USF MBA student Mohammed Al-Ali stands by his poster bearing the Global Forum logo of combined US and China flags.
The first Annual Global Business Forum – China 2021 — held recently on campus, was created by Professor Xiaohua Yang and her students in MBA 6715, Globalization of Chinese Business. MBA Shanaver Siddiqui provides us with a complete report:
Global Business Forum – China 2021 (May 14th, 2011)
Post Forum Report
University Of San Francisco – School of Management
The Global Business Forum – China 2021 was the first of its kind, produced by the University of San Francisco’s newly renamed School of Management . This introductory forum was conceived and created by Professor Xiaohua Yang who teaches Globalization of Chinese Business, and jointly organized — at the end of the semester — by her students in MBA 6715 Globalization of Chinese Business.
The students were tasked to organize a forum that provided a platform for professional individuals from various backgrounds to share their opinions and insights on globalization of Chinese companies by conducting a panel discussion on patterns of Chinese globalization. It also provided students and audience the opportunity to engage in an interactive session with the panelists, a networking session for the attendees, and finally a student poster presentation and competition.
The forum provided information on the overall trends and patterns of globalization of Chinese businesses; it explored the opportunities and challenges currently faced by Chinese business firms; and, it introduced the attendees to the strategic choices that Chinese businesses face in the process of going global.
As we all know, China is the world’s largest manufacturing hub and 90% of all its output is exported. We have seen a lot of U.S. and European companies, over the years, relocate their manufacturing process to China, or outsource it to companies in China — due to low labor and manufacturing costs. Over time Chinese companies have gained the knowhow and expertise in all aspects of business, beyond just manufacturing, and these Chinese companies have started to globalize.
They have combined their knowledge of manufacturing with the technical knowhow learned from Americans and Europeans to establish companies that extend their reach well beyond China and into the international market. This has initiated a trend of reverse globalization where companies from a developing country like China are entering a developed country like the United States and providing business solutions successfully. The USF Forum was a recognition of this emerging trend in the global business environment.
Professors Xioahua Yang, Forum founder, and Professor Moira Gunn, Panel Moderator
The forum panel was facilitated by Dr. Moira Gunn (professor at University of San Francisco School of Management, and host of NPR’s TECH NATION and BIOTECH NATION radio program). Dr. Gunn did an excellent job in leading discussions and questions across the entire panel enabling each panelist to contribute. The panel consisted of industry professionals who have vast exposure to Chinese companies and knowledge of current trends.
Panel members included Mr. Howard Chen (Partner at G&L Gates), Mr. Jimmy Chuang (Director, Head of Structured Finance at GCL Energy,Inc), Ms. Min Guo (Vice President, HINA Group), Mr. Stanley Kwong (Managing Director/Term Professor, Greater China Programs, University of San Francisco School of Management), Mr. Paul Liu (CIO and Head of Managed Services, Freeborders; Executive director, HYSTA) and Vincent Zinck (partner at Marquis Advisory Group).
The panel discussions were very informative and explored the following aspects of Chinese business:
• Chinese business practices and how they affect a business in going global.
• Chinese cultural practices in business and their effect on globalization.
• The impact of Chinese government rules/regulations on business done in China and internationally.
• Legal rules and regulations that help or hinder Chinese companies with globalization opportunities.
• Changes in Chinese demographics — and how that effects competition.
• Advantages/disadvantages of China outsourcing operations and competing with India.
• Improvements in education and the language-speaking abilities of the Chinese population.
• Amendments of Chinese IP laws in accordance with international practice.
• Emergence of alternative energy and biotech advancements, etc.
In addition to the panel discussions on the above topics, the audience was encouraged to get involved by asking questions on specific trends or patterns. This session was very informative for all, as it gave very insightful information on the current patterns of Chinese globalization — from individuals who, on a daily basis, are involved with Chinese business and see the changes in Chinese business as they are happening.
After the interactive panel session there was a lunchtime networking session for all attendees with the panelists. This session enabled everyone to interact with one another, giving all an opportunity to know each attendee on a more personal basis.
Soon after the lunch, there was a student poster presentation and competition conducted by Mr. Vincent Zinck and professor Yang, which was a part of her ‘Globalization of Chinese Business class. This competition consisted of four student teams showcasing a poster and a follow up presentation on a Chinese company of choice that had gone global. The teams were required to present a poster and a five minute Powerpoint presentation on the company. This competition was judged by Ms. Min Guo, Professor Stanley Kwong, Mr. Paul Liu and Mr. Vincent Zinck. This was a very exciting part of the forum for the students, as they competed against one another. The companies presented were Arcadia Resource Management (mining and minerals resource), Suntech (solar company), China Medical City (a planned biotech city) and a presentation on barriers/opportunities for Chinese companies entering the US market.
Before ending the Forum, the students conducted a survey to determine its success. Following are some of the comments: “the panel session was very good and informative”, ”the panel discussions and networking after was great” , “the poster session was something new and engaging, overall a great event”, “excellence of biotech in China – all relevant speakers” to quote a few.
The feedback was great — 94% of attendees found the session well organized and the presentations clear and audible. The feedback by attendees was highly encouraging. Many mentioned that they would recommend future forums to their peers.
In conclusion, the USF School of Management Global Business Forum — China 2021 was very informative and a great learning experience for all the students. They were given an opportunity to meet and interact with professionals from various backgrounds enabling them to get real-time insights on globalization of Chinese business, and they were also given a platform to present their own material before a large and expert audience, which helped in further developing their skills as future business leaders.
