumer Nation: You May Want to Look at China For Exporting, Not Importing

Doing Business In China with Dan Paulson

Though it has taken some time, the consumer power of China is a force to be reckoned with. Now may be the time to seek opportunities in the Chinese consumer market.

For years now, we have heard about sourcing products to China for low cost manufacturing. Some companies have been very successful with this while others have found it to be a painful process. In either case, importing products leads to exporting jobs and as it turns out, potential opportunities.

As is often the case, we tend to get trapped in our own tunnel vision. The US has been the greatest consumer nation for decades. Cheap money and a credit-based society has allowed a person to “buy now and pay later” which has kept the engine going for quite some time. In recent years this has changed as a weak economy has hit people in the wallet causing them to spend less. The good news is early predictions from this year’s holiday season sales are up substantially, which is a positive sign that consumer confidence is growing here. But what about spending elsewhere?

China is one of the fastest growing consumer populations spurred, in part, by our investment in manufacturing there. While many in China are still working to earn a living wage, many others have taken advantage of this new prosperity. As wealth grows, many Chinese are buying. What do they prefer? Brand names from other countries. With the right product or service, this could be a great time to expand into the Chinese market. Consider the following:

• China’s population exceeds 1.4 billion people with the population transitioning from an agriculture-based to industrial-based society
• There is growth in virtually every sector of spending from housing, to food to electronics to cars
• Until recently, the Chinese rarely purchased virtually everything under one roof. They were more accustomed to specialty shops providing specific goods. Today, department stores and retailers such as Wal-Mart are expanding in China.
• China is still a cash-based society. Most Chinese save at least 30% of their income. They are accustomed to paying cash when they buy. Credit cards and checks are used very differently and are rare occurrences in transactions.
• The youth is where it’s at. A younger, educated workforce wants the brand names and gadgets their parents couldn’t get, or afford. They look to western culture for the trends in fashion, food and technology.
• Brand is important. The Chinese seek brands they can trust because they know what they can expect from it.
• Quality is key. This culture was used to shoddy products that failed to meet expectations. Companies that make products where quality is much higher than what currently exists in the markets will do well.
• Price is still important. The Chinese are still price sensitive. Many work hard for their income and part with it only when there is a true benefit. Being a foreign competitor and remaining price-competitive can be a trick, but if mastered, can lead to great success.
• The need for infrastructure. Cities are growing rapidly. Needs for sustainable energy, water quality, transportation and other services exist. Companies with expertise in these areas can experience profitable growth with decades worth of work ahead of them.

As our own economy begins to bounce back, the growth will be slow. However, more companies are looking for opportunities in the market. As a nation of innovators, it may be time to not only look at opportunity here, but also abroad. While there are no guarantees, with the proper planning, research, and connections, the potential exists for businesses to expand and be profitable. Are you willing to seek out that opportunity?


For more information, please visit Dan's TNNWC Bio.

---

Capital, Traffic Building, International Customers and unique SERVICES.
The National Networker Publications™ produced by TNNWC Group, LLC
Resources for Business Planning, Development, Capital and Growth

Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA: Consumer Nation: You May Want to Look at China For Exporting, Not Importing

Defining Moments, Part 1: “The Art of Networking Art”

By Sian Lindemann
Arts & Entertainment Editor

“Bob Emser is an international sculptor, having shown on 4 continents, 7 countries and in 27 states in the U.S. His extensive body of work, dating back to 1978, can be seen in cities and municipalities, sculpture parks, museums and institutions of higher learning. During his 30 year career he has served as a visiting artist and has taught at several universities, held a tenured professorship, and founded a not-for-profit art center that is still in existence. He has also served as executive director of Chicago’s international sculpture exhibition, Pier Walk. Currently he is the president of Chicago Sculpture International, the local affiliate of International Sculpture Center, on whose Board of Directors he sits. Emser focuses his full time efforts creating sculptures for public and private places.”

Artist / Sculptor/ Bob Emser

http://www.bobemser.com/

The Defining Moment

Bob Emser has no problem in maintaining a constant stream commissions. He is booked two years in advance, and from our conversation nearly two months ago, he talked with me about “The Defining Moment” that changed his life and his career.

While for some years living in a “state “ of reverence for artists he admired, respected, and wished to emulate, Bob remained in awe and in separation from those individuals.

Bob made a command decision.

It was at this time that he rented a tux, hopped a plane, and placed himself in the room of those sculptors who were being featured and were gathered at a major event in New York City. The event, was the (ISC) International Sculpture Center’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Now he was one AMONG those whose lives and works he had admired. It was a significant change in his thinking.

If he wanted to be considered as one of the best, he had to mingle and associate with those who were considered the best, and become a “peer.”

http://www.sculpture.org/documents/awards/life.shtml

He is a member of the ISC and that is how he got invited to the event, and anyone can attend who is willing to pay the $500 a plate fee.

The first year was 2003 and he has attended every year since. He is now on the Board of Directors of this organization.

It changed his life. No longer separating himself, but becoming an active participant in this organization, and interacting with those whose achievements and talents he revered, he had become known and is now equally respected by those same people.

And look at the work….It IS spectacular.

Prairie Wind 2 / Bob Emser

The Art of Artist Networking

“Networking events for artists are merely a forum for meeting people and establishing relationships – what you do from there is really up to the artist. It’s unrealistic to think that you’re going to sell your art just by being part of a professional arts association.”

“The key is what you do with the relationships that you develop, how your cultivate them, and the process is a slow one. It may take several years for a relationship to turn into an art sale.”

“Unfortunately, many artists are not taught to foster these types of relationships – they need to learn the process. Here are a few tips…

• Don’t just join an organization, BECOME a part of its leadership
• You have more impact by being the person inviting the speaker than by sitting in the audience.
• Keep track of your “touches” with a person you want to build a relationship with (It never happens from just one !)
• In order to be counted you have to SHOW UP. Attend Gallery openings, conferences, and receptions.”

No Limit / Bob Emser, Sculptor

Leadership in One’s Industry

The conversation with Bob Emser continues to support the advocacy that I have stated over the last year and a half, writing for The National Networker.

Be IT now. It really is up to the artist to command their career, and as a teacher, mentor or leader in one’s industry, it offers many more opportunities to the individual to have access to those that can help one forward one’s career.

To contact Bob Emser, http://www.bobemser.com/

Sian Lindemann

September 2008

Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

Defining Moments, Part 1: “The Art of Networking Art”