President of Chinese logistics firm speaks with Miami students in Shanghai

Philip Lin, president of Pacific Star, a Chinese logistics and transportation company, discussed the differences in employment and hiring practices between China and the United States when he met with Miami students studying in Shanghai.

Lin explained that in China, with a population of 1.3 billion, employers have no problem finding willing and able employees. He noted that, while U.S. companies need to adhere to Equal Opportunities Employment regulations, in China, screening of job candidates is not regulated in this manner. The hiring process in China is much simpler than in the United States, he feels, streamlining Pacific Star's ability to replace and hire new staff members.

Administrative assistants in China are much more likely to be promoted --even all the way to upper management-- than they are in the United States. Since secretaries are involved in both the business and personal lives of their bosses, they become extremely valuable to the business. As a result, executives in China will likely promote their secretaries if a higher position becomes open, rather than searching outside the company. This, said Lin, illustrates the importance of networking and forming relationships: "Whom you know is of prime importance; my secretary is one of the highest paid employees in our company."

Lin, a lawyer, noted that relationships are key in this field as well, and advised the students to "Get to know a good lawyer." He said that, even though Chinese businesses are in general less regulated than their U.S. counterparts, "You never know what you can run into as a business owner."

"Frankly, with the culture of litigation in the U.S., that would probably be good advice for anyone in business there as well!"

Lin, who holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from three prestigious U.S. universities, spoke with American students enrolled in David Yen's Business and Economic Development in Modern China course this semester, offered through the Miami Semester Program at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

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