PROGRAM DESCRIPTION (Q & A)

Q: What is the WTCGP CEOs' China Operations Club (COC)?

A: The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia CEOs' China Operations Club is an outreach program for the business community in Greater Philadelphia area. It was designed to allow local companies a forum to exchange information and ideas to improve their understanding of and efficiency in successfully operating in China. The Club’s activity assists companies in integrating their China operations and strategy into a more integral and sophisticated component of their global business. Business with China, the world’s most populated country, cannot be ignored, but rather must be understood and engaged. The China Operations Club helps interested companies in that endeavor.

Q: Who is eligible to participate in the WTCGP CEOs' China Operations Club (COC)?

A: Membership in the WTCGP CEOs' China Operations Club is reserved for Corporate Members of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP). All COC member-companies must have current or planned operations in China. The definition of “Operations” depends on the type of company and its goals. This can include but is not limited to in-country manufacturing operations, outsourcing operations, and sales operations to the Chinese market as well as services offerings. This allows companies to work on real and changing developments within the market. The WTCGP CEOs' China Operations Club is NOT for service providers intending to sell their services to the Club’s members. In order to maintain a high level interaction and focused programs, this program is open only to CEOs or other senior company representatives.

Q: How often is the Program offered?

A: The COC roundtables are conducted on a bimonthly basis (approximately six gatherings a year) either at club members’ premises or at special meeting locations for specific events. Meetings usually include presentations by specialists from business, government or academic environments as well as group roundtable discussions. Previous meetings focused on such topics as:
• Ownership: Joint Venture (JV) or Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise (WFOE)

• Personnel: Local or Expatriate

• Intellectual Property

• Site Selection – Regional Differences

• Distribution Channels

• Local Finance

• Legal Service

• Taxes, VAT

• Managing expectations

• Outsourcing

• Negotiation with the Chinese

• Cultural Differences
The WTCGP also coordinates an annual social gathering for COC members to meet in a more relaxed environment and exchange more personal experiences and ideas in an informal atmosphere.

Q: How do companies benefit from the COC Program?

A: Besides the benefits of increasing awareness, expertise and success on the business elements of trade with China, the executives participating in this program find professional peers who are also dealing with the constantly changing environment in the region. The majority of the COC executives have years of experience working in the transitioning communist-to-capitalist economy, and a legal and banking system that have not been easy to navigate. These professionals share similar problems, experiences, failures and successes and gain the expertise on up-to-minute business practices from specialists on China in all service sectors. Since the WTCGP COC was formed, many of its members have developed personal friendships and business relationships that help them to succeed in the Chinese marketplace.

Q: What does the WTCGP hope to achieve as a result of this Program?

A:
• Increased profitability and growth for the companies.
• Increased knowledge and experience in setting up and running a China operation or business activity.
• Introductions and connections to other senior executives dealing with the same issues.
• Increased access to other markets in Asia.
• Obtain inside perspectives and share information on new policies and trends.
• Share experiences and pooled knowledge to maximize returns and avoid mistakes.
• Take advantage of new business strategies never before considered.
• Exchange information on available resources.
• Build cross-cultural awareness and adaptation for global market approach.

Q: Who can contribute to the Program?

A: This program was designed and is implemented solely by the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia. To deliver the most current, relevant topics to the COC members, the WTCGP calls on experts in a variety of fields from around the country and abroad. During the last 18 months, we partnered with many organizations, including: other World Trade Centers; the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Development Office; the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office; the U.S. Department of Commerce; the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Office of International Business Development and its offices in China (Beijing, Shanghai), Taiwan and India; various regional economic development councils who visit from China; regional banks, law firms, accounting firms and many more.