Archive for October, 2008
Visual Observation: An Urban Transformation
The rapid speed at which Beijing and many other Chinese cities are transforming is a well-known fact. Here is just one example brought to us by Michael:
When its doors opened in 1893, Rui Fu Xiang earned its reputation as one of the “original eight†Chinese department stores. An example of longevity and adaptation, the store [...]
In China It’s Xiaonei, Not Facebook
It’s eleven p.m. in China and 23 year-old Beijing University master’s student Peilin has just sat down in front of her brand new Lenovo IdeaPad. She clicks open QQ and MSN to instant message her friends. While she chats she uses Baidu to search for BBS message boards containing advice on peripherals for her new [...]
Companies to Observe
Who are the home-grown Chinese companies changing the face of China (and, increasingly, the world) as we know it?
Simply, Companies to Observe posts deliver you the essential information about the fastest growing domestic firms.
Observer ABC
Growing up in the United States, I often heard a lot of Spanglish. Nowadays at my office in Beijing, I hear a lot of Chinglish. For multi-lingual readers, you understand that there is not always a perfect translation from one language to another. There are some words that simply do a better job of conveying [...]
Visual Observations
In Chinese it’s “百闻ä¸å¦‚一è§,†the English equivalent is “a picture is worth a hundred words.†While I can write on and on about China, there are just some things you need to see for yourself.
I have teamed up with Michael Martina an extremely talented Beijing-based photographer whose work has appeared on the AP wire as [...]
Cultural Observations
Cultural Observations posts provide you with a basic understanding of important cultural factors that influence business in China. Outside Observers should be knowledgeable about these factors; however, you should not over exaggerate the impact of culture on business.
When you think about it, conducting business is really about connecting with individuals. Viewed in this light, doing [...]
An Introduction to The China Observer Blog
“China is the next big thing.â€
Every visit home, friends and family all make the same observation: “You’re in the right place. China is the next big thing.â€
When asked why, most offer anecdotal evidence about China’s rapid economic growth and the outsourcing of American jobs. They just don’t get it.
Back in Beijing, I am surrounded by [...]
