Ken Wilcox's "The China Business Conundrum" offers a firsthand account of his attempts to establish a joint venture between Silicon Valley Bank and the Chinese government. The book details the complexities and challenges of navigating the Chinese business landscape, highlighting cultural differences and unexpected obstacles. Wilcox shares his experiences, including the systematic efforts to sabotage the project and steal SVB's business model. He provides actionable advice based on meticulous notes and interviews with various individuals in China. The book serves as a cautionary tale and a guide for those seeking to do business in China.
In 'Hidden Hand,' Clive Hamilton and Mareike Ohlberg reveal the extensive and often covert operations of the Chinese Communist Party to influence and control various aspects of global politics, economies, and societies. The book exposes the Party's tactics, including propaganda, espionage, and economic coercion, and how these efforts are reshaping the world according to China's interests.
"But what I didn't realize is that the main reason they wanted us in China was so that they could study our business model and figure out how to copy it over time. And that was something I wasn't expecting, but I should have. If I were less naive, And if I were better prepared, I would have realized that was the intention. So the original title, the working title I had for my book, which I had to change because the publisher didn't like it, my original title was 'One Bed, Two Dreams' (同床异梦). Because that's a phrase that most Chinese are familiar with." - Ken Wilcox
Fresh out of the studio, Ken Wilcox, former CEO of Silicon Valley Bank and author of "The China Business Conundrum", shares his experiences establishing Silicon Valley Bank’s joint venture in China, uncovering the challenges of navigating cultural differences, guanxi, and examine China’s playbook in bringing successful foreign ventures onshore. He reflects on lessons learned, from differing views on contracts and negotiation tactics to the complexities of building trust in a new business landscape and offers invaluable advice for Western companies eyeing the Chinese market. Last but not least, he concludes by sharing his hopes for the book’s impact, emphasizing the importance of understanding and collaboration between the East and West.
Audio Episode Highlights: [00:00] Quote of the Day by Ken Wilcox [01:66] Ken Wilcox’s career journey and transition to China. [06:35] Life and leadership lessons. [09:47] The One Thing that Ken knows about Doing Business in China that very few do. [12:40] Importance of Silicon Valley Bank in China. [17:12] Cultural and regulatory challenges in China. [26:10] Understanding guanxi in Chinese business. [37:51] Adapting to China and reverse culture shock. [40:14] The Chinese negotiating style centres on leverage and power. [48:37] What happened to the joint venture post-SVB crisis? [53:10] Contrasts in negotiation styles between China and the U.S. [54:51] What does success mean for The China Business Conundrum? [56:18] Recent book recommendations. [57:52] Final reflections on time spent in China.
Profile: Ken Wilcox, Author of "The China Business Conundrum: Ensure That "Win-Win" Doesn't Mean Western Companies Lose Twice"
Main Site: https://kenwilcoxauthor.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenwilcoxsvb/
Substack: https://kenwilcoxauthor.substack.com/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/China-Business-Conundrum-Win-Win-Companies/dp/1394294166/
Podcast Information: Bernard Leong hosts and produces the show. Proper credits for the intro and end music: "Energetic Sports Drive" and the episode is mixed & edited in both video and audio format by G. Thomas Craig
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