Managing the Dragon: The Book (Update 1)

The Economist LogoAs the March 18 publication date for Managing the Dragon approaches, I will update MTD followers on news relating to the book.

I was very pleased to open my e-mails this morning and find a very positive review from The Economist. In the “By the Book” section of its Jan 24, 2008 edition, The Economist commented on China books in general and had the following to say about Managing the Dragon:

Choose wisely from the torrent of books on doing business in China

BUSINESS books on China are published so frequently these days, it seems there is a secret factory churning them out. Too many read like the mass produced goods for which the country is famous—and too few are written from real experience of living in China.

Managing the Dragon (Crown; $27.50), Jack Perkowski’s story of his almost 13 years running Asimco, an automotive components maker, in China is therefore a rare treat—a first-hand account of the struggle to build a business there. Tim Clissold, Mr Perkowski’s former colleague, has already described how Asimco’s Chinese partners cheated it out of millions, in his riveting 2004 book, “Mr China”. But Mr Perkowski hung on, and his wise and ultimately optimistic account should be required reading for anyone starting a business in China. Mr Perkowski is sensible on every issue—from the need to nurture (and listen to) local managers to the relative importance of local over central government relations. Most of all, foreigners must not shun the impossibly cut-throat local market because the price paid for a product in China today will be its price globally tomorrow.

The Economist is one of the most respected publications in the world, and has followed the China story as long as anyone. Receiving such an endorsement on the first official review by an important member of the media is a great way to begin the launch.

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