China Flexpat

Chinese are also flexpats. So why would they work in Luxembourg? For its vibrant Chinese community? Or maybe its mix of flexpats from 140 nations?

What's Luxembourg like? How can Chinese professionals integrate this culturally complex country?

What is Luxembourg doing to attract and retain flexpats?

Denis knows a lot on the topic. He's a board member of ChinaLux, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg and has been running his own company, Weilan Coaching and Training in Luxembourg for 5 years. Denis speaks multiple languages and moves between cultures like a DJ!

He regularly publishes articles on Intercultural Agility on LinkedIn.

Find him here:

www.weilan.biz

Find him on Wechat here: pariscoach75

Find Francis on Wechat: Flexpat2020

How can Chinese kids develop themselves as global citizens? Learn from Luc who has been thinking about this challenge for the past 24 years.

• How did bilingual education start in China?
• What is the role of flexpats?
• Parent`s evolving expectations
• How to work with Chinese school principals?
• How to enjoy your own international career?

Find Luc on Wechat: lucpauwels

Find Francis on Wechat: Flexpat2020

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Please also tune in to episodes:

134 education ecosystem in China

57 Teacher job market

106 Teach your team English

116, 123, 131 Professor in China

Learn from a real Marketing expert with 25 years experience in and with Japan and China.

• Current B2C marketing environment in China

• Market entry for international brands

• Market barriers for international brands

• About Chinese upcoming brands

• Chinese brands going international

• Job opportunities for flexpats both in China and in other countries

• Lifestyle advice for flexpats

Mike Golden is the founder and CEO of a marketing communications agency in Shanghai, with over 20 years of experience in China. He has also spent time in Japan and Thailand. He works with multinational brands to succeed in China through the methodology of “radically relevant China marketing.” He graduated from Cornell University and holds an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley. In his spare time, he plays a variety of musical instruments, and hangs out with his family, pet corgi, and cat.

Mike Golden / mgolden@brandigo.com

www.brandigochina.com

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Please also tune in to episodes

122 Social Media Branding

123 Branding professor at a university

103 German Beer Branding

98 Coffee Branding

39, 84 Market entry, branding for international brands

Contact Francis (Wechat: Flexpat2020) if you want to join our Flexpat Wechat community.

Reduce your cost of living to the bare minimum in order to build a sustainable Flexpat lifestyle.

- What are the easiest ways to reduce the cost of living?

- How can international children attend public school?

- Why should children attend Chinese kindergarten and school?

- How do you deal with performance pressure?

- How can you build a sustainable Flexpat profile and perform?

- Why should international companies hire Flexpats?

Currently, Dr. Lockstrom is a Senior Associate Professor of Operations Management at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in Suzhou, China, where he is teaching and doing research in the areas of purchasing, logistics, and supply chain/operations management. He is also currently serving as Director of the Centre for Case Development (CCD). Dr. Lockstrom received his BSc/MSc in Industrial Engineering and Management at Chalmers University of Technology and his Ph.D. in Operations Management from European Business School, Germany. He has previously taught graduate courses at European Business School, Moscow State University, Tongji University, and MBA courses at CEIBS. He has published more than 50 academic and practice-oriented papers and book chapters, and made more than 60 conference appearances. Prof. Lockstrom has more than two decades of consulting experience working with multinational corporations such as BMW, Atlas Copco, DuPont, and EY, among others, and has also founded and operated multiple business ventures in the past.

WeChat: loco_barocco

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Please also tune in to episode

123 on working in China as an academic professional (professor)

129 why Flexpats are leaving

111 Prepare Expat assignment

107 Transition from Expat to Flexpat

90 Flexpat Lifestyle

25 Transition from Expat to Flexpat - Kids in Homeschooling

Contact Francis (Wechat: Flexpat2020) if you want to join our Flexpat wechat community

Many expats have left China and international companies struggle to replace them with experienced professionals from HQs. What does this mean for the company both in China and in the corporate office?

- What is the main reason why expats return home and new expats are not coming here?

- What choices do European companies have to deal with this?

- Can Chinese teams achieve the same output as international teams?

- What is the main risk when European companies don’t have any foreigners in China?

- What is the value of a flexpat?

- How can flexpats build a network in HQs and learn important company know-how?

- How can flexpats justify their salary package?

LinkedIn: Christian M. Göttker

Wechat: CMG-GSA

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Please also tune in to episode 126, where Eric Voigt explains exactly how Flexpats or Chinese professionals are suited for Top Management positions in China for international companies.

Other episodes:

20 Leadership advice for flexpats

21 From Entry Level to Top Management

100 Get your first Management Job in China

107 Transition from Expat to Flexpat

111 Prepare expat assignment

46 Lead Chinese teams

96 German Center Taicang

Contact Francis (Wechat: Flexpat2020) if you want to join our Flexpat Wechat community

Bring your partner and family to China! What does this mean for your partner?

- How does a businesswoman transform into an expat spouse?

- What is it like to raise a child in China?

- How do you spend your day without work?

- How can you find a job and get a visa?

- How can you prepare for returning back home?

- What is the value of an expat assignment for the whole family?

LinkedIn: Chloris Liu

Wechat: chlorisliu

Company Info : Michael Page Suzhou - Head of commercial segment chlorisliu@michaelpage.com.cn

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Please also tune in to episode 80, where Chloris explained salaries in China!

Other episodes:

49 Expat Spouse finding work in China

10, 111 Prepare your expat assignment

82 Career Opportunities for women in China

Contact Francis (Wechat: Flexpat2020) if you want to join our Flexpat Wechat community

Study in China! Start your international career while you are in university.

- How do German universities cooperate with Tongji University in China?

- What is the cost of studying in China to German students?

- How can they get scholarships?

- How should they plan their study semester and internship in China?

- How can students start work in China as a flexpat and get a work visa?

Links Oliver mentioned:

CDHAWA - Tongji University: https://cdhaw.tongji.edu.cn/zde/main.htm

DHIK: https://www.dhik.org/ueber-uns/netzwerk/

Campus China: https://www.campuschina.org/

The 3 different types of CSC scholarship: https://tribe.cucas.cn/question/97

Oliver Schirmer is Vice Director of the Sino-German University of Applied Sciences "Chinesisch Deutsche Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften (CDHAW)" of the Tongji University Shanghai. He got his double degree with Tongji in Business and Engineering. Holds an MBA in International Business and is currently working on his Ph.D. Life-long learning!

LinkedIn: Oliver Schirmer

Email: oliver.schirmer@outlook.com

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Please also tune in to episode

125 Study in China and start your career

2 Study and do an Internship in China (also at Tongji)

19, 60 Find entry-level jobs in China

20 Start your Flexpat career

21 From Entry Level to Top Management

33 Prepare for job interviews

99 Work for Chinese companies abroad

100 Get your first Management Job in China

113 Young China - Chinese companies going global

Contact Francis (Wechat: Flexpat2020) if you want to join our Flexpat Wechat community

Build and grow a China subsidiary to be successful and integrate it into the global company structure.

- What can go wrong if European companies expand to China?

- Who is the best fit for the GM role: Chinese, Expat, or Flexpat?

- How should a flexpat prepare for a new GM role?

- How can Chinese leaders ask for freedom to react to local requirements?

- How should European companies prevent compliance issues in China?

- How can you create a company culture which allows the global business to grow?

Eric Voigt has been working in Asia and Europe for corporations and private equity funds for 25+ years, occupying senior roles and managing facilities. At the heart of these jobs has been the establishment of new production facilities, the recruitment of entire workforces, and the ongoing day-to-day management of these companies.

LinkedIn: Eric Voigt

Email: contact-de@one-pointzero.com

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Please also tune in to episode

20 Start your Flexpat career

21 From Entry Level to Top Management

100 Get your first Management Job in China

107 Transition from Expat to Flexpat

111 Prepare expat assignment

46 Lead Chinese teams

96 German Center Taicang

Contact Francis (Wechat: Flexpat2020) if you want to join our Flexpat wechat community

Start your successful career even before graduation.

Learn how to prepare yourself to enter the job market and how to build up your reputation and professional network.

• What are the benefits of starting your career in China?
• What are the biggest challenges/risks?
• How important are Chinese skills?
• What is it like to work for a Chinese company?
• How can you prepare to start your career?
• How can you find your first job?

Michalina’s tips for a successful career:

1. Always remember that reputation is your strongest asset
2. Identify your strengths and useful skills - be of use at all times
3. Be active, be hardworking, be open
4. Remember that communication is the key

Connect with Michalina Milczarczyk on LinkedIn.

As Michelle said, Chinese is very important. Check out episode 114: Learn Chinese with Francis and Sofia

Please also tune in to episode:

2 Study and do an Internship in China

19, 60 Find entry-level jobs in China

20 Start your Flexpat career

21 From Entry Level to Top Management

33 Prepare for job interviews

39 Differentiate from Chinese professionals

43 Work for Alibaba

99 Work for Chinese companies abroad

100 Get your first Management Job in China

117 Cross-Border Sales Director in Chinese company (Francis)

113 Young China - Chinese companies going global

Contact Francis (Wechat: Flexpat2020) if you want to join our Flexpat wechat community

Jeff O'Dea assists Japanese professionals working in global companies to cultivate a growth mindset and improve their English communication skills. His expertise includes facilitating communication between Japanese and non-Japanese team members, promoting teamwork, and enhancing overall communication effectiveness within teams.

Learn how to:

• help Japanese and non-Japanese communicate
• build teams that talk to each other
• impact the success of communication within your team

Take action to help your Japanese team:

• unlock their potential
• reduce hesitation
• add value

Learn from Jeff how to achieve the same result with your Chinese team!

Find Jeff O`Dea on LinkedIn, where he is very popular, he is a real influencer.

Please also tune in to episode

106: Teach your team English

102: Cross Culture Communication in Taipei

69: Lead Chinese teams, bridge culture

72: Work with Chinese suppliers

Prof. Dr. Stefan Waller has been working in China for 6 years now. Within a Sino-German cooperation program at a Chinese university, he represents the German concept of a university of applied sciences. The German, as well as the Chinese education system, has its merits and shortcomings, and the approach of international academic cooperation allows students and teachers from China and Germany to experience both.

- What is working at a Chinese university like?

- How to find a job at a Chinese university?

- What are the formal requirements to work at a Chinese university?

- What are Chinese university students like?

- How can you integrate into China?

Find Stefan Waller on LinkedIn

Wechat: herrwaller

Please also tune in to episode 116 where Jeff Towson explains how to teach Chinese MBA students

Learn Chinese? Check episode 114 where Sofia and Francis introduce their approach and the content of the book "Learn Chinese on your own terms".

Please support us with a 5* review in your podcast app! Tell your friends about us.

During his 10-year stay in China, Simon has become an expert on cross-border trade and logistics from and to China. For the past few years he is especially focused on Dropshipping at www.hypersku.com, a niche in the global eCommerce market. After completing his China dream it was time to move back, but that move turned out to be tougher than expected. Tune in to learn more... 

 • What are the reasons to leave China?

 • How can your family prepare for the relocation to Europe? 

 • What is crucial for successful repatriation? 

 • How can a Chinese family integrate into Europe?

 • What are the main business challenges for continuing your career in Europe?

 • How does Flexpat experience help in working with Chinese companies in Europe?

 • Main advice for moving back

Check out Simons' first episode 35.

Simon mentioned Episode 99 with Gianni about sending his kids to a Chinese school.

Find Simon on LinkedIn

We recommend the following episodes to get more input on Cross-Border Trade, Sales, eCommerce, and working for Chinese companies:

116 Cross-Border Sales Director in Chinese company (Francis)

39 eCommerce for international brands in China

113 Young China - Chinese companies going global

99 Work for Chinese companies abroad

46 Lead Chinese teams

Learn how to be a Cross-Border Banker at a Big4 Chinese Bank:

 • How does an MBA in China help you? 

 • How to fit into a Chinese government entity/ bank as a flexpat : 

 • What are the challenges to work for Chinese or Italian organizations?

 • How do Chinese teams relate to an international working and leadership style?

 • How can you differentiate from Chinese bankers?

 • What kind of flexpats are searched for in China today?

 • How can you build trust with both Chinese and Italian customers? 

 • How can you prepare for a job in your home country?  

Matteo Giovannini

Matteo is a China-based finance professional with 15 years of work experience in FP&A and project financing in private and state-owned enterprises. 

Since 2015 he has been serving as a Senior Finance Manager at one of China’s Big 4 State-Owned Banks. Prior to that, he spent 7 years in Italy as a Financial Controller working at one of Europe’s largest communication groups and covering business operations in EMEA and LATAM.

He currently serves as an International Committee Member of the Alumni UCSC Far East, as an Advisory Committee Member of the Beijing Global Talent Exchange Association, and as MBA Program Alumni Ambassador at Peking University.

In 2019 he was awarded a Distinguished Foreign Expert by the State Administration of Foreign Experts (SAFEA).

He has been living in China for a decade and he is a frequent contributor to major Chinese media outlets covering economy, finance, and global affairs.

He holds an MBA from the National School of Development (NSD) at Peking University, an M.Sc. in Multimedia Management from IULM University of Milan, and a B.A. in Economics from the Catholic University of Milan (UCSC). 

He is a citizen of Italy and a Permanent Resident of China (Greencard).

We recommend the following episodes to get more input on Cross-Border Sales, banking, and working for Chinese companies:

116 Cross-Border Sales Director

115 Cross-Border Investment Advisor

69 Investment Banking

113 Young China

99 Work for Chinese companies abroad

46 Lead Chinese teams

What is it like to work in a Chinese company?

Francis is usually the host, today he is the guest. He shares what it is like to be working in a Chinese company, in an industry very much influenced by China, the EV car industry.

How can flexpats...

• fit into a Chinese company?
• measure their success and progress?
• communicate with their Chinese boss?
• lead a Chinese team? 

Francis grew up in an international family in Germany with a mum from Ireland. From a very young age, he developed a great interest in international business and foreign languages. He decided to study business administration and took the opportunity to learn Chinese and work in China during his studies.

After graduation, he started to work in technology marketing - mostly representing international companies to German customers. After ten years in business, he changes sides. He relocated to China and represented a European technology company to Chinese customers. During the past 6 years, he has tried his best to fit into his new surrounding, improve his Chinese, and inspire his Chinese team to get international.

We recommend the following episodes to get more input on Sales Management in China, learning Chinese, or working for Chinese companies:

114 Learn Chinese with Francis and Sofia

73 Sales Management with c.j. (today`s host)

99 Work for Chinese companies abroad

46 Lead Chinese teams

59, 66 Sales Management

62, 101 Business Development

If you want to get Francis` book on learning Chinese, check out episode 114.

Wechat: Flexpat2020

How can young professionals transform their careers to reach their targets and live their dream life? It's hard work. But there are also best practices to learn from.

• What are the challenges of a professional English teacher? 
• How can young English teachers plan a career change?
• Which career paths and industries are more open to getting in without a specific background?
• How important are Chinese skills?
• How important are university degrees?
• How can flexpats differentiate from local professionals?
• How can flexpats really integrate in China?

Follow Alan on LinkedIn and read his articles on career development. You can learn so much!

We recommend the following episodes to get more input on Sales Management in China, learning Chinese, or working for Chinese companies:

• 57 Advice for teachers
• 112 Plan your Flexpat career
• 73, 66, 59 Sales Management
• 101, 62, 34 Business Development
• 102 Bridge Cultures
• 99 Work for Chinese companies abroad
• 46 Lead Chinese teams
• 80 Salaries
• 114 Learn Chinese

Contrary to popular belief, mastering Chinese doesn’t have to be a slow, hard process. Our book "Chinese On Your Terms" gives you access to the big picture of learning Chinese. Find your WHY. Take Action. 

• How did we learn Chinese?
• What was the biggest challenge and how did we cope with this?
• Why is it so important to find our WHY?
• What are the main options to learn Chinese?
• Which tools have we used most?
• How does the RACE framework help us to learn Chinese?
• What is fluency? What level of Chinese do you need for E Express?
• What can get in the way? Why do so many students quit?
• How can we hold ourselves accountable?

We recommend the following episodes to get more input on learning Chinese, working for Chinese companies or working in consulting:

#75 Learn Chinese

#113 Young China

#99 Work for Chinese companies abroad

You can get the eBook on Amazon for 9,99 EUR. 

In case you prefer a printed version in China, you can reach out to Francis

The book can be sent by SF express within China for 100 RMB.

About Francis:

WeChat: Flexpat2020

Linkedin: Francis Kremer

About Sofia:

WeChat: xaviersofia

Linkedin: Sofia Xavier

This episode describes a complete flexpat career from university to retirement.

1) What has changed for flexpats in the past 25 years?

2) What kind of jobs can flexpats get today?

3) How can flexpats differentiate from Chinese professionals?

4) How can flexpats create value in international and Chinese organizations? 

5) How can flexpats plan their career and their life?

We recommend the following episodes to get more input on life and career planning:

7 From intern to CFO

20 Flexpat Leadership Coaching

21 From intern to Top Management

64 Building a global company in China

69 Lead Chinese teams, bridge cultures

78 Salaries in China

97 Engineering career

99 Work for Chinese companies

100 Get your first management position

111 Prepare your expat assignment 

About Etienne:

Etienne Charlier has three decades of business experience and executive positions in  China, for both MNCs and small companies.

As  General  Manager and  Vice  President in  Alcatel  (MNC  in telecommunication) and later as founder of procurAsia, he was a driving force in many joint ventures,  transfers of technology, strategic partnerships, and  M&A  projects,  and he acquired a unique insight into how international businesses can effectively cooperate with Chinese organizations. He accumulated field experience in several of  China’s most dynamic industries such as high-tech (incl. artificial intelligence), cleantech, and advanced manufacturing solutions. 

Today, Etienne is one of the partners in Riverbanks Investments (a boutique M&A advisory firm). 

He is also driving DIY AI, an initiative to help companies outside the IT industry to leverage the new tools of data science and machine learning in the sector. Etienne’s interest in AI  started early when he was one of the developers of an  “artificial neural network on silicon” in 1988.  He is currently offering consulting services to companies and is also a lecturer in several deep learning technical training initiatives.

He is a Belgian national, holds a Master's in Electrical Engineering and a Bachelor's in Philosophy from UCL, as well as a MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management. He lives in Shanghai with his family. 

LinkedIn: Etienne Charlier

About Francis:

WeChat: Flexpat2020

Linkedin: Francis Kremer

This episode focuses on a unique expat assignment in Covid times in a critical leadership role.

1) Why is China relevant for Bosch?

2) Why are expats required to drive sustainable growth in China?

3) How can expats prepare for their assignment incl. family relocation?

4) How can you build an international leadership career? 

5) How to endure China during Covid?

This episode displays the personal view of Bruno as an international professional. Find official information from Bosch here: https://www.bosch-mobility-solutions.com/en/mobility-topics/e-mobility-from-a-to-z/

Find more information about the German school Shanghai here: www.ds-shanghai.de

Jan Assmann was also a guest speaker in the German language episode #77. Check it out!

About Bruno:

Bruno Ahrens has joined Robert Bosch GmbH in 2009 as a management trainee, and since then he has been active in the global e-Mobility industry.

After 8 years in various sales-related leadership functions in Germany, Japan, and South Korea, Bruno moved to product management and strategy development, where he in later years oversaw the whole electrification product portfolio of Bosch Powertrain Solutions.

Bruno studied mechanical engineering in Brazil and in Germany with a focus on renewable energy and holds an executive MBA from the European School of Management and Technology Berlin.

Since 2021 he has been heading the electrified powertrain business unit at UAES in Shanghai.

WeChat: Ahrens-in-China

LinkedIn: Bruno Ahrens

About Francis:

WeChat: Flexpat2020

Linkedin: Francis Kremer

Many companies are concerned about China and supply chains are shifting, Johan reflects on China`s role in the supply chain of the future and our role as flexpats in East Asia.

East Asia will grow as a region, and the changes create more opportunities for flexpats. Flexpats add value with specific industry knowledge, together with the managerial and cultural understanding needed to manage complex supply chains evolving in an uncertain future.

Learn from Johan how to position yourself for creating value and contribute to global industries manufacturing the goods the world needs for future global prosperity.

About Johan:

WeChat: 18500486766

LinkedIn: Johan Annell

About Francis:

WeChat: Flexpat2020

Linkedin: Francis Kremer

This episode is about communication and education - two top growth potentials in any leadership role. 

English teaching is a major field of work for flexpats in China. James explains how traditional language teaching fails and what you can do about it. 

He also shares how you can work with Chinese businesses and provide standards to your customers as a value add.

About James:

Work: eEnglish

WeChat: e-Englishcentre

LinkedIn: James Leaver

About Francis:

WeChat: Flexpat2020

Linkedin: Francis Kremer

This episode shows us what you need to look out for when you have a job interview in China.

Learn about the skills you need to have a successful start in your career and get the ultimate checklist to use before changing companies.

Find out what challenges might await you, what are the key skills to be successful in China, and how you can prepare for all kinds of hurdles.

Find Remi on:

Wechat: saorny

Linkedin: Rémi Bartel

Find Verena on LinkedIn: Verena Lupprian

Felix built his entire flexpat career on his own by co-founding a German beer brand in Shanghai.

This episode shows us how Felix localizes his German brand starting in a completely unknown market for him.

Learn about his skills to hire and lead his Chinese team, go along with Chinese speed and create an open company culture of respect and transparency.

What are the key skills to be successful in China and how you can prepare for all kinds of challenges? Felix will answer these around an exciting story of a German brand localizing into the China market.

About Felix:

Linkedin: Felix Wendlandt

About Verena:

Linkedin: Verena Lupprian