THE DRAGON’S EYE
Official
Publication of US-China Peoples Friendship Association, Chicago Chapter, www.uscpfa.com/chicago
Roger Noback, Chapter President and Editor,
630/762-8225 March 19, 2006
The scheduled venue, time, topic, and activity for the USCPFA March
19 meeting are
Cross-cultural
Management in
Shi Han, Managing Partner,
ChinaLine, LLC
This program serves as an introduction to a series of
presentations in 2006 on managing cultural differences in business with the
Chinese. The presentation begins with the exploration of cultural differences
American business executives experience in dealing with Chinese counterparts.
Among the cross-cultural issues discussed are mutual dependence and
independence, hierarchical order and egalitarianism, confrontation and
cooperation. Real-life examples are drawn
from US-China business encounters in the areas of supplier relationship
development, market entry and expansion, and development of strategic
alliances.
The presentation concludes with a discussion of
effective ways of managing the cultural differences, not only for risk
mitigation, but also for the maximization of economic benefits as promised by
the pervasive business relationships between American and Chinese firms.
Shi Han is the founder and managing partner of
ChinaLine, LLC, a Chicago-based management consulting firm that advises US companies
on developing strategic partnerships with Chinese manufacturers. He advised leading multinationals such as
ITW, The Marmon Group, Eastman Kodak, and Bausch & Lomb as well as many
small and medium-sized manufacturing and distribution companies on the issues of strategic
investment, market entry and supplier relationship development.
He is formerly a lecturer and research fellow at
Other topics contemplated in the 2006 Series include without limitation
guanxi (a frequently misused and misunderstood concept), extended family, ren,
Chinese pride in their culture and the Westerner’s advantage in knowing and
appreciating it, and other aspects of Chinese business and social life.
A near
overflow crowd of first time attendees and existing members and friends
attended the Chapter’s
second meeting in Evanston on Feb. 19 and heard the Hon.Tian De You,
Economic & Commercial Consul of the Chinese Consulate in Chicago give the
Chapter his Annual
Chinese Consulate Commerce Update, which he sprinkled with some
personal anecdotes. Mr. Tian opened up
to wide-ranging and pertinent questions and generously made himself available
before, during and after the meeting to visits with attendees.
The 2/12/06 Lantern Festival Gala of Chinese dance, choral
and drama performances presented by Dongfang [Eastern] Performing Arts Assn [www.dongfangarts.org] played to a
capacity crowd and offered exquisite performances of high professional
caliber. USCPFA Chi. Chapter members and
friends Pearl Zhao and Ling Ye were among those prominently featured.
The March 19 meeting is scheduled at the House of Fortune Restaurant,
Typically, the regular
monthly Chapter meeting is held on the third Sunday of the month
and includes a delicious traditional Chinese multi-course meal, which begins at
2 pm; the hour long luncheon talk (with Q&A) begins at 3 pm; and all this
is only $15. Meetings are typically
scheduled on odd numbered months for Chicago’s Chinatown (e.g., March, May) and
on even numbered months (e.g., April, June) for either Evanston (North Suburbs)
or Naperville (West Suburbs). Please
attend and bring a friend. Please reserve in advance at AssociationSvcs@aol.com (indicate
USCPFA in subject line) or call
847.251.1400, ext. 0 (members have priority seating). Cfade31906FINALema