The Negotiation

In this episode of The Negotiation, we are delighted to feature Heidi Dugan, Chair of the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (AustCham).  Heidi joins the show at a critical juncture in Australian-China relations. After several years of frosty ties, Canberra and Beijing are taking steps to normalize the bilateral relationship—most notably by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese making a state visit to China earlier in November. Heidi discusses the work AustCham did around the state visit and the China International Import Expo (CIIE), as well as the broader efforts they are making to improve Australian-China relations.  With relations warming, Heidi speaks about her optimism for better trade and investment between Australia and China. She pinpoints key growth sectors for Australian businesses in China, including health and wellness, education, and cosmetics.  Having lived in China for nearly 30 years, Heidi also shares her insights on why Chinese consumers think so highly of Australian consumer brands.  This is a fascinating conversation with one of the most prominent Australian business leaders in China.  Topics Discussed and Key Points:●      An introduction to the Australian Chamber of Commerce (AustCham) in Shanghai.●      The crucial role of storytelling in brand development and investment in the Chinese market.●      Exploring growth opportunities in sectors such as medical equipment, health and wellness, education, and cosmetics in China.●      Insights into the sentiment among Australian business leaders towards China.●      A detailed look at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) and Australia's involvement.●      The impact of Singles Day on Australian brands and the evolving maturity of the Chinese consumer market.

In this episode of The Negotiation, we're thrilled to feature Jing Zhang, a renowned fashion journalist and consultant. Jing currently serves as the Global Editor in Chief of Jing Daily, the leading publication on luxury and fashion trends in China.The health of the Chinese consumer has been hotly debated throughout 2023—conflicting market signals have given oxygen to bulls and bears alike. On one hand, luxury spending is up, but pressures on the housing market have led to increased savings and less spending on large durables. So what’s really going on, and how can brands adapt?In this episode, Jing brings her expert insights to the table to shed light on the priorities of Chinese consumers in this new landscape.Our conversation touches on many topics, beginning with Jing’s unexpected journey into fashion journalism. Jing then shares her assessment of Chinese consumer confidence and how consumer preferences have shifted. We also explore the rise of domestic beauty brands, the gradual recovery of the tourism industry, and the impact of mental health on Chinese consumer trends. Jing offers her insights into the Chinese fashion industry, the repercussions of the pandemic, and the evolving nature of Chinese consumerism.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding Chinese lifestyle and consumer trends.Topics Discussed and Key Points:Chinese consumer confidence in 2023Factors influencing consumer confidenceWinners and losers in China's luxury market for 2023Spending and lifestyle trends among young consumersThe effect of mental health on young consumersThe emergence of domestic brands and designersThe pandemic's impact on luxury brands and tourismComparing e-commerce and offline channels in luxury spending

Welcome to our landmark 200th episode of The Negotiation Podcast! The last four years have been rich with meaningful discussions, profound insights, and memorable moments—and we’re excited about what the future will bring.In this celebratory episode, we are delighted to host the co-founders of WPIC Marketing + Technologies, Jacob and Joseph Cooke. We delve into WPIC's impressive expansion in China, particularly their new office in Shanghai, and reminisce about the company's significant growth since the podcast was launched four years agoWe further explore the evolution of e-commerce in China, spotlighting the surging popularity of live-streaming sales and the increasing diversification of the sector. The Cooke brothers candidly share their experiences navigating the pandemic and how it acted as a catalyst in shifting the world more towards e-commerce. We also touch upon the future horizons and expansion blueprints for WPIC.Thank you for being part of this journey, and here's to many more enlightening episodes!Topics Discussed and Key Points:Commemorating the 200th episode milestoneA look back at WPIC Marketing + Technologies last four yearsUnveiling of WPIC's new office in ShanghaiDelving into the evolution and dynamics of China's e-commerce sceneWPIC's expansion into Japan and Southeast AsiaAssessing the pandemic's influence on WPIC and the e-commerce transitionA sneak peek into exciting news and upcoming endeavours for the podcast

We are excited to welcome Noah Fraser to this episode of The Negotiation. Noah is based in Beijing, serving as Managing Director, China, for the Canada China Business Council (CCBC).  In our conversation, Noah discusses the business landscape in China for Canadian companies, highlighting the enormous opportunities in sectors like consumer goods, agriculture, and more. He also breaks down CCBC’s government engagement priorities, advocacy for improved market access, and the current environment for foreign investment.   Noah talks about CCBC’s upcoming Annual General Meeting in Beijing, which will welcome a large delegation of Canadian business and government leaders for the first time since before the pandemic. Noah also touches on the Belt and Road Forum, which he attended this week in Beijing alongside representatives from 150 countries.  In closing, Noah shares his experience suiting up in the Beijing International Ice Hockey League and his observations on the rise of hockey in China. Topics Discussed and Key Points:●      The Belt and Road Initiative●      Return of high-level visits to China●      CCBC’s upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM)●      Challenges and opportunities for Canadian companies in the Chinese market●      The significance of building strong local relationships and understanding the complexities of the Chinese market●      China's approach to foreign investment and the challenges and opportunities it presents●      CCBC’s government engagement priorities and advocating for improved market access●      The Beijing International Ice Hockey League

In this episode of The Negotiation, we are delighted to welcome back Jacob Cooke, Co-Founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies.  In our conversation with Jacob, we talk about the consumption surge during China's Golden Week, which saw over 800 million domestic trips and more than $100 billion in spending. He highlights other booming sectors like travel, athleisure, and lifestyle, despite macro pressures on Chinese consumers. Jacob also talks about the rise of "special forces tourism" and predicts continued growth in off-the-beaten-path destinations. We also touch on the upcoming Singles Day and the relationship between real estate prices and consumption. Topics Discussed and Key Points:●      Golden Week's impact on consumer trends●      Consumption recovery during Golden Week●      Increase in domestic trips and spending during Golden Week●      Weakness in sectors like large durable appliances and auto, but strong performance in personal consumption, travel, athleisure, and lifestyle ●      The rise of "special forces tourism"●      Singles’ Day optimism ●      Growth in health and wellness, athleisure, nutraceuticals, and pet products

In this episode of The Negotiation, we are excited to welcome MJ Park, Key Account Manager at WPIC Marketing + Technologies, to discuss the South Korean e-commerce market.  With over a decade of experience in marketing and business management in both Korea and Canada, MJ Park brings a wealth of knowledge about the e-commerce landscape in South Korea, the world's fifth-largest e-commerce market. In our conversation, MJ discussed popular platforms like Naver Shopping and Coupang and booming consumer sectors such as wellness and health supplements. We touch on the market for secondhand goods, local life services like food delivery, and the appetite for international brands in South Korea. We also dive into practical strategies for entering South Korea, including how to set up e-stores and which platforms brands should prioritize for digital marketing.  Topics Discussed and Key Points:●      The e-commerce giants of South Korea●      Comparison of South Korean platforms to Chinese platforms●      Notable consumer trends in South Korea●      The secondhand market in South Korea●      The ecosystem of local life services in South Korea, such as food delivery platforms●      The appetite for international brands in South Korea

In this episode of The Negotiation, we are honoured to welcome Michael Hart, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China).In our conversation, Michael discusses his background and 20-year business career in Mainland China. He talks about the vital work of AmCham, which includes policy advocacy, business development support, and community building for American businesses in China. Michael shares his view on member companies' current business environment and investment outlook. We also talk about the chamber's interaction with different levels of government in China and the eagerness to attract foreign direct investment.Michael has a unique window into what America’s largest companies are thinking and doing on the ground in China—it’s a must-listen for anyone looking to understand US-China relations and China’s business landscape.  Topics Discussed and Key Points:●      The role of AmCham China●      The evolving business environment in China●      The US-China relationship and its impact on US business in China●      China’s 24 points to encourage investment●      The "great decoupling" during the COVID-19 pandemic●      The impact of foreign investment in China●      Importance of feedback in policy changes and promoting progress●      Interaction of AmCham with local and central governments in China●      Understanding the different levels of government in China●      The current state of foreign direct investment (FDI) in China●      Foreign direct investment (FDI) in China: government’s eagerness, key sectors, and timing●      The future of investment in China●      AmCham's upcoming visit to Washington, D.C., and the message they will deliver

In this episode of The Negotiation, we are excited to be joined by Shai Oster, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who recently served as Asia Bureau Chief for The Information. Shai previously worked at the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, with postings spanning China, Europe, and the U.S. He's now working as an independent strategy and communications consultant based out of Bangkok. In our conversation with Shai, we dive into various topics related to China's economy, the tech industry, and investment flows. We explore different sectors in China, such as biotech, clean tech, and semiconductors. We also talk about the rise of electric vehicles in China, the success of Chinese auto exports, and how that’s playing out on the ground in places like Bangkok. We conclude our conversation by looking at the platform economy in Southeast Asia, including a breakdown of the e-commerce, food delivery, and digital payment ecosystem in Thailand.  Topics Discussed and Key Points:●      Economic changes in China●      The current state of China's tech industry●      Challenges in the IPO market●      The rise of Chinese electric vehicles ●      Chinese investment in Thailand's EV industry and the international expansion of Chinese automakers●      Electric vehicle adoption's impact on electricity prices and household grids●      The dominance of Lazada and Shopee in Southeast Asia e-commerce●      Importance of payments infrastructure and role of banks●      Comparison of payment processes in China and the US●      Key players in the e-commerce and food delivery sectors in Thailand●      Lack of consolidation in the Thai market and the potential impact of subsidy wars

In this episode of The Negotiation, we are delighted to welcome back Jacob Cooke, Co-Founder and CEO of WPIC Marketing + Technologies. Jacob is based in Beijing where he oversees the China and broader APAC operations for WPIC.  Jacob recently returned to China after a summer trip to Canada, so we thought it would be a great time to bring him back on the show to share what he’s seeing on the ground in China and APAC’s e-commerce landscape.  After sharing his thoughts on China’s domestic and international travel sector, Jacob dives into the narrative around weak consumption in China. Jacob refutes this narrative, emphasizing that there is robust growth in several consumer sectors. We also discuss Alibaba’s performance and leadership shuffle, as well as the latest Li Jiaqi scandal, before turning to a discussion of the e-commerce markets in South Korea and Southeast Asia. Topics Discussed and Key Points:●      Chinese travel in the new normal●      The ongoing e-commerce boom in China●      Lesser-known cities experiencing enormous growth in China, such as Hangzhou and Dalian●      Analyzing earnings reports and financial statements to gain insights into the Chinese market●      Alibaba's leadership transition●      The e-commerce markets in South Korea and Southeast Asia●      TikTok's rise in Southeast Asia

In this episode of The Negotiation, we are delighted to speak with Su Cheng Harris-Simpson. Su Cheng is the visionary founder of the Women Empowerment Council (WEC), an organization dedicated to promoting gender equality in business in China and beyond. Su Cheng has been an active member of the Beijing business community for three decades. Before moving into entrepreneurship and eventually founding the WEC, she worked at Boeing, the Capital Club in Beijing, and United Technologies Corporation. She’s also a long-standing board member of the American Chamber of Commerce in China.In this episode, Su Cheng shares her journey from working at Boeing to starting her own consultancy in Beijing and eventually pivoting to philanthropy and women’s empowerment. We delve into the WEC’s initiatives, including its upcoming conference where they will release a white paper that outlines policy recommendations for empowering women. All listeners of The Negotiation can get a 20% discount off tickets for the Women’s Empowerment Conference & Awards with the promo code WPIC_2023. They can also use this link to register: https://app.glueup.cn/event/40943/register/?coupon=WPIC_2023.Topics Discussed and Key Points:How SCHS Asia was founded The power of communities: AmCham and the Women Empowerment CouncilAddressing gender disparities: The Women's Economy SummitSu's work with the Women Empowerment Council (WEC) WEC’s upcoming annual conference and awardsImportance of role models and diversity in leadership positionsPower of consumer spending in promoting equality and supporting socially responsible companies