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Home > Doing Business with China > Human Resources > Expat An expatriate (expat) is typically a Western-trained senior level manager who has accumulated 15-20+ years experience within a single industry. Usually recruited for their ability to oversee a particular division of a multinational company, outside China, their scope of work expands to include higher-level managerial duties, in China. Typically relocated with their family in tow, these managers rarely have any local language skills, aren’t particularly culturally aware or have any significant understanding of the local market. Their strength lies in their knowledge of the industry and they ability to manage business units back home. Recently though, we have seen the emergence of the “perpetual expat”, who moves from one foreign market to another. Typically a China post (or any international posting for that matter), is granted towards the end of a career or as part of the final progression towards a Vice President or CEO level position back in the home office. With their years of management experience and long-term understanding of the corporate culture, expats are expected to: instill key qualities/values in local staff; increase market share in existing markets; identify new markets for business growth; and manage a reduction in manufacturing costs. Expats tend to see their China stint as a 2-3 year temporary assignment that will conclude with them and their family being repatriated to the home office. The first 3-6 months of an expatriates stint in China are commonly perceived as a honeymoon period. Both business and private life offer new, exciting glimpses into another culture and another way of getting things done. A simple visit to a supplier can result in a dinner at a local restaurant and a relaxed, interesting conversation conveying a sense of adventure for all involved. However, the following 2 ½ years can rapidly descend into a series of difficult, frustrating experiences which are exacerbated by a lack language skills or clear understanding of social and cultural nuances, which affect all aspects of business and private life and often result in severe culture shock. To read the full paper, please download here |
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