Like I was saying, I think people who have never been to China, or more precisely who have never lived there do not understand how amazing, disorientating, frustrating, expensive, deceptive or how beautiful it is...
Monday, September 19, 2005
Start Small - Dream Big
In 5 days I will be visited by a small group of three very important young people. They are important because for a number of years we have collaborated on a design project to build a brand offering design services from China to the world. We have had some success. the group has grown from a collaboration of two struggling to envisage our small dream to a slightly bigger group that has for the most part become a self sustaining entity.
The group has reached a stage where potential and actual clients approach us from all corners of the planet curious about the work we do. Equally so we field enquiries from students from Europe and America and other places asking for internship opportunities in order to gain insight into the Chinese culture and we assume a towe in the door of the rapidly expanding opportunity there.
Yet we are really just a small group of friends who have an idea. One of us summed it up well in our last newsletter - "Start Small - Dream Big"...
Whereas once what has been achieved would have been a thing simply not to be contemplated. A 'foreigner" working collaboratively with Chinese designers - now it seems to be a matter on a lot of people's minds. It is well documented. The most recent issue of IDN magazine. featured a not so tongue in cheek article pointing out that everyone "wants to be Chinese"...
So my friends, one of which has never left China previously are making their way to Australia to visit, gain insights into what they see as "a wonderful place". What strikes me as I ponder this is the differences in perception. As one who has lived in China and Australia and has seen both sides of the story unfolding, I am curious about the paradox of East West relationships in business, politics and at more personal levels and experiences. I for example would relocate back to Shanghai without much hesitation should the opportunity arise
I look at the way westerners see China as some kind of "goldrush" to be exploited. I smile a little as the lambs head for the slaughter fascinated by what will consume and perhaps destroy them. This evening while buying petrol [that most precious of commodities] I was confronted by a woman openely ridiculing a man of Asian appearance.
I am looking forward to seeing my friends very much.
The group has reached a stage where potential and actual clients approach us from all corners of the planet curious about the work we do. Equally so we field enquiries from students from Europe and America and other places asking for internship opportunities in order to gain insight into the Chinese culture and we assume a towe in the door of the rapidly expanding opportunity there.
Yet we are really just a small group of friends who have an idea. One of us summed it up well in our last newsletter - "Start Small - Dream Big"...
Whereas once what has been achieved would have been a thing simply not to be contemplated. A 'foreigner" working collaboratively with Chinese designers - now it seems to be a matter on a lot of people's minds. It is well documented. The most recent issue of IDN magazine. featured a not so tongue in cheek article pointing out that everyone "wants to be Chinese"...
So my friends, one of which has never left China previously are making their way to Australia to visit, gain insights into what they see as "a wonderful place". What strikes me as I ponder this is the differences in perception. As one who has lived in China and Australia and has seen both sides of the story unfolding, I am curious about the paradox of East West relationships in business, politics and at more personal levels and experiences. I for example would relocate back to Shanghai without much hesitation should the opportunity arise
I look at the way westerners see China as some kind of "goldrush" to be exploited. I smile a little as the lambs head for the slaughter fascinated by what will consume and perhaps destroy them. This evening while buying petrol [that most precious of commodities] I was confronted by a woman openely ridiculing a man of Asian appearance.
I am looking forward to seeing my friends very much.
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