Export-management Books

This is a book written by a highly experienced international marketer who truly understands the characteristic of the newly independent states of the Soviet Union and other developing Eastern European countries. It clearly instructs readers how to how to build sucessful sales networks and create lasting local business relationships. Our consulting staff refers to this book often when putting together marketing programs for clients who want to penetrate BEM's as quickly and profitably as possible. John R. Jagoe, Director, Export Institute.

As the Director of Training Development for an American based international company, I found this book to be extremely informative, very practical, as well as an interesting read. An unusal combination to find in business books. Miller obviously knows his subject and is able to convey his valuable information in a very readable manner.

Unfortunately, for one reason or another, Asian business leaders have not exactly written a wealth of material documenting their timeless management philosophies, success stories, and practical advice on key business concepts. Subsequently, there is a dearth of materials on managing in Asia and Asian business success stories. This book helps to fill the void, giving valuable information from the leading names in Asian business markets. Now, for the first time, some of the region's best and brightest business leaders have been brought together in one exciting collection.

Rajat Gupta of McKinsey, Stan Shih of Acer, Washington SyCip of SGV Group, Joanna Lau of LAU Technologies, David K.P. Li of Bank of East Asia Ltd, Cheong Choong Kong of Singapore Airlines, are some of the 32 leading Asian CEOs who share their thoughts on doing business in Asia. Informative, insightful, and inspirational, the book offers a fascinating glimpse into the finest business minds in the region.

The 32 articles in Asian Business Wisdom are organised into six parts covering Management Philosophies, Instilling Corporate Culture, The Entrepreneurial Spirit, Lessons from China, Sales and Marketing Strategies and Managing in Tough Times. Each article is accompanied by an introduction that highlights its author's life and business achievements and a list of online resources which points the reader to related articles or organisations.

Sadly, except for a passing reference to Robert Kuok Hock Nien on page 169, Malaysians are conspicuous by their absence in this book. Despite this glaring omission, this is nevertheless a book from which managers worldwide will surely benefit. Economic and financial crisis notwithstanding, Asia remains in the sights of many global business leaders and decision-makers as a region of vast economic and business potential.

A freelance writer and editor, Filipina Dinna Louise C. Dayao is a former associate editor of World Executive Digest, one of Asia's leading business magazines.

Reviewed by Azlan Adnan. Formerly Business Development Manager with KPMG, Azlan is currently Managing Partner of Azlan & Koh Knowledge and Professional Management, an education and management consulting practice based in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo. He holds a Master's degree in International Business and Management from the Westminster Business School in London. He may be contacted at Tel: +6088-383 526 E-mail: azlan@azlan.org

Mike Peng sure knows how to express his ideas clearly and effectively. In addition, he grabs the reader's attention and doesn't let go by coming up with exciting topic after exciting topic. This is definitely a great piece of work for anyone that wants a deeper look into the effects of globalization and the United States economy. I highly recommend it.

Another wonderful episode in Ms. "Peckwith's" amazing chronicle of her years on the Scottish Island. With this book, the author really turns her pen into a paintbrush. "We sat together staring contemplatively at the startled looking sea wavelets racing before the fresh breeze, at the clean carved shapes of the Islands; at the gently blue sky strewn with clouds that looked as soft and inviting as white fur rugs; at mists lit with rainbows and mountains silvered with sunlight." The visuals of the scenery are quite simply breathtaking, as are the wonderful characters that just spring from the pages. With gentleness and a great deal of humor, the idiosyncrasies of the villagers are delivered in a forthright, but never condescending manner. The hygiene of this time and place will make a modern mama's blood run cold (and probably the postman's too) and the brutal work load will make you grateful for our modern conveniences. I predict you will love the charming journey into another place and time - but probably be glad you are traveling via armchair. While this book stands on its own, I am glad I read it after the other three Bruach books: The Hills is Lonely, The Sea for Breakfast and The Loud Halo. The book also contains a delightful little list of Gaellic translations and pronunciations. --Silly Old Cailleach Mamalinda

If entreprenurial history fascinates you, this book will not let you down. Hardwork, genius, forsight, taking chances and a family that persevers make for some interesting history of America's largest privately held company.

Japanese manufacturers are less vertically integrated than their American or European counterparts. They tend to be smaller and more specialized. For example, Toyota outsources about 75% of components; in the US only Chrysler reaches this degree. But Japanese firms don¡¯t organize the vertical chain through arm¡¯s length transaction. Instead, they rely on a web of long-term, informal relationships between firms up and down the vertical chain. Unlike the
hostile relationships many American and European firms have with subcontractors, in Japan, these relationships involve a much higher degree of cooperation and delegation of a more sophisticated set of responsibilities to subcontractor. This kind of relationship is cited as an excellent example of the trust-based interfirm networks which substantially reduce the transaction cost involved in transactions along the value chain, and is known as the vertical keiretsu.
Such interfirm networks have persisted since the Meiji period, and were constructed in an effort to reduce the uncertainty engendered by market fluctuation. If it¡¯s not the commodified items, frequent switching of subcontractor could result in instability in the quality and quantity of it. With trust-based long-term relationship, they could expect timely delivery, quality control, and stable supply. But this trust-based long-term relationship introduced the rigidity and inflexibility to cope with the dramatic shifts in the environment. The first oil crisis posed a serious threat to the viability of Japanese firms. Cut-throat competition over shrunken international market drove the Japanese firms to enhance competitiveness in all front from cost, quality and the lead time. In doing so, they changed the dynamics of the networks. What they introduced is the subject of this book, in the words of the author, ¡®competitive-cum-cooperation governance, in short, CCC governance. The author deals with the interfirm governance in Japanese semiconductor industry, in particular. But the findings could be applied to other industries like auto, electronics.
CCC governance was developed to introduce the uncertainty in the vertical chain to create market-like effect. While maintaining cooperative links, semiconductor manufacturers imposed several competition-generating measures: strategic pricing, multiple sourcing, and altering procurement sourcing. In strategic pricing, interacting companies cooperatively developed a schedule for reducing prices. In multiple sourcing, semiconductor companies purchased the same parts and materials from multiple sources, so that competition took place among them. While awarding stable cash flows to subcontractors, semiconductor manufacturers could secure the continuous improvement of price and quality. According to data the author provides, the prices were much lower than the spot market transactions. In the words of the author, With CCC governance the Japanese semiconductor firms secured both the allocative efficiency which is the feature of market governance, and the non-allocative efficiency which is the feature of hierarchical governance.
Now you might ask ¡®Is there any reason to coin another neologism? There is already the mountain of seemingly different words which actually have one and the same reference.¡¯ Maybe. The vertical keiretsu could cover the same phenomenon. But author¡¯s intention lies in demonstrating the feature of network which has both cooperation and competition while securing the competitiveness. I think author persuasively illustrates it. And better, he does so not with case study which is hard to represent the population, but with the survey technique. This feature, however, is the weakness at the same time. The author succeeds in drawing out overall picture of the industry. But it lacks the rich depth of the usual business case studies. This makes the book somewhat dry. But I think it worth reading, if you are interested in the Japanese business.

This book really provides state of the art publications on Internationalisation perspectives. The background of the book is a conference celebrating Professor Jan Johanson, a leading figure within the field. In a well-organized structure the reader is presented with well-written work by researchers from most of the World on the topic of internationalization. This is a must read for a Ph.D-student or ambitious Master's student within the field of International Business!

"Richard Gesteland's "Cross-Cultural Business Behavior " has already reached classic status and is now in its fourth edition. Rather than being a theoretical compendium of cross-cultural theories this book is a practical guide for businesspeople in the "front lines of international trade".

The first part of the book presents in a hundred odd pages the theoretical knowledge needed to appreciate and understand the case examples and the "how-to" sections. Some of the theoretical concepts such as monochronic and polychronic cultures are presented as givens without acknowledging links to the works of theorists. This might annoy some readers. But Gesteland approaches the understanding of the differences between national cultures from the perspective of a busy person who conducts business, with specific country-by-country advice.

Busy international negotiators and businessmen as well as HR-practitioners, who are looking for "How-to" guidelines, which are not cumbersome, would appreciate this non-academic style and approach.

Thanks much. I received this book on time and it was in good condition as it should be. I am very satisfied by purchasing this book.

Five stars to Roger Axtell and John Healy. I highly recommend this book if you ever travel to Asia, Europe, Canada, Middle East, or Latin America.

I read this book from the front cover to the back cover in one evening. The author has also written "Traveling Cautions for Dictator Country", in addition to "Fun Fun Fun In Bangkok", also great books.

He provides great checklists that will help you keep out of trouble when authorities demand bribes or magazines that are illegal in their countries. One hint, also carry five recent copies of Pent house.

Of particular note is his advise on what to do if you lose your passport, credit cards, or phone card. He suggests locations where you can get exact duplicates in 'other names' so that you can have a very expensive vacation on someone else's account.

Details are given for Senior Citizens for saving space in luggage for packing Depends by using space saving bags that are sold in major warehouse type stores (Costco, Sam's Club).

I really enjoyed the section on how to insult different cultures. Most useful for getting off on the right foot.

Photos of different toilets around the world are chronicled including the sit and squat over a hole method in much of Asia. Some of the pictures were disgusting but humorous at the same time. Emile who is a clean freak would go nuts and not even enter some of these restrooms. Each countries rest rooms are rated.

Instructions for bypassing local telephone controls are included that will save on your travel and communicate dollars to make inexpensive (as in free) call around the world.

Hats off to this author!