May 21, 2008 - Written by Ryan Arthur
Well now we get down to business. Today is our most jam-packed business visit day yet. With Three stops today we begin to wrap up our world wind travels through China. But today is no exception to the wonder that can be
seen in this developing country.
We start today with a visit to Jun He law firm. What do you call 1,000 lawyers jumping off a cliff? A good start. Well after my visit to Jun He I would like to differentiate, what do you call 1,000 Chinese lawyers jumping off a cliff? A loss of 1,000 great employers. Any law firm that receives an award for being a great employer is somewhat an oxymoron to my way of thinking. Many of you know that I work for attorneys and I can attest this fact, and often do in every one of my classes. But the Jun He attorneys appear to be different. The presentation was given by Mr. Adam Li, but parts of the discussion occurred with some of his new associates. Amazingly, it seemed more like an information session for them as it was for us. They were fascinated to know about MBA's in America and continued to ask questions and discuss our program and American culture. I am interested in seeing if this firm actually succeeds in pulling business from America in China. It makes sense to hire legal services in the home country you are doing business, but then you begin to wonder if conflicts of interests arise from such agreements. I have personal high hopes that my own law firm will help Jun He become more and more successful as we attempt to become an international firm ourselves.
After the plush offices of Jun He Shanghai offices, we were plunged to the outskirts of Shanghai to visit Office Depot China's warehouse. The warehouse is definitely not going to make any normal tourist top ten hot spots. And our resident Queen of Efficiency, Amy Thran, nearly broke out in hives when she discovered their inventory was not being managed by a barcode system. While the products were modern, and the labels were on documents printed from a word processor, sheets upon sheets, of hand checked order forms floated around this somewhat pre-industrial revolutionary warehouse. Sadly we missed the massive morning dispersal of supplies into Shanghai, which I feel sure would have been a cultural experience in-of-itself. After our tour of the office we drove a ways to Office Depot China's corporate offices, a drastic change in scenery from our previous locale. We toured the sales and customer service center that makes up the bulk of Office Depot's Shanghai offices. And after a presentation we discovered that Office Depot China seems to be operating much as its Chinese acquisition AsiaEC operated prior to the merger. The only foreseeable difference is that AsiaEC now operates under the Office Depot brand. American branding worked with fast food chains, why not with office products.
We ended today's business ventures with a meeting with the ballroom dancing eye doctor, Dr. Ming Wang (pronounced Wong). Dr. Wang gave us a tour of his Shanghai optic service center, Aier Hospital. This center was equipped with opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists to service the people in the area. Dr. Wang's facility even has a VIP wing for special patients that visit this Shanghai facility. After selling us lasik surgery, we retreated
to a board room for a further discussion on the "China Miracle" and dinner (for those who got the fried chicken cutlet) or another Chinese food experience (for those that got the piece of undistinguishable meat with a lot of bones). It was quite amazing to find such a modern facility in such a rundown part of the city. It was almost as if the facility wasn't supposed to be there. It will be truly amazing to watch the healthcare industry grow in China.
After the Aier Hospital, we were allowed free time again. Some of us were still hungry and decided to go to the French Concession. I had been there the night previous, but felt there was more to offer. After our cab driver dropped us off on the wrong side of where we asked him too, Meghan, Ruth, and I saw the back alleys of the French Concession. The brick arches and tiny passageways were clearly European inspired, and amazingly allowed for a quiet escape from the crowded vein of people that pulsates through the French Concession. It is definitely a happening place to be, and if franchising of the French Concession could occur, it would be very
successful in any major metropolitan American city.
Well we survived our major business visit day of our trip. Business in China is growing and there are many different models that are proving to be successful. Hopefully this growth will continue, and the relationship between China and America will grow stronger and stronger.
At the Jung He Law Firm by Amy Thran
VIP Rom At the Aire Hospital by Kim May
Nanjing Street by Kristen Comstock
