Where East Eats West: The Street-Smarts Guide to Business in China

by Sam Goodman, Michelle Ree

Already part of the MBA curriculum for Boston College, Rutgers and Colorado State University and winning praise by China veterans, Where East Eats West, uses Goodman’s unparalleled China experience to boil down the China business basics into fun, easy-to-digest lessons and ready-to-serve actions so you can steer clear of making China-rookie mistakes. It was designed to be the ultimate airplane book and entertains the China hand as much as it educates the China rookie through humorous, firsthand narratives that make the reader feel as if Goodman is sitting beside them, having a conversation.“From sandwiches to nuclear power plants, Goodman’s in-the-trenches China experiences cover an unusually broad range and the advice he offers you comes unvarnished, unleavened, and unadulterated, just like he lived it. Anyone contemplating an adventure in the world of China business will learn an awful lot from him.”~Ted Plafker, 20 year China veteran & author of Doing Business in China

Genres: China, Business

274 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2009

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author shares relevant experience

The author has a great deal of personal experience in how business and personal relationships work in China. He shares his knowledge in an entertaining manner to try to reduce the amount of confusion that you will certainly face in China. Well worth the price of admission, as I've certainly paid a lot more for a lot less on this subject.

[Linus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read on business culture in China, not so much from the boardroom level, but more from the street level and the SMB space. Some really good insights here though, so recommended to anyone going to China for work.

[Max Lapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very straightforward resonating book on the experiences of working with and in China.

[Gerard Braad · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice to read about his experiences... and how similar they are to all those foreigners having lived/living in China. I have to say that the book is not thorough enough to get a good understanding of the culture and the people, it is quite superficial in it's approach and also quite negative (a tad too personal). I know Sam personally and I understand why this is... He would prefer to solve matters with his own hands. But as I would say "business in China is about doing! Trying is not good enough", and finding the right people for this is essential. For this reason, the negative approach might be an eye-opener; it is not easy! Despite it being short and superficial, I would still recommend it: It often puts a smile on your face!

[James Cripps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodman actually was on the frontlines of doing business in China, unlike many other books claim. And not only that, he is selling TO the Chinese market. Most foreign entrepreneurs are just here for the low prices which translates to big margins when selling back home.

I commend Mr. Goodman. And I will certainly be reading this book again.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

You seldom come across a book in which its author writes about his failure and mistakes so openly. This is a great book about ones misfortune put down in a rough yet hilarious way. Thanks for sharing Sam Goodman.

[Ayman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining read!

Apart from the other more "formal and academic" books on China, this is a nice journey through the eyes of a young entrepreneur running around the small streets of Beijing to setup a small business navigating all sorts of issues relevant to both small and large companies.

[Readortoread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, easy and fast read. A little bit too personal, however, it is the first hand materials and it is true.:)