Simon Lichtenberg created an international
group from scratch in the expanding, though often complex, Chinese market. CEO
of successful furniture producer Trayton, Simon Lichtenberg has overcome
numerous challenges, including lengthy court cases against counterfeiters and
unreliable suppliers, to set up and thrive in China.
What is it like to live in China? How easy
is it to fit in? Can a foreigner ever really feel at home?
Here are just a couple lessons we can learn
from Simon Lichtenberg about the art of living in China.
Learn
the language, get to know the locals and accept that the culture is different
Realising the potential business and
personal opportunities to be made in China, Simon Lichtenberg decided that it
was important to learn Mandarin in order to be better integrated into society –
without this, he would always remain an outsider. He therefore spent the year
of 1987 learning Chinese at Fudan University in Shanghai. He has since become a respected member of the
community and, in 2006, he was awarded the prestigious Magnolia Silver Award
for his contribution to helping develop the city of Shanghai.
In total, Simon Lichtenberg speaks 7
languages and has lived in 8 countries – he has thorough understanding of and
an ability to adapt to different cultures. After more than 19 years living in
China, he is now an expert and has carried out numerous studies about the
country, its development and its economy.
Relish
challenges and don’t accept the status quo
To live in China you need to be open-minded
and ready take on new challenges. Living in a different country is always tough
and China is no exception. However, you don’t have to accept everything and you
can change things. For example, many accept that counterfeit products and copying
are something that foreign firms must accept as a necessary evil. Yet, Simon
has shown that this is not the case. He has successfully taken on the copycats
trying to imitate his furniture using Chinese intellectual property laws to
protect BoConcept designs – many companies were using the BoConcept logo in
their showrooms or telling customers that they were buying genuine Bo Concept
designs.
This is a lengthy, and ongoing, process,
but things are changing and the Chinese realise the importance of international
investment. Closed for many years to tourism and foreign companies, China is
now opening its doors to the world. In bustling and multicultural cities like
Shanghai traditional values are mixing with new ideas and foreign concepts –
the very fact that Simon Lichtenberg can sell Danish furniture in China would
have been unthinkable only a few decades ago!
Conclusion
China is a rapidly changing country which
offers ambitious entrepreneurs and globetrotters endless opportunities for
business and personal fulfilment. Be persistent, accept challenges and adapt to
the local culture. As shown by the example of Simon Lichtenberg, learning the
language and understanding the culture helps to fit into society and play a
fulfilling role.
More information about Simon Lichtenberg:
Personal website
Personal website China
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Slideshare
Youtube
More information about Simon Lichtenberg:
Personal website
Personal website China
Tumblr
Google +
Slideshare
Youtube
