Conferences
Naviasia helps conduct a variety of conferences that focus on optimizing the opportunities available to small- and medium-sized businesses in China. To learn more about participating in these forums, please contact us at naviasia@naviasia.com.
NaviAsia in the News:
NaviAsia Consulting group was listed as one of the top China advisory firms in the online exclusive article Your own Little Red Book by Crain's Chicago Business on June 26th.
The NaviAsia Consulting Group was also mentioned in Crain's Chicago's June 26 th print edition titled Enter the Dragon: Doing Business in China.
In the article Made in China? NaviAsia's work with local manufacturer Standard Rubber Products was highlighted as an example of a successful China entry by a Chicago manufacturer.
".[The Executive] was cautious. 'It was a move into the unknown'. He turned to Evanston-based NaviAsia Consulting Group Inc., and signed a lease this spring at a factory in Zhuhai in Guangdong Province ."
- Crain's Chicago (June 26 th , 2006 Edition)
NaviAsia Vice President Facilitates Roundtable Discussion on Ningbo-Chicago Relations
By Phil Williams - phil.williams@naviasia.com
Bill Liu, Vice President of the NaviAsia Consulting Group, which has been mentioned in Crain's Chicago as a leading Chicago consulting firm dealing with China, served as an interpreter and facilitator in a roundtable discussion with the delegation from Ningbo, China at the World Trade Center of Chicago (WTCC) on Wednesday, July 12th.
The roundtable was co-sponsored by the World Trade Center of Chicago and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce with the purpose of introducing the Ningbo Economic and Technical Development Zone Delegation to Chicago and initiating a discussion to promote mutual investments.
The meeting was attended by a number of Chicago business leaders involved in Sino-US trade including the Chairman of Chicago's China Committee, the President of World Business Chicago and was moderated by Neil Hartigan, Chairman of the World Trade Center Chicago. The Ningbo delegation was led by Zhang Ruping, Vice President of the Dagang Development Company, Ltd.
The event also included representatives from the Alliance for Illinois Manufacturing, the State of Illinois, World Resources China and the Kinsella Group, representing a variety of civic, government and business groups.
Throughout the roundtable discussion Liu switched seamlessly between his native Mandarin and adopted English, facilitating and leading a discussion on the potential for manufacturing and logistical alliances between the two cities as well as investment opportunities.
The outcome of the discussion was a general agreement and understanding of the next steps for the two cities to take in encouraging and facilitating the movement of small and medium sized industries to China. On the US side, leaders began to plan how they could aid in the Chinese effort to raise capital while the Chinese delegation began to plan how they could assist US companies in finding partners in China.
After the discussion the roundtable members joined a larger group at a lunch at the Mid America Club where the Ningbo delegation gave a presentation on the economic and industrial attributes of Ningbo. When the presentation was completed Hartigan concluded the day with a send off to the delegation as well as a thank you to Liu for facilitating.
"I want to take a moment to recognize and thank Bill and NaviAsia," Hartigan said. "Our long friendship meant he was the only choice."
NaviAsia Vice President Keynote Speaker at Kellogg's Asian Business Conference
By Phil Williams - phil.williams@naviasia.com
NaviAsia Vice President John Tomaszewski speaks
on Chinese branding and marketing trends to
an
audience of Kellogg Alumni
and other guests during
the Kellogg Asian
Business Conference.
NaviAsia Vice President John Tomaszewski spoke on the growing domestic market and emergence of branding in China at Kellogg's Asian Business Conference on Saturday, April 29th. Tomaszewski, who has 14 years experience in emerging markets and a strong background in Chinese business, was the keynote speaker at the Kellogg Alumni Breakfast. The speech kicked off the conference Saturday morning and was attended by Kellogg alumni and other guests.
Tomaszewski quickly covered the importance of having on the ground experience in China. Bringing in experience and testimonials from the NaviAsia office in China, Tomaszewski highlighted new and developing models for sales in China.
Tomaszewski then moved on to explain how new sales and marketing approaches in China have in recent years transformed and evolved, citing the differences between Western and Eastern approaches to sales and marketing that influence these customer purchase patterns.
To further explore his points on branding and marketing in China, Tomaszewski showed a number of recent Chinese television commercials. Tomaszewski used these commercials to illustrate the latest trends in branding in China as well as the West's role in branding.
Tomaszewski stated that, "China has been picking up speed for quite some time. The historical focus has been on manufacturing but as Chinese companies mature so does their need to employ sophisticated brand, marketing and sales strategies."
A discussion and Q & A session followed Tomaszewski speech which focused on China's potential for manufacturing and comments on China's new models for branding, brand creation and driving consumer behavior.
After Tomaszewski's speech, the conference moved into several executive forums and speeches by other top Asian business experts. The conference's executive forums focused on current developments in Asian business, including branding strategies, the region's growing consumer power and investment and access to capital.
Other speakers included Sam Pitroda, chairman of the Knowledge Commission of India; James A Lawrence, CFO of General Mills Inc and Professor Weiying Zhang, Executive Dean of Guanghu School of Management at Peking University.
| Photos from the Conference |
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Tomaszewski takes a question from the audience. Question topics ranged from China's manufacturing potential to the impact of new branding models. |
Tomaszewski discussses examples and testimonials from NaviAsia's experiences, citing recent developments occuring on the ground in China.
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Tomaszewski shows one of several recent Chinese television commercials to the audience to emphasis his points on the growth of marketing and branding models. |
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Tomazsewski explains Chinese companies' need to employ more sophisticated brand, marketing and sales strategies. |
Tomaszewski details the differences between Western and Eastern approaches to sales and marketing and how those differences affect customer purchase patterns. |
Tomaszewski with Kellogg Dean Emeritus Donald Jacobs and Professor Weiying Zhang, Executive Dean of Guanghu School of Management at Peking University.
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Click the thumbnail for full size photo |
At Kellogg, Kirk's Optimism on Display - Representative sees bright future for U.S., China
By Phil Williams - phil.williams@naviasia.com
Congressman Mark Kirk receives a Kellogg
baseball cap from NaviaAsia's Bill Liu
U.S. Representative Mark Kirk spoke at the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago on Monday, February 6. The conference was hosted by the Kellogg Alumni Club of Chicago and organized by Bill Liu, Vice President of NaviAsia Consulting Group, a China supply-chain consulting firm based in Evanston.
A Republican from Illinois' 10 th District, Mr. Kirk is co-chair of the U.S.-China Working Group, a bipartisan organization that coordinates and decides crucial national policy relating to U.S.-China relations.
Speaking at February's conference, he discussed the need to refine economic and diplomatic relations as Chinese financial and military clout continues to grow. Mr. Kirk addressed an audience of more than 70 executives and Kellogg alumni at Kellogg's Chicago Campus.
Mr. Kirk also spent a significant portion of his speech outlining the need for increased marketing coordination between Chicago and China.
"Chicago businesses have a unique opportunity in China," he said. "We should ignite a massive marketing campaign in China to promote Chicago, and back it up with goodwill."
He noted, however, that small businesses in Chicago and the Midwest will need help in order to make inroads with China, but praised Chicago's civic leaders for jumpstarting the process.
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Mr. Kirk also suggested a branding strategy that placed Chicago at the center of U.S.-China relations, the goal being to encourage Chinese companies to base their North American headquarters here.
The Congressman said that he sees O'Hare Airport as one of Chicago's best branding advantages, arguing that it provides easy access in and out of the country.
He predicted that Seattle would be Chicago's main competition, but noted that he had not seen Seattle city leaders take an active role as of yet. |
Rep. Kirk explains a finer point of his plan
for strengthening the Chicago-China brand. |
According to Mr. Kirk, the need for improved diplomatic relations with China as that nation's influence on the world stage grows will prove to be another crucial issue.
"The question is whether we are able to perceive the change in the world, the rise in China," he said.
He explained that it is essential for America to prepare to deal with China as a world power, saying that a concrete, long-term strategy needs to be created to ensure that peaceful relations with China in the future come from productive relations now.
"The two largest economies on Earth should focus on building a relationship with each other," he said.
After finishing his prepared remarks, Mr. Kirk answered questions from the audience on Taiwan-China relations, China's need for oil and factionalism in the Chinese government.
He concluded his speech with a final comment on the need for peace and productivity in U.S.-China relations.
"If there was a war between the U.S. and China, I can tell you who would lose," Mr. Kirk said, "Both countries would lose."
NaviAsia Vice President Lectures at Kellogg - Tomaszewski Lectures on China's New Role as a World Manufacturing Supply Base and China's Emergence into Marketing
By Phil Williams - phil.williams@naviasia.com
Tomaszewski discusses NaviAsia's presence and experience in China
John Tomaszewski, Vice President of NaviAsia Consulting Group, a China strategic sourcing and supply chain management consulting firm based in Evanston, lectured at Kellogg's Executive MBA program on February 6th. Tomaszewski is a frequent guest lecturer at Kellogg on the topics of China and International Business.
Tomaszewski outlined and addressed the challenges that China now presents to the world and, specifically, to the US economy. Tomaszewski also pointed out the economic opportunities hidden within those challenges. His speech focused on how U.S. small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) can react to China and gain advantages in the Chinese market.
Tomaszewski, with 14 years experience in consulting and industry, has a strong background in Chinese business. His experiences working in China for both BP Amoco and the NaviAsia Consulting Group, have given him insight into the relations between US and Chinese businesses and the role they will play as China's economy grows.
Richard Honack, Associate Dean and Adjunct Professor of Marketing, explained to the audience that he brought Tomaszewski in to speak due to his direct experience in China. "John has experience on the ground," Honack said, "And comes fresh from the streets."
Tomaszewski spoke to the group of forty executives from across the globe on what they will need to know in order to work with China today and in the future. He began by discussing the history of China and how China has opened the doors to the Western World in the last three decades. Understanding how China is opening up to the world is vital according to Tomaszewski, meaning that China will come to impact U.S. businesses regardless of their size or industry.
Tomaszewski then moved into a discussion of China's manufacturing capabilities, outlining the wide range of products that can be manufactured at lower costs than in the U.S. Tomaszewski described China as becoming the "manufacturing center of the world."
He explained that this comparative cost advantage results in significant cost savings compared to the U.S. And, while this is also met with risks and challenges, it was noted that China represents the largest source of growth opportunity for U.S. companies that can utilize a hybrid manufacturing strategy.
Tomaszewski then spoke on Chinese companies, both explaining the Chinese management style and highlighting the recent moves by Chinese companies to develop sales and marketing capabilities.
Examples of Chinese advertisements were shown to the audience and the group discussed the advertisements' differences compared to U.S. advertisements. An interesting observation was how China has become more sophisticated in advertising over time and how foreign companies often miss the local context for attracting Chinese consumers.
The executives in the audience were absorbed in Tomaszewski's presentation and frequently asked questions."This is the most engaged I've seen you guys," Honack stated to the group during a break.
| Photos from the Conference |
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Tomaszewski discusses NaviAsia's presence and experience in China |
Tomaszewski highlights the pillars of advantage in utilizing China. |
Tomaszewski shares an explanation of China's evolution as a world manufacturing supply base. |
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| Tomaszewski explains Chinese and Western companies' sales and marketing approaches to the audience. |
Tomaszewski shares best practices in working in China. |
Tomaszewski discusses China's Eastern Coast development versus the emergence of Central and Western China. |
Click the thumbnail for full size photo |
Mayor of Wuxi City Visits Chicago - NaviAsia VP Acts as Delegation's Advisor
By Etan Harmelech - etan.harmelech@naviasia.com
October 25, 2005--Chicago - Bill Liu, a Vice President at NaviAsia Consulting Group with more than 15 years of experience in international trade, served as the interpreter at a seminar promoting investment opportunities in and around Wuxi City, China.
The World Trade Center Chicago and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored the event with the purpose of introducing American businesses to the possibilities offered by one of China 's most prosperous cities. More than 90 attendees representing 65 different organizations assembled at downtown Chicago 's MidAmerican Club and listened to keynote speeches from Wuxi Mayor Zhang Jinxian and Director of Chicago City Protocol Eileen Hubbell.
Because the delegation from Wuxi did not bring along its own interpreter, World Trade Center Chairman Neil Hartigan called on Liu to translate for the mostly English-speaking audience.
"I want to thank Bill Liu and NaviAsia; they have been instrumental in everything we continue to do here at the World Trade Center ," Hartigan said in his opening remarks. "I also taught Bill everything he knows about speaking Mandarin," he joked.
The most vital translation came toward the conclusion of the conference when Hartigan, the former Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, exchanged ceremonial gifts with Wuxi 's Mayor Zhang.
Liu, who was born in China and attended business school at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, switched seamlessly throughout the morning between his native Mandarin and adopted English.
Hartigan said he placed his trust in Liu in large part because of his longstanding relationship with NaviAsia. "They are the leading firm in this area with respect to China ," Hartigan said
| Photos from the Conference |
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| NaviAsia's John Tomaszewski was also in attendance at the seminar. |
More than 50 companies sent representatives to the MidAmerican Club. |
Wuxi Mayor Zhang Jinxian listens intently before taking the podium. |
Bill Liu translates for Rajinder Bedi of the Illinois Office of Trade and Investment. |
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| WTCC Chairman Neil Hartigan welcomes the Wuxi delegation. |
Total American investment in Wuxi totaled $2.7 billion in 2004. |
Liu with (from left) Eileen Hubbel, Xu Jingzhong, Hartigan, and Mayor Zhang. |
Weifu High-Tech Chairman Xu Liangfei previews his speech with Bill Liu. |
Click the thumbnail for full size photo |
NaviAsia Sponsors Conference on U.S.-China Business Relations
By Etan Harmelech - etan.harmelech@naviasia.com
October 19, 2005-- Chicago - NaviAsia Consulting Group, in cooperation with the World Trade Center Chicago, hosted the second annual " China: Promise to Profits" forum at Northwestern University 's Wieboldt Hall last Wednesday.
NaviAsia, a Chicago-based company that specializes in providing small- and medium-sized businesses with innovative approaches to supply chain management, co-founded the conference in 2004 as a way of educating U.S. companies about the opportunities available to them in China .
Eighty-five representatives from more than 50 different companies attended this year's conference. Keynote speakers included Lesley Schweitzer, a senior trade advisor at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Dan Ikenson, a policy analyst with the Cato Institute.
In his opening remarks, World Trade Center Chicago Chairman and former Illinois Lt. Governor Neil Hartigan thanked NaviAsia for its role in making Promise to Profits a reality and a success. "There's nothing we're doing here that NaviAsia hasn't had a hand in," Hartigan said.
NaviAsia Vice President John Tomaszewski, who is also the president of the alumni association of the Kellogg School of Management, worked closely with Northwestern officials to bring the forum to Chicago and Wieboldt Hall for a second straight year.
In addition to working to ensure the success of Promise to Profits from behind the scenes, NaviAsia also played an active role at the conference itself. Tomaszewski was called on to moderate a panel featuring three companies' perspectives on the difficulties of moving operations to China -and how to overcome them. At the end of the discussion, the panel fielded questions from the audience about partnering with Chinese distributors, overcoming energy limitations, and protecting intellectual property.
"I really think the people who asked those questions came away with some sound, practical advice about how to take the next step," Tomaszewski said. "Really that's what this forum is all about."
In the smaller afternoon sessions, Tomaszewski led a seminar on strategic sourcing and supply chain strategy while NaviAsia Vice President Charles Li spoke about the importance of language and culture in developing Chinese business relationships.
"Respect the differences between our two cultures and you will succeed," Li said.
At the program's conclusion, Hartigan talked about the importance of the forum in cementing the relationship between the two nations and again thanked NaviAsia for its role. "This is an excellent company; John and NaviAsia deal with every aspect of Chinese trade," Hartigan said. "Do not hesitate to ask them for advice."
| Photos from the Conference |
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| Bill Liu discusses Chinese law with attorney Bill Spence. |
John Tomaszewski moderates a panel on company perspectives. |
Attendees learn and ask questions about key economic issues within China . |
Mr. Jing Li, Vice Chairman of the Tianjin Economic Development Area. |
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| Former Illinois Lt. Governor Neil Hartigan: "This forum is vital." |
Over lunch, Bill Liu and Philip Kneisel discuss China 's prospects. |
Hartigan and Tomaszewski confer before the morning session . |
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Lesley Schweitzer on China 's future. |
Click the thumbnail for full size photo |
China, Inc.: How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the World with author Ted Fishman
Hosted by: NaviAsia Consulting Group
When: Thursday, 6/9/2005 at 5:15 pm (The presentation begins at 6:00 pm)
Where: Kellogg School of Business, Chicago Campus, 4th floor; 340 E. Superior Street , Chicago
Bill Liu, Vice President of NaviAsia and the founder/chairman of Kellogg Alumni Club of Chicago's Asia-Pacific Committee, has put together the informative lecture.
Please join us as Mr. Ted Fishman shares information on how China is forcing the world to change along with it. "No country has ever before made a better run at climbing every step of economic development all at once," he writes, in China, Inc.: How the Rise of the Next Superpower Challenges America and the World. In tracing China 's ascendancy over the past 30 years (with annual growth of an astonishing 9.5 percent), Fishman presents a flood of facts, figures, forecasts, and anecdotes and examines the implications of this unprecedented growth for China , the U.S. , and the rest of the world.
China
Promise to Profits: Doing business with China - Is the time right?
Sept 15, 2004
Web
casts
Webcast:
Winning strategies and proven approaches to capture the China
opportunity for U.S. metal processors — with a focus on
stampings
Thursday,
April 29 or Friday, May 14
9 a.m. – 10 a.m. (will have a brief Q&A session after
presentation)
Hosted by:
RSM McGladrey, in cooperation with NaviAsia Consulting Group
Join us as
we share our insights on the metal processing industry in China
and its impact on U.S. manufacturing. We will discuss our proven
approach for strategic sourcing and supply chain management from
China and provide a real-life case/best practice of how a client
was able to fully capture the China opportunity — not only
with an average cost savings of 35 percent to 65 percent, but
also with an improvement in product development cycle time!
To register,
please contact Stacey Doherty at 847.413.6292 or stacey.doherty@rsmi.com.
Expansion
into the Far East Roundtable
Middle-market manufacturers today are facing tremendous cost pressures.
Many are evaluating the Far East markets to meet customer demands,
improve manufacturing margins and, possibly, serve the domestic
market. Determining which strategy to use and implementing that
strategy a world away is a complexity of operational, accounting,
tax and legal matters, many of which are new and different from
U.S. business.
Bruner-Cox LLP is pleased to present this roundtable featuring
recognized experts in global expansion. Join us for an informative,
executive-level roundtable discussion. Our roundtable format allows
for your concerns to be addressed and your questions answered
without taking you away from your office for an entire day.
Topics
include:
- A market
overview with a focus on current events that are forcing manufacturers
and distributors to re-evaluate their strategic business plans
relating to a global marketplace
- Challenges
of expansion and how to best evaluate your options
- A question
and answer session to specifically address your concerns
When:
May 25, 2004
8:00 - 8:30 am: Breakfast & Registration
8:30 - 10:00 am: Featured Presentation
Where:
Firestone Country Club (click here for directions)
Cost: $35 per person
RSVP by: May 20, 2004
Featured
roundtable presenters include:
Allan
Cheshire, former Director of Strategy and International
Consulting for RSM McGladrey, the fifth largest international
organization in the world, has more than 30 years of international
business experience working for both RSM International and Fortune
500 companies. Through a program he developed for RSM McGladrey
called The China Platform, Allan helps clients
evaluate new markets, expand their businesses, and overcome global
challenges in their current operations, including evaluating distribution
options, finding the right partners, and ultimately addressing
the opportunities and risks involved in taking operations abroad.
John Tomaszewski, Vice President for NaviAsia
Consulting Group, has more than 12 years of combined
industry and consulting experience in strategy, merger and acquisitions,
supply chain/strategic sourcing and organizational transformation
in the China marketplace. He also has significant experience in
other emerging markets, such as Mexico, Romania and Poland.
