Working in a Chinese Company – A foreigner's view point
Divya Anne Joseph
Today is one of those days when I know I will be pulling an all-niter along with my team at Tmall Global, the cross border eCommerce wing at Alibaba. It’s the first day of an S level campaign (Liu Yao Ba – 618), a prelude to 11/11 that is to happen four months from now. The campaign goes live tonight .While there isn’t much my team (business team) will be actually having to do in terms of work, staying back at office just to show support to those teams that are going to be hard at work, is probably one of the many interesting things I have done during my time at Alibaba.
So as I prepare to while away this night, occasionally cheering the teams hitting the targets I suppose a good way to make use of my time is to jot down a few salient features of working for a Chinese company. I want to do this simply because there are lots of preconceived notions about how Chinese companies are terrible work places. Most articles paint a dreadful picture on the work life balance and the long working hours and undesirable environments.
Here is sharing my take on some of these stereotypes..
Myth 1 – There is no work life balance in a Chinese company
Reality - There is balance – Just that the definition of Work Life Balance is different
Before a decade the most successful organizations have been largely from the west. This implied the standards for the ‘Best Work Places’ have been defined by western organizations. These became the commonly accepted standards at work. Studies show the cultures in the west inclines to an individualistic approach, whereas Eastern cultures are more collective.
Every day at my work place I see this in action. Here at Alibaba, it is not that people are forced to stay back at work. They find it enjoyable to stay with their teams and get things done. It is like they find meaning and purpose in their everyday work. There are instances where I have felt there is this collective consciousness of building something for the good of society, deeply rooted within many of them. A day like today when there is a campaign running, is a day to support each other as a team, while having a fun evening with colleagues relishing a group dinner and attending fun events organized by the HR to keep the spirits up. This comes as a stark difference from how in the west work and life are compartmentalized. Therefore here is a heads up- be ready to embrace a collective culture like you have never experienced before, in case you are hoping to work with a Chinese company.
Myth 2 – As a foreigner you get discriminated by your Chinese colleagues
Reality – Not Really. If anything, most people are very much willing to give you a helping hand.
In two years of working in a very Chinese environment, most of it based out of HZ, I have never felt that I have been discriminated against. In fact I have had one of the most fulfilling two years in terms of career. That said, there is always an element of curiosity among your Chinese colleagues and sometimes they do not shy away from probing/commenting in a way you may not deem fit to hold a conversation at a work place. Again it is a cultural disposition, I have figured. The intent is never bad. In fact the more you show interest, the more eager they are to absorb you as one of them. My experience is colleagues reflect the vibes we give them. Staying positive and mindful of the fact that you have to be aware of cultural differences is probably the best way to whiff off the feeling itself.
Working in a Chinese company especially in China has its challenges. So much so because language and cultural barriers tend to play spoil sport in a constantly challenging work environment. However the time you spend at such an organization will
- Deepen your knowledge about the soon to be the top consumption market in the world.
- Enable you to be culturally mindful and tolerant
- Make you resilient when you are expected to deliver value while being out of your comfort zone
I would call it a once in a life time opportunity to have an immersive experience where you can learn, grow and impact in one of the fastest growing economies of the world. It sure comes with its challenges and demands of you a discipline of the highest standard to be able to succeed. However allowing yourself to thrive in such a lesser known work situation always comes with its perks – in this case, a life time worth learning both from a cultural and a business stand point.–
www.fotavgeia.blogspot.com
Myth 2 – As a foreigner you get discriminated by your Chinese colleagues
Reality – Not Really. If anything, most people are very much willing to give you a helping hand.
In two years of working in a very Chinese environment, most of it based out of HZ, I have never felt that I have been discriminated against. In fact I have had one of the most fulfilling two years in terms of career. That said, there is always an element of curiosity among your Chinese colleagues and sometimes they do not shy away from probing/commenting in a way you may not deem fit to hold a conversation at a work place. Again it is a cultural disposition, I have figured. The intent is never bad. In fact the more you show interest, the more eager they are to absorb you as one of them. My experience is colleagues reflect the vibes we give them. Staying positive and mindful of the fact that you have to be aware of cultural differences is probably the best way to whiff off the feeling itself.
Working in a Chinese company especially in China has its challenges. So much so because language and cultural barriers tend to play spoil sport in a constantly challenging work environment. However the time you spend at such an organization will
- Deepen your knowledge about the soon to be the top consumption market in the world.
- Enable you to be culturally mindful and tolerant
- Make you resilient when you are expected to deliver value while being out of your comfort zone
I would call it a once in a life time opportunity to have an immersive experience where you can learn, grow and impact in one of the fastest growing economies of the world. It sure comes with its challenges and demands of you a discipline of the highest standard to be able to succeed. However allowing yourself to thrive in such a lesser known work situation always comes with its perks – in this case, a life time worth learning both from a cultural and a business stand point.–
www.fotavgeia.blogspot.com
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