Product Description

How can managers discover, develop and implement successful business strategies for China and our global economy? Drawing on in-depth research with top executives of successful Chinese and Western companies, this book provides a road map for profitable business strategies in our interconnected economy. In the process, the authors describe and examine both Chinese and Western strategic management, their weaknesses and strengths. Starting with an analysis of the historical, cultural and legal antecedents of Chinese strategy, the authors identify potential for synergy and dominance between companies from Western, industrialized economies and Chinese companies. The book closes with recommendations on how the managements of non-Chinese companies, now pouring into China, can most effectively compete and interact with Chinese businesspersons and governments.

The Chinese Tao of Business offers guidance to compete successfully against local companies and in foreign markets through:

• Unique insights into Chinese bus iness strategy, including its origins and influencing factors;
• Insightful perspectives on the evolution of China’s market and business environments;
• Incisive analysis of Eastern and Western strategic decision-making styles and how they differ;
• Cogent identification of hidden and overt threats, pitfalls and opportunities that Western companies face in China and how to plan for them;
• Effective direction through an Adaptive-Action Road Map (ARM) for successful business strategies in China and the global economy.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #221528 in Books
• Published on: 2004-10-07
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 329 pages

Review
"...my simple recommendation...is grasp this opportunity; read this book..." (dialogin.com, June 2006)

Vijay Mahajan, John P. Harbin Centennial Chair in Business, McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin & Dean, Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, India
Stellar road map into the Chinese business mind that should benefit those studying the Chinese and those working with them.

Rob Westerhof, Chief Executive Office, Philips North America Region (previously, CEO, Philips East Asia Region)
Very successful in bringing in [China's] cultural history and connecting it to doing business in China...a must read...

Customer Reviews

China looming
It took me a long time to get through it but I found it was worth the effort. In my business, it's important to keep abreast of what's happening globally and Haley came through. Very insightful.

Very timely book with contrarian perspective
So you are doing business in China and are spinning your wheels. You've read the culture and etiquette books and the ones on market potential. STOP! Read no further until you read the Chinese Tao. This unassuming (though not little) book packs a punch. If you want to make money in China as a private business, everything is conspiring you -- history, culture, laws and managers -- and mastering them, or atleast anticipating the punches, is key to success in China. A thoroughly enjoyable book, and Usha and George display wry humor through the sometimes weighty material. Recommended reading!

Well-written book which cuts wide swathe
I found this book very well-written, full of anecdotes and personal nuggets as well as statistical backing. In sum, it explained for me the contradictions, opportunities and pitfalls behind the "China miracle". I have read several books on China and I recommend this one over the rest.

A book of this kind is very difficult to write, as the authors chose to incorporate history, culture, modern business practices and the law (among other things!) to explain business success and failure in China. However, depsite their tall task, they did a good job. I especially liked the historical and political grounding combined with really fabulous personal interviews with CEOs. Some of the stories were fun (the golf story with Li Ka-Shing) and some were insightful (Pan Shi Yi's rise). I found the chapter on legal affairs in China useful but heavy going. However, regulatory risk is a big component of operating in China (just ask all those companies that have lost their patents there) and there is probably no "fun" way of communicating this. The authors' insights and recommendations were very useful.

This book should be read carefully and digested. I certainly do not advocate an overnight read (300+ pages!) but some chapters must absolutely be read before foriegners go to China -- and I think before the Chinese go abroad. George and Usha Haley have cut behind the hyperbole to reveal some very disturbing truths about this super power and the global business environment which it has changed for ever. More importantly, they have given us some ammunition to help us to control our destinies in this brave new world. A must read!