They can pitch in a comment either anonymously or with their name attached. When we were soliciting ideas for how to revise the Etang home page, we received some of the most helpful and innovative suggestions via the bulletin boards. Engineers who are generally reluctant to speak up in meetings contributed some of the most valuable ideas, on everything from the color and layout of the new page to how to make the site more navigable. This potential for the Internet to encourage democratic and free ways of thinking is one of the most important tools available to Generation Yellow. It allows our staff in places as diverse as Boston, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to discuss ideas without worrying about time differences or regional priorities.
Faxes are too impersonal.
Teleconferences can be too public for shy Chinese. But e-mail is the perfect medium for frank and interesting intellectual exchange. Already this new confidence has spurred an incredible wave of entrepreneurialism among Chinese youth. They are the icons of this generation. Young urban Chinese are no longer satisfied with good jobs at reputable multinational companies.