Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

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  1

  grayburg

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  what values though..?

  The world (correctly in my view) condemns Mugabe in Zimbabwe and wants sanctions of all kinds but why does the West love and support China? It also brutally suppresses dissent, does not allow freedom of speech, restricts internet sites and is opposed to freedom of religion with many beaten and imprisoned for not believeing the state religion of communism(that's right, it's a world view). So are values principle based or do they only apply if the abusive regime doesn't present great economic benefit to one's own economy.

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  2

  boulder1259

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  It's so simple...

  It's all about money, no matter which side of the aisle you are on. The Chinese,
  like illegal aliens, provide us with a service at a ridiculously cheap price, and
  neither the Right or the Left wants to upset that.

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  3

  heretolearn

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  It's simple... really?

  >>> The Chinese, like illegal aliens, provide us with a service at a ridiculously cheap price...
  
  It's exactly this kind of petulant snobbery that places the West behind the curve.

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  4

  I am Gorby

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  It's the second part of his post

  Neither Left nor Right wants to unset the apple cart. True.
  Business has no ethics other than profits for their shareholders.
  
  Gone are the days when management went out of their way to "look after their people." Now, as soon as it is cheaper to produce something elsewhere, off it goes.
  
  We are losing our ability to produce for ourselves. Are we even training up the next generation of skilled workers?
  
  Oops! I've got onto my rant.

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  5

  hongell

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  It is really not that simple at all

  Everyone should be upsetting the cart; every citizen and elected official in the US. Part of the problem is we have been outsourced to cheap labor and our citizens have been sold out in the name of lobbyists, big business, and special interest groups by our elected officials. Illegal immigration hasn't done us any good, nor has NAFTA, and now the ILM is stooping so low as to compare western management styles with a country like China? Based on what similarities?
  
  China governs it people and big business nothing like us, yet, we (government and big business) sell out our own people, increase our trade deficit to record high numbers, and the ILM actually thinks there is some merit to this "management" comparison? How many more ways can we succumb to being directed instead of represented when our country should be leading and directing?
  
  Nothing against managers anywhere, but put some facts and stats behind vague topics like this before posting them.

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  6

  valleyforge

  07/06/08 | Report as spam

  Changing of the gaurd.

  The sooner we realize that China is getting it together the sooner we will be prepared to follow in their footsteps to...quote Maslow "self actualization." Folks we have to realize that socially and economically China parallels our economy approximately 100 years ago. Yes they have a communist regime, but when you have over a billion...yes a billion people! It makes it a little difficult to take the opinions of everyone into consideration. Communism is very similar to Machiavellian rule in which the function of the government is a direct correlation to the control it has over its citizens(Which if you know your history many of our U.S. presidents had that very same book on their oval office desk). If China did not have such a control of its citizens, think of how many corrupt people there would be in their business world let alone their country as a whole. People are inherently evil when it comes to business. Teaching them good for themselves and the people around them is the hard part and that constantly needs to be updated or we end up using stale business methods. What people seem to not understand is that what works for our counrty is not going to necessarily work for other countries.
  
  To iterate my point, look how long it took America to abolish slavery. If it works don't fix it right? Cheap labor at the cost of the many who do not actually have a voice in the system. Great deal right? Right. Some of you do the very same thing on a smaller scale. You have kids? Do you pay them to take out the trash, Mow your lawn, wash your dishes, or hand your lazy butt the remote? Nope, but I'm sure that you love them and would not trade them for anything.

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  7

  ldmack3

  07/07/08 | Report as spam

  Guess again

  There are many. many corrupt managers in China. Having made many trips to Chine, done business there for years and being married to a Chinese citizen...embezzelment and corruption are the way of thew world in China. Payouts, government protected rape....
  It's unfortunate as Chinese people as a whole are very personable and family oriented.
  
  You need to do a little more research...

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  8

  zennon66

  07/07/08 | Report as spam

  So True

  I can definitely believe that about the Chinese, but or managers here in the US, do not manage, they oversee for their overseers. It's always been a never found art.
  I work in a Power Company and I'm a Project Coordinator, I work with a guy who thinks that he has to make everyone fear and hate him in order to gage his success. Oh he likes to tell everyone how much he knows and his way is the only way.
  The Chinese are a throw back to the industrial revolution era in manufacturing. I they are leading the way it will not be long before people will be dying in the streets of China for better working condition. It is just the human spirit that will only be push so far be for waking up from the sleep of oppression.

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  9

  Johnlamb

  07/08/08 | Report as spam

  Oh really...

  I am sure all those bad things never happen in the good old 'West'...

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  10

  espgnw

  07/21/08 | Report as spam

  its about sample

  I'm happy to see this post as a Chinese, but i have to say it was partly wrong.
  
  it would be a huge project if some1 really wants to compare the managers at two sides of the earth. Chinese system is quite different with ones of American and European, and ofc managers need different skills. A simple fact is that western companies can still earn high profit in China and not all of them employ Chinese managers.
  
  ps: lower political freedom does not influence companies in China, at least at manager level. Actually Chinese have more freedom in economy than American.

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  11

  marrseide

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  Yes, I am also tired of seeing articles about the great business opportunities in China and their business acumen. At what cost indeed? The government is tyrannical and the people do not care or are not able to voice their dissent. They are stripping their own land of its resources with abandon and abusing their own people. We should stop doing business with them until they get out of Tibet (which was always a soveriegn nation before China invaded), provide basic freedoms to their people, and adopt some basic environmental responsibilty.

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  12

  brandbuddies@...

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  Wow!!

  "We should stop doing business with them"... who is we? How should we stop doing business with them, do you have a suggested plan to accomplish this?
  
  You mention Tibet, have you heard of Iraq? Guantanamo Bay... Have you any idea what would happen if China called in the money which the US owes... Your level of ignorance is astounding.. You obviously live and work in a very small local business.. Your overall world view is astonishingly limited...
  
  I have no suggestions for helping this terminal ignorance- I hope someone else does.
  
  Your sincerely
  Wow!!

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  13

  irsarches

  07/04/08 | Report as spam

  Echoing WOW!!

  "Your level of ignorance is astounding.. You obviously live and work in a very small local business.. Your overall world view is astonishingly limited... "
  
  LOL, i totally agree!
  
  This level of ignorance and IGNORANT arrogance is PRECISELY the reason why the West is slowly but surely falling behind.

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  14

  neonfrank

  07/04/08 | Report as spam

  WOW - Is right - For all of you

  Any of you have any actual experience working in China? If you do, you are you in a "foreign bubble" in China? I say this as it seems to me all of you don't have a clue about China businesses and their managers / workers.
  
  The statement "Chinese managers have more education on average and also receive more in-house training than their western competitors." is misleading. Chinese give great importance to certificates and awards but care little about applying what was "learned". A very well known saying in China is "High score low ability". What it boils down to is Chinese are very good at taking and passing tests without actually having learned anything.
  
  It is true that more Chinese graduate from universities than in the "west" but that is only to look good on their resume. I know of on Chinese girl who was in New Zealand to get a two year degree but could hardly speak any English!! All her classes were in Chinese. But a degree from a foreign country looks really great on her CV.
  
  Here is a very simple proof to my statement.
  
  For at least 25 years Chinese HAVE to be taught English from primary school through to high school. In order to graduate from university a Chinese student is required to pass and be certified at a "CET Band 4" intermediate English proficiency level.
  
  Try walking into any Chinese business office where most everyone has a university degree and try talking to anyone.
  
  Yep...thought so! LOL! High score low (or no) ability - and the famous "deer in the headlights look" from the Chinese.
  
  Any Chinese company needing English speaking Chinese usually have to hire English majors and hope to hell that they can be trained in whatever position they will work in!. There's your training! LOL!
  
  How do I know this? I am a director of three Chinese companies.
  
  Cheers

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  15

  Johnlamb

  07/06/08 | Report as spam

  Laughing at short-sightedness

  LOL at neofrank!
  
  It is obvious that you lack any kind of business vision or understanding. I feel sorry for those Chinese companies that you manage.
  
  English is not the only language in the world.

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  16

  kfp7550

  07/07/08 | Report as spam

  Nice thoughtful reply...

  I have no idea why China is such a hot topic. Nor why when you try to tell people the truth, they meet you with anger and distain. I can totally believe what "neofrank" had to say about the Chinese. They are very smart and good at passing tests, which is great for acadamia - why do you think we have so many in top schools here in the US? But when they get out, do you think most of them have one iota of common sense or can think for themselves? You can learn a lot about a culture as well from their social (or socialism, rather) aspects of society. I don't purport to be an expert on the East, but I have picked up a thing or two and talk to a lot of people who know a lot more than I do about China or Japan. We also watch a fair amount of Anime and Chinese or Japanese TV or read books.

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  17

  kcampbell20

  07/07/08 | Report as spam

  neofrank

  wow you must be speaking flurent chinese then
  
  to learn to speak a language is not hard, hard is there isn't chance for practice.
  
  so in your theory people who dont speak english is stupid and no ability to do things??
  
  now i laugh

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  18

  Johnlamb

  07/08/08 | Report as spam

  Languages

  Yes, Chinese is one of the languages I am comfortable using. And I beleive that a manager of any distinction must have sobriety in at least one other language and/or one culture. The ability to see through the present to what lies in the future is the key. I have lived in many countries and cities in the last 20 or so years and I have enjoyed every one of them. Each one was a true learning experience.
  
  I play a small role in only a MNC company; but my salary commands a five digit European number.

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  19

  jsargent

  07/08/08 | Report as spam

  Stating the obvious

  I think many people of are stating the obvious.
  Most students leaving the university have yet to learn what experienced people call common sense. I don't believe Chinese students in China are a lot more different from students in other countries. A degree will get you through the door and then it's up to you to prove that you can do the job. I too work in a foreign country where people say they have fluent English but when you try them out they fall far short of being able to hold a conversation short of 2 minutes. So what! That's not my problem even though I am English. As far as success goes, I think we should stop thinking of this as a competition of nationist egos and learn from the mistakes and successes of others. Have you ever noticed how quiet a Japanese person is compared to a European during a meeting? Listen, learn from successes and mistakes of competitors and say very little to them so they can't learn from their own.

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  20

  rickbrandt@...

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  I'm rather surprised that Western managers are that vain.
  In my opinion (having been on the receiving end of Chinese-made goods and being the recipient of FDA health alerts) it's not the manufacturing savvy that should be questioned, it's the quality of goods received and the underlaying cultural differences that cause poor interpretation of Western product specifications. Some things are expected of our 'local' vendors that are unwritten but understood. Overseas vendors must be exposed to North-American manufacturing culture to be effective suppliers.

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  21

  ndsleep612@...

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  Lies and Scandals

  Are you sure the Chinese management style is not full of lies and scandals? I got conned into working for a large Chinese company in the US. During my interview I was fed all sorts of lies of how I was going to get training when I start working for them. When I started, the LAST thing they ever mentioned was training. The version of training I got from that Chinese company were to memorize the formatting of outdated reports that were incorrectly done by previous employees. The numbers were incorrectly calculated, the revenues and expenses were fabricated. Corruption and fraud were rampant, an employee tried to fraudulently submit important documents in MY name. I cussed out the weasel and was branded for not going along with the corruption. I don't trust Chinese companies, regardless of how profitable they are. Many Chinese companies are poorly managed with incompetent cronyism rampant. Just like the great famine that happened in China in the 1960s, history has yet to learn from it's mistakes.

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  22

  Swirls

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  Hillbillies of Business

  I concur with your assesment of business practices. I've seen many cases where numbers are fabricated, claims of defective product so that business can return product and show lesss inventory, and then stealing sensitive manuf process technologies. Obviously with the push for profitability with reduced labor costs, I hope US companies consider the risk of defective or harmful materials used in their overseas manufacturing processes.

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  23

  neonfrank

  07/04/08 | Report as spam

  Beginning of the end of China's "Super Economy"

  "Face" is most important to Chinese and will easily drop even the most ridiculous lies to preserve it.
  
  We are at the beginning of the end of the Chinese "Super economy".
  
  The falling USD, the rising RMB (Chinese currency), the Chinese Olympic "road show" of closing and restricting thousands of companies and people (just so China looks good), rising fuel and food costs and the ever present Chinese logic when it comes to business is taking its toll.
  
  Expect more and more shoddy and fake goods from China as companies scramble to maintain profitability.
  
  And just when things might be getting better its time for the Chinese World Expo 2010 "road show" to make China look good to screw things up again for Chinese companies... LOL!
  
  Cheers

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  24

  hbjsqj

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  oh my...someone has been reading too much news and not understanding the underpinning truths....
  
  As far as saying that Chinese can't meet your specifications because the home alliance has a few things 'just understood'....to me, this just amplifies the original article...Chinese management does take the time for a contract review in depth, and then write a process that meets but not necessarily exceed what is written.
  
  Ever wonder why Mattel went so quiet on the lead painted toys and their Chairman actually flew to China and apologized to each and every worker involved, because Chinese management said factory furloughed until the root cause was found? Guess who apparently 'forgot' to write a paint spec into the contract? Sure may be implied to a USA supplier, but in a locale where their own government has tried testing and can NOT yet correlate a problem with lead based paint? Maybe you think they should have known better, but adding a paint specification to the contraact would have had compliance because the Chinese do take contract review seriously!

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  25

  Scantu

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  It is easy to underestimate the Chinese. I returned from a recent trip to China and got to work with managers in the telecom industry as well as meet managment of several large multinationals and found many of the points mentioned in this article relevent. I am sure there are some exceptions but they have certainly made alot of progress.

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  26

  jsprafkin

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  Survey results deserve a bit closer look: are we looking at apples and apples? e.g. (a) median age/work experience of Chinese mid/senior mgrs tends lag behind Western counterparts, (b) did the survey look at all Chinese companies or just MNCs operating in China?....probably get a different picture if we added local private and state-owned enterprises. My 20 yrs in China suggest the biggest, accurate take-away: (i) young Chinese managers are learning fast and applying what they learn -- while their Western counterparts are slower to, (ii) while the survey is a bit optimistic about local mgmt skills today....it does reflect what we're likely to see in the near future...when today's 30 yr old mgr is a 40 yr old VP or SVP, he/she will have built an very globally competitive skillset.

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  27

  monger@...

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  Over generalisation, a limited survey and understanding of the education and training referred to, do not make this article very credible.
  
  While I am an absolute fan of China and have been there many times and consulted widely - but I could only support this article as an attempt to make arrogant westerners rethink their self delusions of superiority based on ethnic grounds.
  
  There are very good and very poor managers everywhere.

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  28

  dina@...

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  This article provides some good food for thought. Working with Western
  managers doing business in China I come across the noted attitudes of self-
  importance and underestimation of Chinese managers. Also, many surprises
  (and lost business) when things don't go as anticipated. I find there is a big gap
  in cultural knowledge and understanding, and also basic respect for diversity.

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  29

  mikies

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  What????

  The article has no facts. It also does not show how the hypothesis it put in the headline is true? What test was put forth to determine that one side or the other was superior in their abilities? Just asking people is a joke. Also, let's not forget the numbers, 50% improvement on someone who is at a 1 (1 to 10 scale) results in being 1.5 out of 10. On the other hand someone who is an 8 on 1 to 10 scale and improves 10% is now 8.8 and gained 0.8. I believe that 0.8 beats 0.5, and % is misleading. Yes, I know that at 50% growth eventually the 1.5 player will beat the 8.8 player, but eventually we also will be dead
  
  Stop the newspaper selling tactics on BNET and stick to facts. I know it is not something you are used to, but try. Pretty please.
  
  Mike

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  30

  S.Howard-Sarin

  07/29/08 | Reported as spam

  Try the link next time

  Each BNET1 article links out to the "source material," and this one is no exception. If you clicked the first link in the article, you'd find yourself on the ILM page for their study, and you have the option to download the full 27-page report. It has numbers and charts and everything!
  
  Seriously, you can fault any study and maybe ILM's is poor. But you should perhaps take a look at the material before criticizing.
  
  Stephen Howard-Sarin
  VP, Products
  CBS Interactive (parent company to BNET)
  shs@cnet.com

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  31

  riffhard

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  purse those lips, snuggle up close, and kiss that huge market ass ...

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  32

  jmonroe64

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  As a consultant working in China who has a wide experience of both Western and Chinese managers, I am aghast at how anyone with an ounce of sense could bring themselves to state that western managers are complacent about their skills (they probably do underestimate the Chinese... but Chinese management skills below the level at which I am forced to assume this survey focused, they are quite poor in reality, but improving rapidly), along with the other hyperbole and, frankly, grossly inaccurate statements. Have you ever met a "western manager" who believes his "customer focus" is as good as it needs to be? That's right... you haven't. I would love to see the survey instrument that produced this nonsense. [Related question: have you ever met a western manager who would interpret "customer focus" as a "skill" rather than an attitude? How do you improve an attitude? The trouble is that most western managers do focus on customers, whereas Chinese managers don't, and they know they don't, and they've been having a national discussion about it for years, so it is on their minds. The ILM people must have missed that.]
  
  Chinese managers are setting the global management agenda? Try to find a Chinese manager who isn't using Western management as his personal benchmark. (What's interesting is how they adapt western practices. But there is nothing distinctively Chinese about this: they are adapting to developing-country conditions).
  
  What China excels at is the knowledge of, and acceptance of, a management gap, which they are working like crazy to fill. Everyone who has any experience in CHina, including the CHinese, know this. I don't know who these ILM people are, but they are completely ignorant about the situation in CHina.
  
  The results of this survey can only be explained by the marketing intentions of the company that produced it: generate some fear in western managers so they'll buy ILM's survey, and maybe some training, or whatever else they produce.

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  33

  Prof. Dr. Dr. M.O.Z. ECS ;)

  07/04/08 | Report as spam

  Management

  You are right on target with your assessment. I wanted to ask who paid for the survey. It is however true, that THEY learn fast. Their main problem is the complacency towards their "leaders", all of them. I often get the impression that Chinese decision makers, whether managers or politicians are looked at as if they were god like creatures. Never doubt, never question anything...
  Modern management cannot exist without a social and environmental conscious. THAT is virtually non-existing.
  On the other hand I find western top managers have become somewhat like the aristocrats of old times... a new elite, unfortunately flawed, over rated and arrogant, deleting:) jobs in our countries without thinking. China's economy is still an economy of pollution and often ignorance. The price which must eventually be paid is going to be astronomical and cost way more than the infamous 1.7 trillion US$ they have been heaping.
  Best
  Michael

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  34

  Johnlamb

  07/06/08 | Report as spam

  Michael

  Michael,
  
  Don't you think you are saying the same thing about both the Chinese managers and the Western managers?
  
  God-like and elitism... kinda similar right?

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  35

  zebrared

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  Shock, stunned and totally amazed

  I am a Western manager, Australian actually but based in the US for 12 years. Now, I am based in Northeast China, in Shenyang in Liaoning Province (Olympic soccer stadium city). I thought we were light years ahead of China - and on the surface we are, especially in dress codes, lifestyles, leadership styles. But, when you peal back the layers, visit the Economic Zones and peer into the manufacturing plants, you are shocked. In this Province (State) alone there are up to 100 Economic Development Zones. (EDZ's) This week I was in two of them attending client meetings. One was with a Wind-Energy manufacturer. The state-of-the-art generators and variable pitch propellor blades shock you for their high quality. (and generators as huge as a house). The all glass walls in the ultra-modern manufacturing plant astound you - and I have not seen anything like it in the West. And these engineers know how to work ... lead by laid-back easy going managers. Another firm builds ultrasound high-focussed cancer treatment machines that resemble Cat scans - once again, happy workers and easy-going managers. Northeast China was given the green light for reform in 2003 ... it was Mao's old industrial base - now it is at rocket speed for change ... and I have never seen so many laughing and happy people, workers, managers. And quality (TQM, ISO etc.) is definitely at the forefront. China is vastly different to the West ... (And Northeast China is vastly different to China)
  
  I once presented leadership and innovation seminars all over the States, but now I have become the learner, way behind in many aspects. China has finally woken up .... and we better start catching up!
  
  Neill Newton
  Director
  China Fortune Investment Group Ltd.
  www.ChinaFIG.com
  neill.newton@chinafig.com

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  36

  teoiling@...

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  When I was in Beijing and talking to a number of OEM partners, I felt that these Chinese people know what they are talking about with regards to their work and management. They are a determined bunch and I realised that after years of western style education and being a Chinese myself, China has moved on and really, the way they manage, work and the style they get about getting the work done is different and yet equally effective and sometimes with more rigour. I also realised I had a dis-joint view of China and I need to correct my mind and realised that these people can and are going to change this world. They are not the "backward" people we like to think they are and sometimes I feel ashamed to have the attitude that being western educated is good. In fact, there are other points of views that the Chinese brought to the table that we really learn from them. There was a social order about the way things work and I do not deny that there are many negative press about china, but coming from a very small country whose leaders keep boasting about themselves about a job well done for running a small country liek a police state, the scale of China and the systems in place, with the kind of variety and number of people. I am in awe of their achievements. Still am.

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  37

  amay@...

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Don't be So Surprised!

  I have been living in Beijing, China for 9 years and one thing is clear. The Chinese were behind for a long time. However, the high speed development of this country in a short period of time means the Chinese are leapfrogging the west in many areas. Everything is new so they are acquiring the newest technology and utilizing the newest standards and latching on to the newest concepts.
  
  On the other hand, in the west, many companies may still be using technology from years ago and are mired in ideas from years ago as well. However, it should also be noted this is a huge country with a huge population so the "enlightened" management we are discussing actually represent a tiny portion of the overall business population. Good education in China is very competitive and there is ardent vying for the few spots available in good programs. These "survivors" and "thrivers" understand the need to remain competitive coming from such a very competitive environment.
  
  Another key matter in terms of management style here is not to underestimate the influence of social values. China is a socialist country with many basic social values rooted in a mix of Confucian and communist ideologies. Chinese tend to take a consensus approach, think of the group and avoid conflict. So while a manager must lead, which sometimes means being a maverick, in China it also means sheparding the group.
  
  Alexander May
  
  Shuang Cheng Attorneys at Law
  Beijing
  http://www.shuangch.com

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  38

  erabeh

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  Are the Chinese better managers

  It's amazing to read the replies to the article, of which most are failing to give a real answer, but address other issues. Having been involved in Asian business for over 14 years now, I agree to a large extent with the story. And to answer the question: yes, to large degree the west is over-estimating themselves. The Chinese, and not only them but the same would be true for Vietnamese and Indians as well, certainly have developed: education is what most of them strive on, driven by family values and the desire to be the best, and scores of them were educated in the west and now have brought that knowledge back. Coupled with a strong discipline, certainly coming out of the systems they are living under, it makes a very good and strong combination. And there is certainly a lot more doing than talking - western managers are to concerned with their own egos and politics, and majority of policies and initiatives are pure "PR". On top of that comes the traditional value that as a manager, or a business owner, you have to take care of your "family" or subordinates. And lastly, there is s strong hunger for success, coming out of the need to catch up with consumerism the west has lived by for decades.

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  39

  Prof. Dr. Dr. M.O.Z. ECS ;)

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  Sorry, but that is incorrect...

  First of all, as a University Professor in Economics and Management in China, teaching at 3 universities, AND with 35 years in international business management I concede, that the Chinese a very determined, nice hardworking people, but what I read here is definitely not correct. Students a smart, but degrees are passed on for memory skills mostly. Students acquire a huge knowledge base, but in 90% of the cases are unable to apply this creatively.
  Chinese Middle-Management is a myth, virtually non-existent in terms of efficiency. There is no social-, no environmental conscience culture, something very much needed here, and no creative management, YET. There is no Chinese way in management, unless you want to call autocratic, old fashioned leadership MANAGEMENT. The visionary part has not yet developed. First and foremost everything is copied, and not very well (with few exceptions). Beware, when Chinese take-over effects of any western top 500 corporation finally trickle-down...
  
  BUT, they are learning, and fast. Western management style has suffered, top management is not always TO NOTCH. Too many mistakes are uncovered too late. But on average western top-management is way better...
  
  AUDIO, VIDEO, DISCO:)
  Michael

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  40

  sharadkchauhan@...

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  I am not agreeing with finding. Chinese manager are not at even at par with 60's managers. Presently, my company is dealing with a no. of Chinese company and I encounter with a no. of Chinese managers. They have no skill. They try to copy to western practices with Chinese style, and result is able to do nothing. It is better, if they practice the traditional management method, if there is any. They are so fascinated with west, particularly with US, that they dream to go to US and try to follow US in all aspects of life. Same is in management. They are not prefect in copying and feel that it is the achievement.

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  41

  Johnlamb

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  WHAT A SORRY BUNCH OF DAY-TRIPPERS!!!

  Sirs:
  
  Stop your misconceptions and China-bashing instincts and follow the link to the original article released by ILM. The short snippets here are very very very fine cuts from what is in the original release. The ILM tells a very interesting story about manager's perceptions from various countries. You should also read the conclusion in the article too!
  
  Like all social research of this type, it relies on personal perceptions. Either the Chinese managers surveyed were extremely optimistic or that the Western managers were a bunch sorriful losers who are quick-to-the-draw like some of the people here.
  
  I suggest that people do some follow-up before writing such informationless rubbish!
  
  JL
  
  Ps. I do not work for ILM

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  42

  Johnlamb

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  Mon Dieu!

  And I thought I was wording my reply strongly....
  
  JL

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  43

  Johnlamb

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  Ooops!

  Ooops! That last message was a reply to brandbuddies.
  
  JL

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  44

  shyousef

  07/03/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  I think this explains the strong growth of Chinese business and the positive trend of their market share growth, in comparison with the negative trend of many of the Europian companies.
  
  My personal experience showed me that the Chinese managemers are more customer focused and looking for nation and company success and glory rather than their personal ones while the Eropean managers are more focusing on local politics and personal glory which have a negative impact on their buisness and companies ones.
  
  Regional IT Manager
  MEA Region

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  45

  calsr216

  07/04/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  Too often Western Managers tend to think "we" have the optimal plan when it comes to competing. We need to take a step back and check it again. The Toyota issue is a good example. Let's look at the details of what the Chinese are actually doing.

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  46

  AnsonyB

  07/04/08 | Report as spam

  Huh?

  Why are you using Toyota as an example on an article about China? Surely you know the difference and aren't attempting a comparison. I hope.

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  47

  drkevinlancejones

  07/04/08 | Report as spam

  Please be realistic!

  I have been working in Beijing for almost 12 years. I have worked for State-Owned Enterprises, done consulting and taught business in well known universities. Firstly, there are intelligent educated people in China and a lot of rural under-educated people. The biggest problem is the Chinese education system- it is primitive. The cream does rise to the top in this hyper-competitive environment, but the full blown lack of creativity is unbelievable...that's why they copy.
  
  The local Chinese are wonderful human beings. Businessmen and government officials are dishonest and corrupt. They are a hated subgroup of humanity in China.
  
  They are trying to catch up quickly and in some areas successfully. The socialist culture nearly murdered China during the Cultural Revolution, current progress needs to be made now. Throw off the ancient traditions and embrace the modern world.

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  48

  Robyne

  07/04/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  It is always tempting to think we are the best and most advanced. Take for example radio and broadcasting - Australian radio, with such a small population and budget is way ahead of the BBC in taking up new technologies and using them to their advantage. Way ahead - and yet we still rest on our history and dismiss the unfamiliar as being incompetent. It is a dangerous and debilitating character trait for managers and strategic planners and prevents us building on the experience and expertise of the "other".

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  49

  aimconsultant

  07/04/08 | Report as spam

  Good Attitude of Chinese Managers

  Just returned from Local Pharmaceutical Exhibition in Zhengzhou,(my 3-visit on exhbition in China in the last 3 years), I learnt a lot of their attitude. Chinese Manager are willing to sacrifice for their company, working overtime, during holidays, on the weekend without being paid for overtime or compensation, very much different with western managers, who always ask for perks and welfare if working more than normal working hours. Once you become good friends, you will be treated as a member of the family, they will tell more about their success and how to achieve them, though they follow western management ways in dealing with human mixing with their culture. It is very unique,which we could not apply in western countries.

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  50

  tesvencorp@...

  07/04/08 | Report as spam

  Rebellion is the West's Advantage

  Like all things business, it depends upon the people involved.
  
  While I would agree the Chinese are ambitious and intelligent, they lack the intuitive spirit of rebellion that we in the West have -- and business progresses because of it.

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  51

  rauf.i.azam@...

  07/05/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  Looking at the responses I only feel reassured that the core argument of the article is absolutely true "westerners have stopped practicing what they preach". Most of the westerners have actually developed into great hypocrates. It is especially true for Britons and Americans. You preach democracy but support tyrannies all over the world, you speak against the terrorists but have terrorised the whole world, you preach protection of environment but you are the greatest force damaging it, you preach rule of law but have always found ways to mould and mutilate laws in order to get waht you want and the list goes on ... and above all the arrogance and the extent of self righteousness is toooooo high and the facts all around are proving that these are fake and false feelings. THE WEST (US & UK in particlar) NEED MAJOR CORRECTIONS IN THE WAY THEY SEE THE WORLD

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  52

  pnkearns

  07/05/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  It would be interesting to know if this survey was conducted in Western companies operating in China, Chinese private companies or Chinese state owned companies. I believe the survey findings will vary significantly based on the type of firm surveyed.

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  53

  superdave69

  07/05/08 | Report as spam

  reality of China business

  It's true that Chinese businesses are corrupt, dishonest, and lacking any values most Western businesses would consider critical for long-term success. Things like integrity and respect for your employees and customers are not even on the list of priorities. It's all about making money in the short term at any cost to anyone else. That is the Chinese mantra. So as a competitor, customer or employee, you just have to know what you're getting into when you engage with a Chinese company.

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  54

  Johnlamb

  07/06/08 | Report as spam

  BS

  That is bull. I am sure the US went into Iraq just to liberate the Iraqi poeple!

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  55

  cinnojra

  07/06/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  Actually the Chinese Managers are more risk taker than rest of us. Difficult situation teach them to gamble on every dicision they make. The good side that we should imitate from them are their patience, persistence and tolerance to whatever system they are in.

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  56

  bblazie

  07/07/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  I have spent a fair amount of time in China over the past year, and it is clear from reading the comments here that the US media is doing a good job of making the Chinese look like bad guys, they are not!
  
  Many companies have to compete on the world stage and we can not do that if we do not construct our products in the most cost effective environments, we have moved about %40 percent of our production to china and increased our personal count in the states by %20 because of increased sales we get by offering a more competitive price for our product. The quality of the product has also increased, with the less expensive labor we can afford higher testing standards and spend more on the finish of the product then we could when we did our manufacturing here.
  Do not blame the US government for free trade, blame them for the regulations and taxes the place on the us. blame the labor unions for pricing US labor out of the market. Blame the environmentalist for the cost of resources. Protectionism did not work prior to WWII and it will not work now.
  Bryan Blazie

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  57

  andreas.cseh@...

  07/08/08 | Report as spam

  RE: Chinese Managers Underestimated in the West

  www.solo-duo.hu

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  58

  bojan@...

  07/09/08 | Report as spam

  I think he's aiming at an analogy

  Perhaps because in late 70s and early 80s westerners had the same kind of snobish, uninformed opinions of japanese management and then it hit them....

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  59

  bojan@...

  07/09/08 | Report as spam

  This should have been reply to ArsonyB

  oops...