Sourcing

China Sourcing: Just Showing Up

by Gary Young December 14, 2011

There is so much advise on the internet on China Sourcing and how to interact with China: how to dress, how to greet, how to eat, what to say ,and what to do. Everything you can imagine on your behavior, especially when having face-to-face meetings with Chinese manufacturers. Should I bring a gift or is that [...]

61 comments Read the full article →

Transparency and the Why in my China Sourcing Business

by Gary Young September 7, 2010

So what does business transparency have to do with Sourcing in China? I will get to that in a minute, but let me set the stage.

As the transparency movement drives businesses to be more open about their products and services, it is becoming routine to expect full disclosure on the who, what, when, where and how our products and services offered. It has gone way beyond “features and benefits”, and now with instant tools like FaceBook and Twitter just to name a few, we are at the instantaneous mercy of the fingertips of our customers.

73 comments Read the full article →

China Sourcing and the Agent of Change

by Gary Young August 22, 2010

I was thinking about my job and what it really represents. It struck me that sourcing products and services in China is all about change and I am really a change agent. I guess that is why I only deal with top executives as change is too difficult to power up from the bottom. Powering change from the top down is where change is most likely to occur. And change seams like such a natural process, but I know from personal experience that it can be seam painful.

50 comments Read the full article →

Sourcing my Breakfast in China.

by Gary Young August 8, 2010

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.

42 comments Read the full article →

A Ship in Port is Safe vs China Sourcing

by Gary Young July 23, 2010

“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.

28 comments Read the full article →

Your interpreter may speak Chinglish

by Gary Young July 8, 2010

I am already thinking about the fall session of the Canton Fair.  http://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/index.asp 203,996 overseas buyers attended the spring session 2010 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 [...]

10 comments Read the full article →

Demystifying Printing in China.

by Gary Young June 24, 2010

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

7 comments Read the full article →

Feet on the Ground in China

by Gary Young May 26, 2010

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.

8 comments Read the full article →

← Previous Entries