Business and Life Observations from Shanghai
It's always interesting to observe how other countries operate when I am traveling on business. Shanghai has been eye opening! Here are a few noteworthy items from the last 24 hours with my thoughts on how these observations apply to our businesses in italics:
- Shanghai airport is the model of efficiency. Quiet, well laid out, quick. Our bags were at the carousel before we passed through Immigration. - All business can be improved!
- Immigration offered the chance to rate their service after the officer was finished with your passport. 4 buttons were offered each depicting a "smiley" or "not so smiley" face. The officer's score showed prominently on the device. (I'm not sure what happens if you picked the "very not smiley" face so I ranked my officer as the best!) - Always ask for feedback.
- Canada was used as the example of how to fill out your arrivals form and there is a Montreal Garden at Century park. Feels a bit like I am home. - Use real examples and stories to make your point
- After getting in my limo and leaving the airport the first non taxi / limo car I saw was a bright orange Lamborghini. 2 men boarded my flight from Vancouver with Hermes bags too big to fit down the aisles. - There is money in Shanghai and always money for what people want
- The hotel employs door men, elevator men, and entrance greeters at each of the doorways on every floor at the hotel. I had a gym attendant personally bring me bottled water while on my morning treadmill run. - Personalized service makes people feel special
- My laundry arrived back in my room 5 hours after they picked it up. Wrapped beautifully with an orchid. - How are you WOWing your clients?
- Many local stores only take cash, or a local china only credit card. No Visa, Amex Dc or MC. - Are you limiting your chance to capture all sales?
- Cars uses their horns like we use indicator signals/lights. - I guess sometimes you have to do things different to be heard above the noise!
- Facebook, twitter, and hootsuite are all blocked. Even as eye pad aps. I can send pictures to my Facebook account via email only. - Don't count on what you do in your market to be the accepted norm everywhere. This also got me thinking... what would I do if there was no more social media anywhere?
- I was able to get the CBC.ca news online until I clicked on a link regarding Syria opening fire on citizens. Suddenly... no more CBC! - Are you limiting access or making yourself available to receive and transmit freely?
- The Chinese love French pastries! 9I noticed this in Hong Kong too) And dare I say.....they do them better than many French patisseries I have been to! - Sadly I sense they will be seeing me a lot in the gym this week....
Have you done business in Shanghai - or visited for pleasure/ I would love to hear your stories!