Studying business in China firsthand
A recent study trip to China offered a "once in a lifetime" experience for 24 MBA students (see the MBA Study Tour pages for insights into the group's experiences).
Over the mid-term break at the end of April, 24 MBA students consolidated much of their learning from the MBA programme on this week-long international trip. Highlights included a workshop with the China Development Bank, as well as visits to three leading global manufacturing industries.
Students had the opportunity to compare Pearl River Pianos, a state-owned enterprise and the biggest manufacturer of pianos in the world; Zuru Toys, run by New Zealand entrepreneurs; and VTR Electronics, a multi-national, China-owned company.
They also received presentations from a range of companies including ANZ, Mainfreight and Invest Guangzhou, and visited the Hong Kong Science Technology Park, a government-provided cooperative to nurture start-ups.
"Developing current, and creating new, business and trade links with China offers enormous economic opportunity for New Zealand," says MBA student Suzanne Carter, who went on the trip to gain a deeper understanding of conducting business in China.
"The export numbers speak for themselves but we can also see from increasing tourism numbers that there is growing interest in what New Zealand has to offer, and this was certainly reinforced on our trip."
She says the experience brought home to her that business methods need to be adapted for the Asian market.
"I was reminded how informal we are compared to other cultures. As a small country at the bottom of the world we are very proud to have modern and relaxed lifestyle choices. When we work with our Asian neighbours we need to have a good understanding about different cultural expectations, including traditions and language.
"We need to be ready to adapt our approach in order to build meaningful and enduring relationships."
Ms Carter says the trip provided her with valuable lessons for the future.
"As a business traveller we may get to explore a single sector, but to have access to such a broad range of conversations and activities in such a condensed time was probably once in a lifetime for most of us."