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Sourcing my Breakfast in China.

by Gary Young on August 8, 2010 with No Comments

Instead of talking strictly about sourcing products and services in China, lets talk breakfast. I usually make 4-5 sourcing trips to China each year that can last 2-4 weeks each, depending on the nature of that particular trip. … I penetrate the crowd and let their energy whisk me along toward my breakfast street vendor rendezvous. Hundreds of smiles, strange looks and a mile later, I’m in line. Finally it is my turn as I watch my breakfast being created.

A Ship in Port is Safe vs China Sourcing

by Gary Young on July 23, 2010 with No Comments

“A ship in port is safe, but that is not what ships are built for. Sail out to sea and do new things.” – Admiral Grace Hopper:

Are you setting sail or looking for safe harbor?
It reminded me about the reason I got into sourcing in China, but more importantly it relates to todays economy and what CEOs are planning to deal with this uncertain future. Many are setting out to sea and chartering courses to places like China, India, Mexico and Brazil.

Your interpreter may speak Chinglish

by Gary Young on July 8, 2010 with No Comments

I am already thinking about the fall session of the Canton Fair. Â http://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/index.asp 1,130,000 M2 of exhibit space; 56,915 standard booths I love the energy and there is so much to learn with each session. It really stimulates my creativity, sense of adventure and I always come up with a new idea or two for my clients. I will go … Read More

Demystifying Printing in China

by Gary Young on June 24, 2010 with No Comments

Well everything is “hot” in China. I have quoted a lot of printing. Here is the deal.

Feet on the Ground in China

by Gary Young on May 26, 2010 with No Comments

But as it relates to sourcing products and services in China, our meaning is a bit more literal. We have feet on the ground. We have people in China. We have an established presence. This does not mean “I know a guy” or “we have contacts” in China. So what are the advantages of feet on the ground? Here are just five.

Are you a Tourist or a Traveler?

by Gary Young on May 5, 2010 with No Comments

I do a lot of traveling back and forth from Houston to Shanghai as part of my job as CEO of Avela Corporation. My trips involve traveling with clients to do final negotiation on sourcing deals that the Shanghai office has spent weeks and months setting up. Our travels take us to all parts of China, from futuristic mega-cities like … Read More

Hitchcock and Sourcing in China

by Gary Young on April 6, 2010 with No Comments

I had an odd thought develop on my way from Shanghai to Guangzhou; comparing sourcing in China to one of my favorite film directors, Alfred Hitchcock. I was traveling to a factory that I have worked with for four years, to inspect a new item that had never been produced before. I have a very comfortable and easy relationship with … Read More

My 33rd Sourcing trip to China

by Gary Young on March 20, 2010 with No Comments

I mentioned in my last blog that this will be my 33rd trip to China since the fall of 2001, and I am as excited about this trip as I was on my first trip. So it begs the question; why? First, the family reasons. I took my son to Shanghai on spring break in 2002. To make a long … Read More

So how did I get started in China?

by Gary Young on March 10, 2010 with No Comments

It was intoxicating. And like a flash, I had a vision of converting Avela Corporation from advertising to sourcing products and services in China.

Why Not Source China over the Net?

by Gary Young on February 28, 2010 with No Comments

There are serious direct to factory portals to Chinese factories on the web like Â www.alibaba.com andwww.made-in-china.com. So why would a resourceful, entrepreneurialÂ CEO want to use a sourcing service like Avela Corporation when they can make the direct contacts themselves? The same reason you hire a consultant when you are not operating within your core competency. We have feet on the … Read More

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