Doing Business in China For Dummies [Paperback]

Robert Collins (Author), Carson Block (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 6, 2007

Navigate China's business culture and etiquette

The fun and easy way to grow your business in China

This authoritative, friendly guide covers all the basics, from the nuts and bolts of Chinese business and bureaucracy to negotiating with your Chinese partners. You'll also get the know-how you need to manage day to day, from travel tips and advice on converting money to getting past language barriers.

Discover how to:
* Understand Chinese markets
* Develop a strong business plan
* Find the right employees
* Work with currency controls and the Chinese banking system
* Sell and source in China

Explanations in plain English
* "Get in, get out" information
* Icons and other navigational aids
* Tear-out cheat sheet
* Top ten lists
* A dash of humor and fun

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Navigate China's business culture and etiquette

The fun and easy way to grow your business in China

This authoritative, friendly guide covers all the basics, from the nuts and bolts of Chinese business and bureaucracy to negotiating with your Chinese partners. You'll also get the know-how you need to manage day to day, from travel tips and advice on converting money to getting past language barriers.

Discover how to:

• Understand Chinese markets
• Develop a strong business plan
• Find the right employees
• Work with currency controls and the Chinese banking system
• Sell and source in China

Explanations in plain English

• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

About the Author

Robert Collins, MBA, is a senior executive with a major Fortune 500 financial services company. Rob is also a former senior consultant with a leading international business consulting firm. He has more than 20 years of commercial and business development experience in international markets. Rob is an active member of the Mayor of Chicago’s Shanghai Sister Cities’ Business Committee.
Rob gained a strong understanding of Chinese business and management while living and working in Beijing and Hong Kong, China, for more than 12 years. He managed one of the earliest representative offices in China. While working there, Rob was an officer with the American Chamber of Commerce in China.
Rob obtained a joint MBA degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
You can e-mail Rob at [e-mail].

Carson Block, Esq, is the founder and Managing Director of YBS Investment Consulting, which is based in Singapore. In this role, Carson advises high networth individuals and families on their investments. He also advises companies and investment firms on China-related investments. Prior to founding YBS, Carson practiced law in Shanghai with Jones Day, a U.S.–based law firm.
In this role, he advised foreign clients on China foreign direct investment and mergers and acquisitions. Before joining Jones Day, Carson was an equity analyst and partner in W.A.B. Capital, a Los Angeles–based investment boutique.
Carson obtained his Juris Doctor (High Honors) from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. He earned his BS in business (finance) from the University of Southern California. Carson speaks Mandarin Chinese. You can e-mail Carson at [e-mail].

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (August 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470049294
• ISBN-13: 978-0470049297
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #452,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ROBERT COLLINS is an international marketing and consulting executive with a focus on successful China market entry, business and client development, and consumer market sales.

Rob was a pioneer in China business having managed one of the earliest representative offices for a financial services company in Beijing, China in 1983. Rob has a strong affinity for and understanding of China. He has more than 20 years of leadership and expertise in business in Asia. He resides in Shanghai.

Rob has demonstrated accomplishments working for major Fortune 250 firms; including the world's largest insurance broker, the largest U.K. insurance company. Prior to becoming an independent consultant, Rob successfully led complex client consulting engagements for a leading consulting firm.

He obtained an MBA from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the Kellogg School of Management (Kellogg), Northwestern University in 2000.

Award winning co-author of Doing Business in China For Dummies, Wiley Publishing. BARRON'S, America's premier financial magazine, said: "Doing Business in China for Dummies is chock full of helpful details".

Specialties
China Insurance ~ New Business Development ~ Private Equity ~ Management Consulting ~ Insurance Advisory ~ Cross-Border Investments & Strategic Partnerships ~ Direct/Database Marketing ~ Interim Management ~ Demystifying China℠

His book Doing Business in China for Dummies, (Wiley, with C. Block) was published in 2007. Rob has been featured in: Financial Times, Barron's, Inc., MSNBC, Smart Money, and The Economist, and other leading print, radio, and on-line media. He is a frequent speaker on China Radio International (CRI), the State-owned broadcasting network in The People's Republic of China.

Rob can be contacted at [e-mail]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great chapter on protecting intellectual property in China., April 14, 2008

By 

Cathleen BoDeen "CEO, Chinese Manufacturing A... (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Doing Business in China For Dummies (Paperback)

I highly recommend this "Dummies" book for its easy to follow format of navigating the business community in China. A great insight to how Chinese business people negotiate and basically, how things are done. It will save you from making costly mistakes whether you are starting your own business in China or dealing with Chinese business to get your product manufactured. I highly recommend the chapter on "Managing Risks in China." This chapter explains the importance of understanding the Chinese legal system (or lack there of); combating bribery and corruption; government relationships; and (my personal favorite) protecting intellectual property in China. This chapter is worth the price of the whole book (though the entire book has valuable advice).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for `Dummies' - but for everyone!, December 19, 2009

By 

Mauri G. Gronroos "Mauri G Gronroos, Ph.D., a... (Tampere, Finland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Doing Business in China For Dummies (Paperback)

Doing Business in China for Dummies is an excellent addition to anyone's "Dummies" collection wanting to gain insight on the inner workings of the Chinese marketplace. It doesn't matter who you are, this book is great for anyone from business people to travelers going to China; it'll help you along your way in an informational step-by-step approach. What are the most crucial things to remember when dealing with other customs? Body language, entertaining, politeness and negotiating are among the few topics dealt with in this book; a few things which are very important when dealing with Chinese business people.

Even though business is very important there are many more things which one should know when in China. Other than dealing with business, it gave good insight to a few of the large cities and how to get around from the airport upon arrival; tips on transportation; lodging; and what happens if you run into problems.

Comprehensive, intelligent, fast paced and easy to read, doesn't even begin to describe this book by the Collins/Block duo. Two highly qualified individuals in the field of Chinese business having either lived there or knowing the Mandarin language. This is a book which you won't want to skip if dealing with anything relating to deals or business in China.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent travel resource, March 3, 2009

By 

Sam H. (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Doing Business in China For Dummies (Paperback)

I originally purchased this book in advance of a business trip to China and found it to be highly informative and clearly presented. Especially useful and entertaining were the sections on Guan Xi, Business Etiquette and Managing Risks.

Since thenm having loaned my copy on several occasions to friends visting China for the first time, many commented that it was more useful than their "tour" books. Concise whilst simultaneously engaging, this book serves as a very practical resource for professionals or anyone interested China.