In your opinion, why is China significant for business?
My background is in Research & Development in Pharmaceutical environment and I spent 18 years in this field working for multinational corporations such as GSK, Chiesi, Aptuit and Novartis. In the last few years, China represent a fertile soil in terms of investment for those (but not only), big corporations. It therefore becoming an interesting place to explore, not only for opportunities but also to get familiar with the culture and the way people communicate. While I was in China I realize my gap in terms of business understanding, I’ve been involved for a long time in R&D aspects but I was not aware of many other faces of business.
I truly realize I was in the right environment where things happen, were the opportunity are and I wanted to be deeper involved in the game. I needed an MBA!
Is an Executive MBA experience in China, like that of Kedge Global MBA, truly advantageous to a business career?
As I mentioned before I wanted to be more involved in the game, I needed to fill the gaps in order to have a deeper understanding of the rules. In line with my career aspirations I can say that the Global MBA fulfilled my expectations. Although I have just completed the program I can have a deeper understanding on what is happening within companies from a better prospective. I would definitely say that this MBA was extremely useful for my career, it clarified the way, it gave us the tools, it is our turn now to apply what we learned.
Moreover I believe that international working experiences are definitely a plus for a CV.
If not China… what other part of the world might be MORE useful to gain experience?
I considered China (Shanghai), as a potential destination for my personal development from beginning. Although I have almost completed my experience here I would say that it is probably one of the best places in the word if we consider the business aspects. Everything is fast and everything is happening! However, after 3 years I was considering opportunities in Hong Kong and Singapore, I believe Asia still offering several chances and I would had had the chance to spend some time also in places like Philippine or Vietnam where the manufacturing sector is growing very fast taking over some of the manufacturing in China.
However you never know from where the good opportunity is coming, and my new assignment will be in Europe for a while…… but I’ll be back!
How difficult or complicated is it to access China?
I considered my experience in China as an adventurous journey, once in Shanghai I was fascinating about all the high-tech and endless buildings which are colonizing the city. It was a different environment, completely new for me. Once you are here you need to change your concept of Time and Distance. For example when I was in Italy I was living 15 min by car from work and I was thinking that I was living far away….. Well, in here is absolutely normal to spend 1.5 hours on the way to reach the working place, and it still in Shanghai!
What challenges did you face with respect to China?
Language, this is definitely the most challenging things in China! In Europe, no matter in which country you are, you always have the chance to guess what is written in the street or what people are talking about. If we are not good in guessing we can google everything we do not understand, words, phrases or even dialog. In China, unless you are familiar with the characters…. You cannot! I regret, after 3 years I was not able to speak Chinese. But, although I’ll be relocated in Europe, I’ll start study Chinese in order to be able to communicate once I will be back!
What did you gain from your China experience?
When we say China is different we really mean that it is different! There are several aspects which are imprinted in people mind and coming from the core value. Core value which are taught from when you are young. What I gained? I gained what is called “culture fluency”, I learned how to give respect and how to gain trust leveraging different aspects which were even not considered in my mind. The way you look at people eyes, the way you challenge people’s opinions and the way you collaborate with colleagues. The behavior pattern and the manner of people in Western countries are significantly different, I personally believe that a direct and constructive feedback is much better than a soft and indirect feedback where interpretation is needed. However, in China the direct way is definitely not the best way. This was one of my mistakes in the beginning when I was dealing with my direct reports, fortunately I realize it and corrected in on time.
What advice would you give someone seeking to extend their business experience into the sphere of China/Asia?
China is full of companies endeavor to gain a foothold for it success. Success which is a consequence of globalization, Chinese companies keep seeking for expertise coming from abroad in order to learn a different way of managing things and therefore to be ready to breach the international market.
China still therefore a good place for opportunities, and it is strongly suggested to spend some time in Shanghai to gain these experiences. However, I truly believe that the best way to gain the most is to speak a basic mandarin at least. It will boost the efficiency of your networking releasing new unseen or hidden opportunities.
Speaking the local language allow you to get closer to people rereinforcing the trust. Gaining the trust of people, customers or partners is the basic for a bright future here.
Once you are here do not forget to try one of the best experiences for me, the street food, don’t think just enjoy! I will definitely miss it!
About Sebastiano
Sabastiano Mozzo, Italy, MBA 2014
Analytical Team manager, R&D pharmaceutical environment - Novartis
Sebastiano Mozzo has been working in pharmaceutical environment for 18 years for some of the major global pharmaceutical companies; such as GSK, Chiesi, Aptuit and Novartis in Europe and Asia.
Prior to the Global MBA, he was Development Coordinator Fellow in Novartis, and now promoted to Analytical Team manager.
