#113 Special: Understanding Young China with Zak Dychtwald

This episode describes an academic career path as a China watcher with a strong focus on Young China, the Post-90s generation, and Chinese companies going global.

1) Why is Fluent Chinese so important to a flexpat career?

2) How can you start an academic career as a China watcher?

3) How do you make a living as a China watcher?

4) How are Chinese companies going global, do they hire flexpats?

5) What is the key to success for flexpats in the next decade?

Zak Dychtwald is the author of the critically acclaimed Young China: How the Restless Generation Will Change Their Country and the World and founder of the market insights firm, Young China Group. A fluent mandarin speaker with a decade in China, Zak is an expert in dissecting the intersection between China’s evolving identity, the economy, and consumer trends.

Zak has been invited to share his expertise with audiences on six continents at events such as the Wall Street Journal CEO Council Summit, Aspen Ideas Festival, and Google Talks, as well as for major financial institutions and global brands. He is a contributor to Harvard Business Review and his work is frequently cited in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, BBC, Fortune, Barron’s, and others.

Zak started out in China only because of a love of Science Fiction and a want to see where people were saying the future was unfolding. Based in Chengdu, he became fixated on the gap between how China was perceived back home in the US and what he was seeing and experiencing on the ground.

Find Zak's recent video with Harvard Business Review on "China's New Innovation Advantage" or his TEDx talk here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ump7Kge05ZE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myChmWNbBQc

Website: www.youngchinagroup.com; www.zakdychtwald.com

LinkedIn: Zak Dychtwald

You might also want to check out Peter Hessler, his book River town is really well-known in China writing circles.

We recommend the following episodes to get more input on learning Chinese, working for Chinese companies, or working in consulting:

75 Learn Chinese

99 Work for Chinese companies abroad

And some more:

31 Work for Chinese company in China

31 Work for Chinese company abroad

39 How to differentiate from Chinese professionals

43 Work at Alibaba

54 Work at Alibaba

65 Work in Consulting

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About learning Chinese (by Sofia and Francis):

The next episode will be a LIVE webinar, recorded on Thursday, January 12 at 9 pm Chinese Time.

Please contact Francis on Wechat: Flexpat2020, to join this episode. Warmly invited!

The ZOOM dial-ins are:

Meeting ID: 860 0921 7545

Passcode: 4689330

Contrary to popular belief, mastering Chinese doesn’t have to be a slow, hard process. Our book "Chinese On Your Terms" gives you access to the big picture of learning Chinese. Find your WHY. Take Action.

You can get the eBook on Amazon for 9,99 EUR.

In case you prefer a printed version in China, you can reach out to Francis

The book can be sent by SF express within China for 100 RMB.