What Now and Where To: In Search of China 2.0
Even before the bottom of the US financial market fell out, countless Chinese manufacturers had reached the finish-line in their "race to the bottom". It is not unusual nowadays to hear Chinese bosses lament that half or two-thirds of their sector or their supplying sector was already gone.
How about the other one-third or half that is still standing? They may indeed be able to get the last laugh. The head of a US manufacturing association said at a recent MCB event that his organization holds the view that the tide of US manufacturing shall return to China.
A few weeks ago a MCB corporate member commented while traveling in China, "Growth going from 10 to 7 percent is not the end of the world...my two weeks have been super..." He was on a marketing and sales trip. I echo that feeling myself, having just returned from my own trip involving much marketing and selling. I did not stop by any manufacturing regions this time, however.
Going at 100 miles an hour may seem very fast. But a jumbo jet at that speed might fall off the sky! Overheating has never been celebrated, but China just may need a double-digit growth to keep its people, especially the young, employed and content enough so they would not make trouble. But that is obviously becoming harder and harder to do, especially amid a global retreat...
In addition...
All roundtable participants will be gathering in an interactive, hands-on forum to discuss opportunities, share insights, and offer solutions to each other on all things related to China.
Taking place almost every month in cities where we have chapters, this is a periodic gathering (somewhat like a "group counseling" session) for business decision-makers to discuss all issues related to doing business with or in China.
These sessions not only help them continue to network and expand their contacts, but also allow them to compare notes, share tips and learn from each other's lessons and experience, thereby enabling them to be better informed, prepared and "equipped" in their China business pursuits.