Chinese traditions and values are obstacles to modernization as claimed by not only westerners but also Chinese in the early 20th century. Many Chinese intellectuals not only denounced Chinese civilization, in addition they also called for disassociation of the past.
One century later, after the overthrow of Qing dynasty, a rejuvenated Chinese culture and civilization has re-appeared. Taiwan is celebrating the 100th anniversary of establishment of Republic of China in 2011.
However, Chinese story must still take place in the mainland. The blooming Chinese economy with her huge foreign reserve is counting the day when she will over take USA as number one economy in the world. There are more and more unheard Chinese names in the Fortune 500 and in the Wall Street. Some may even notice the emergency of Chinese soft power, with the ballooning establishments of Confucius Institutes all over the world.
What a change in 100 years!
Have Chinese culture, traditions and values changed over 100 years? No, or not much. Are they relevant in 21st century? Yes, most likely. 100 years are short times to Chinese history. A dynasty usually lasted more than 200 or 300 years. So, Chinese could “afford” to be a “sick man of Asia” for a while during late Qing dynasty and the early days of Republic of China.
To Chinese philosophy, especially Yi Jing, they believe there are repeating ups and downs in life, those born in the first half of 20th century (or closing years of Qing dynasty) were unlucky. They were in the wrong place, wrong time and with no help from heaven and earth. It has little to do with Chinese civilization. In fact, no matter what political system whether communist or nationalist, China economy will pick up as far as Chinese maintain her cohesive society and community.
This is why Chinese wisdom is practically useful and continues to influence Chinese in their decision makings. It may start with complications as they are influenced by thousand years of Chinese civilization and ancient Chinese thoughts. However, once a decision is made, the implementation will be simple and fast, just like the high speed train projects. By the logic of Yi Jing, this process will take the pattern of change, unchanged and simple procedure.
Chinese decision process can also be a confusing one. It may change from time to time and there seems to be no standard procedure. Furthermore, one may find no logic to explain it. For a same project, due to different people, time and place, the decision process is different. The difference is due to the interaction of Heaven, Earth and Human Beings. Any new inputs will make new changes.
This course is designed specifically for executive who want to understand practical Chinese wisdom and its application to today’s business world, i.e. the application and relevancy of Chinese thoughts, wisdom and philosophy for business excellence and corporate cultures.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will:
• Understand basic Chinese philosophy and its application
• Understand the formation of Chinese wisdom
• Be able to tell the timeline of Chinese history
• Be able to identify some applications of Chinese philosophy
• Understand Chinese wisdom and business excellence
• Understand Chinese wisdom and corporate cultures
• Identify basic Chinese characteristics and behaviours
• Identify possible future developments
• Learn and understand changes and alternative thinking
• Learn and understand Chinese thinking process
Course Outline
1 Introduction
1.1 Practical management wisdom
1.2 Knowledge and intelligence
This section introduces how Chinese wisdom can be practically used in management. Besides the widely and overly used “The Art of War”, other Chinese wisdom is as good as Sun Zi if not better. Ancient Chinese philosophers believed only intelligence, not knowledge, can be the foundation of wisdom. There is a distinction between knowledge and intelligence that will make difference in business excellence and corporate values.
2 Formation of Chinese Wisdom and Thoughts
2.1 Dynasty as management learning
2.2 Change, Unchanged and Simplicity
2.3 Business excellence and strategic thinking
2.4 Chinese characteristics and crisis management
This section provides a brief history of China as the basic formation of Chinese wisdom. The ups and downs of different dynasty are management learning and experience. The Chinese civilization can be explained from the Yi Jing perspectives. “A book of changes -Yi Jing” is considered the first and oldest book of China. It is also the origin of the Hundreds Schools of Thoughts. Thoughts, strategic thinking and philosophy are keys to business excellence and values. However, China’s development is always up and down, division and unity, hence crisis management is unavoidable and solving crisis has become a routine decision making. So, how do Chinese and their characteristics react to crisis and crisis management?
3 Chinese Wisdom and Business Excellence
3.1 Singapore Quality Class – Business Excellence
3.2 Leadership
3.3 Planning
3.4 Information
3.5 People
3.6 Processes
3.7 Customers
3.8 Results
The relevancy of Chinese wisdom in business excellence is discussed here. All 7 factors of the Singapore Quality Class (Leadership, Planning, Information, People, Process, Customers and Results) are discussed using the thoughts of Confucianism and Daoism. Examples are quoted from Mengzi and Zhuangzi to explain how business excellence can be achieved in the balance of ying and yang. This shows the application of Chinese wisdom and philosophy in practice.
4 Chinese Wisdom and Corporate Cultures
4.1 Business is an ecosystem, not a battlefield
4.2 Corporations are communities, not machines
4.3 Management is service, not control
4.4 Employees are peers, not children
4.5 Motivate with vision, not fear
4.6 Change is growth, not pain
4.7 Computers are servants, not masters
4.8 Work is play, not toil.
The management of actions is reflected in corporate values. This section explains how Chinese wisdom can also apply to modern corporate cultures in the form of Silicon Valley business model. However, the moving away of traditional business mindsets (battlefield, control, fear etc) to modern business practice (ecosystem, service, vision etc) cannot deny the involvement of Chinese wisdom. Chinese wisdom is a living philosophy which can apply to corporate cultures and values. Examples again are drawn from the 2 founders of Confucianism and Daoism, Confucius and Laozi. Their wisdom is still relevant and refreshing in corporate cultures.
4 The Stone Story of Red Chamber
A case study of business excellence and Corporate Cultures
4.1 Imperfection is great
4.2 Business Excellence
4.3 Corporate cultures
4.4 Relevancy and development
Famously known as The Dream of Red Chamber, it is hardly used as case study for management. However, the unique situation of its authorship, publication, and version issues can server as a good example for business excellence and values. Red Chamber is not perfect, not complete and has many names and versions. However, it is a representative of Chinese characteristics and culture. We can use the non-literature aspect of Red Chamber as a practical approach to business excellence and cultures. A book published more than 200 years ago is still relevant today and is still popular. Hence, Chinese wisdom and its future development have even a higher growth potential.
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