However, bosses are bosses after all, and while they might not prioritize profit, making money remains the primary goal. Due to geographical constraints, few Northeasterners venture out for business, usually focusing on local or traditional industries like catering and timber, with a strong sense of regional identity. They lack industry breakthroughs and integration with other regions, and their business practices are not particularly shrewd or flexible.
Hubei Bosses
Hubei’s summers are hot, with Wuhan being one of China’s three “furnaces.” Yet, it has well-developed water transportation, ample rainfall, and a humid climate, situated at the intersection of northern and southern cultures. This unique geographical and climatic condition, combined with historical cultural influences, means Hubei people are not as straightforward as Northerners, nor as meticulous as Southerners.
However, one could say they combine the righteousness of the North with the cleverness of the South, embodying a character that’s both Northern and Southern.
Hubei bosses are tough, competitive, and righteous, yet they can also be calculating and adaptable. This duality allows them to complement their shortcomings in business, making adaptability their winning strategy. They value righteousness and face, which can lead to a competitive nature in business, sometimes sacrificing beneficial deals for the sake of pride. Hubei, bridging North and South, also exhibits boldness and greed, fostering a market for counterfeit and smuggled goods.
Hubei bosses are complex; their minds work quickly, but their decisions can change. Due to the mixed quality of Hubei bosses, they possess both the strengths and weaknesses of Northern and Southern merchants, leading to a complex and varied reputation. Dealing with a Hubei boss requires one to be as versatile and adaptable as they are.
Hong Kong Bosses
In 1842, Britain forcibly occupied Hong Kong Island through the Opium Wars. By 1860, they had taken over the southern part of the Kowloon Peninsula, and in 1898, they leased the northern part of Kowloon and nearby islands. On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong was officially returned to China, implementing the “one country, two systems” policy. This history has left Hong Kong with both ancient Chinese traditions and Western ideologies and political systems. Additionally, over the past century, due to its unique political environment and geography, Hong Kong has been influenced by cultures from Guangdong, Fujian, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Japan, and South Korea. These diverse influences have caused Hong Kong’s local culture to constantly evolve, leading to a complex and somewhat unstable ideological landscape. Here, you can see modern skyscrapers alongside traditional shrines, and a mix of advanced, competitive spirit with traditional, conservative behaviors.
The modern private enterprise in mainland China has mostly developed since the reform and opening-up, with a relatively short history. In contrast, Hong Kong’s modern business history is longer, with many enterprises having been passed down through generations. During this time, due to Hong Kong’s rapid economic development, there have been significant shifts in ideology, creating differences in business philosophy and methods between generations. Thus, you might encounter traditional Hong Kong bosses who have worked their way up from nothing, or modern bosses who are more focused on enjoyment and lifestyle.
Hong Kong bosses are trend followers, adapting to economic changes elsewhere, and they are observant of their competitors’ moves. They prioritize profit and are willing to fight for it. Given Hong Kong’s strong financial reserves, well-established policies, laws, and networks in finance, trade, and communication, the market and operational rules are mature. Hence, Hong Kong bosses often rely on diligence and high efficiency to succeed.
In Hong Kong bosses, modernity coexists with tradition, ambition with conservatism. They demand both Western innovation and Eastern diligence from their employees, expecting Western politeness alongside Eastern loyalty and righteousness. Working under a Hong Kong boss is indeed challenging. Additionally, due to inheriting the concept of a grand nation from China’s 5,000-year civilization, coupled with living in a relatively affluent environment, many Hong Kong bosses exhibit a sense of superiority. Some might look down on or suppress others’ abilities, live extravagantly, and maintain a superior attitude. Taiwanese Bosses
Taiwan is known as one of the “Four Asian Tigers” due to its economic development once surpassing that of the mainland. Many reasons account for this, including historical factors: although Taiwan was once occupied by Japan and later ruled by the Kuomintang, it did not suffer from major war damage. The Kuomintang brought with them significant amounts of gold and foreign exchange, and subsequently, Taiwan received long-term investments and industrial technology aid from the United States and some European countries. The entire process of industrial and commercial development in Taiwan was proactive and continuous, with economic experience and foundational levels surpassing those of the mainland. For a long time, Taiwan showcased a very prosperous scene in both the economic and cultural spheres. However, because Taiwan relied too heavily on foreign technology and investments, and on the foundation of foreign exchange and gold, and because Western countries included political reasons in their investments and set corresponding policies for Taiwan, the economy became dependent on the West, greatly influenced by politics. The Taiwanese authorities also focused on politically sealing off and protecting the local scene. This sealing off, along with an overly comfortable environment, led to a lack of innovative vitality in Taiwan’s economic and cultural development, a lack of independent consciousness, and a somewhat one-sided understanding of the outside world.
In recent years, Taiwan’s economy has gradually fallen behind among the “Four Tigers.” Its domestic investment environment has deteriorated, and technological innovation and commercial cultural progress have been slow. This is partly due to the influence of international political dynamics and partly due to Taiwan’s complacency and gradual decline, showing signs of decline in both economic and cultural aspects. Consequently, many Taiwanese bosses, while on the island, might consider the mainland poor and backward, lacking modern consciousness. However, upon truly understanding the mainland, they find that its research institutions, factories, engineering, business consciousness, and investment environment have all reached levels they had never imagined.
The development of private enterprise in Taiwan has been continuous, preserving many commercial habits and ideological concepts from traditional Chinese culture. Therefore, Taiwanese bosses exhibit a strong traditional Chinese merchant hue, being diligent, tough, and valuing integrity in their dealings. In their business practices, they focus on low-profit high-volume sales, emphasize advertising and packaging, and sometimes use faith and culture to enhance their marketing.
