Big in Asia: 25 Strategies for Business Success [Hardcover]

Michael Backman (Author), Charlotte Butler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0333985117 | ISBN-13: 978-0333985113 | Publication Date: October 18, 2002 | Edition: 1st

This book, by two leading analysts, focuses upon the main obstacles facing companies operating in post-crisis Asia. It identifies the transformation of the competitive landscape and provides a series of strategies for business success in Asia. The book is timely and essential reading for managers and business professionals.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Overall, this work is well written, integrative, and easy to understand. Highly recommended."--J.W. Leonard, Choice

About the Author

Michael Backman is a business writer. Charlotte Butler is Research Studies Manager at the Euro-Asia Center, INSEAD, France.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; 1st edition (October 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0333985117
• ISBN-13: 978-0333985113
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,753,625 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Offers insights on Asias businesses, May 2, 2003

By 

M. Kannaparan "2towers" (Kuala Lumpur) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Big in Asia: 25 Strategies for Business Success (Hardcover)

This book is rich source of insights and perspectives for anyone with a business interest in ASIA.
This book gathers every aspect of business related issues and offers case studies.
I highly recommend this book; especially as a tool for expatriate CEOs and Managers who are working or have plans to work in ASIA.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Asia for Outsiders..., May 26, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Big in Asia: 25 Strategies for Business Success (Hardcover)

Certainly plenty in this book to keep the new comer to Asia fascinated and on their toes but very much written for the "expat" manager ie Westerner relocating to Asia as a new kid in town. Not so frequent nowadays where Asia produces plenty of highly skilled experienced local managers with international experience.
An entertaining and valuable read for those experienced in Asia as well as newcomers to this fascinating region.

3.0 out of 5 stars Managers in Asian companies should read, October 27, 2008

By 

Koala (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big in Asia: 25 Strategies for Business Success (Hardcover)

This is a well researched book. Backman is well known in the region for his work on the dark side of doing business in Asia. The authors didn't shy away from writing about the prevalent corruption in many of the Asian countries. Many would say this book is a valuable resource for foreign company in Asia. I would argue Big in Asia is a must read for many of the senior managers in Asian companies. Many of the practices like promotion based on personal relationship, family member in senior posts regardless of ability, lack of candor during negotiation...etc. Like it or not, at some point this kind of inefficiency will make it impossible for Asian companies to compete in the world stage. Sure, developing relationship (guanxi) is important, and not necessary a bad thing, but if it takes one company three lunches, five dinners and a trip to Disneyland over 12 months to sign a contract and another half the time to do it. Sooner or later, some smart entrepreneurial Asian manager will figure out the more efficient way to do business.

The strategies in the book are presented like case studies. In an attempt to lighten up the material, the readers are served with many back-handed jabs such as,

"When a Korean loses his job he kills himself. When a Thai loses his job, he kills his wife."

"Aggrieved ex-employees in Asia tend to be more interested in revenge than in the West." (not counting postal workers, of course)

Commenting on how the new generation of Chinese are more entrepreneurial and better educated, the author added, "But they are gaining a reputation for greater venality than previous generations."

"Lies, damned lies and statistics, but in China it is mostly the first two."

... not that it makes them less true, I just find them annoying.

The authors are not based in Asia, and have never run a company or any business (as fas as I can tell). For a more personal, hands in the ground view, I recommend 1) Getting Rich First: Life in a Changing China, by Duncan Hewitt. Get the UK edition if you have a choice. 2) The way of the dragon : a guide for Australians doing business in China, by Gavin Crombie. The first is not a business book per se, but an intimate account of life in China. Hewitt spent the last decades living in China. He speak the language, know the people and its culture.