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之前whinge了一下cultural shock and reverse cultural shock,掠过皮毛。最近到朋友家做客,朋友的朋友自从Uni赚了第一桶金以后就回国发展,他定论我们是不适合回国工作的,因为我们不够“搏”。
这个“搏”字真是不简单 - it's open for different interpretations.
正面一点的就是工作“搏命”,朝N晚N,留个睡袋在公司,我爱公司如爱我家。以前在KPMG也有每天工作X小时(x>15)的日子,现在还历历在目。那段时间,皮肤变差,每天都是靠coffee,V drink来勉强维持,生活在“水深火热”之中。最后还是熬不住了,一走了之。但是在这里的KPMG这些非人的日子还是间断性的,每年可能就是这一两个月,可是回国可能就是持久战了。呵呵,我们这些在这里“养尊处优”的人又怎么吃得消呢?
侧面一点的“博”就是“奋身”,女生毕业后为了找到工作、找到工作后为了能上位、上位后为了更上一层楼,不惜“奋身肉搏”。有些人看不起这些行为,但是我却觉得这些无非是生存的手段。虽然它可能与社会的道德价值观背道而驰(或许现在社会的主流可能已经变成这样了),但是我们也要理解如果人要生存,就要有一种生存的方法。当然了,我理解,但是不等于我也会这样做。所以说,我们回去,又怎么有competitive advantage呢?
讲起competitive advantage,让我想起Porter's 5 forces,一个在management里面非常重要的理论。The 5 forces are: 1) Bargaining power of customers; 2) Bargaining power of supplier; 3) Threat of substitute; 4) Threat of new entrances; 5) Rivary within the industry. 如果用5 forces来分析我们在国内的竞争力:
1) Bargaining power of customers: Companies in China now have plenty of choices all because too many people in China, and too many smart people as well.
2) Bargaining power of supplier: Maybe not really applicable here
3) Threat of substitute: Well, in many areas 海龟 are not much better of because we don't under the local practice as well as the local. Instead, those well-educated local with fluent English and knowledge of 中国特色的社会主义,they are the great substitute! They work hard, relatively lower paid and most importantly, they know the Chinese way in all aspects.
4) Threat of new entrances: So many 海龟, especially people with years of overseas working experience are seeking further career progression in China. After the Global Financial Crisis, financial markets around the globe have been suffering and many talents are rushing back to the Greater China.
5) Rivary within the industry: With no doubt, the employment market is China is very intense and competitive. Yes, China is a heaps bigger market compared to Aust, but yet, it also faces multiple times of more applicants!
Summing up all above, I see no competitive advantages for us. The only break-through point would be the "substitute" aspect - whether the local can bring in the creativity, can adapt the western open management style, can lead a company to new directions - this could be just a matter of time, but at the moment, I see majority of the local Chinese lack of this qualities.
瞎掰了一轮,走题了。不过我真的很知足,正如我的Aussie老板所说,we are a lucky nation!







