BiMBA Alumni Dinner Party Series (II)
Apr 18-2013
BiMBA Alumni Dinner Party Series (II)
——“Three Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention” for Managers of Foreign Companies Seeking to Work in Chinese Companies
It rained heavily on June 18, after weeks of sweltering weather which was usually the case in the summer of Beijing. Inside delicately decorated Guigong Palace with an antique architectural style, some 60 BiMBA alumni had an entirely new sort of dinner party together, totally undisturbed by the downpour outside. The party was held with the theme of “Three Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention” for Managers of Foreign Companies Seeking to Work in Chinese Companies. The rain continued, making an interesting contrast with the lively discussions inside the Palace.
The party was hosted by Professor John Zhuang Yang, International Dean of BiMBA. Ms. Cheng Yuan, managing director of Russell Reynolds Associates (Greater China), was present at the party at the invitation of BiMBA. Professor Yang gave the opening speech. The relaxed atmosphere of the dinner party made communication much easier between BiMBA alumni of different years. The event provided the participants a platform to discuss and share their views on major current affairs. Brief self-introductions were made by all of the participants. Some of them were managers from transnational corporations, some were executive managers of Chinese companies, and some others were managers of foreign firms looking for opportunities to work in Chinese enterprises. Despite the differences of their backgrounds and career paths, all of them were busy pursuing their own dreams. In view of their professional backgrounds and issues faced by them in career development, Ms. Cheng shared her insights with BiMBA alumni on the challenges faced by (Chinese) mangers of foreign companies who are interested in joining Chinese enterprises. Her company Russell Reynolds Associates conducted a study, in the fourth quarter of 2008, the professional managers with international employment background from ten globalized Chinese companies, and board directors of some of these companies were interviewed during the study. Based on relevant findings of the study, Ms. Cheng proposed the theory of “Three Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention” for Managers of Foreign Companies Seeking to Work in Chinese Companies. Discussions at the party were focused on the issue of the “returning” of Chinese managers from foreign companies, and relevant analyses were contextualized against the background of the ongoing global financial crisis. To successfully integrate themselves into Chinese companies, the managers should go through three transformation phases which are defined as “the entrance period”, “acceptance by coworkers” and “bringing changes to the companies”. The time needed for the three phases are found to be three months, six months and one year, respectively. As regards the question of whether state-owned enterprises are a justifiable option, Cheng pointed out that it might be worth a try, but the result is totally uncertain. This notwithstanding, people with previous experience of working with Chinese companies are always preferred by head-hunters, therefore, they have a big advantage in terms of future career development. Ms. Cheng cited examples from the study to illustrate the “Eight Points for Attention”, which included “never speak in English”, “know the style of your boss”, “forget about your past” and “boil the frog in warm water”. Her analysis was vivid, incisive and straight to the point.
The party reached its climax during the Q&A session. Drawing on their personal experience, the participants contributed enthusiastically to the discussions on topics ranging from career planning and self-orientation to life philosophy and value orientation. Some of them listened in quiet meditation, while others actively involved in the discussions. Opinions of the alumni were varied in nature, either for or against the theory proposed by Ms. Cheng. All people present at the party enjoyed the interactive atmosphere, and Ms. Cheng answered the questions in great detail. One of BiMBA’s alumni, Mr. Yang Lidong, caught the attention of the audience with his humorous and witty remarks, stirring the crowd to contribute more enthusiastically to the discussions.
At the end of the party, Professor Yang gave a summary speech on the discussions, emphasizing that the party was a great success. He also commented on the discussions from the vantage point of a manager, sociologist and philosopher, based on his own experience as an educator. His speech covered a wide variety of professional issues, ranging from the “returning” of foreign company managers and self-fulfillment of selection skills involved indecision making. In the end, souvenirs were presented by Professor Yang to Ms. Cheng on behalf of BiMBA alumni.
The rain stopped as the party ended, making the palace a fresher and greener appearance. Excited by the intriguing discussions, the participants did not leave at once. Instead, they stayed in the palace hours after the party, exchanging cards and talking with Professor Yang and Ms. Cheng. At around 10:30pm, they left the palace at last, unwillingly. The party has been highly praised by all of the participants. Delicious food, stimulating speeches and interactive discussions, were all in an antique architectural style royal garden. It was simply a feast for the eyes as well as the heart.