China and Hong Kong
outside China, including
the acquisition of ailing
foreign brands such as
automotive companies.”
Cameron Sloan, director
of human resources with
PricewaterhouseCoopers in Hong have been here and also the size ‘Guanxi’, or
Kong, has been based in the former of our organisation. Keeping up ‘contact’, plays an important role in
colony for more than 30 years, to date with the fast-changing Chinese culture, while rules and
long before the transfer to Chinese laws and regulations is also a regulations are often not well
rule. He argues that, if anything, it challenge, but having these chal- established, or may require clarifi-
is easier for expats now. lenges is what makes life so cation.”
Sloan says: “English is widely interesting here!” Cai says that her experience
spoken, and probably more wide- Kevin Chan, a manager with away from China was invalu-
spread than when I arrived. Much Grant Thornton, also works in able for building her “soft skills”,
of the local legislation follows, or Shanghai, having transferred from such as project management,
is similar to UK regulations, so the firm’s transaction advisory organisation and people manage-
that is not a major problem.” services team in London in 2008. ment, as well as enabling her to
Colin Robertson, chief financial He says: “Although I was educated become more fluent in English.
officer with RBS retail and com- in, and worked in, the UK, I was Bruno Li, chief financial officer
mercial markets, Asia, also based born in Hong Kong and speak with a newly listed luxury
in Hong Kong, says: “Once you both Cantonese and Mandarin. menswear company in Hong
really start to make contacts Even so, I still experienced a Kong, also trained overseas. He
locally and learn local rules, prac- steep learning curve when I began says the experience “broadened
tices and culture then you can working full time in China. my perspective and increased my
make a difference bridging “There is a huge difference cultural sensitivity” as well as
between HQ and the local busi- between the western and the CA qualfication bringing
ness. Also, you really need to Chinese way of working.” a high standard of
learn the local culture to become Chan says there is a lively technical training.
a successful manager.” expat community in Shanghai, Last year a
Peter Wong, a partner in where you can meet people from historic
KPMG’s Hong Kong audit prac- around the world. He says “good agreement
tice, is British-Chinese and spoke food and drinks are taken on working
some Cantonese even before for granted here” but adds that together was
moving out East, which was Westerners may find some signed by ICAS
clearly an advantage. aspects of the local cuisine a bit and the Chinese
Wong adds: “I find the work too adventurous. Institute of Certified
ethic here is one that things can Expats will also be faced with Public Accountants, and
be achieved no matter the different attitudes to things like links between ICAS and
hurdles. People work hard and spitting on the street, and China look set
long hours – perhaps due to the smoking in restaurants, both of to become even
large expectations placed on which are still fairly common. stronger. ■
people by employers, by people Grace Cai is a financial director
on themselves and by clients’ with an online gaming company in
expectations. Shanghai. She says: “I am of
“Also, people generally do not Chinese origin, but despite this I
interact with people from a higher still experienced cultural differ-
level of authority too readily, and ences when I first arrived in the
do not openly challenge the views country after having
of people above them.” lived abroad for
In China itself the business some 10 years
environment is a fluid one, or so.
according to KPMG audit partner
Stephen Mercer, who has been
based in Shanghai since 2000.
He says: “Clearly, there are
cultural challenges working in
China, although I have bene-
fited from the length of time I
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