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China Flexpat
Author: Francis Kremer & Patrick Frick
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© Francis Kremer & Patrick Frick
Description
The China Flexpat podcast interviews professionals in China to help people from all over the world find the best jobs in China.
We uncover myths and show the truth about challenges and opportunities when looking for a life in the Middle Kingdom.
Flexpats are like expats, but flexible. Highly interested in China's business world, culture, people and language but without the backing of a multinational company that provides large salary packages.
We want to show you how you can become a well paid and happy China flexpat with the right skills and mindset.
We uncover myths and show the truth about challenges and opportunities when looking for a life in the Middle Kingdom.
Flexpats are like expats, but flexible. Highly interested in China's business world, culture, people and language but without the backing of a multinational company that provides large salary packages.
We want to show you how you can become a well paid and happy China flexpat with the right skills and mindset.
157 Episodes
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Flexpat Job Market summary
- Current (and future) developments of Foreign Talent in China
- Changes to expectation of foreign executive profiles
- Strategic approach to Flexpat Job Search
- Flexpats: Why Are They So Valuable to Companies
- GM Salaries in China: How Have They Evolved Over the Last Decade
- Plan B if you cannot find a job in China
- What is the risk of continued localization?
Miriam leads Direct HR, one of China’s largest German-speaking recruitment firms. With years of experience supporting Western companies as they establish and grow in China, she is now expanding her focus to guide these companies in their APAC expansion strategies.
A frequent keynote speaker and dedicated China-watcher, Miriam shares regular insights on LinkedIn. Follow her for updates: Miriam Wickertsheim.
Please also tune in to episode
88 Flexpat career planning
127 Expats leave China
144 Flexpats add value to Chinese teams
142 Build your own Flexpat business in China
151 Relocate to Vietnam
150 Relocation
119 Returning home after 10 years
80 Flexpat career planning
155 Greencard for flexpats
153 Leadership advice
136 China-Europe cooperation
All you need to know about the greencard
- how the community helps us to learn from each other
- where to find more information
- Prepare for the biggest challenge in the application process
- Future of the greencard
- Benefit for employer
Dave came to China 20 years ago during university and made it all the way to General Manager in his industry.
He always wanted to apply for the greencard and got the chance in 2018. Since then he has been very active in helping others to learn about it.
Contact him, he can add you to the greencard groups.
Connect with Dave:
Wechat: davelektor
Linkedin: David von Schwerin
Please also tune in to episode
29 Dave tells his whole story
148 Retire in China
127 Expats leave China
136 China-focused future
Feel the entrepreneurial flexpat life. Building a business in China, becoming a CEO, adapting to new challenges and finally a business expansion and personal relocation.
Highlights:
Deep dive in an entrepreneurial journey in the F&B industry
Speaking Chinese as an add-on to people skills
Changing leadership skills and other challenges
Opportunities through relocating to Hong Kong
and some of the best learning from a career woman who designed her life and business since 2009 in China mainland and Hong Kong.
Connect with Lina through
Personal appointment: https://litaogroup.com/cta/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linabartuseviciute/
Find Verena on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verenalupprian/
Listen to the following episodes
84 Market Entry (with Lina as well)
153 Entrepreneurship & Leadership
151 Relocate to Vietnam
145, 142, 133, 132, 85 Entrepreneurship
Flexpat leadership lessons by an experienced entrepreneur and international leadership advisor
- Build a company in China as a flexpat
- Be prepared for the long game, dont give up
- Create a strong company culture and clear differentiation
- Ask your Chinese team for help, keep learning
- Find your role as a flexpat, explain a complex situation to those who dont understand it
- If you leave China, stay in touch
Xavier Naville is the author of "The Lettuce Diaries", a business memoir about his years in China’s food industry. He came to China in 1998 and eventually started and grew his own company to what is now an organization with 9 factories serving 6,500 restaurants a day and $150m in revenue.
More about "The Lettuce Diaries": https://www.xavier-naville.com/the-lettuce-diaries
As a CEO & Leadership Teams coach, Xavier helps small and mid-size business leaders to scale their organizations faster with measurable results.
https://www.vision-consultants.org/
Find Xavier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xaviernaville/
Please also tune in to episode
127 Expats leave China
119 Returning home after 10 years
136 China-focused future
142, 133, 132, 85 Entrepreneurship
39, 122, 135 China Marketing for Brand success in China
138 European values
139 Coach your team
Make it in and with China - Lessons learned
1 Enter the Chinese market with smart marketing at low cost
2 Win international markets for Chinese companies
3 Create an international culture in Chinese teams
4 Build your own personal brand and business
5 Add value to communities, support each other
Daniel Bateman (白德翰) is the Founder of Brit Bridge, a global consultancy and marketing company. With over 10 years of China experience, he is bilingual in English and Mandarin Chinese. A content creator and KOL of his own social media channel @baidehan focused on being British, business and lifestyle in China.
Connect with Daniel:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielbaidehan/
Youtube / TikTok / Little Red Book / WeChat Video / Douyin: @baidehan
Instagram: @mrbaidehan
Youtube / Spotify / Instagram: Panda Profits Podcast
Please also tune in to episode
39, 122, 135 China Marketing for Brand success in China
138 European values
139 Coach your team
142, 133, 132, 85 Entrepreneurship
Relocate to Vietnam
1 Preparing to leave China
2 Financing the transition
3 Networking and Job Hunting
4 Defining a suitable salary and role
5 Understand your new surrounding
6 Integrate and Settle down and look to the future
Barry Kirkwood is now based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam after a decade of living in China. Barry currently works in Executive Search recruitment, supporting international businesses with their hiring needs in China and Southeast Asia. In addition, he is an ICF Coach and Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and has experience of leading teams in Asia and was previously the Chair HR Committee at the British Chamber of Commerce Shanghai.
Connect with Barry:
WeChat: barrymk81
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykirkwood/
Email: barry.kirkwood@zavalacivitas.com
Please also tune in to episode
88 Flexpat career planning (by Barry as well)
127 Expats leave China
119 Returning home after 10 years
136 China-focused future
80 Flexpat career planning
Relocating your family involves many decisions, they have to be prepared.
1. Which problems arise when relocating?
2. Prepare and Prevent
3. Start early to engage with your future environment
4. Deal with child behaviour issues
5. Prepare to leave your location
6. Ask for help, accept help
Jovana has been living abroad since she was 18, relocating first for her studies and then for work opportunities. She completed her masters in research psychology, followed by a training and exams for a clinical psychologist licence. She is trained in rational emotional & cognitive behavioural therapy and believes in lifelong learning. Jovana has been living in China for two years and is now preparing for a new adventure.
Connect with Jovana:
WeChat: jovanab282
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jovanababic282
Please also tune in to episode
127 Expat Spouse
49 Expat Spouse finding work in China
10, 111 Prepare your expat assignment
82 Career opportunities for women in China
Start your academic career in China. Learn from a real expert of both international and Chinese academic ecosystems.
1. Study/get your PhD in China
2. Find academic jobs
3. Compare international vs. Chinese university system
4. Start and scale your own company
5. Work in Chinese vs. English
6. Find your own flexpat career path
Pippa fell in love with China on her first visit in her early twenties, and decided to build her career in academia here. Over the past 10 years in China, she has gotten a PhD from Fudan University, one of China's top schools, taught Chinese and international students in Sino-US joint venture universities, and most recently started Discovery Hub, a higher education consultancy with a mission to bridge between the Chinese and Western academic worlds.
Connect with Pippa:
WeChat: Pippa9
Discovery Hub WeChat Official Account: 探索枢纽 Discovery Hub
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pippa-morgan-9630/
Discovery Hub's LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/discovery-hub-education/
Learn about a complete engineering and commercial flexpat career. What is important to plan your flexpat retirement in China?
1. Challenges of the Chinese healthcare system
2. Pick the right industry to work in
3. Qualify for your job, develop your skillset
4. Integrate in China
5. Prepare for Retirement
6. Enjoy Retirement, keep learning
In 1986, Volker Müller travelled seven weeks from Hongkong all the way to Wulumuqi in Xinjiang, after that journey he decided that he wanted to support the country in its quest for development. One year later, he got a job as a research assistant at Chongqing University in the field of artificial vision.
In the 1990s he convinced the CEO of a German start-up company to establish a representative office in Shanghai, with himself as Chief Representative. In 2000, he finally settled down in Beijing, and since then he is working in the medical devices industry. During these two and a half decades, he has worked a Chief Representative for a multinational company, built-up a manufacture for a German SME, worked as international Sales Director for a Chinese manufacturer and finally joint the EU Chamber of Commerce in China as industry desk manager.
Last year, he retired from his job, but he is still willing to make contributions to China-European cooperation. In his spare time, he is translating Chinese literature into German and has now started to write his own books to share his experience with German-speaking readers.
LinkedIn: 米福 Volker Müller
Find Volker on Wechat: mifu_beijing
Email: mi_fu@163.com
Find Francis on Wechat: Flexpat2020
Please also tune in to episode
112 Plan your flexpat career
12 Personal Finance Advice
13 Personal Insurance Advice
Build your own corporate startup in an international company in China. Lessons Learned.
1. When/Why a Corporate Startup makes sense
2. How can corporate and startup work together
3. What is the role of the Startup Founder?
4. How to be successful with a Corporate Startup in China
5. Value of flexpats for international companies
Florian is a German mechanical engineer who has been building factory automation teams and businesses in China for more than a decade. He is pursuing alternative paths, for example, by co-founding a software company as a corporate startup. In addition, as an investor, advisor, and mentor, he is helping startups, companies, and students leverage his experience to succeed in China.
Email: Florian.weihard@ruhlamat.com.cn
LinkedIn: Florian Wei hard
Wechat: FLORIAN-80
Find Francis on Wechat: Flexpat2020
Please also tune in to episode
143 Flexpat Entrepreneur Coach
133 Start your own flexpat business
132 Jump into Entrepreneurship
139 Coach your team
138 European values
85 Start your own service business
Learn about climate change and China's effort to stop it.
1. What is ESG and why is it important
2. How has China developed since the last 20 years and where does it stand now in terms of environmental protection
3. Which challenges do companies face to understand and act upon environmental regulations
4. What does the 5 years plan indicate to do in order for China to thrive
5. What can flexpats do who are deeper involved into that topic in order to be best prepared
6. How to setup good relations with government officials and get the right support
7. Would a good environmental protection also help a company's marketing
8. What about water pollution and waste management
9. Where will China stand in 10 years with environmental protection
10. Johnny also published a White Paper on the Internet of Sustainability Data that explores ESG and carbon standards: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7155491808465059840
Johnny, an environmental expert and consultant, was 20 years in China seeing the country going through all phases from an environmental protection newbie to a real decarbonization pioneer. Until now he is consulting Chinese and international firms in China and the western world to understand respective policies and react accordingly. There is something for everyone to learn in this episode, knowing that Johnny only shared like 5% of what he is capable of. Reach out if you want to learn more.
Email: johnny.browaeys@csimodel.eu
LinkedIn: Johnny Browaeys
Find Verena on LinkedIn: Verena Lupprian
Please also tune in to episode
64 Solar energy entrepreneur
133 EV entrepreneur
Build a successful horse riding business in Shanghai. Learn what it takes to transform your passion into a profitable business.
Highlights
1. Sigrid provides her highlights of choosing and maintaining a business partner
* Find someone you can trust
* Both your skills and knowledge need to be complementary
* Assign tasks to each others respective abilities
2. Top three advices to have a successful business
* Plan thoroughly before starting a business
* Build up a good network
* Invest in good marketing
3. Her key messages for success
* Have a flexible mindset
* Act fast and agile
* Do not lose your focus
* Find the courage to do it
Follow and connect with Sigrid on Social Media:
XiaoHongShu ID:9452320746
Wechat: sigridwinkler
Find Verena on LinkedIn: Verena Lupprian
Please also tune in to episodes for entrepreneurs
133 Start your own flexpat business
132 Jump into Entrepreneurship
85 Start your own service business
64 Build a global business in China
Summary of the added value flexpats can bring into Chinese teams, and how Chinese professionals can be international.
• Enter the flexpat job market after graduation
• Importance of learning Chinese
• Key added value of flexpats
• Soft skills are very important
• Fit into a Chinese team
• Start your own business
• Apply for your own visa
• Help Chinese professionals to go international
• How can Chinese professionals adapt an open mindset?
• Future opportunities for flexpats
Dasol Kim started her own coaching and consulting firm in China helping Chinese professionals and flexpats to find clarity and courage to navigate their international career.
Find Dasol Kim on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dasol-lily-kim/
and Wechat: lilykim626
Please also tune in to episodes
142 Build your own Flexpat business in China
139 Coach your team
133 Start your own flexpat business
132 Jump into Entrepreneurship
120 Cross Border Interpretation
33 Prepare for job interviews
How can you return to China after 9 years abroad and then fit into the Chinese economy? What are the key international values you can bring, and what are key Chinese skills you need to master?
• Reasons to go abroad for Chinese professionals
• Reasons to return to China
• Challenges for Chinese returnees "Haigui"
• Main differences between German and Chinese values
• Key skills required for both flexpats and returnees
• Start your own business
• Learn to be an entrepreneur
Boyang lived in the US and Europe for over 12 years. Working at the German insurance company Allianz Group in a very international environment, he had the opportunity to return to Shanghai. In 2023 he founded Glopen, with the vision to discover the real China, connecting the world.
Find Glopen on LinkedIn, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and share it with your friends who want to explore China.
Find Boyang Shen on Linkedin and Wechat: bojan101323
Please also tune in to episodes
39 eCommerce for international brands in China
120 Cross Border Interpretation
115 Cross-Border Thought leader
135 China Marketing for Brand success in China
138 European values
126 Create an international company culture in China
You can also start your own business in China. Learn from Deano who has worked with many Flexpat entrepreneurs to achieve their dream.
• Bring additional value to China
• Master special challenges
• Differentiate from Chinese entrepreneurs
• Insprire Chinese professionals
• Integrate in China
• Deal with uncertainty
• Build a sustainable lifestyle that fits your income
• Influence Chinese entrepreneurs
Deano Delpleash is a High-Performance leadership and business Coach, helping Flexpat entrepreneurs scale their businesses without sacrificing their work-life balance. He has been in China for over a decade honing his skillsets in innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Find his podcast "NextGen Tech CEO Journey" on any podcast app.
Find Deano on Wechat: Deanodelpleash
Linkedin: Deano Delpleash
Please also tune in to episodes
133 Start your own flexpat business
132 Jump into Entrepreneurship
139 Coach your team
138 European values
85 Start your own service business
64 Build a global business in China
Chinese are also flexpats. So why would they work in Luxembourg? For its vibrant Chinese community? Or maybe its mix of flexpats from 140 nations?
What's Luxembourg like? How can Chinese professionals integrate this culturally complex country?
What is Luxembourg doing to attract and retain flexpats?
Denis knows a lot on the topic. He's a board member of ChinaLux, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg and has been running his own company, Weilan Coaching and Training in Luxembourg for 5 years. Denis speaks multiple languages and moves between cultures like a DJ!
He regularly publishes articles on Intercultural Agility on LinkedIn.
Find him here:
www.weilan.biz
Find him on Wechat here: pariscoach75
Find Francis on Wechat: Flexpat2020
How can Chinese kids develop themselves as global citizens? Learn from Luc who has been thinking about this challenge for the past 24 years.
How did bilingual education start in China?
What is the role of flexpats?
Parent`s evolving expectations
How to work with Chinese school principals?
How to enjoy your own international career?
Find Luc on Wechat: lucpauwels
Find Francis on Wechat: Flexpat2020
____
Please also tune in to episodes:
134 education ecosystem in China
57 Teacher job market
106 Teach your team English
116, 123, 131 Professor in China
Learn to be a coach to your international and Chinese team. Coach Terry shares the shortcut to years of learning and practice in situational leadership.
What are current challenges for flexpats and Chinese professionals?
What exactly is coaching and training?
How does it add value to individuals, teams, leaders and companies?
How to define a scope for a coaching project
How to provide coaching and training to your team
How to differentiate as a Flexpat coach
How to always keep learning and growing
How to start your personal development journey
Follow Terry's content on Wechat:
Wechat Official Account: growthhublife
Wechat Channel: UPSKILL提升重塑
Terry is an accomplished Executive Coach, Trainer, and Facilitator with over 20 years of experience in Greater China.
Passionate about education and storytelling, Terry is the founder of Upskill Consulting and the content director for the motivational WeChat community GrowthHubLife. He shares insightful content on mindset, coaching, motivation, leadership, and soft skills, reaching a wide audience.
Find Terry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachterryc/
Founder and Executive Coach at Terence H Clarke Coaching: https://www.terencehclarke.com
Co-founder, Head Coach and Facilitator at UpSkill Consulting: https://www.upskill.consulting
____
Please also tune in to episodes:
126 Create an international company culture in China
46 Lead Chinese teams
136 China-focused future
113 Young China - Chinese companies going global
129 Expats leave China
Learn cross-culture communication in order to attract and retain Chinese young professionals with European values.
What is the value of an open mindset and independence?
How can Chinese young professionals learn European values if they did not grow up using them?
How can Chinese professionals learn to make decisions by themselves?
How can flat hirachies be applied in China?
How do you deal with compliance issues and still trust your Chinese team?
How can European companies offer sufficient career growth potential to their Chinese leaders and staff?
Kate moved to China in 2018. and became interested in Cross-Cultural Communication. This led her to open a business in Shanghai in 2020. Previously a University Teacher, she is now a Certified Professional Coach, Trainer & Facilitator, with an ACC credential from ICF.
Contact Information:
WeChat ID: kalemil
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarinaelm
e-mail: katarina.milanovicc@gmail.com
____
Please also tune in to episodes:
126 Create an international company culture in China
46 Lead Chinese teams
136 China-focused future
113 Young China - Chinese companies going global
129 Expats leave China
Learn about Chinese digital ecosystems and brands from Ashley Dudarenok, a “guru on digital marketing and fast-evolving trends in China” as hailed by Thinkers50. We dive into topics such as China’s digitalisation, naturalising as a Chinese national, domestic and global brand competition in the country, working for Chinese brands abroad, and more.
· About the Chinese digital ecosystem
· How to apply such a digital ecosystem in other markets
· How to enter and compete in China as international brands
· How Flexpats can add value for international brands
· How Chinese professionals can learn to have a broader strategic horizon beyond just China
· How Chinese brands are going global
· How Flexpats can work with Chinese brands abroad
Ashley and her team are hosting a China DIGITAL+ SUMMIT in Shanghai on 18th October 2023. The summit is centered around these 3 themes: customer centricity, emerging technologies, and the future of retail.
It’s a must-attend event for all marketing, retail, and tech leaders focused on China. The summit will feature 20+ speakers delivering actionable insights on digital China and accommodate 300+ industry professionals from KOLs, prominent brands, tech companies, agencies and more.
Join Ashley and LOTS of China Flexpats on18th October in Shanghai. Grab your tickets here https://chinadigitalsummit.com.
Ashley Dudarenok is a serial entrepreneur, award-winning digital marketing professional and author. She is the founder China digital consultancy ChoZan 超赞 and a digital marketing agency Alarice. She is also an author of 10 bestselling books on Digital China. She has both a deep theoretical knowledge of China’s digital landscape development and is immersed daily in the market, observing and applying what works for business.
More about Ashley and here work at www.ashleydudarenok.com
Follow Ashley on LinkedIn for a daily dose of China digital insights https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleydudarenok/
Check out her videos on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/ashleydudarenok
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Related episodes:
135 China Marketing for Brand success in China
122 Social Media Branding
113 Young China - Chinese companies going global
103 German Beer Branding
Contact Francis (Wechat: Flexpat2020) if you want to join our Flexpat wechat community
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