Product Description
ON THE FRONTLINES: DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA is the only resource of its kind, about the only country of its kind. Presented by The Atlantic magazine, these five DVDs plus a content-rich CD-ROM explore aspects of China never before seen on film or video, offering unfettered access and unfiltered information. These DVDs have been distilled from over 800-hours of high definition footage and over 200 candid interviews, from the executive suites to the factory floors of China.
The four main programs unravel Chinese business culture. They are hosted by James Fallows, considered the dean of China-based American reporters, and journalist Emily Chang. The programs are followed by a freewheeling discussion between Fallows and Joe Nocera, an influential business columnist with The New York Times. The unique architecture of these disks allow you to create a personalized experience that can vary in length according to your needs. The CD-ROM contains unique business information, some of which sells separately for as much as $149.
This is the only resource of its kind on DVD, capturing the nuance, tone and gesture necessary to understand China on any level. You’ will see why Pizza Hut succeeded bigtime in China, while its rival Dominos failed, and how General Mills beat out both Kellogg’s and Quaker Oats at the Chinese breakfast table…but not with cereal.
The most recent reports predict over 9% growth for the Chinese economy in 2009. While this is less than the double-digit growth of recent years, it is truly amazing in the midst of a global recession. China is still on track to become the world’s largest economy within 20 years. If you plan on having a career in the 21st century, ON THE FRONTLINES is the best investment you’ll ever make.
Among many things viewers will learn:
- In China “yes” might mean something totally different from what you expect.
- Chinese contracts are very different from Western contracts. Certain costs are not mentioned but are expected to be paid.
- If you are given a gift, swiftly reciprocating can be an insult.
- Why you should never go to China for a few days “just to get a deal done.”
- How to get around “The Great Firewall of China” on the Internet.
- Why the boardroom is not where the real negotiations take place.
- How contracts are enforced without going to court.
- Why many Chinese describe Americans with the seemingly contradictory words “arrogant” and “friendly.”
- How to manage quality control.
- Innovative techniques that Chinese companies use to thwart Intellectual Property theft.
Review
If you want an edge to successful business in China, this is it. On the Frontlines is a concise, pragmatic, and in-depth picture of China's not-so-obvious business practices - peeling off the layers of subtleties and revealing the core. Great insights from the interviewees. From my 13 years of management experience in China, I know that those who understand China's business culture prosper, while those who don't leave themselves open to costly mistakes. These disks are a must-buy. --Esmond Quek, President and CEO, EverBloom China; Former CEO of Hill & Knowlton, China
ON THE FRONTLINES captures the reality of doing business in China. Host James Fallows illustrates the real thinking behind Chinese business practices. He gets executives to reveal secrets of success that usually take years to learn. They cap off the DVD series with a CD-ROM that s worth the cost of the entire package. After working in China for many years, I know there's always more to learn. I just didn't know it could be this easy and entertaining. --Chris Koch, President Asia-Pacific , Carlisle Companies
On The Frontlines is now mandatory viewing for my senior staff. I've been building and operating businesses in China for more than 15 years, and these DVDs capture what every business needs to know to operate successfully in China. --Pat Cavanagh, President & CEO Williams Controls
