Business and Economy Archives

Managing Change in China Manufacturing

by Gary Young on March 15, 2019 with No Comments

Opportunities abound in China. For our clients, it holds the opportunity to have their products manufactured at the level of quality they need and at price that allows them to be competitive in the marketplace when, for one reason or another, those opportunities are not available from domestic sources. For average Chinese people, the coming of Capitalism to their economy … Read More

Alibaba—the Elephant in the Room

by Gary Young on March 8, 2019 with No Comments

With over 17 years of experience as a premier sourcing company for Chinese manufacturing, we at Avela Corporation have heard a lot about Alibaba. When we hear about it, it is usually from perspective clients who have had bad experiences with businesses they have met through that portal, or they have simply outgrown it. Either way often leads them to … Read More

China Sourcing: Setting Goals.

by Gary Young on September 3, 2012 with 2 Comments

Having been in the China sourcing business for almost 13 years now, I am often asked what is the most difficult aspect of working in China. My short answer is “Communication”. China manufacturers want to create the product you are asking for. What I have come to appreciate is just how nuanced our thoughts are, and how good communication is taken for … Read More

New Life and China Sourcing

by Gary Young on December 13, 2011 with No Comments

Usually I am writing detailed blogs about China Sourcing. But not this time. It is time to take a break from China Sourcing and celebrate life. One of the perks of being in China for over 10 years now is having the privilege of participating, in a small way, in the lives of my staff and friends in China. As … Read More

I am not the Hammer and you are not the Nail- Relationship Sourcing in China

by Gary Young on October 16, 2010 with No Comments

There are tons of articles and books on the do’s and don’t of etiquette and culture in China. Everyone who wants to do business in China should have this basic understanding. But once you are past these formalities and want to develop a long term relationship, the foundation I like to build on is “I am not the hammer and you are not the nail”

The Canton Fair an Amazing China Sourcing Opportunity

by Gary Young on September 19, 2010 with No Comments

Every year at this time I am giddy with excitement and anticipation at the prospect of attending the Canton Fair in Guangzhou China. I have attend the Canton Fair over 12 times in the last 10 years and I am always amazed. Maybe I am easily impressed but you tell me if there is anything trade show wise that is more impressive than the Canton Fair?

Transparency and the Why in my China Sourcing Business

by Gary Young on September 7, 2010 with No Comments

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.

China Sourcing and the Agent of Change

by Gary Young on August 22, 2010 with No Comments

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.