Comments on: “The Story Of A China Practice” Now Available Via Free Download

By: Karl J. Weaver 魏卡爾

Karl J. Weaver 魏卡爾 — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 08:43:09 +0000

Dear Chris,

I’m now reading this book, thanks for offering it to the public.

We first met in 2003 when I visited your office in Shanghai. We then meet again in 2005, I sent to you one of my DVD video disc presentations of China and India’s wireless and mobile device markets.

Well, I have finally transfered to work in Beijing, China and work for a company called Gemalto at the Lido Office Tower connected to Lido Hotel near Wangjing. I’m OEM/ODM Handset Biz Dev Mgr., focused on selling Gemalto technologies to Greater Chinese mobile handset vendors.

Anyway, I hope to run into you again sometime.
Karl J. Weaver

By: Thom

Thom — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 04:54:06 +0000

Chris thank you for the free download. Having read it last night I think there are several key management and business lessons you highlight in your experiences, similar to what we are taught at McKinsey:
1 If you think it works, persevere
Too many people give up when they find it tough going at the start of any new business.
2 Nuture key clients
Obviously your early clients were important and you spent time personally with them
3 Treat staff well and with honesty.
Not going to LA when you won the ticket and staying with your staff probably saved your business.
4 Treat creditors with respect
Likewise, meeting with your creditors when you had cashflow difficulties can’t have been pleasant but at least you were able to let them know and get them to renegotate terms. Too many people just ignore debts
5 Get in managers to grow the business
I think handing over various responsibilities to Alberto was a key moment. It allowed him to do what he was good at and you to be the visionary, development man. Too many small businesses stay small because the founder thinks he can do everything.
6 Remember that out of adversary can come inspiration.
If I read it correctly, China Briefing was created because you couldn’t afford advertising. If you could have, none of what you subsequently created would have been born. Thinking outside the box helps a lot when under-capitalised.
7 Fight your corner
You’ve had your share of troubles with other people but it seems you’ve fought your corner when need be. Don’t be afraid of confrontation when someone is stealing from your business or ripping it off.
8 Reinvest in your business
It seems you constantly put whatever money you had back into your business instead of taking it out. making sure the business was capitalised to whatever you could afford. Plus you didn’t borrow. The term is ‘bulkhead financing’ and although short term painful leads to longer term stability. I’m sure you appreciate those year of being without these days.

Personally I thought it was a great read (it could have done with some better editing but that’s a small gripe compared with the contents) and one that yes, indeed, I think many small businessmen to China can get a lot out of. I’ll be in touch personally to say hello.

By: Eric Downing

Eric Downing — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 03:59:35 +0000

Chris, really good read and unlike other China books, which tend to be self praising. Yours isn’t – plus you got all the problems in there small businesses face at start up; under capitalization, being ripped off, and so on. The fact you not only survived – and prospered – gives heart to us all. The lessons over honesty with staff in times of trouble were also right to the point. Well done and keep up your excellent and much appreciated work with China Briefing and your firm.

By: Richard ANG

Richard ANG — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 03:40:58 +0000

I have been reading China Briefing for a while and find it very useful for my daily business here in China…i look forward to reading the book.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 17:16:44 +0000

Read in a single sitting over several trappist ales in a small nondescript bar in Urumqi
Speaking as someone who started out (and remains) in China under-resourced and with little true understanding of the depth an intricacy involved in growing a business in this unique environment, the story of your early struggles certainly strikes a chord with me.

Thanks for your help over the years

Cheers

Jonathan

By: Chris Devonshire-Ellis

Chris Devonshire-Ellis — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 04:09:08 +0000

Wow guys thanks for your comments! I’m very flattered, and they are much appreciated.

You can download the book ON THIS PAGE – at the end of the introduction to this article there is a link “The 96 page book is downloadable here” – click on “here” and the acrobat reader will open up for you. I hope you enjoy it. Please – let me know your comments and whether you found it useful or not.

Best wishes

Chris

By: KC Pradhan

KC Pradhan — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 03:23:40 +0000

We have been immensely benefited from the inputs of China Briefing & looking forward for the same in the future too.

By: Melanie

Melanie — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:18:45 +0000

Thats what I truely can recoment.

By: gwang

gwang — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:31:01 +0000

Exactlly, from which part of the website the book can be downloaded?

By: avinash limaye

avinash limaye — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:00:15 +0000

pl let me have a free copy by down load