GlobalBusinessProfessor.com’s latest audio interview, “The Importance of Business Intelligence on Decision-Makers When Doing Business in China,” features Xiaodong Han, supply chain expert and president of Shanghai-based Taichi. In the 12-minute audio interview, Xiaodong discusses why it is critical to develop good intelligence on decision-makers; what the key components of such intelligence are; and risks involved in developing and utilizing various kinds of intelligence. In addition, he shares two real example cases on how you should build good business intelligence resources in China.
Xiaodong is the founder and president of Taichi, a leading China sourcing and business development service company that has assisted clients sourcing billions of dollars worth of automotive and industrial parts, construction and furniture materials and consumer products in China since its establishment in 2007. Xiaodong leads the development of Taichi’s core competency, which is its best-in-class business intelligence that tracks and connects with 15,000-plus automotive and purchasing executives worldwide, 3,000-plus China-based factories and sourcing experience in 100-plus product categories in China.
In addition to sourcing services, Taichi also assists leading international companies in developing new business in China’s automotive industry. This includes key account development, relationship management, local production (greenfield, acquisition and restructure of existing operations) and local compliance.
Before founding Taichi in 2007, Xiaodong was chief representative in China for United Components Inc. (UCI), a U.S. auto parts manufacturer and a Carlyle Group portfolio company, including six business units: Champion Laboratories, Airtex Products, Wells Manufacturing, Neapco, Flexible Lamps and Pioneer Automotive. The company later became UCI-Fram Group. He was in charge of setting up and leading its China office/Asia procurement office from 2004 to 2006. During his tenure, UCI increased China sourcing from $40 million to $80 million a year, “resulting in purchased material saving in excess of 40 percent of almost each dollar spent.” In addition, UCI’s China presence grew from 0 to two offices and four factories through greenfield projects and acquisition. Before UCI, Xiaodong was with AC Coin and Slot, Bristol‐Myers Squibb’s Global Strategic Sourcing division in the U.S., and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in China. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia, and a Bachelor degree from Lanzhou University in finance and economics in Lanzhou, China.
Click here to listen to the audio interview.
