Intro:
Thanks for tuning in to listen to this special China Business Tips Podcast Part 3!
I hope you have listened to Part 2 of the Tips Podcasts and found the tips interesting and useful for you and your business. If you speak Dutch, hopefully, you also listened to Part 1 in Dutch.
This is the last part of the Tips Podcast series. I hope these Podcasts have provided you with valuable insights that you can apply to your business. I would love to hear from you. Please send your comments or feedback to mei@iibboo.com.
Starting from Wednesday, September 6th, you can tune in to the new episodes. I am delighted to welcome you back and bring forth a captivating lineup of guests who will share their stories and expertise with you in Season 2 of Our Cultures & Our World Podcast.
I hope you will enjoy this last part of the tips podcast!
In Episode 11, I had the pleasure of conversing with Monique Knapen.
Monique is the co-founder of China Connector and Curated By. She has spent over three decades building bridges between the Netherlands and China through all kinds of roles. She is at the moment the country coordinator of Creative NL and coordinates the Business of Design Week Hongkong 2023 with the theme of Circular Design.
During the podcast, Monique shared her experiences as an exchange student in China and her work with Chinese radio stations, where she introduced Western music to Chinese audiences in the 90s. She discussed the challenges and enrichments of working and connecting with Chinese people throughout her career.
"China changed my life!" Monique told me. This led her to assume the role of Chairman of VNC (Association Netherlands China) in October 2022. Through VNC, Monique aims to foster dialogue, strengthen cultural exchanges, and promote better understanding and collaboration between the people of the Netherlands and China.
Please visit the VNC China website to explore their engaging activities centered around China, Chinese culture, and other captivating themes.
Enjoy the insightful tips from Monique Knapen of China Connector.
In Episode 12, I had a nice conversation with Hedda Sasburg.
Hedda is the owner of Orange Swallow and Sustainability Included. During the podcast, she shared her journey to China, which began in 1997 when she took the Trans-Siberian Express from Moscow to Beijing. As a business economist, she was fascinated by China's economic growth and outbound activities. Later, she adopted a daughter from China, which further inspired her to start her consultancy business focusing on China.
With 30 years of experience in the sustainability field, Hedda also discussed the developments in this area, both in Europe and Asia. She provided her unique perspective on how collaboration between Western companies and their suppliers in Asia can create social and environmental impact. We also delved into pressing issues such as reducing overproduction, promoting self-awareness, and changing our behavior as consumers.
During the podcast, we mentioned a collaborative initiative between Hedda and myself to establish the Netherlands China Sustainability Circle. We strongly believe that through mutual learning and collaboration, we can build a community that contributes to a sustainable future.
I hope you enjoy the valuable tips shared by Hedda Sasburg from Sustainability Included.
In Episode 13, I had an interesting conversation with Jacco Bouw.
Jacco is a marketing technology expert who founded WebPower 24 years ago. WebPower is a marketing technology company specializing in email marketing. Ten years ago, Jacco also founded Agency China, which specializes in social media marketing.
During the podcast, Jacco shared his journey of expanding his business to China in 2006, with the mission of introducing marketing automation technology to the Chinese market. "I could write a book about all my failures!" Jacco said. However, through persistence and strategic approaches, Jacco successfully scaled up his business in China three years after starting there.
Over the years, WebPower and Agency China have served numerous customers and renowned brands from both Western countries and China, assisting them with their marketing efforts in China. It was fascinating to hear about Jacco's journey, including insights on cultural differences, varying speeds of accomplishing tasks, and diverse approaches to problem-solving.
Furthermore, we delved into the impact of AI on marketing technology, as well as discussing the future of work and education. I really enjoyed this conversation and learned a great deal from Jacco. I hope you gain interesting insights from the tips shared by Jacco Bouw from Agency China.
In Episode nr. 14, I talked to Martine Wijkhuizen.
Martine is an experienced trainer and instructor from the Netherlands. She worked for seven years as a chief instructor in Shanghai.
During our conversation, Martine shared invaluable insights on various topics. We explored the challenges she faced when introducing the Dutch way of stable management, horse management, and lesson planning in China. Martine also revealed effective approaches to enhance the riding and teaching skills of Chinese coaches, empowering them to excel in their roles.
We delved into the perception that only expensive imported horses deserve the highest level of care. Martine explained her successful strategies for fostering equal care and teamwork among the Chinese team, emphasizing the benefits of treating all horses equally.
Moreover, we explored the process of how she merged Dutch expertise with the Chinese equestrian culture and built one of China's most successful horse riding schools through dedication, genuine human connection, and collaboration.
For those intrigued by the fast-growing equestrian industry in China, Martine's honest reflections on her struggles, breakthroughs, and insights into the Chinese equestrian world will surely give you a lot of ideas about this fascinating industry.
Enjoy the tips from Martine Wijkhuizen from Aqua Dynamics.
In episode nr. 15, I had a fascinating conversation with Selena Yang about Art and art market development in China.
Selena is the founder of Oooit Art.
In this episode, Selena took us on a fascinating journey of cross-cultural communication through art. She shared her process as a curator for selecting artists and artworks, creating unique exhibitions that provoke dialogue and connections, and allowing Western artists to engage with Chinese audiences and vice versa.
We also delved into her international artist residency program, which brings Chinese artists to the Netherlands and Dutch artists to China. Selena provides insights into the transformative power of cultural exchange as artists immerse themselves in new perspectives and find inspiration in unfamiliar surroundings.
Selena's in-depth knowledge and experiences regarding the evolving art market in China, driven by technology and the younger generation's desire for interactive art, shed light on the growing trends and changing dynamics, particularly in selling artworks in the Chinese market. These insights are very useful for people who want to navigate the Chinese art market.
I really enjoyed this conversation with Selena and I learned a great deal from her. I hope you will enjoy Selena’s view about cultural differences and the practical tips for doing business with Chinese people.
Outro:
I hope you enjoyed the tips from these five interviews. I truly enjoyed the conversations with Monique, Hedda, Jacco, Martine, and Selena. I hope you have gained valuable insights from their tips, which you can apply to your business dealings with China and your connections with Chinese people. If you're curious about the stories these guests shared, I highly recommend listening to the complete interviews.
For now, I want to wish you all a fantastic summer vacation. Enjoy your time, and I hope to welcome you again through my podcast in September.