Introduced in 2020, CCBC is pleased to host the second edition of the China Ready webinar series, designed to provide SME executives with the knowledge and insight needed to launch into the China market successfully. As China continues to rebound from COVID-19, the demand for Canadian branded products will be strong throughout 2021. Participants who complete all six sessions will receive a ‘CCBC China Ready’ certificate. Conclusion of all six will leave participants ready to consider their next steps.

China Ready 2021 Webinar Series Session #1: ‘Guanxi’ – 关系 – Building Social Networks for Better Business
In this special presentation on ‘Guanxi’ on April 7, Sarah Kutulakos, Executive Director of CCBC, helped westerners deconstruct the term so that business people can better understand its meaning and importance. Sarah has extensive experience with ‘Guanxi’ having worked and lived in China for several years. Her personal stories about ‘Guanxi’ provided insight into the intricacies of ‘Guanxi’ relationships and put the spotlight on its potential pitfalls and advantages when doing business in China.

This session was free of charge for CCBC members, C$25+HST for non-members.

Webinar Series Sponsor 

The link to the video presentation is available upon request. Please contact your regional Chapter Director to request access:

About the Speaker

Sarah Kutulakos

Executive Director

CCBC

Sarah Kutulakos, Executive Director for the Canada China Business Council, has extensive experience in China Prior to joining CCBC, Sarah worked for 11 years in marketing, product development, and management with a major multinational corporation, where she had multiple assignments involving China. Sarah managed worldwide product businesses that marketed to China and used China-based sources of supply. She was also involved in several projects requiring cooperation with the Chinese government. Sarah has led both established and start-up businesses within the context of a global corporation and has broad emerging market business experience, and has been involved in the Greater China region since the late 1980s when she lived and worked in Taiwan. There, she was the first non-Chinese employee of a local high-tech start-up firm, where she gained a deep understanding of Chinese business practices.

A fluent Mandarin speaker, Sarah’s interest in China began at the University of Wisconsin, where she studied Chinese, marketing, and international business. She holds an MBA in finance and operations from the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester. She frequently speaks on China issues, including marketing, trade, investment, and Canada-China relations.

About the Moderator

Laura Markle

Director, Atlantic Chapter

CCBC

Laura Markle is responsible for building the CCBC membership base throughout Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland by engaging with Canadian and Chinese businesses, promoting Canada-China bilateral trade, organizing events and supporting the delivery of member services.

Laura has a wealth of experience in the private, public and non-profit sectors, having held various positions in her career with Global Affairs Canada, Huawei Technologies Canada and the Canadian Fuels Association.

CCBC’s China Ready Series Second Edition schedule and topics* to be covered include:

• Session #1: Guanxi – 关系 – Building Social Networks for Better Business, April 7 at 1:00 pm EDT
• Session #2: The Power of Language in Business Communication, April 21 at 1:00 pm EDT
• Session #3: The E-commerce Revolution – Explore Getting Your Product into the World’s Largest Consumer Market, May 5 at 1:00 pm EDT
• Session #4: How to Manage Legal Risk and Improve Your Prospects for Early Success in China, September 15 at 1:00 pm EDT
• Session #5: Understanding Supply China Logistics inside China, September 29 at 1:00 pm EDT
• Session #6: Finding the Right Business Partner in China, October 13 at 1:00 pm EDT

*Program and dates are subject to change