GRS Blog

Sharing the China Experience - GRS/APTN event

01/11/2013

I know I'm probably biased but I thought the event which Global Regulatory Services (GRS) helped to arrange with APTN on 12th September 2013 was great and it made a refreshing change to hear so much laughter!

The event made it clear that great value is placed upon building personal relationships and gaining local knowledge in order to succeed.  But this really isn't exclusive to China, it should be true anywhere in the world.

The presenters all explained how agog they were when they first saw the scale at what China was building in terms of high class facilities, skilled workforce and vision.  This very much reflects GRS' own experience when the Directors first visited China in October 2012.  Geographically the country is massive but on top of this everything is done on a grand scale.  Here in the UK it's big news when we build one sky scraper - London's Shard comes to mind.  In China, however, you will see 20, 30 and even 40 sky scrapers going up at one time.  Instead of housing estates, they build 'sky scraper estates'.  You have to see it to believe it!

It was fun to hear of some of the personal experiences people had when visiting China.  You can be the most amazing and revered scientist but it's important that you embrace their traditions: snake, pigeon head soup or baijiu must all be sampled during the 'getting to know you' phase.

On a more serious note, it was questionned that China appears to have 'built it' but will the life science industry move there?  Much depends on the work force.  Chinese  employees will move from employer to employer very readily especially if they can earn a better salary and get promotion.  Because of this 'flitting about' the large multi nationals tend to bring in Western employees to the management positions to provide some kind of stability.  Economically, however, it looks as though China could well become central to the global life science industry.  Time will tell.

I thought I'd take this opportunity to share some of the feedback received:

"It was a delight listening to life science leaders speak about their practical experiences of doing business in and with China’s life sciences sector at the APTN event this week. "

"I thought it was an excellent event, most interesting and informative."

"I really enjoyed the evening.  It was very interesting to hear the other speakers perspectives and networking with the other attendees."

"It turned out to be an extremely interesting evening.   I enjoyed the speakers’ entertaining and perceptive comments about working with Chinese business - which are totally in sync with my own experience."

My thanks to Fasken Martineau who provided the venue and refreshments and also to the presenters who gave up their time so readily to share their experiences with us.  Please do keep an eye on the APTN website, or sign up for their emails, and take the opportunity to join us at other similar events.

Author: Bobby Deal, Managing Director