The Chinese Tao of Business: The Logic of Successful Business Strategy (Paperback)

~ (Author), Usha C.V. Haley (Author), Chin Tiong Tan (Author) "The small town of Camden, South Carolina, with about 8,000 people, has a heavy Southern drawl..." (more)
Key Phrases: managerial convergence, special market information, classical strategic planning, Overseas Chinese, Hong Kong, Silk Road (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...my simple recommendation...is grasp this opportunity; read this book..." (dialogin.com, June 2006)

Intriguing...exhaustive [guide] to the minefield of making money in China...numerous helpful examples profiling foreign companies that have survived. -- Wall Street Journal, November 26, 2004

Stellar road map into the Chinese business mind that should benefit those studying the Chinese and those working with them. -- Vijay Mahajan, John P. Harbin Centennial Chair in Business, McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin & Dean, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, India

This excellent book will start you on the road to enlightenment. -- Philip Kotler, SC Johnson and Son Distinguished Professor of International Marketing, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

Using the Tao as a metaphor...this book takes a practical and strategic approach to managing effectively in China. -- Harvard Business School Working Knowledge, November 1, 2004

Very successful in bringing in [China's] cultural history and connecting it to doing business in China...a must read... -- Rob Westerhof, Chief Executive Office, Philips North America Region (previously, CEO, Philips East Asia Region)

Product Description

How can managers discover, develop and implement successful business strategies for China and our global economy? Drawing on in-depth research with top executives of successful Chinese and Western companies, this book provides a road map for profitable business strategies in our interconnected economy. In the process, the authors describe and examine both Chinese and Western strategic management, their weaknesses and strengths. Starting with an analysis of the historical, cultural and legal antecedents of Chinese strategy, the authors identify potential for synergy and dominance between companies from Western, industrialized economies and Chinese companies. The book closes with recommendations on how the managements of non-Chinese companies, now pouring into China, can most effectively compete and interact with Chinese businesspersons and governments.

The Chinese Tao of Business offers guidance to compete successfully against local companies and in foreign markets through:

· Unique insights into Chinese business strategy, including its origins and influencing factors · Insightful perspectives on the evolution of China’s markets and business environments · Incisive analysis of Eastern and Western strategic decision-making styles and how they differ · Cogent identification of hidden and overt threats, pitfalls and opportunities that Western companies face in China and how to plan for them · Effective direction through an Adaptive-Action Road Map (ARM) for successful business strategies in China and the global economy

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Product Details

• Paperback: 329 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (October 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470820594
• ISBN-13: 978-0470820599
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #645,508 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Chinese business put into context , July 1, 2005

By	M. Beise-Zee "Rian" (Bangkok) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Actually, I like the book despite the somehow funky title. The authors try to make sense of Chinese business and they do a pretty good job. They argue that it is misleading to judge chinese business with the same standards like in the west. Apart from Tao, which I think is actually not that important to understand the authors points, some of the basic Chinese values are explained and put into a cultural context. Especially revealing are the patterns of trust. It is often frustrating for Western Businesses when confronted with the Chinese attitude to intellectual property rights. The authors argue that it is not shrewdness or fraudulence that guides their behaviour. Their advice: When in China, try to understand Chinese business patterns and play by their rules. Quite a general rule but still hard to follow for westeners. The book contains a lot of practical advise.
The downside is that the book is based on interviews with executives only but not on really thourough statistical analysis. For instance, it is interesting that they regard product quality as already very important in the chinese market, but the authors cite he same person several times (a German!) to support this claim. Though the subtitle of the book is the 'logic of successful business', successful strategies of western firms in China are covered on two pages. Apparently, no Japanese business executive was asked although Japanese firms are among the most successful in China. In addition, there are contradictions, for instance they advise to 'invest for success in the long run' but at the same time 'get out of the country soon when you don't make money'.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful insights on working with China, November 7, 2004

By	Edward (Boston, Mass.) - See all my reviews

Never dull and a surprizingly easy read, despite the wide swathe this book cuts -- philosophy, legal environment, strategy, and most importantly, recommendations for success. I strongly recommend the latest book on Chinese business by Dr. George Haley and Dr. Ushe Haley.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent survey and reccomendations for China, January 3, 2005

By	Martin (Boston, Mass) - See all my reviews

Usha Haley and George Haley would be considered among the top academics on business in Asia and China. Their research is covered in the news almost weekly. Therefore, it is no surprise that their latest book is a "must read". Insightful, no holds barred, theory-based, surprising, logical, humorous, beautifully written -- and yes, I learned quite a bit from them after working on business in China (futilely) for several years. For obvious reasons, I will not divulge my name or company -- but suffice to say our company now puts "The Chinese Tao" on its to-read list whenever we work on a project in that country. Strongly recommended!