Sitting in Beijing, waiting for my fractured femur to heal, has given me many hours to reflect on the long anticipated “Cal Poly Business Tour”. Nonetheless I find myself conflicted about exactly what meaningful insights I should take away from this experience.
First and foremost I was very much struck by the generosity and hospitality of our many hosts. Indian and Chinese based companies in particular seemed very eager to make us feel as welcome and comfortable as possible, and in this regard conveyed to me an invaluable message on the importance of rolling out the red carpet for every guest, no matter the size of their title or thickness of their wallet. This is a practice that the Western business community needs to appreciate and emulate in coming years if they are to keep pace with those in developing nations.
I prepared the entire year for this trip. In fact, it was the sole reason that I decided to enroll in the Cal Poly MBA program. In light of this I was slightly disappointed at the level of seriousness and devotion to business studies that were presented. At times I felt as if I had signed up for the “Cal Poly Shopping Tour”. Aside from this there were very few analogues drawn to the relevant materials we had learned throughout the year (aside from the Suzuki visit which was wonderful in light of Dr. Olsen’s Lean Management class). I was also disappointed that we did not get to see any state run enterprises in China and the that the majority of the firms visited were not foreign companies at all, merely foreign divisions of American (and one European) multinationals. There are exceptions however (Big Bazaar, Airtel, Hip Fung, ect) and in these instance I think the most cross-cultural learning was accomplished.
Just what was this cross cultural learning? More than anything I am surprised at the similarities between different nations and political systems, particularly when it comes to large countries. I am still in China, and aside from the language and food, Beijing could really be any large city on the planet. The same malls, the same cars and traffic, the same types of television programs. China’s communist system has done an astounding job of providing the basic tools and benefits of capitalism to an overwhelming number of people. India, despite its chaotic and lively nature (not to mention the most authentic style of democracy anywhere on the planet) has a citizenry in pursuit of the very same goals (jobs, cars, nice clothes, ect). In Dehli and Mumbia one can see that in a few years time the colorful yet squalid street stalls will soon be replaced by sanitized air-conditioned shopping malls. As sad as I personally consider this to be, it is the future…it’s what the people want… and through hard work and perseverance on the part of many people this “progress” is what is coming their way despite the failings and flagellations of their inefficient political system.
Of course there are many poor people in these nations as well, as a trip to the county side will surely unveil (I do wish that this would be included on future trips as it would provide some contrast). However anyone who has visited America’s rural south can attest that even the most “developed” of large nations posses a disenfranchised rural population that is deprived of the same types of opportunities and education that are present in the larger and more wealthy cities.
It makes me really start to think that politics is an unnecessary diversion, a game played by the elite for the benefit of the masses that has no more bearing on the actualities of daily life than a game of chess between two old men sitting on the street corner. Perhaps the future of business will evolve to a point where the power of multinationals will supersede that of nation states. Many great thinkers have put forth this idea as a culmination of humanity’s long progression out of feudalism. (Marx and others didn’t stop there, believing that something else was in store after this period of “high capitalism”). I am starting to believe that the world has already reached this tipping point, the more I travel and see the extent to which globalization and the federated free market has standardized diverse cultural norms, desires, and practices throughout the planet the more I believe that our generation is poised on the cusp of a great turning point. Add to this the critical challenges posed by the irreversible destruction of the environment and climate change and the case for an inescapable shift in power is quite strong.
The advent of this change gives me great hope and excitement for the future. I believe that I may have a great opportunity to use the many skills that I have been accumulating through my 27 years, not only for person gain though business enterprise, but in the pursuit of a greater common good. In my opinion anything that lessens the power of national governments and brings the people of earth closer together in the certainty that the world belongs to them is a positive. Thus international business, with its ability to diversify and harmonize the minds of everyday people, is a powerful platform for change; though it may be only a stepping-stone unto something else.
Anyhow… I digress…
Patience!… overall this trip has taught me to hold my tongue when I want to scream at the ignorance and arrogance that are encountered everyday in life. The pain of traveling with a fractured leg is nothing compared to the pain of listening to someone who is sure of themselves, possessed of authority, and blatantly wrong. In the business world I will undoubtedly be subject to many, many managers and colleagues who believe they are a gift of the gods though in reality they are something a bit less. Yelling and screaming at them will not only hurt my position, but in reality it does not mirror the clam and balanced demeanor that I would like to show to the world. The speaker MCK really drove this home, and I am still deeply impressed by the level of calm, professional, peacefulness that he was able to convey.
I am still in China… I am still learning many lessons. My thoughts are still whirling and business and social opportunities present themselves to me at every turn. The world is still very big even though it is getting smaller on the daily. I am grateful that this trip provided a springboard with which I was finally able to propel myself from the safe and sleepy world of Coastal California, to live and learn and perhaps one day bring back home something of value to share with those in America who taught me so much.
