Living in during the time of business globalization, it is natural that people from other countries go abroad to establish their business. There are no problems if a business is established in another country with the same culture and traditions. The problem of cultural conflict takes place in case the business is established in the country with a different culture. Thus, Eastern and Western cultures differ greatly. Working with Eastern employees, it is important to research their interests, to understand how they are working and what they expect from their work.
The principles of Easter and Western management have many differences; therefore, when establishing a business in the Easter country, a Western entrepreneur has to search for the specifics of the cultural management style and to understand the peculiarities of the working process and the employees’ expectations in the country. Only in this case, the business will bring much success. Goodman has decided to establish a Western restaurant in China and having failed to consider the Chinese management principles; he suffers some difficulties. Still, they can be easily solved.
Why do you think Goodman has a difficult time finding employees who can perform up to his expectations? How can he teach them to perform better?
One of the main difficulties Goodman faces in China is the cultural differences he fails to understand correctly. Having created a good business, Goodman relies on his Western strategies and wants to implement the services which are popular in the West. However, he does not get into consideration the fact that the work in China requires other strategies, and that some services which are popular in the West remain without demand in the Easters countries (Chen, 2004). Hiring employees Goodman wants to make them work by the Western principles, but he does not think about training.
China employees work differently, as another culture has trained them to do it in another way. Goodman wants them to work by the Western principles without having explained to them what he expects. This is the difficulty in finding employees who can perform up to his expectations. Goodman should train employees before making them work. One week training would be enough. Further, it is possible to organize advanced courses for increasing qualification.
Do you believe Goodman is unrealistic in his expectations of bringing quality Western service to China?
Goodman is realistic in his expectations as China is an international country, and even though many citizens may refuse from attending Western restaurant, there are a lot of people who are going to become the regular customers.
Moreover, serving corporate delivery orders Goodman may organize the work much better, and this sector of restaurant business may be very useful if to make sure that food is delivered on time and with the highest quality. Moreover, having organized a work of the restaurant not from the central kitchen but at different parts of the city, it is possible to organize fresh and even warm food to the corporate orders which may increase the service quality.
What are the key success factors for Beijing Sammies? What are its strengths and weaknesses?
The key success factors for Beijing Sammies are serving corporate clients and the presentation of the Western food for Chinese citizens. It is important to give immigrants in China to eat food they got used to. Serving corporate clients Beijing Sammies gets more profit as this is a guarantee of constant orders and profit. The strength of the restaurants is the net Goodman has created.
However, there are several disadvantages which prevent the restaurant from bringing more income. First, the central kitchen is a good idea as the chief has an opportunity to follow the whole process. However, one kitchen is unable to serve the clients in the other parts of the city who also want to get just cooked meals. Online orders and flexible means of payment are also important for the restaurant net.
What should Goodman do to build the business moving forward? How should he approach future fundraising efforts?
Goodman’s business has many chances of developing. Having created several restaurants, Goodman can expand the net having initiated a specific advertising campaign. Serving different events may be another niche Goodman should think about. Every day, lunch delivery to corporate clients is a good service. However, there are a lot of different events which need fast and quality food. Goodman may increase his income using serving such events.
In conclusion, it should be stated that that the difficulties Goodman’s restaurant experiences right now can be solved; however, some time should pass and much affords are to be taken. It is essential to reconsider the whole working system and either to train Chinese employees to work by the Western system or to learn the Easter management principles and apply them into the business. Only in this case, the restaurant is going to come profitable, and the problems it faces now are going to be solved.
Reference List
Chen, M. (2004). Asian Management Systems: Chinese, Japanese and Korean Styles of Business. London: Cengage Learning EMEA.