Dragon Suit Book
Few books address the experience of living in China as a foreigner, and those that do are either subjective diary-style memoirs or books on specific business-related topics.
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By showing China through the stories, headaches and successes of multinational managers based in China, Dragon Suit closes the gap between well-researched but unentertaining monographs on foreign business in the world’s most populous country, and delightful but scarcely researched expat memoires. The presentation of China’s swarming cities, recent economic tsunami, unstoppable middle class, endemic pollution, intermittent internet, confusing culture and endless opportunities between the early 2000s and travel restrictions imposed due to the 2020 COVID19 pandemic rests on extended research, and comes to life through interviews, observations and anecdotes collected during the twenty years while the author advised multinational executives.
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"An excellent guide for the next generation of expats in China."
--Chen Wu, Managing Director, The Economist Global Business Review
Dragon Suit: The golden age of expatriate executives in China
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The book is expected to be published by New York based Business Expert Press in August 2023.
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Stay up-to-date on articles, interviews and videos that feature the dozens of executives, managers, coaches, consultants, human resources and executive search professionals and psychologists I interviewed for this volume between 2018 and 2022, perhaps China's most turbulent time since its re-opening to the world around 2000.
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Witness the book's progress as the publisher comes up with a smashing cover, announces a publication date, puts Dragon Suit up for pre-order and we start promoting it through media appearances, keynotes, lectures and podcasts. Oh, don't forget to grab your print or digital copy when you can.
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Sign up to my (typically monthly) email updates through the form at the bottom of this page.
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Chapter Four: Stepping Up
Leading others as a foreigner in China
Assuming roles and responsibilities
Networks and kinships
The politics of leading businesses in China
Going with the flow, turning with the tide
Chapter Five: Moving On
Localising leadership
Foreign business beyond ‘decoupling’
Thriving in China’s walled garden
Upcoming dragon suit trends
Epilogue: new dragon suit patterns
References
About The Author
Table of Contents
Foreword by Joerg Wuttke
Acknowledgements
Introduction: Why ‘Dragon Suit’?
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Chapter One: Signing Up
The golden age of foreign business in China
Why go to China?
Ages and voyages
Why not go to China?
How expats end up in China
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Chapter Two: Settling In
First impressions
Expat islands in ‘real China’
The air is everywhere
China’s intermittent internet
Bracing for culture shock
Chapter Three: Gearing Up
First days at work
Cultures of collaboration
Work, life, balance
Culture-mapping matches and mismatches
Strategies and tactics of cultural adaptation
Some of the executives, experts and authors interviewed for Dragon Suit are:
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Richard Eardley, Asia Managing Director, Hays
Henrik König, CEO, ThyssenKrupp System Engineering China
Angelo Puglisi, Asia Pacific Head of HR and Marketing, Benteler Automotive
Tony Shi, Asia-Pacific Executive Vice President, Benteler
Attila Hilbert, Human Resources Vice President for Greater China and North Asia, Danone
Fernanda Barth, Human Resources Manager, WEG China
Markus Baumgartner, General Manager, Miba Holding
Kurt Yu, Regional President, Voith Group
Christian Eh, Senior Vice President, Covestro China
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George Hu, Chief of Mental Health, Shanghai’s United Family Pudong Hospital
Bronwyn Bowery-Ireland, CEO, the Lissom Group
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Laurie Underwood, author, China CEO
Shaun Rein, author, The End of Cheap China