SRI: Live at the Kempinski Nanshan!

Tomorrow in Shenzhen, I'll be the Keynote speaker for the Chief Executive China annual forum: New Export Strategies, sponsored by PayPal.  The audience is expected to be 300-400 major suppliers from all over China and will be held in the afternoon at the Kempinski hotel in the Nanshan district of Shenzhen.This is, I think, going to be a very unique presentation--a foreign buyer telling Chinese suppliers what expectations are on the other side of the negotiations/buying table.  To put this together I spoke with buyers from all different kinds of companies/industries/countries--from the largest retail chains in the world to contract manufacturing middle-men. From very large electronic's wholesalers to regional furniture buyers. From trading companies to individual product buyers.What's was most interesting to me as I put this together was how surprisingly similar the feedback was despite the diversity of the buyers. And while by no means a comprehensive survey of global buyers, these 15-20 guys are, I think a very good sample of what most people are experiencing in China.  Some of their suggestions to suppliers included:First, honor and respect contracts and IP.Second, there is a lot of uncertainty because of the economy so provide a secure environment for business.Third, Develop transparent processes and allow clients/buyers to participate.Fourth, The quest for ever lower prices is driving buyers to other countries (and other inland Chinese provinces).  Quality product and professionalism will keep them with you.Fifth, Learn from the past and embrace change or die trying to hang on to what you did before.What would you tell suppliers if you had this chance?Also, the videos of my presentations at the October Global Sources Hong Kong Trade Show, What New Buyers to China Need to Know are now available on the CSIC website.