Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share GlobalTQM | Sourcing and Manufacturing product in China for all entrepreneurs by David Hoffmann
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
GlobalTQM | Sourcing and Manufacturing product in China for all entrepreneurs by David Hoffmann
GlobalTQM | Sourcing and Manufacturing product in China for all entrepreneurs by David Hoffmann episodes
- Thinking Several Moves Ahead: Long-Term Partnerships With Suppliers | 012
Would you like your suppliers to:
- Take you seriously from day 1?
- Prioritize YOUR orders over their other clients?
- Give you "first dibs" on buying their latest products and innovations?
- Improve your own products so you have an edge over your competitors?
- Understand your operating procedures, documentation and shipping needs?
- Give you much better samples so you need fewer iterations and can start production faster?
If your business depends on you successfully sourcing from China...
...I imagine your answer to each of these questions is an emphatic, "YES!"
Well, you're in luck.
Because in this episode, I'm going to show you how to get all of those things, and more.
Helpful Resources
- For a full transcript of this interview, visit our blog.
- Get a free copy of our book, China Sourcing For Startups.
- Book A free 15-minute consultation with our team.
Subscribe To The Show On Your Favorite Podcast App
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Breaker
- Castbox
- Overcast
- Pocket Casts
- Podbean
- Radio Public
- Stitcher
Follow Us On Social Media
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter
- LinkedIn
17 min - My First Chinese Trade Fair: Tips And Tricks For A Productive And Stress-Free Trip | Ep. 011
Back again with another segment from my webinar with Tom Pirenne of ShowSourcing.
In the last episode of the GlobalTQM podcast, Tom and I talked about whether Trade Fairs will exist in the future.
The answer was a resounding, “YES!”
Now that’s clear, let’s say you decide you’d like to fly to China to attend your first trade fair.
How should you prepare for trade fairs so you have a fun, comfortable trip that’s also fruitful?
That’s what we’re going to cover in this episode.
15-Point Trade Show Checklist
- Install a good VPN on your computer before you fly over.
- Install Didi on your phone. It’s the Chinese version of Uber.
- If you use local taxis, have your concierge write down the hotel address and save a photo of it on your phone.
- Pre-register for the big fairs and get your badge in advance. You can use the invitation letter to apply for your Chinese visa.
- Do some research ahead of time to figure out which suppliers/ manufacturers you’re going to visit first.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You’re going to be doing a LOT of walking.
- Ask your hotel concierge where the nearest foot massage parlor is because it’s the best way to relax after a long day of walking.
- Bring a lot of business cards.
- Print business cards with contact info you'll only use with Chinese Manufacturers.
- Research the type of products you’re interested in.
- Take one or two power banks with you for your electronic devices.
- Don't rely on your memory. Take pictures of everything.
- The afternoon of the last day of the fair is the least productive time to attend.
- Start your post-fair work before you leave China.
- Send out RFQs at night when you're back at the hotel.
Helpful Resources
- For a full transcript of this interview, visit our blog.
- Get a free copy of our book, China Sourcing For Startups.
- Book A free 15-minute consultation with our team.
Subscribe To The Show On Your Favorite Podcast App
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Breaker
- Castbox
- Overcast
- Pocket Casts
- Podbean
- Radio Public
- Stitcher
Follow Us On Social Media
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter
- LinkedIn
21 min - Trade Fairs In A World Of Online Marketplaces | Ep. 010
This episode (and the next few episodes) of the GlobalTQM podcast will share segments of a joint-webinar I hosted with Tom Pirenne of ShowSourcing.
A few weeks ago, Tom and I were having coffee and he asked me: "Will Trade Fairs exist in the future?"
I admit I hadn't really thought about it, so it prompted a good discussion.
That's what I hope we can convey to you today.
I've been doing business in China for 20+ years, so I really believe trade fairs will be around for a very long time, and that they're the best way to build long-term relationships with quality suppliers and manufacturers.
10 Reasons Why Trade Fairs Aren't Going Anywhere
- Trade fairs come with a significant added value over online marketplaces
- Face-to-face interactions with manufacturers beat any other form of communication.
- You can have lengthy discussions with dozens of suppliers to get all the information you need.
- Manufacturers debut their latest designs, ideas, etc. at trade fairs.
- You get to inspect hundreds of products in person.
- You can take advantage of peer support and networking with like-minded business owners and manufacturers.
- Attending a trade fair lets you focus completely on product research and development for 2 to 3 days..
- Being at the trade fair, walking around the booths, talking to people, checking out the products, are a huge source of inspiration.
- Building business relationships after the trade fair is much easier because the initial interactions getting to know each other are out of the way and you can get straight to business.
- Suppliers and manufacturers will be much more open to talking to you via WeChat and Skype, and generally more generous with their time, because you've taken the time to meet and get to know them.
Helpful Resources
- For a full transcript of this interview, visit our blog.
- Get a free copy of our book, China Sourcing For Startups.
- Book A free 15-minute consultation with our team.
Subscribe To The Show On Your Favorite Podcast App
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Breaker
- Castbox
- Overcast
- Pocket Casts
- Podbean
- Radio Public
- Stitcher
Follow Us On Social Media
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter
- LinkedIn
16 min - When Quitting Is Success And Not Failure | Ep. 009
When you've put 6-months and thousands of dollars into a business idea and ultimately have to give it up...
Have you failed?
This kind of situation is something all CEOs face at one point or another.
And if it hasn't happened to you yet, IT WILL.
In this episode of the podcast, David Hoffmann teaches you how to think through these decisions.
And avoid situations that can leave you worse off than when you started.
You'll discover:
- If you follow the process you'll always win, right? WRONG!
- What to do when you just can't get the numbers to work.
- The right questions to ask to figure out what the hell went wrong.
- When to decide, "it's time to quit."
- How to think like a real CEO.
Helpful Resources
- For a full transcript of this interview, visit our blog.
- Get a free copy of our book, China Sourcing For Startups.
- Book A free 15-minute consultation with our team.
Subscribe To The Show On Your Favorite Podcast App
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Breaker
- Castbox
- Overcast
- Pocket Casts
- Podbean
- Radio Public
- Stitcher
Follow Us On Social Media
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter
- LinkedIn
10 min - How To Reduce Production And Delivery Delays | Ep. 008
When dealing with Chinese manufacturers, attention to detail will make, or break you.
Delays and hidden costs all add up.
They can vaporize your profit or, in the worst case, you may take a massive loss.
In this episode of the podcast, I'll tell you how to minimize production delays and run the numbers right, so your business can operate profitably.
You'll discover:
- The single biggest reason for production delays most businesses overlook.
- Why there's no such thing as "avoiding delays" when manufacturing in China.
- What to keep in mind when negotiating production and delivery dates.
- What to include in your invoicing/shipping documentation so your goods don't get delayed at customs.
- How to protect your investment once you've paid for the finished goods and they're in transit.
Helpful Resources
- For a full transcript of this interview, visit our blog.
- Get a free copy of our book, China Sourcing For Startups.
- Book A free 15-minute consultation with our team.
Subscribe To The Show On Your Favorite Podcast App
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Breaker
- Castbox
- Overcast
- Pocket Casts
- Podbean
- Radio Public
- Stitcher
Follow Us On Social Media
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter
- LinkedIn
9 min - How To Work The Canton Fair Like A Pro | Ep. 007
Have you ever been to the Canton Fair?
It’s a trade show that happens every year, in Spring and Autumn, in Canton (Guangzhou) China.
I'm going to tell you how to navigate the fair, or any Chinese trade show for that matter, like a pro.
You'll discover:
- Exactly what you need to bring with you when you attend the fair.
- The first question you need to ask a manufacturer if you're interested in a product.
- How to get the manufacturer to take you seriously.
- How to escalate the discussion once you've established their credibility and capability.
- Exactly what NOT TO DO (or say) when talking to manufacturers.
Helpful Resources
- For a full transcript of this interview, visit our blog.
- Get a free copy of our book, China Sourcing For Startups.
- Book A free 15-minute consultation with our team.
Subscribe To The Show On Your Favorite Podcast App
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Breaker
- Castbox
- Overcast
- Pocket Casts
- Podbean
- Radio Public
- Stitcher
Follow Us On Social Media
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter
- LinkedIn
9 min - How To Protect Your Ideas, Payments, and Compliance | Ep. 006
In this brief yet impactful episode, David gives you tips on how to...
- protect your intellectual property...
- make sure your products comply with government or commercial regulations, and...
- negotiate payment terms so your investments are secure.
You'll discover:
- Why NDAs and confidentiality agreements don’t always work.
- How common sense and prudence can keep your intellectual property safe.
- What you need to ask manufacturers to give you to make sure they can make safe and compliant products.
- The chicken-and-egg scenario of payments, and how you can manage payment terms as a buyer.
- How to protect your deposit and milestone payments.
Helpful Resources- For a full transcript of this interview, visit our blog.
- Get a free copy of our book, China Sourcing For Startups.
- Book A free 15-minute consultation with our team.
Subscribe To The Show On Your Favorite Podcast App- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Breaker
- Castbox
- Overcast
- Pocket Casts
- Podbean
- Radio Public
- Stitcher
Follow Us On Social Media- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter
- LinkedIn
7 min - 11 Questions To Weed Out Bad Suppliers | Ep. 005
There are thousands of factories in China. We’ve dealt with loads of them for our clients.
How exactly do you vet manufacturers and choose one that’s the right fit for you?
That's what we're going to teach you in this episode.
You'll discover:- How to present yourself so the factory immediately takes you seriously
- How to guarantee you get accurate information when communicating with the factory
- How to know if they're a big factory or a small one
- How to learn if the factory is able to produce according to strict standards
- How to decide between a manufacturer or a trading company
Helpful Resources- For a full transcript of this interview, visit our blog.
- Get a free copy of our book, China Sourcing For Startups.
- Book A free 15-minute consultation with our team.
Subscribe To The Show On Your Favorite Podcast App- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Breaker
- Castbox
- Overcast
- Pocket Casts
- Podbean
- Radio Public
- Stitcher
Follow Us On Social Media- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter
- LinkedIn
13 min - Chinese Culture And Understanding How To Do Business With Them | Ep. 004
Chinese culture, and Asian cultures in general, are very different from quote-unquote Western cultures.
That is, North America, Europe, and Australia.
Not understanding this, or worse, refusing to deal with the Chinese in a way that’s comfortable to them, can lead to huge problems for your business.
In today’s episode, David’s going to tell you about common Chinese cultural differences and how you can work around them to get the best outcomes.
Helpful Resources- For a full transcript of this interview, visit our blog.
- Get a free copy of our book, China Sourcing For Startups.
- Book A free 15-minute consultation with our team.
Subscribe To The Show On Your Favorite Podcast App- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Breaker
- Castbox
- Overcast
- Pocket Casts
- Podbean
- Radio Public
- Stitcher
Follow Us On Social Media- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter
- LinkedIn
12 min - How to get Your Purchase Order RIGHT (Bill of Materials) | Ep. 003
In this episode, David covers the #1 risk to your business when sourcing from China:
Not specifying what you want down to the last detail.
And he gives you 11-steps to overcome this risk.
So you can get your goods exactly how you want them, every single time.
Helpful Resources- For a full transcript of this interview, visit our blog.
- Get a free copy of our book, China Sourcing For Startups.
- Book A free 15-minute consultation with our team.
Subscribe To The Show On Your Favorite Podcast App- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Spotify
- Breaker
- Castbox
- Overcast
- Pocket Casts
- Podbean
- Radio Public
- Stitcher
Follow Us On Social Media- Facebook
- Instagram
- Twitter
- LinkedIn
11 min
About GlobalTQM | Sourcing and Manufacturing product in China for all entrepreneurs by David Hoffmann
From the publisher's feed
Welcome to the GlobalTQM.com podcast, where we teach business owners how to…
Source the best products from China, negotiate with Chinese manufacturers, navigate Chinese business culture, and share real case studies you can learn from.
David Hoffmann is the founder and CEO of GlobalTQM dot com, your team on the ground in China.
With over 25 years of experience doing business in China, David and his team at GlobalTQM.com have the know-how and experience to overcome any challenge you’ll face sourcing and manufacturing in China.
Schedule a free call at www.globaltqm.com