EP17. Zak Dychtwald, CEO of Young China Group on bridging the gap between US and Chinese teams & companies

Zak Dychtwald is the Founder and CEO of Young China Group, a market insights firm and consultancy based between China and the US. He leads “YCG Bridgeworks: A Global Collaboration Lab” focused on a people-first, data-backed approach to improving collaboration between global teams – spanning both cultural as well as generational gaps, with a special focus on US-China.

Dychtwald is also the author of critically acclaimed Young China: How the Restless Generation Will Change Their Country and the World, available in six languages.

Impressive track record aside, I also find Zak to be an astounding personality. He speaks one of the most fluent Chinese that I have ever heard from an expat. He has a unique background story, merging academic interests with real-world entrepreneurship. He is also one of the few people who came back to China after Covid, re-launched his business, and has hit success after success since then. Today we will take an inside look at his secret sauce for business success in China’s tough business landscape today.

Highlights with timestamps

[6:44] How Zak’s China story started in Chengdu

[12:03] From writing Young China to founding Young China Group

[19:38] A summary of Young China’s key spirit: people-first approach

[22:44] Using the “people-first approach” to understand the logic of China's macroeconomic and government decisions

[30:30] How has Zak developed such a deep understanding of China as an American?

[34:27] Zak’s decision to come back to China after Covid

[38:58] How and why has Zak found a new business opportunity despite a tougher business condition

[44:08] China-based teams of US companies are facing an existential crisis that they are never prepared for

[01:02:54] Lessons for broader US-China relations