All I want for Christmas is money

Or not. Last year was different. I had just started my own business a couple of months ago. My first aim was to make money in any possible way. That is quite understandable as you need to cover all your costs and even make profit at some point. However, you soon notice that you are shooting every where  but your target. No woman is almighty.

What does a China specialist stand for? Is she specialized in Chinese politics or geography? Maybe culture or history? In my case that stands for specialist of China business. However, business itself is also a wide concept that can be divided into little pieces. Without capability or willingness of cutting your expertise in those little pieces, you have nothing concrete to offer and therefore nothing to grasp. That took me a while to realize.

I have recently been looking for new co-operation partners for sourcing activities in China. Though I have a wide network, there are certain areas that I need true professionals to help me with. If an entity approaches me and convinces me that they are capable of doing everything, it is a little hard for me to believe. As I said, no woman is almighty, nor is a man. It just proves me that the entity has not discovered its areas of expertise yet. Give it time to grow and then come back with your offering.

Another learning process this year has been to realize how to talk about the money.  Of course the client needs to know how much your specialized services cost. China is a complex country, though not impossible. Let’s just say, it is entertainingly challenging market. However, as each project is different you first need to make sure you are able to carry it out. As an entrepreneur you also cover all the risks with your financial resources and physical and mental health. Therefore, I have found it necessary first to clarify the big picture and recognise the challenge level of each project. Make sure that I can really carry out the project. Then I can talk about money.

Just recently I have had a great pleasure and priviledge to start collaboration with smart and insightful Chinese woman, Maria Gu. We are working on a new in-depth practical China training concept that inspires the trainees to commit and success in their China operations. Our interaction from the beginning has been really smooth and productive as we both share the same passion and drive to do things right in order to help our customers. There has not been a doubt even once in our minds whether I can trust the other’s motivation and skills. From the beginning we have shared the same interest and spoken the same language. One of the biggest realizations we made was to realize that if you doubt the other’s reliability when you meet for the first time, the trust is already lost trust.

The point between the lines is that once you follow your heart and let the passion in, you find the things that you can truly be the professional in. When you come up with this recognition, you find the people that share the same passion with supplementary knowledge and skills.  With the concrete offering, your heart and soul and reliable partners, you may be sure you provide value added to your clients. Plus; make the money.  ’All you need is just a little patience’ as a famous American rock band sings.

All I want for this Christmas is wisdom and open heart. Let the money come in the New Year.

Advertisement