How did Serviced China Dog Walking start?

Marion: Well I was helping many foreigners find maids and housing back in 2004.  The service became quite big to my amazement and eventually had about 700 maids to outsource at one point. We trained the maids in English and taught them basic things like how to take responsibility when they accidentally broke something instead of hiding it (which was standard practice back then)  We had some real loyal clients who became friends and would come over and volunteer time to train the maids and help them to learn English, pay for them to get their teeth fixed. Most of the volunteers were former professionals back home and bored out of their minds without something to do.  Mostly, their husbands were expats, CEO’s and the like so the wives had too much time to drink tea, shop. I am also a business woman and like to learn so I really appreciated being around them. One of our volunteers (Jenny) was the wife of the CEO of a major US multinational and she had two lovely golden retrievers.  She had to go home early to take care of them so I told her to take them to our office (which was also my house) as we had a good backyard for them.  After Jenny brought them to our house the neighbors and local children became very curious and started hanging around, playing with the dogs and it was love at first sight!  Soon one of Jenny’s friends brought her dog, much walking ensued and Serviced China Pet Services was born!

What are you doing now?

M: We are kind of a one-stop-shop for pets now.  We found a dog training professional in Shanghai from the UK and have trained puppies:  we often sit 5-10 dogs and 20+ cats during Chinese holidays and we walk dogs everyday in Pudong and Puxi.  We have tons of friends in the Veterinary business and have tons of information that can be useful to dog and cat owners in China.

What is the pet sitting like overall in China?

Marion: Scary!  Unfortunately it’s not so advanced yet.  Someone I know left their dog with a non professional local Chinese who personally loved dogs.  They didn’t know she had an alcoholic, violent husband and son at home.  Obviously the dog was beaten because when they came back from vacation, the dog was damaged mentally and never the same. Cowering all the time,  Hiding,  Scared.  That dog never got better.  It’s important for foreigners to realize that China is a country with a very long history but no history of owning pets except for birds and pigeons.  Therefore, people simply have no idea what pets need.  ie feed them people food, etc. My friend saw people throwing cigarettes to a gorilla in Guangdong zoo and the unfortunate animal hanging upside down and smoking the cigarettes like a human much to the audiences delight.  This is animal abuse but no one seemed to know or care including the keepers and thousands of guests in attendance that day.  It’s a new field for Chinese and is catching on fast so we are doing all we can to educate and protect pets and animals in China.

What is the future for SC Pet Services?

If you have a doggie or kitty that needs walking or sitting, call us!  We will put send a pet lover over asap.  Some of our dog walkers are foreign and some are Chinese but all are the same with a dog or cat heart!  If you really love animals, have long experience taking care , walking pets or veterinary experience and want to work with Serviced China Pet Services, contact me with your available times/locations at info@servicedchina.com.

We are now looking for a space to create China’s first shelter for homeless pets.  My friend is saving dogs, cats even cows in Japan near Fukushima.  He set up a homeless shelter for pets near Mount Fuji and is advising us here.  We are looking for partners for a Rescue & Adoption Center for Dogs Cats Puppies in Shanghai now.  If you are interested in this very important work, please contact us.  We have some good people on board already and hope to have it up and running by early 2012.

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China TV Fixer

Send Super Marion info@ServicedChina.com a note with a synopsis of your topic/story with possible dates, locations and she will either do it herself, as she has done for many others (ask for testimonials) or introduce the right person to get the job done.

Theoretically, it is possible to shoot in China without a fixer but very few choose this route?  Why?  A good fixer will make sure you get there on time, in one piece, find the right people to interview, with your gear and sanity intact, for example.  Whether you are a producer making commercials, music videos, behind the scenes shots, entertainment, important events, filming sports, doing public relations, a corporate film, China documentaries or trailers in China.

Super Marion! (as her clients affectionately call her) will ensure the budget is kept intact and fees to other members of the crew in China are managed. She has the Midas Touch with crews and locations in China. She and partner Paul have stories or people and culture that will help you fill out or locate the people to complete your story or keep the audience laughing.  Marion and Paul have helped many other big name and smaller documentaries film in China and know exactly what it takes to complete a great production anywhere in China.  Extreme flexibility and timeliness are indispensable and Serviced China has 20 years experience in China arranging everything from tickets, to tours, to medical emergencies and, believe me, when something comes up, Super Marion will know how to solve it. She loves it actually and is always a bit down after the crew goes home.  So dream up a new story and come back again!!

China Production Services for Film and TV Shoots- Shooting in Shanghai

Can I shoot without permit in Shanghai? Do I require approval from the Chinese government to shoot film or TV in China? Who approves media productions? How can I get shots in sensitive areas?  (Disasters, earthquakes, sporting events like the Olympics?) Can I get a top level, experienced crew that both speaks English and understands media? Are you planning on producing a documentary in China? Serviced China has the answers.

Delighted crew on HGTV’s new show….

Serviced China has helped Fox News in Chengdu, NPR in Beijing, Market Watch in Beijing, New Zealand TV3 in Sichuan and HGTV in Shanghai to film successfully: Our ability, in extreme conditions immediately after the earthquake, to convince the Chinese military into letting TV3 News presenter, Mike McRoberts (of 60 Minutes fame) to be allowed to board a rescue vehicle as a rescue was occurring, resulted in TV3 New Zealand receiving New Story of the Year in 2008 for their Sichuan earthquake coverage!

Paul and Marion work together as a team and along with a crack staff, can help you with travel inside China with gear (into difficult situations) film permits from the Chinese government, reserving your accommodation or successfully figuring something else out in extreme conditions, transportation, translating Chinese-English-Japanese-German-French-Spanish, arranging interviews, getting plum locations to get that stunning opening shot, casting, getting a top notch crew together in hours. The team at Serviced China makes sure you get what you need done in TV speed and at reasonable prices.  Paul and Marion have helped many crews to get insightful interviews from locals that make the difference in your final product.  If you need a new camera due to an unfortunate drop in a hole toilet at 10pm in rustic Sichuan, Serviced China comes through!

We are a unique group of China fixers who have been involved with all aspects of film and TV over the years.  However our real expertise is getting what you need done, the way you want it, when you need it in China. If you are thinking any of the below, you will appreciate  our services

Help! I’m making a documentary in China

How can I find bilingual assistant in China?

We are shooting a cutting edge, ground breaking piece with a fresh perspective in China

I need permits to film in China

Seeking to hire film crew?

Are you looking for film or TV professionals?

We will make YOU look like a pro in China.

Marion Wu info@ServicedChina.com +86 139 1769 3554

Getting around in a city like Shanghai with its population that growing by the day is not an impossible task if done with a bit of preparation. A sophisticated system of subways, trains, buses and motorways are all functioning like any 21st Century city. The trick is to master the methods of transportation and driving your own personal vehicle may just be not what an expat wants to put his family thorough
upon first arrival.  The cost of a taxi may just be lower than parking and safer than driving.

Overall, the reward of having the experience living in China as an expat are very rewarding and help advance the career as our world becomes smaller and smaller each day. Promotions are its just reward.
The expat can expect greater financial rewards, reduced taxes, increased salary and family will have a memory that will last a lifetime. Many will agree that the cultural exposure is just one fringe benefit that comes to mind as Mandarin Chinese is rapidly becoming the language to learn in most colleges and university settings these days.

Success or failure will be the ultimate determiner of a foreign company & the ability to transplant your corporate culture to china without any hitches. Salo Homes has the highest overseas expat success rate in China with the focus on your corporate success in china and your corporate bottom line in mind.

-Paul Salo

The author is owner of Shanghai’s most successful relocation firm with over 90% expat assignments under their care successfully completed.   Their goal  is two-fold: One to maximize corporate ROI by successfully integrating personnel to the Chinese corporate structure and to maximize the ease with which individuals cross the culture barrier thus allowing them to contribute their greatest gifts.

Third, have the spouse become a partner in the offer by employing her. Fourth, have a chat with the spouses’ company to see if at all possible she may continue to work for her company in a foreign branch or online. Employing the spouse as a journalist for the company newsletter or annual report are a couple options our clients have chosen.  The key is to make both expatriate employee and spouse be a part of a team.  This can have real benefits as the divorce rate previously reached up to 50% in some of our clients prior to Salo Homes managing the relocation process.  Divorce obviously has a huge effect on the expats performance and usually spells doom for the whole assignment.

Education, day care and healthcare are also a major concern when considering the success of an expat and his family in China. Shanghai has a number of international schools, catering to American, British and Canadian school curriculum’s in so that they can easily transition in and out of the system with the grades that they will need when returning to the prospect of advanced learning like college and university programs.  Choosing the right school is difficult to say the least.   We like to arrange dinners with clients and current families whose children attend the school they are considering.  And we especially like to have one long term expat and a short term expat to give both perspectives.  The long term fallout from an improper educational choice is devastating:   Especially in the case of learning disabilities.

Spouses may feel neglected as they may not be invited to dinners, golf on Saturday or nights out with clients on the town. Children may not see their father for extended periods until the transition has been completed and the company allows for the time off.  The expat may do more corporate networking than he is accustomed to back home. Company presentations may last for days or even a week. Depending on the industry, “face” can be quite a significant factor. For example, public feedback and criticism might best be given lightly as not to embarrass someone who has been with the company for a long time. Family, lifestyle issues, adjusting to the work, failure to fully comprehend the mission itself, performance, foreign recruiters and the like are just a sample of problems facing the placement of an ideal expat to China.

Age and not merit are most likely to be a driver of loyalty to one’s peers in the company. It is in the preparing for those cultural differences that may allow for lot less strife and smoother transition for both expat and family in the long run.

Many expat’s are afraid that if they stay too long, they may miss a chance for promotion and lack relevant experience to continue with where they left off prior to being placed on an overseas assignment and it is often found that fear of the unknown plays a significant role when confronted with success or failure of an expatriates life in China.

In this information age, it has been observed on various blogs, forums and expat community resources that the family is often the last to know what is really going on or how to prepare themselves for the new move abroad. When dealing with Europe it may not be such a difficult task to find international or American schools, the local leisure activities and welcoming committee for the spouse and family. China is emerging as an international, interconnected community but still has long way to go to
develop its daily migration of foreign staff who are arriving daily at its shores.

With respect to the family of an engineer it can have a dramatic impact on the spouse’s career and children. Will the spouse or mother be able to continue a career even remotely similar to the one that she is leaving? Will the children be able to find proper schooling, an international bachelorette program or something similar to the education that they left behind? Are they prepared to make new friends, learn a new culture, language possibly and go without some of the creature comforts left back in their home country. China has opened its doors greatly and is on a path of great economic growth but may lack the little things like easy access to Facebook, Youtube or other favourite social networking sites that may be a very important tool, the spouse and children may need to forgo. A bit of due diligence is highly recommended.  It’s the little things matter, things like excellent communication skills, the ability to prepare to go on short notice. It has been discovered that most firms give only 3 months to
prepare with at times, unclear objectives.

Who is most responsible for the success for the placement and transition of the candidate abroad?
There is no easy answer. Both corporations and their expat workers are responsible. First, there should be clearly marked objectives and timelines for completion.  However, time spent figuring out the lay of the new land in Asia takes more time than most allot.   The expat needs significant time to understand the differences in values, interpersonal communication and behaviour in the workplace.

Large corporations believe it is just the cost of doing business because of the high level of responsibilities involved, expertise, the need for engineers, technical expertise and the like, most firms tend to send their best performing and most promising people, unwittingly to the field. With that said, those sent fully understand that the notion of success or failure abroad will have a major effect on the future of their position within the company.

Studies have shown that the chances of a successful fit are on average 20 percent. Most will return before their assignment is up. In fact, Sun Microsystems experienced a failure rates up to 63 percent employees returning home. This is with the knowledge that expat benefit package may cost upwards to almost 4 times his/her salary! It also has been noted that with those remaining 50 percent that stay, most operate at a very low level of productivity and that fewer than 40 percent succeed in completing their posting abroad successfully. It is clear, an expat’s salary are a financial risk.

Other unforeseeable circumstances neither well known nor discussed in great detail but nevertheless very important if the success of the corporate professional oversees is to become a successful fit. One of the more obvious causes for failure of an expat overseas assignment is the inability of the candidate to acclimatize his/her persona or those with family to the environment overseas.   i.e.: inability to adjust to the new culture.   However this often becomes a game of “blame the expat”.  “He probably never met a Chinese person the whole time he was in China” is something I have heard often.  However, in my experience, the expats that come to Asia often do it with “cultural experience” actually being one of their top motivations.   They are excited about the new culture and do their best to acclimate.  Obviously different personalities have varying language skills and ability to morph into new situations.  However, this is very difficult to predict even for the employee himself much less HR.

In order to fully grasp the first wave of globalization and how it affects relocation services, we should look at the role of global capital as it expanded during those historic times as a counter-response to independence movements and economic nationalism. As the traditional world powers began losing direct control, global capital became better at indirect control and military power ceded its influence to economic control.

Large corporations like the East India Trading Company in the UK together with the government amassed significant amounts of funds and made finance itself a valuable commodity. Firms like the East India Trading Company required access to new markets however these new colonies became more expensive than the funds they generated.  Although unforeseen by the UK, Hong Kong and Macau would turn out to be an excellent example of the second wave of globalization. In retrospect we can see that the third wave emerged from the information society created by computers and the internet in the 1980’s and 90’s.  Although the Japanese bubble saw a massive amount of Japanese expats relocated across the globe, for the West we can pinpoint this transition to an information society in the 1990’s and the dotcom bubble as event that catapulted relocation services to the forefront of the modern globalization movement.

In any case, I would think that the larger the cultural gap is between a home and host country – the larger the challenge and therefore also the higher the risk of an expat assignment failure. This would then work the other way as you say with Chinese moving to a Western country and are drawn to Chinatown or other areas with high Chinese population.

If providing an environment that allows an expatriate to feel ‘at home’ in order to function during his or her assignment, could this perhaps will prevent failures? Could it be that some personalities are less suited to adapt to a new culture? And if so, how is that measured? And how is the adaptability weighed and compared to the technical skills that the expatriate would bring to the overseas organization?

Its pretty important that proper “indoctrination” into the challenges ahead is given to the outgoing expat in relocation services (and perhaps their families) well before departure to China including cultural, business, living conditions etc etc. We used to say in the old days , even in HK, that wives would take 6 months to either fall in love or hate with the location !

And, there`s a need to choose people with a “flexible” approach to life and work in order to have the best chance of long term success in relocation services.
Chinese expats in UK, for example,for the first time, certainly experience issues too as other commentators have said. It can be a lonely experience at first and coupled with the tendency to hire only local Chinese people who may not be best fitted to the job ,leads to a relatively high failure rate of small scale private sector enterprises here.

What is the definition of failure in this…. cultural, economic or both… and is failure the correct terminology?…. take into account the logistics of modern society and people have greater choice than ever before to move. A key component in respect to relocation services in China will be children’s education. International schools in China are expensive and if you look at the number of school and number of foreign children who go there in comparison to the number of ex pats in China you will find that a low % of children go to there schools (say 20%). So the equation may = ex-pats with children are priced out of the market. Therefore ex-pats with no family (wife / children) are equated in to the China market. This may change the experience levels to some degree of the foreign workforce. In short living in China is economically tough with Children and rent without full company support.