Cross Cultural Controversy

Interesting post over at ChinaSuccessStories by Greg Bissky that seems to gave sparked some debate between the expats and the locals.  Greg's thesis is that China has changed but the Chinese people haven't.

Two readers, both local Chinese, have commented on the article claiming the author fails to recognise that China has its own culture that should be respected.  Michelle, one angry reader, writes: I feel your comment “how Chinese communicate, solve problems and build business relationships is changing, but slowly” sums up your attitude- and it is extremely offensive. It is this elitist attitude that gives westerners a bad name. 

A few foreign readers have fired back claiming the two Chinese readers do not understand the article.  The final line in the article states "Westerners need to look at business through Chinese glasses".

Did Bissky's article overstep the line?  Or was he just calling for more efficient and understanding communication?  I think we'll go for the latter, but please feel free to comment.

By the way, Greg has a great video on his website on cultural communication. Definitely worth a look.

IP Firms + Downturn = Training

Interesting piece of news posted on Australian legal site 'Practice Source'.  According to the article, Chinese intellectual property firms have begun investing more into training as the downturn begins to effect the industry.

"The slowdown in growth in patent filings in China has provided many IP firms with an ideal opportunity to improve their employees' skills.  In recent months, many firms in mainland China have increased their budgets to develop, nurture and retain their employees in an industry that continues to starve of talent".

It's great to see so many different industries continuing to invest in training despite having more challenging times upon us.

This Week in the News

Time has come for close communication (South China Morning Post)
"Despite all the talk about companies being transparent, many employees still feel that their organisations fall short of the mark when it comes to effective communication. There may be e-mails flying between departments and meetings to fill up the week, but one of the most common complaints from employees is that the management team doesn't provide enough timely information about fundamental issues."

The global management challenge: China versus the world (Institute of Leadership & Management)

"The global balance of economic power is shifting. Chinese managers are setting the management agenda for China and are poised to do so for the rest of the world, and managers in Europe and North America would do well to pay attention, according to a report commissioned by The Institute of Leadership and Management."

10 ways to develop staff on a budget (Personnel Today)
"Number crunching training budgets: Training budgets under increasing pressure, but staff development should not be allowed to grind to a halt as a result. There is a wealth of low-cost and even free sources of learning on offer, as Alex Blyth reports."

2009 Training Forecast

Excelliance, a Shenzhen based corporate training consultancy, has released this THIS forecast for the training industry in 2009.

One of the key highlights from the report are the trends for the year.  Most of which I agree with: 

• Training projects will be much more results oriented and focused on specific work‐related demands
• Demand for tailor‐made training services will continue to increase
• Training buyers and providers will need to work closer together and improve communication and training/course management
• Poor quality training providers will get squeezed hardest, some even going out of business
• New ‘quick solution’ training programs may be offered in the market (ie: hardware intensive training such as self‐study programs, internet study, etc..)
• Training professionals, both buyers and providers, will need to invest more time into upgrading their knowledge and skills

What do you think?

This week's 'Worth-a-Read'

My favorite part yet of Alan Hupert's brilliant series of articles 'Survival is Not Enough'.  Some brilliant ideas on how to survive and adapt one's behavior in the economic downturn.

Call center training in China continues to boom

China's call centre industry has become one of the largest in the world.  Although the industry is valued at just over US$37 billion and still maintaining an annual growth rate of over 10%, it is one 'starving of talent'.  From our observations, call centers are continuing to invest huge amounts in training to develop talented call centre workers to serve a rapidly growing industry.

A major Shanghai newspaper recently released a report entitled 'Shanghai's call centers are staving for talent'.  It seems that despite worsening economic conditions, call centers continue to have difficulty recruiting qualified talents and still have difficulties with staff retention.

In Beijing, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of call centers requiring both English and soft-skills training.  It is clear that call centers in China have long underinvested in training and perhaps, as some centers slow down, centers are finally allocating some time and resources to properly train their staff.  

What do you think?

This Week in the News

World Bank warns China can't make up for collapse in Western demand (The Telegraph)
"China’s deep coffers and its determination to invest in longer term stimulus projects such skills training, healthcare and product innovation care would help to rebalance China’s domestic economy in the medium to long term."

China/Australia engineering training partnership (Manufacturers' Monthly)

World Bank outlook further dims China's sun (Forbes)

"The World Bank welcomed China’s "visible hand" to stimulate consumption and improve people’s livelihoods by expanding the government’s role and spending on health, education and social protection measures."

Overseas education sector remains strong (Julia Gillard, Australian Education Minister)

"The campaign ‘Study in Australia 2010’ will see $3.5 million will be redirected to specific measures in existing major source countries such as China, India, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand over the next nine months."