Meet Grace, our Chinese colleague!

 

Grace, could you introduce yourself briefly?

 

Grace: "I began my career as an English teacher at a junior middle school right after graduating from university in 2005, which might give you a hint about my age! The following year, I transitioned to a new role as a translator at a company with its own factory. Subsequently, I joined the company's sales team, specializing in overseas sales. I remained in this position for nearly a decade until I got married and welcomed a baby girl into my life. At that point, I decided to leave my job and focus on caring for my daughter until she turned eight. While I don't have a wide range of hobbies, I do have a passion for reading and enjoy watching animations.

What motivated you to join We R Asia, and how has your background and experience contributed to your current position?

Grace: "Now, as for my role and responsibilities at We R Asia, I primarily handle supplier sourcing for various products requested by our NL office. To begin, I thoroughly familiarize myself with the new products, ensuring that I have a comprehensive understanding of them. Next, I gather essential information such as pricing and packaging details, evaluating whether a potential supplier meets our criteria. If necessary, I also coordinate factory inspections.

In addition to my sourcing duties, I occasionally assist customers visiting China. This includes helping them plan their trip, arranging accommodations and transportation, and guiding them through related trade fairs or supplier visits".

What motivated you to join We R Asia, and how has your background and experience contributed to your current position?

 

Grace: Two key factors have made my position at the CN office of We R Asia exceptionally convenient for me. Firstly, it's incredibly close to my apartment, allowing me to reach the office in just a brisk 10-minute walk. Secondly, flexibility in working hours has been a crucial aspect of my job satisfaction. When I initially joined, We R Asia two years ago, I was still responsible for my eight-year-old daughter. To accommodate her schedule, I requested to begin work half an hour earlier, enabling me to leave work in time to pick her up from the school bus stop. My employer has been very supportive, understanding that I may occasionally need to work later if my daughter falls ill or requires my assistance with other matters.

Interestingly, my association with We R Asia has a unique history. During my previous role as an overseas saleswoman in a factory, We R Asia was actually one of our customers. This prior experience has provided me with a deep understanding of both the customer's needs and We R Asia's specific requirements. My time in the factory also gave me insight into the general processes involved in creating quotations and products, allowing me to appreciate the suppliers' perspective. Now, in my current role, I serve as a bridge between suppliers and customers, requiring a thorough understanding of the needs and expectations of both parties to facilitate effective communication and collaboration".

Hoe verloopt de communicatie tussen jou en je Nederlandse collega’s?

 

Grace: “De communicatie verloopt soepel, aangezien beide teams Engels spreken en bewust zijn van en respect hebben voor de culturele diversiteit. Zelfs in China hebben we te maken met individuen uit diverse regio’s met uiteenlopende tradities. Ik ben al vertrouwd geraakt met deze diversiteit. Als we gewoon vriendelijk en begripvol naar elkaar blijven, zullen er geen problemen ontstaan”.

Grace, what are your personal ambitions within your current role at We R Asia?

 

Grace: “Iedereen bij We R Asia is gelijk en onafhankelijk. We hebben de vrijheid om ons werk op onze eigen manier te doen, zonder de noodzaak om anderen te volgen, en dat geeft me een gevoel van grotere vrijheid. Het is een totaal andere ervaring dan mijn vorige baan. Ik geniet echt van het werken hier en hoop dat ik zo lang mogelijk deel kan uitmaken van dit team”.

China plays a crucial role in global production. What do you see as the biggest opportunities for production in China in the coming years?

 

Grace: "Currently, Chinese manufacturers are placing a greater emphasis on enhancing product quality, which is drawing the interest of an increasing number of European and American customers. China's vast and diverse market offers a wide range of products spanning various quality levels, making it capable of satisfying nearly all the diverse demands of customers from different backgrounds".

Grace, what challenges do you see for production in China, both in terms of technology and sustainability? How do you think these challenges can be addressed?

 

Grace: “Dit is een breed onderwerp waar ik tot nu toe niet veel aandacht aan heb besteed. Naar mijn weten investeren zowel de overheid als bedrijven aanzienlijk in technologie, maar er bestaat nog steeds een aanzienlijke kloof in vergelijking met Westerse landen. Er is dringend behoefte aan meer investeringen in onderwijs, om het aantal hoogopgeleide individuen te vergroten die in staat zijn om complexe problemen op te lossen. Recentelijk is er een verandering geweest in het stimuleren van studenten om niet allemaal naar de universiteit te gaan. De overheid heeft al stappen genomen, waarbij sommige studenten nu universitaire studies volgen terwijl anderen kiezen voor beroepsonderwijs. We wachten nog op de uitkomsten van deze aanpak.

Regarding sustainability, I believe it necessitates the implementation of more laws and regulations. Although the government has established environmental protections, some enterprises choose not to adhere to them to reduce production costs and increase profits. We still have a considerable journey ahead in this regard".

Wat is jouw visie op de toekomst van productie in China?

 

Grace: "At present, the younger generation in China shows less interest in working in factories, and factories are encountering challenges in finding suitable laborers. Consequently, an increasing number of factories are adopting automation by introducing machines to replace human workers. While this approach has somewhat raised production costs, it has also led to improved product quality. In light of these developments, I believe We R Asia should prioritize high-end products to maintain our competitiveness in providing the right products. Currently, price alone is no longer the sole factor to consider; quality and innovation are equally important considerations".

Wij zijn We R Asia, al sinds 2007 gespecialiseerd in het uitbesteden van productie op maat in Azië. Vanuit Nederland zorgen we er samen met onze collega’s in China, Vietnam en India voor dat we de juiste fabrikant voor jouw product zoeken. We begeleiden je in het hele proces: van de sampleproductie tot aan de levering. Onze klant is bijvoorbeeld een groothandel, webshop of productiefabriek met (interesse in) een eigen merk, en koopt in voor minimaal 40.000 euro per jaar. 

Heb je plannen om je productie te outsourcen of heb je interesse in een kwaliteitscontrole op locatie in China, Vietnam of India? Neem dan gerust vrijblijvend contact met ons op via +31 413 395250 of info@we-r-asia.com.