Visiting suppliers in China is something that many SQEs have resigned themselves to as a necessary evil of their job and to many who are on their virgin trip, it can be a real eye opener. Notwithstanding the fact that China is modernizing rapidly and it is preparing itself for entry into WTO - liberalizing its market and opening its doors wider to trade. I turned and looked. It was a young American executive dressed in his corporate polo-shirt and slinging a laptop computer. He was talking to another in similar grab.
China is a difficult country to operate in, even now.
As a result, many western companies are resorting to constant supplier and process audits. This also means more supplier inspection visits for SQEs, more traveling to remote places and a lower morale. An SQE on his first trip to China for supplier inspection work can be easily overwhelmed by the totally different operating environment that awaits him. When he arrives at a supplier's location, his initial disorientation and unease in an unfamiliar environment are noticed by the supplier and these are exploited to the supplier's advantage. In remote places like Dongguan, posh resort style hotel is like an oasis in the desert.