For those of you wondering why I didn’t post yesterday, I have a simple explanation. Last night we experienced Beijing nightlife. Fortunately, America can still export entertainment. We toured the club scene and it was incredible but it was also a long night. (And no, I did not take my camera).
We began yesterday with a tour of Nortel’s brand
new campus. The Chinese authorities have made communications a national priority. And what does that mean? China has built a telecom park in the outskirts of the city. Ericcson, Motorolla, Agilent and many other telcos have built state of the art sprawling campuses. Nortel’s office was incredible. We heard from the head of Nortel R&D for Asia. Her message? The quality of engineers produced by today’s university system in China is quickly transforming the country from a low cost manufacturing center to an R&D center. Much of what Nortel produces worldwide stems from research conducted in China by Chinese engineers. During the tour, I was the guinea pig selected to test drive Nortel’s new web-based broadcast platform. After my performance, the group pegged me as John Edwards. I told them all I lacked was a mole on my lip and a fortune.
We then moved on to GE Healthcare. GE was one of the earliest multi-nationals to enter into China. We heard from the head of production in China. The facility manufactures MRI equipment. We were not surprised to learn that MRI machines manufactured for the US required larger holes to accommodate larger people. We learned also that recruiting for GE jobs is not easy in China. They compete often with government recruiters. Chinese like the stability and good pay offered in government positions vs. what GE can offer. This stands in stark contrast to our country.
We ended the business day with what is probably my favorite trip thus far: CCTV. CCTV is the only television station in China. Is offers 16 standard channels with about 79% original programming. Our group was hosted by the Director of Programming.
We were the largest official group ever hosted by CCTV. We had some very interesting discussions with her through her translator. I can write forever about my impressions of this meeting. A few observations: armed guards stationed outside the transmission control room, a 
“survey” of over 5,000 citizens revealing their disinterest in a channel similar to our C-SPAN that would broadcast the work of their government, the stated mission of their organization as to “create understanding” about China. The list goes on and I should save it for conversation when I return. One funny thing that happened: when we toured the transmission room, up on the screen was a shot of none other than Hanoi Jane being interviewed by Larry King. How ironic.
Finally, we dined over a traditional roast duck meal. It was delicious. We hosted several Kenan-Flagler alumni and some new students that will begin school full-time this fall. I dined beside a young alum from 2005 who is the Account Supervisor at Ogilvy in Beijing for the China Mobile account. China Mobile is the largest mobile provider in China. They are one of the premiere sponsors of the 2008 Beijing games and a heavy advertiser. Ogilvy’s media company buys over 25% of CCTV’s advertising inventory each year.
Stay tuned for more.
We began yesterday with a tour of Nortel’s brand
new campus. The Chinese authorities have made communications a national priority. And what does that mean? China has built a telecom park in the outskirts of the city. Ericcson, Motorolla, Agilent and many other telcos have built state of the art sprawling campuses. Nortel’s office was incredible. We heard from the head of Nortel R&D for Asia. Her message? The quality of engineers produced by today’s university system in China is quickly transforming the country from a low cost manufacturing center to an R&D center. Much of what Nortel produces worldwide stems from research conducted in China by Chinese engineers. During the tour, I was the guinea pig selected to test drive Nortel’s new web-based broadcast platform. After my performance, the group pegged me as John Edwards. I told them all I lacked was a mole on my lip and a fortune.
We then moved on to GE Healthcare. GE was one of the earliest multi-nationals to enter into China. We heard from the head of production in China. The facility manufactures MRI equipment. We were not surprised to learn that MRI machines manufactured for the US required larger holes to accommodate larger people. We learned also that recruiting for GE jobs is not easy in China. They compete often with government recruiters. Chinese like the stability and good pay offered in government positions vs. what GE can offer. This stands in stark contrast to our country.We ended the business day with what is probably my favorite trip thus far: CCTV. CCTV is the only television station in China. Is offers 16 standard channels with about 79% original programming. Our group was hosted by the Director of Programming.
We were the largest official group ever hosted by CCTV. We had some very interesting discussions with her through her translator. I can write forever about my impressions of this meeting. A few observations: armed guards stationed outside the transmission control room, a 
“survey” of over 5,000 citizens revealing their disinterest in a channel similar to our C-SPAN that would broadcast the work of their government, the stated mission of their organization as to “create understanding” about China. The list goes on and I should save it for conversation when I return. One funny thing that happened: when we toured the transmission room, up on the screen was a shot of none other than Hanoi Jane being interviewed by Larry King. How ironic.
Finally, we dined over a traditional roast duck meal. It was delicious. We hosted several Kenan-Flagler alumni and some new students that will begin school full-time this fall. I dined beside a young alum from 2005 who is the Account Supervisor at Ogilvy in Beijing for the China Mobile account. China Mobile is the largest mobile provider in China. They are one of the premiere sponsors of the 2008 Beijing games and a heavy advertiser. Ogilvy’s media company buys over 25% of CCTV’s advertising inventory each year.Stay tuned for more.
1 comment:
Be nice to the alum you meet, but not too nice... We can't move to Beijing!
ashley :)
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