Typical Chinese factory.
Day 5 it must be Xiamen (where did day 4 go?). Nice little city (by China standards an island with only one million people). We met with our supplier (part of a large US owned company) toured the factory, reviewed issues with our product design, and manufacturability etc.
Cindy the plant manager talking to Gordon Smith. All the staff here are very smart and very young, and clearly hard working.
After another great Chinese lunch we when to Gu Lang Yu, a island accessible by ferry (If you come here go ahead and spring for the extra 1 RMB (12.5 cents) to sit on the top deck.)
Also bring an extra bag for all the tea that you will be recieving as gifts. Tea is really big here. Now on to Shenzhen.
Ralph and the chairmen
I spent Monday meeting with my team in Beijing, a great group of very motivated employees. I talk to some of these folks several times every week, however face-to-face contact really makes all the difference. The good news was that I finally had time to see a little bit of Beijing (other than customers offices). We were able to tour the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) and Tienanmen Square. Quite a sight!
The team at lunch
Tuesday we went south about 70Km to visit my largest customer in China. We had a great meeting and for the first time they had nothing but good things to say about our products! Compliments are not part of the normal negotiating process.
Tomorrow on to Xi amen to visit a supplier (it is nice to be a customer sometimes).
I left Dallas Saturday morning on a trip to China (Beijing, Xiamen, and Shenzhen), India (Delhi, and Dehradun), and Dubai. In China I am Meeting with our second largest customer in Beijing and then visiting two manufacturing companies in Xiamen and Shenzhen. In India I will be visiting our new service center, a manufacturing partner, and then our largest customer. On to Dubai where our operation there is now staging the $60 million order for our Indian customer.
Looks like a fun filled (well at least interesting) two weeks. I will be posting comments as I go and putting up some photos.
One thing that struck me as I came though the airport (and waited for my lost bags), there must have been a hundred ads for GE (I use to work at GE). China is a little like GE; everyone works very long hours, and everyone knows what the five-year plan is. In China they are moving from the last plan
Some MacBook Pro and MacBook customers (me included) have the faster 802.11n Wi-Fi chip already sitting in their systems, but it will cost $2 to light it up.
Apple said it is required under generally accepted accounting principles to charge customers for the software upgrade. “The nominal distribution fee for the 802.11n software is required in order for Apple to comply with generally accepted accounting principles for revenue recognition, which generally require that we charge for significant feature enhancements, such as 802.11n, when added to previously purchased products,”
See artical by Tom Krazil CNET News.com “Apple to charge for faster Wi-Fi“
Jim Clark resigned his position as chairman of Shutterfly three months after the IPO in a letter that was attached to the required SEC filing.
The SOX blog pointed out that both Senator Sarbanes and Representative Oxley retired this year.
Just before the Hollidays I spent a week at the Center for Creative Leadership. This was the first time I have participated in any leadership or management training in over 15 years. I had a great time and the program exceeded all my expectations!
This was more than just work. In this course you’ll learn more about yourself, about ways you can reconnect more effectively with those in your workplace and your family, about ways you can improve your health. In addition you’ll spend time in beautiful surroundings (Colorado Springs), and stay at the Broadmore. No bad duty.
The SEC and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board have made it easier for small companies to comply with SOX, according to Red Herring.
David love has joined the Dallas office of Heidrick & Struggles as a partner. H&S is really gearing up in Texas. David has to be one of the most well known and respected Executive Search professionals in Texas. In addition like me, David is also a past President of The DFW ACG.
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. is one of the largest providers of senior-level executive search and leadership consulting services, including talent management, board building, executive on-boarding and M&A effectiveness. Heidrick & Struggles has offices throughout North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information about Heidrick & Struggles, please visit www.heidrick.com.
Just got a note that Jim Bethmann has joined the Dallas office of Heidrick & Struggles as senior partner.
