Succeeding at Business in Southeast Asia

Introduction

Over the course of the last 10 years I have been involved in doing business on four continents, in 20+ countries, and more cities than I can count. My experience has led me to appreciate a lot, understand some, and teach a little bit. I have presented at conferences and seminars, primarily on Asia, and specifically on China, regarding private equity, how Chinese capital is affecting business in the United States, business opportunities in Asia, and human resource practices in Asia. Currently, I run a cross-border growth strategy company called FDI Strategies where we build market entry strategy, put together a plan, and help a company execute these strategies. Truly, it is a lot of fun working with companies from assorted industries, with varying needs and distinctly different opportunities. No two days are alike and every day is exciting. More than anything, I am blessed to work with special people every day of my life, from our board of directors to our interns. This enthusiastic, exceptional team makes me look better than I am and ensures that every day is rewarding.

My background is in finance and accounting; needless to say, I like numbers. When I think about some of our clients who focus solely on the United States, I am mindful of the fact that the United States makes up five percent of the world economy (based upon population). This is a large number for one country, no doubt, but it also shows that there’s immense potential outside of the U.S market. If ...