Comments for Transforming China http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china Developing a Business as Mission company to reach China Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:46:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 Comment on amassing information by Lois http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/06/21/amassing-information/#comment-14 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 20:44:43 +0000 http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/06/21/amassing-information/#comment-14 Hi Julie, Knowing how much time it takes to read a book, let alone twice, I suggest you go to www.jimcollins.com and click on "visit the lecture hall." I have not read his book yet but I have read through his website, a few other reviews and synopsis, and have listened to these lecture exerpts, and I would imagine his key points are reviewed here - easy to listen to while you are doing something else. Hopefully, this is a helpful suggestion. I will have to check out the book "God is at Work." You are in our thoughts and prayers as you tackle this project! LOIS Hi Julie,

Knowing how much time it takes to read a book, let alone twice, I suggest you go to www.jimcollins.com and click on “visit the lecture hall.” I have not read his book yet but I have read through his website, a few other reviews and synopsis, and have listened to these lecture exerpts, and I would imagine his key points are reviewed here - easy to listen to while you are doing something else. Hopefully, this is a helpful suggestion.

I will have to check out the book “God is at Work.” You are in our thoughts and prayers as you tackle this project!

LOIS

]]> Comment on still researching… by 'stine http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/08/06/still-researching/#comment-13 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 21:42:58 +0000 http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/08/06/still-researching/#comment-13 I just wanted to say how excited I am for you and this great opportunity that you have been presented with. I have enjoyed watching your passion and love for the Chinese people grow from our trip as sophomores, to your experience teaching there over the summer to this incredible leap of faith. I admire the passion and trust in God you have had through this (long) process. I know I am not nearly as educated as you or the others who have posted here about China, but I believe an English school is a great idea. Every time I think about what you are doing, it reminds me of the ‘English Corner’ and how excited the students were to participate every week! I was also challenged by your post a few weeks ago. The idea you presented that missions should create a lifestyle of following Christ rather than just focus on the salvation moment is … simple yet profound. Missions for the sake of leading people to Christ is useful, but it falls short if it does not continue to help people walk through their lifelong relationship with Christ. When it feels like you have exhausted every lead and contact and avenue … turn to God. I like what Abraham Lincoln said, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.” I am so excited to see what God has in store for you and how he plans to use you! I love you, ‘stine I just wanted to say how excited I am for you and this great opportunity that you have been presented with. I have enjoyed watching your passion and love for the Chinese people grow from our trip as sophomores, to your experience teaching there over the summer to this incredible leap of faith.

I admire the passion and trust in God you have had through this (long) process. I know I am not nearly as educated as you or the others who have posted here about China, but I believe an English school is a great idea. Every time I think about what you are doing, it reminds me of the ‘English Corner’ and how excited the students were to participate every week!

I was also challenged by your post a few weeks ago. The idea you presented that missions should create a lifestyle of following Christ rather than just focus on the salvation moment is … simple yet profound. Missions for the sake of leading people to Christ is useful, but it falls short if it does not continue to help people walk through their lifelong relationship with Christ.

When it feels like you have exhausted every lead and contact and avenue … turn to God. I like what Abraham Lincoln said, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”

I am so excited to see what God has in store for you and how he plans to use you!

I love you,

‘stine

]]> Comment on moving forward…but not without road-blocks by Ryan http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/07/23/12/#comment-12 Tue, 24 Jul 2007 12:37:20 +0000 http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/07/23/12/#comment-12 In regards to your question on comments for need for English teachers in China . . . I have been running a small manufacturing busienss in China for 3 years now, the 5 years prior to that I was involved in various roles at educational institutions in China. Additionally, I am consulting for a new BAM English Training Center in our city which is struggling terribly. I think the bottom line to your question is, yes, there is a huge market for English teachers in China, but there is also a surplus of teachers in the larger cities which makes for strong competition and you can see several English Training centers going under each year, while most struggle and one or 2 excel. Outsourcing your teachers to teach in the more up-scale Chinese public schools typically proves to be a steady business. Location is a key item, as if you are willing to open in a medium sized city that for some reason has not been very attractive to foreigners, then it is more likely to succeed. I also highly recommend a TRUSTED Chinese business partner to help you though all the complexities of registering and running a business in China. From the pain of experience, I can tell you running a business in China is not an easy thing. It can be full of overwhelming complexities and a steep learning curve. If any of my frustrating experiences can be of use to you, please don't hesitate to ask. In regards to your question on comments for need for English teachers in China . . . I have been running a small manufacturing busienss in China for 3 years now, the 5 years prior to that I was involved in various roles at educational institutions in China. Additionally, I am consulting for a new BAM English Training Center in our city which is struggling terribly. I think the bottom line to your question is, yes, there is a huge market for English teachers in China, but there is also a surplus of teachers in the larger cities which makes for strong competition and you can see several English Training centers going under each year, while most struggle and one or 2 excel. Outsourcing your teachers to teach in the more up-scale Chinese public schools typically proves to be a steady business. Location is a key item, as if you are willing to open in a medium sized city that for some reason has not been very attractive to foreigners, then it is more likely to succeed. I also highly recommend a TRUSTED Chinese business partner to help you though all the complexities of registering and running a business in China.

From the pain of experience, I can tell you running a business in China is not an easy thing. It can be full of overwhelming complexities and a steep learning curve. If any of my frustrating experiences can be of use to you, please don’t hesitate to ask.

]]> Comment on moving forward…but not without road-blocks by Steve Schirmer http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/07/23/12/#comment-11 Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:01:32 +0000 http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/07/23/12/#comment-11 English is becoming more popular in China every year. Many primary schools are teaching English which means students are learning at an earlier age today than they were 20 years ago. To be specific, there is a university in Beijing sending their professors to a Texas university to have them learn how to teach their courses in English. This university is aiming for bi-lingual classes. Learning English is, in one sense, big business in China. There are English schools all over the country but there are 1.3 billion people. No matter how many there are, they will not be enough for a long time. It's a big place with many needs. It's difficult to start up any business in China, no matter what idea you have. You simply need to ensure you are following the Lord in obedience and leave those discouraging folks with their discouraging words. Keep praying about the city you will establish your first store front and keep walking by faith, while working hard. English is becoming more popular in China every year. Many primary schools are teaching English which means students are learning at an earlier age today than they were 20 years ago. To be specific, there is a university in Beijing sending their professors to a Texas university to have them learn how to teach their courses in English. This university is aiming for bi-lingual classes. Learning English is, in one sense, big business in China. There are English schools all over the country but there are 1.3 billion people. No matter how many there are, they will not be enough for a long time. It’s a big place with many needs. It’s difficult to start up any business in China, no matter what idea you have. You simply need to ensure you are following the Lord in obedience and leave those discouraging folks with their discouraging words. Keep praying about the city you will establish your first store front and keep walking by faith, while working hard.

]]> Comment on the first draft (and subsequent questions) by Tres http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/07/17/the-first-draft-and-subsequent-questions/#comment-10 Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:16:22 +0000 http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/07/17/the-first-draft-and-subsequent-questions/#comment-10 Hmmm, location has been a key issue for us as well. When it comes to establishing a financially viable training center one of the lessons I've borne out from our successes and failures is that its often best to shoot for the middle, as in a mid-size Chinese city. This is especially true if, like us, one of your biggest competitive advantages is foreign native speakers. In the giant, wealthy cities Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin etc., there are already bunches of foreigners, foreign teachers and language centers. This seriously erodes that competitive advantage and unless you're planning a very large scale operation with a big-time advertising budget, or planning on entering into a partnership with local Chinese university it would be hard to enter that market successfully. Fortunately there are a bunch of mid-size cities in China. These cities have millions of people, bunches of professionals in all fields, and a huge demand for language training. These cities are growing in wealth and population they don't (yet) have a saturation of training centers and native speakers are relatively few and in very high demand. This market is much easier to enter. Look at the three or four top cities in a few Chinese provinces in terms of wealth and population. In the wealthiest provinces maybe the top city has already been oversaturated. In the poorer ones maybe only the top one is viable. Another thing to consider is that each local government has different rules for setting up and running a business and these are often more complex for foreigners. I won't pretend to understand the laws of my city but they've caused us headaches and this is a must to check out. Hopefully the contacts you're building know people on the ground that can help you with that. Incidentally, this is where having a Chinese business partner like a university can sometimes make things easier. Hope this helps. Blessings. -Tres Hmmm, location has been a key issue for us as well. When it comes to establishing a financially viable training center one of the lessons I’ve borne out from our successes and failures is that its often best to shoot for the middle, as in a mid-size Chinese city.
This is especially true if, like us, one of your biggest competitive advantages is foreign native speakers. In the giant, wealthy cities Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin etc., there are already bunches of foreigners, foreign teachers and language centers. This seriously erodes that competitive advantage and unless you’re planning a very large scale operation with a big-time advertising budget, or planning on entering into a partnership with local Chinese university it would be hard to enter that market successfully.
Fortunately there are a bunch of mid-size cities in China. These cities have millions of people, bunches of professionals in all fields, and a huge demand for language training. These cities are growing in wealth and population they don’t (yet) have a saturation of training centers and native speakers are relatively few and in very high demand. This market is much easier to enter.
Look at the three or four top cities in a few Chinese provinces in terms of wealth and population. In the wealthiest provinces maybe the top city has already been oversaturated. In the poorer ones maybe only the top one is viable.
Another thing to consider is that each local government has different rules for setting up and running a business and these are often more complex for foreigners. I won’t pretend to understand the laws of my city but they’ve caused us headaches and this is a must to check out. Hopefully the contacts you’re building know people on the ground that can help you with that. Incidentally, this is where having a Chinese business partner like a university can sometimes make things easier.
Hope this helps. Blessings.

-Tres

]]> Comment on jesus invasion by Tres http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/07/09/jesus-invasion/#comment-9 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:02:36 +0000 http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/07/09/jesus-invasion/#comment-9 Hey Julie, For the past two years I've served at a Christian language training center in China(going back for two more soon). The challenges are there, but there is a huge need and a huge market. You sound like you've made a lot of progress, but if I could be of any help just let me know. I'd be happy to share my experience with you and to put you in contact with those who know more than I do. I've been encouraged by reading your blog. Keep it up sister! -Tres Hey Julie,

For the past two years I’ve served at a Christian language training center in China(going back for two more soon). The challenges are there, but there is a huge need and a huge market. You sound like you’ve made a lot of progress, but if I could be of any help just let me know. I’d be happy to share my experience with you and to put you in contact with those who know more than I do. I’ve been encouraged by reading your blog. Keep it up sister!

-Tres

]]> Comment on jesus invasion by Keith http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/07/09/jesus-invasion/#comment-8 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 21:58:59 +0000 http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/07/09/jesus-invasion/#comment-8 Hey Jules, Relationships are key in all areas of life and locations. As you follow your passions and heart you will often encounter others on the same journey. The relationships developed on this journey have the potential to be exciting, educational and interesting. God has a way of putting people of like hearts together. Keep up the good work. I love your enthusiasm. Keith Hey Jules,
Relationships are key in all areas of life and locations. As you follow your passions and heart you will often encounter others on the same journey. The relationships developed on this journey have the potential to be exciting, educational and interesting. God has a way of putting people of like hearts together.

Keep up the good work. I love your enthusiasm.

Keith

]]> Comment on a little bit of a bummer by Julie Archer http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/06/27/a-little-bit-of-a-bummer/#comment-7 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:57:27 +0000 http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/06/27/a-little-bit-of-a-bummer/#comment-7 Thanks for your thoughts Steve! It's nice to have a little encouragement in the face of some not-so-encouraging encounters. It's also encouraging to know that a language school is a good option, and that there is a need for such a service. Thanks for your thoughts Steve! It’s nice to have a little encouragement in the face of some not-so-encouraging encounters. It’s also encouraging to know that a language school is a good option, and that there is a need for such a service.

]]> Comment on a little bit of a bummer by Steve http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/06/27/a-little-bit-of-a-bummer/#comment-6 Sat, 07 Jul 2007 15:57:03 +0000 http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/06/27/a-little-bit-of-a-bummer/#comment-6 I came across your blog this morning and got excited about what you planning to do in China. Yes, as some of your contacts have told you, it is difficult to begin a business in China. But with God, opening a business there is possible. Keep in mind, relationships in businss, especially in China, should be a high priority. No matter what you do in China, relationships in China, in many cases, get your farther than your knowledge or experience. As for your business, there are people all over China eager to polish up their English. I have traveled there many times all over the country and continue to do so and I see the need everywhere. In fact, I have had this idea myself, regarding a language school in the city my ministry is focusing on. So be encouraged that you are on the right track if God is leading this new venture. I came across your blog this morning and got excited about what you planning to do in China. Yes, as some of your contacts have told you, it is difficult to begin a business in China. But with God, opening a business there is possible. Keep in mind, relationships in businss, especially in China, should be a high priority. No matter what you do in China, relationships in China, in many cases, get your farther than your knowledge or experience.

As for your business, there are people all over China eager to polish up their English. I have traveled there many times all over the country and continue to do so and I see the need everywhere. In fact, I have had this idea myself, regarding a language school in the city my ministry is focusing on. So be encouraged that you are on the right track if God is leading this new venture.

]]> Comment on a new step in the journey by skye http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/06/20/a-new-step-in-the-journey/#comment-5 Fri, 06 Jul 2007 22:03:01 +0000 http://blogs.globeservebusiness.com/china/2007/06/20/a-new-step-in-the-journey/#comment-5 Hi Julie, I just saw your blog mentioned on the BAM Network, and I look forward to reading more! I used to teach English in Asia myself, look forward to going back, and it will be great to follow along with you as you go. Also, I wanted to ask if you'd mind if we link to your blog from our website. Have a great weekend, and be encouraged! God IS at Work. :) Hi Julie,

I just saw your blog mentioned on the BAM Network, and I look forward to reading more! I used to teach English in Asia myself, look forward to going back, and it will be great to follow along with you as you go.

Also, I wanted to ask if you’d mind if we link to your blog from our website.

Have a great weekend, and be encouraged! God IS at Work. :)

]]>