The Art of Chinese Style Management

Dear Friends,

In my years of working with both European and Chinese companies, I
have come to realize that while each are working towards the same
goal of profit making, their style generally differs based on their
cultural and social backgrounds.

In contrast with the western style of direct style of confrontation,
the Chinese are peace loving and dislike having different opinions
with their colleges or superior - a common censuses must be reach
before an opinion is given for no one wants to be blame for a mistake
and to claim praises for one self, to a Chinese, is a sign of
selfishness, seeking the jealousy of others. Keeping a secret then,
becomes a virtue.

This fact is glorified during the Chinese Cultural Revolution of 1963-
1973 where each neighbors spied on each other and anything that goes
against state rule will deem one to be counter-revolutionary,
bringing disaster to the whole family.

I have attended numerous meetings, tour inspections arranged by
Chinese Companies and I found them to be a total waste of time! The
western style of brainstorming do not work in China. Nobody dare to
speak their mind and would say only what the boss like to hear. To
say something against the boss wish is to court death ?payable by a
letter of Termination from the company. ( I got one in my career and
this taught me a useful lesson about keeping my mouth shut!)

China has a long tradition of Taoism and Confucian teachings/ Lao Tse
taught one to be peace loving and caring for the law of nature and
never disturb the peace while Confucius taught the Wulun or 5
relationship paying respect to your parents, Employer, the rulers,
brothers and Husband and these mindset is manifested in the Chinese
Business Cultural.

Traditionally a senior employee in a company is employed by the boss
father and even the boss (son of the former boss) has to pay respect
to them, even to the extent of calling these senior employee as uncle
and treatment to them is vastly different ?nobody dare to question
their authority. In short the longer they stay, the more valuable
they becomes. In contrast to western management, older workers are
retrenched and their skills considered obsolete. So depends on what
type of company you are working for, act accordingly.

I have found many local companies in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia
and Thailand has the bulk of their employees made up of their
relatives and next of kin. Even if these employees do not exhibit any
capability, they are retain as "Face Saving", a very expensive pay
back to the goodwill from the previous generation.

China has gone through 13 Dynasties with their history extending for
more than 5000 years. Taiwan which is just across the straits is an
offspring of China and became one of Asia Four small Dragon in 1984
as it has received the best of what the modern world can offer ?the
technological advancement of the west and the traditional Chinese
values. In fact, my observation with a Taiwanese firm is that they
treat their employee much fairly than their Chinese counterparts, Let
me tell you why.

The Japanese controlled Taiwan for 50 years before Chiang Kai Shek
liberated the island following their retreat from Nanking in 1949.
The Japanese work very well as team and a common consensus must be
reach at all times, even within a family. Each team members in a
company is considered part of the extended family. Their contribution
to the company is compensated by a reasonable transport and food
allowances. You may get a lower pay than what you will get in a
European counterparts but the possibility of being retrench is rare
and once you are being hired by a Chinese or Taiwanese company, you
can be guaranteed a lifetime employment (* provided if you keep your
mouth shut!)