So strange, having 2 new years holiday each year…..since I moved to China in the end of 2007, I have been involved with 3 chinese new years now. There was the year of the RAT (mouse), last year was BULL, and now we’re in the year of the Tiger! Well, last New Years (into the Bull!) I was in Amsterdam …
will google buzz fizzle in china?
Google has just released google buzz, a twitter like platform that is integrated into your gmail account – so your “buzz” from friends and followers comes through as a folder in your email box. This is all cool stuff, but from the matter of the current state of “google leaving china”….this is another step towards leaving. Its reported the government …
Firing People in China – Watch your Back
Have to share this greatttttttttt email I received today, makes me sleep well at night. Unreal people out there like this. But I want to share, some of the after effects of firing someone. The guy lost me customers, was lazy, and did his own work during company hours. Anyway, received the below email (exact copy / paste) from a …
Stupid Foreigner Paying Chinese New Year Bonus
Update Feb 2016: Get lots of requests on Chinese New Year bonus, 6 years later I wrote a much more detailed and professional post on my business blog: How Much Bonus Should I Pay on Chinese New Year?, check it out! Again, I am reminded how little I know about the Chinese culture. I try to be observant, ask around …
Apartment Moving in China – Fun Never Stops
I recently ended a contract with a residential apartment, the owner is 27 years old, and he works in a department store. The people tell me he is a “duck boy” married or dating a rich chinese woman. her name is on the ownership documents, but he has a subcontract for it. I have a contract with him. Now i …
So many changes, holding on as best I can
Hey, this is my personal blog, and it seems people here like reading about the real life story of my experiences….so here goes…hope it doesnt seem too much like complaining… Obviously being a small business owner, boot strapped and always under cash flow pressure – I am faced with daily pressure to deliver. Guess overall I like the pressure, even …
As Chinese New Years Approaches – Danger Lingers
As the lunar calendar draws to a close, so many more unfortunate Chinese people are desparate to return to their hometowns. They did not earn enough money the previous year, or save enough, to make it home to see their family and loved ones….. So, some push too hard, they do whatever it takes to make that bit of cash …
Google Will Stay in China, no matter what
I feel that Google has lost its attempt to “change the Chinese government” and is still trying to remain in China. Wow, they really scared me a couple weeks ago – but even if they pull out of China, now they say only pull out selectively – keeping some research and development here , as well as advertising sales. Reading …
Passion and emotions in the workplace – good or bad
Is it good to be passionate and emotional in the workplace? Many may say passion is ok, but emotion may be an issue. But how to separate them? Looking at one’s own personal pro and con – I am sure my passion and emotion gets the best of me. I have to be more level headed. I have to separate …
Reflection – how did I end up here?
Reading some linkedin.com discussions, and one that caught my eye was “how did you get into your industry where you are today?” I answered it in the thread, but also want to expand on it more here. Since I can remember, I always wanted to have my own company, back in 2003 after graduating university and starting a new full …
Internet war brewing?? USA vs China?
Am I going to be caught in the middle of an internet war? In a way, i feel a bit strange, as i’m an american in china with google seeming to fight with the chinese government. and its seeming to become more policital then anything…..usa internet companies are siding with google / us government, and chinese internet companies are siding …
Seems Like Google is Really Leaving China – hello Thailand
seems like I have to do it now…..i’m sure that the chinese government will retaliate and start blocking google services. already they have blocked youtube, blogger, and some others for over a year….but imagine google gmail, google english search. too much risk for me to sit and wait….i need to at least develop a plan B. talking to my friend …
If Google left China, would I follow?
man….its all over the news these days…..Google is looking to exit the market in China…. its just gone that far in China….they are blocking my friend’s Chinese blogs here, they have blocked twitter, facebook and others…. it seems unfair, google is considered to be the last major foreign internet company in china….yahoo sold out to alibaba , so many others …
Time to Shine in 2010
Its been since christmas since blogging….no i haven’t forgotten about you guys….its more because ive been working day and night – and that is pretty boring to blog about. But i am getting more confident, more focused. I am sure 2010 will be a great year….all the time, years, invested both in time and in money, now is the time …
Jobs Sent to India & China will never return
Just read an article from an Israeli company statement that jobs outsourced to India and China and other emerging markets will never return to Israel. And for the country to continue to thrive, it must focus on innovation and original ideas. Baharav said, “The transfer of work to emerging markets is a trend which changes the global status quo, in …