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Doing Business in China Capstone

Prof. Dominic Chan, Prof. Letty Kwan, and Prof. Xufei Ma

Doing Business in China Capstone enables you to apply your skills to real business challenges. You’ll use your newly earned business skills to identify, explore and evaluate a real opportunity involving products.

In this capstone, you are the business consultant working for a well-established “HON / wellness” company. The CEO has given you a task. You have to bring a new overseas product into China.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Module 0

Welcome to the "Doing Business in China" Capstone Project! We've used this course shell to bring you the resources and tools you need to complete your Capstone Project. Please study the readings below which provide you with the resources and timeline you need to complete a successful capstone.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches business skills for doing business in China, which is standard in industry

Guided by professors recognized for their work in doing business in China

Develops business consulting skills for working with established companies

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Reviews summary

Doing business in china: practical capstone

According to learners, this capstone provides valuable hands-on experience applying specialization knowledge to create a realistic business plan for the Chinese market. Students generally find the modular project structure manageable and the final video pitch practical. However, the heavy reliance on peer review is a notable drawback. Feedback is often inconsistent and variable quality, which some feel undermines learning and grading. Despite these issues, the learning from completing the project itself is widely valued.

Useful final presentation exercise.

"The final video pitch was a great way to summarize the work."

"The video pitch was a fun, practical touch."

"I found the video pitch exercise very helpful for practicing presentations."

Building the plan piece by piece is manageable.

"The structure of building the business plan piece by piece (product, strategy, marketing) was logical and manageable."

"The project was well-structured, breaking down the business plan creation into manageable modules."

"The module breakdown made the large project manageable."

Effectively integrates prior knowledge.

"effectively integrated the knowledge gained from the previous courses"

"A solid capstone that brings everything together."

"Loved this capstone! It was challenging but truly synthesized everything."

"An excellent capstone that provides real-world application. Building the business plan for China was incredibly insightful. Highly recommend after completing the specialization."

"Solid course for bringing together the specialization knowledge."

Provides real-world application skills.

"provided a practical, hands-on experience of developing a business plan for entering the Chinese market."

"The project idea was interesting and forced me to think deeply about market entry strategies specific to China."

"Excellent practical application of the concepts learned in the specialization."

"The project on bringing a product to China is realistic and requires real research. I learned a lot by actually *doing* it."

"An excellent capstone that provides real-world application. Building the business plan for China was incredibly insightful."

"The project is practical and requires putting theory into practice."

Peer grading can undermine learning.

"Disappointing capstone... reliance on peer grading means the quality of feedback is completely random. My final project was graded by people who clearly didn't understand the market or the assignment."

"This seriously undermines the learning experience. Needs a better grading system."

"The heavy dependency on peer review is a significant drawback... I learned more from doing the work myself than from the feedback received."

Feedback quality varies greatly.

"sometimes I felt the instructions for the peer review could be clearer, leading to inconsistent feedback."

"the execution relies too heavily on peer review, which is inconsistent."

"Some reviewers were thorough and helpful, others just clicked through."

"The peer review was okay - some feedback was golden, some was useless. It's the nature of the beast I guess with this format."

"My main complaint is the variability in peer review quality."

"The feedback quality is too inconsistent to be truly valuable for developing a strong business plan."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Doing Business in China Capstone with these activities:

Join a Study Group for Doing Business in China

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Joining a study group can help you stay motivated and accountable, and it can be a great way to learn from other students.

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Find a study group or create your own.
Meet with your study group regularly to discuss the course material.

Read 'Doing Business in China for Dummies'

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the Chinese market and business culture.

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Read the book.

Review Business Strategies

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Reviewing business strategies can help you develop a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of doing business in China.

Browse courses on Business Strategies

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Read articles and books on business strategy.
Attend a workshop or webinar on business strategy.

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Identify a Product for China

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Identifying a product for China will help you apply your knowledge of the Chinese market and develop a business plan.

Browse courses on Product Identification

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Research the Chinese market to identify potential opportunities.
Analyze the competition and identify market gaps.
Develop a product that meets the needs of the Chinese market.

Develop a Marketing Plan

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Developing a marketing plan will help you create a roadmap for promoting your product in China.

Browse courses on Marketing Plan

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Follow a tutorial on marketing plan development.
Attend a workshop or webinar on marketing in China.

Write a Business Plan

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Writing a business plan will help you articulate your business vision and strategy.

Browse courses on Business Plan

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Outline the key components of your business plan.
Write the executive summary.
Develop the financial projections.
Write the main body of the business plan.

Participate in a Business Plan Competition

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Participating in a business plan competition can help you refine your business plan and get feedback from potential investors.

Browse courses on Pitching

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Research business plan competitions and identify a few that you would like to participate in.
Develop a strong business plan that meets the competition guidelines.
Practice pitching your business plan to potential investors.
Attend the business plan competition and pitch your plan to the judges.

Attend a Business Networking Event in China

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Attending a business networking event in China can help you connect with potential investors, partners, and customers.

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Research business networking events in China.
Attend an event that is relevant to your business interests.
Network with other attendees and exchange contact information.

Career center

Learners who complete Doing Business in China Capstone will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

International Business Consultant

International Business Consultants help companies expand their operations into new markets. They work with clients to develop market entry strategies, identify opportunities, and manage risk. Doing Business in China Capstone would be a valuable course for International Business Consultants who are looking to expand their knowledge of the Chinese market. The course covers topics such as market entry strategies, cultural considerations, and legal and regulatory issues, which would be essential for consultants who are working on projects related to China.

See salaries and explore the career path for International Business Consultant

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. They are responsible for all aspects of their business, including developing products or services, marketing, sales, and finance. Doing Business in China Capstone would be a valuable course for Entrepreneurs who are looking to expand their knowledge of the Chinese market. The course covers topics such as market entry strategies, cultural considerations, and legal and regulatory issues, which would be essential for entrepreneurs who are looking to start or grow a business in China.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities for their companies. They work with potential customers to understand their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. Doing Business in China Capstone would be a valuable course for Business Development Managers who are looking to expand their knowledge of the Chinese market. The course covers topics such as market entry strategies, cultural considerations, and legal and regulatory issues, which would be helpful for managers who are working on projects related to China.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for developing and managing the lifecycle of products. They work with cross-functional teams to define product requirements, develop marketing plans, and launch new products to market. Doing Business in China Capstone would be a useful course for Product Managers who are looking to develop products for the Chinese market. The course covers topics such as market segmentation, targeting, and positioning, which are essential for developing products that meet the needs of Chinese consumers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products or services. They are responsible for developing marketing strategies, managing budgets, and overseeing marketing teams. Doing Business in China Capstone would be a beneficial course for Marketing Managers who are looking to expand their knowledge of the Chinese market. The course covers topics such as market segmentation, targeting, and positioning, which are essential for developing effective marketing campaigns in China.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Market Research Analyst

Market Research Analysts study market conditions and trends to determine potential sales of a product or service. Professionals in this role are required to complete advanced coursework in statistics, economics, and marketing research methods. Doing Business in China Capstone would be a helpful course for Market Research Analysts as it provides insights into the Chinese market, which is one of the largest consumer markets in the world. The course covers topics such as market entry strategies, cultural considerations, and legal and regulatory issues, which would be valuable knowledge for analysts working on projects related to China.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and managing sales teams. They develop and implement sales strategies, set sales targets, and motivate and train sales representatives. Doing Business in China Capstone would be a helpful course for Sales Managers who are looking to expand their knowledge of the Chinese market. The course covers topics such as market entry strategies, cultural considerations, and legal and regulatory issues, which would be beneficial for managers who are working on projects related to China.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts study business processes to identify areas for improvement. They work with cross-functional teams to develop and implement solutions that improve efficiency and effectiveness. Doing Business in China Capstone would be a helpful course for Business Analysts who are looking to expand their knowledge of the Chinese market. The course covers topics such as market entry strategies, cultural considerations, and legal and regulatory issues, which would be beneficial for analysts who are working on projects related to China.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers. They work with cross-functional teams to develop and implement supply chain strategies, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. Doing Business in China Capstone would be a may be useful course for Supply Chain Managers who are looking to expand their knowledge of the Chinese market. The course covers topics such as market entry strategies, cultural considerations, and legal and regulatory issues, which would be helpful for managers who are working on projects related to China.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the operations of a business. They work with cross-functional teams to develop and implement operational plans, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. Doing Business in China Capstone would be a may be useful course for Operations Managers who are looking to expand their knowledge of the Chinese market. The course covers topics such as market entry strategies, cultural considerations, and legal and regulatory issues, which would be helpful for managers who are working on projects related to China.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts study financial data to make recommendations on investments. They work with clients to develop investment strategies, manage portfolios, and provide financial advice. Doing Business in China Capstone would be a may be useful course for Financial Analysts who are looking to expand their knowledge of the Chinese market. The course covers topics such as market entry strategies, cultural considerations, and legal and regulatory issues, which would be helpful for analysts who are working on projects related to China.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing projects. They work with cross-functional teams to develop and implement project plans, manage budgets, and track progress. Doing Business in China Capstone would be a may be useful course for Project Managers who are looking to expand their knowledge of the Chinese market. The course covers topics such as market entry strategies, cultural considerations, and legal and regulatory issues, which would be helpful for managers who are working on projects related to China.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Data Analyst

Data Analysts study data to identify trends and patterns. They work with cross-functional teams to develop and implement solutions that improve decision-making. Doing Business in China Capstone would be a may be useful course for Data Analysts who are looking to expand their knowledge of the Chinese market. The course covers topics such as market entry strategies, cultural considerations, and legal and regulatory issues, which would be helpful for analysts who are working on projects related to China.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Investment Banker

Investment Bankers provide financial advice to corporations and governments on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and other financial transactions. Doing Business in China Capstone would be a may be useful course for Investment Bankers who are looking to expand their knowledge of the Chinese market. The course covers topics such as market entry strategies, cultural considerations, and legal and regulatory issues, which would be helpful for bankers who are working on projects related to China.

See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Banker

Management Consultant

Management Consultants help organizations improve their performance by providing advice on strategy, operations, and technology. Doing Business in China Capstone would be a may be useful course for Management Consultants who are looking to expand their knowledge of the Chinese market. The course covers topics such as market entry strategies, cultural considerations, and legal and regulatory issues, which would be helpful for consultants who are working on projects related to China.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Doing Business in China Capstone.

The Making of U.S. China Policy

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A practical guide to navigating the complexities of the Chinese market, including tips on market research, building relationships, and managing operations. Offers valuable insights into Chinese business practices and etiquette.

The Making of U.S. China Policy: From Normalization...

Hardcover

Thinking Through Sun Tzu's Art of War

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An ancient Chinese military treatise that provides timeless principles for strategy and negotiation. While not directly related to business in China, its insights into human nature and competitive dynamics can be valuable for those navigating the complexities of the Chinese market.

Three Faces of Sun Tzu: Analyzing Sun Tzu's Art of...

Hardcover

$$$$

International Studies

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A comprehensive analysis of China's economic development over the past several decades. Provides historical context and insights into the factors that have driven China's rise, as well as the challenges it faces going forward.

International Studies: Global Forces, Interactions,...

Paperback

$$$

International Studies: Global Forces, Interactions,...

Paperback

International Studies: Global Forces, Interactions,...

Kindle Edition

$$$

China's Good War

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A historical overview of China's foreign relations, from ancient times to the present. Provides context for understanding China's current global role and its interactions with other countries.

China’s Good War: How World War II Is Shaping a New...

Hardcover

China’s Good War: How World War II Is Shaping a New...

Kindle Edition

The China Miracle

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A detailed analysis of China's economic development, focusing on the factors that have contributed to its economic growth and the challenges it faces going forward. Provides a comprehensive understanding of China's economic transformation.

The China Miracle: Development Strategy and...

Paperback

$$$

The China Miracle: Development Strategy and...

Kindle Edition

Multiculturalism, Educational Inclusion, and...

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A global perspective on the Chinese Dream, the concept of national rejuvenation that has shaped China's foreign policy and economic development in recent years. Provides insights into the implications of the Chinese Dream for the rest of the world.

Multiculturalism, Educational Inclusion, and...

Paperback

$$$

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