POEs and Beijing: More Intertwined Than Meets the Eye
The Chinese government has turned its powerful spotlight towards the private sector’s size, wealth, and influence in China’s socialist market economy. The scuppering of Alibaba’s IPO for Ant Group was […]
Futureproofing Your China Workforce
China is undergoing a seismic shift from a manufacturing powerhouse to a digitised, innovative economy. Much like the economic miracle of the last few decades, the country’s future will be […]
Optimism for Asia’s Growth Despite Covid Struggles
An optimistic economic forecast might seem out of step with the gloomy news on Asia’s COVID-19 struggle. Yet, the outlook is straightforward given the region’s vaccine efficacy and immunisation rates. […]
Business Model Innovation: Everything as a Service
Firms in China are seeking richer margins by selling services instead of selling products. Today, data-driven technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) are supercharging the move towards ‘servitization’. Consequently, […]
14th Five-Year Plan: Xi’s 30-Year Dash to the Finish Line
During an IMA China CEO Forum meeting in Shanghai, a China ‘insider’ gave his views on the impact of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP) on MNCs operating in China – […]
The Most Important Plan in China’s History
The 14th Five Year Plan (FYP) represents the final ramp-up to China reaching economic parity with the US. As such, it is perhaps the most important one yet. Foreign businesses […]
Avoiding the Crossfire: Public Affairs Strategy in China
In a politically charged world, words matter in preventing and diffusing flareups. MNCs especially need to navigate the sensitivities, both at home and in China, to avoid getting caught in […]
Agile Planning in China Leads to Sales
Covid put into stark relief the importance of staying nimble. During the early days of Covid, supply and demand issues reared their ugly head, and massive price fluctuations followed. At […]
Crisis Support for India Teams
India’s COVID-19 outlook is grim, with explosive growth in new cases not expected to peak for 4-8 weeks. The government’s sudden decision to vaccinate everyone over 18 has led to […]
Building a Resilient Post-Covid Workplace in China
China’s unique experience with Covid has put it on a divergent path from the rest of the world. With the virus effectively suppressed in China, employees have been back in […]
Navigating Asia’s Manufacturing Challenges in 2021
Surging Costs, Shortages, and Difficult Capex Decisions A faster than expected economic recovery in the first half of 2021 in many Asian markets certainly is welcome, but the recovery also […]
Selling China to HQ
Rising trade tensions, the pressure to decouple the China business from global networks, and the after-effects of the Covid pandemic have combined to make communications between headquarters and China operations […]
Experimenting with Asia’s Workplace
Across Asia, companies are experimenting with changes in the workplace. The experimentation is about offering choice and flexibility to employees as we progress towards a post-Covid environment. The trialing of […]
China’s ‘Always-On’ Digital Disruptors
A new breed of Chinese consumer brands has hit the ground running with a digital-first, consumer-centric approach. They hook consumers with always-on digital conversations, camera-ready packaging, and fast-paced product launches. […]
Good News Spurs Revised Asia Forecast
Due to promising forward indicators, IMA Asia now expects a strong recovery in the global economy this year. The combination of good vaccines, strong private sector balance sheets, and strong […]
Leveraging Digital Tools in a China Go-To-Market Strategy
China has proven to be an ideal place to experiment with cutting-edge digital apps. Many Chinese companies are digital-first enterprises that tactically test and tweak digital applications. A China CEO […]
Managing Supply Chains During and After the Pandemic
Covid-19 has put the strength and flexibility of supply chains to the test. Some industries, such as oil and gas, are used to managing volatility. Other industries have experienced disruptions […]
Securing China’s Talent After Covid
Companies in China weathered the pandemic storm better than expected by empowering their local teams. As a result, senior executives at global headquarters increasingly recognise the capabilities of China-based employees […]
Asia’s 2021 Prospects Are Not Quite as Bright as Some Believe
Almost everyone in business is an optimist and in December we tend to look forward to a better year ahead. We also expect 2021 to be a bit better but […]
2021 Strategy Realignment: 10 Questions That Need Answers
Our view is that 2021 will be the bridge year from the 2020 pandemic to the beginning of the next normal in 2022. It will be a year for developing […]