Foreign private equity in China is down, but far from out. For most people, having too much money in the bank is hardly a concern, particularly in the current economic climate. For those in the private equity (PE) industry, however, it’s a an unpleasant reminder of how much the world has changed since the go-go […]
The High Growth Conundrum: Surviving the Financial Risks of Fast Growth
Fast growth might seem like a dream come true for an entrepreneur. What could be better than watching your vision turn into happy customers and hundreds or thousands of busy employees? The reality, however, is that a period of hypergrowth can be extremely dangerous for a young company—sometimes even fatal. Indeed, many fast-growing companies implode […]
Customer Service in China: Upping the Ante
Companies need to step up their service in China to satisfy the new sophisticated customer. Lining up for a table at the Hai Di Lao Sichuan hotpot restaurant in Beijing is not such a bad experience–you get served tea and snacks and can even opt for a manicure while you wait–a welcome reprieve from other […]
Sir Tom Hunter and his Idea of Venture Philanthropy
An interview with Sir Tom Hunter, noted entrepreneur, philanthropist and Scotland’s first billionaire. Sir Tom Hunter’s story is an inspiring one. The son of a grocer in a small mining village in Scotland, he started a business selling sneakers from the back of a van. From humble beginnings, he went on to create sportswear retail […]
Joint Liability of Platform Loans
Despite the fact that local governments avoid paying debts, banks do not have sufficiently powerful means to regulate debtors. It remains doubtful whether or not the central government will be able to repay the debts. Therefore, it is inappropriate to presume the safety of platform loans with the argument that “the government will assume joint […]
Social Commerce in China Goes Beyond Sharing
Dabbling in social commerce might help Chinese e-commerce companies deal with fickle consumers and heightened competition. 11th November 2012 marked a watershed moment in the history of e-commerce in China. The date marks Singles’ Day or Guanggun Jie, a curious festival that came up to celebrate bachelorhood. Whatever its origins, today Singles’ Day has become […]
Where in the World is China Investing?
In 2011 China engaged in multilateral trade across the globe, both spending on imported goods and services, and investing in foreign industries. Topping China’s shopping list were machinery and electrical equipment imports from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the United States and Germany, followed by mineral products from Australia, Russia and Indonesia. Five of China’s key import […]
China’s Manufacturing Metropolises: Inside Foxconn’s Sprawling City
Why and how China will remain the factory of the world. In 1974, 23-year-old Terry Gou founded his own business on a $7,500 loan from his mother. It was enough to rent a small space and buy a couple of machines to mold hunks of plastic into television dials. In truth, what he had was […]
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Business Blockbuster or False Fad?
Tong Ren Tang is a household name in China. The pharmacy specializing in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been around since 1669. Legend has it that Tong Ren Tang was set up as the royal pharmacy for the palace of the Qing Dynasty. The dynasty came and went, but Tong Ren Tang withstood the test […]
Decoding Luxury Brand Management
What is luxury brand management all about? How do you define a luxury brand? Is it only about price? Or is there more to it? Vincent Bastien, former CEO of Louis Vuitton, and currently Professor of Marketing at HEC School of Management in Paris, believes that luxury is a much misunderstood term. A product that […]
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