Doing business with China: my Executive MBA international residency week

Global learning opportunities are a vital part of the Executive MBA experience at Imperial College Business School. Students undertake two international residencies over the course of their studies with us, each one designed to provide an insight into the business culture of a different country: 

• Technology and innovation in the USA – the US’s leadership in technology-based entrepreneurship provides the focus for this residency. 

• Doing business with China – focusing on what it takes to do business with China and offering an insight into the country’s role as an innovator, especially in digital business. 

Utilising Imperial’s link with partner universities as well as visits to prestigious companies helps broadens students’ perspectives on global markets and sharpens their ability to address international business challenges. 

Richard Boyd, one of our Executive MBA students, recently completed his second international residency trip to China.  

The residency combined academic insights with real-world exposure, offering a unique view of China's dynamic economy and business landscape. From navigating Shenzhen’s bustling streets to exploring technology’s role in business, Richard reflects on how this immersive experience shaped his understanding of doing business in China and his plans to apply these insights to his career. 

My journey to Imperial College Business School

I moved to the UK in 2019 from New Zealand to push forward in my career, and having had success in moving into technology leadership roles in the London Market Insurance, I wanted to broaden my business knowledge through an MBA.  

Being based in the UK meant that I had access to a range of great business schools, and I chose Imperial College Business School because it brought together both science and technology innovation with the fundamentals of business. 

The international residency trips are a really worthwhile part of the programme as you get access to opportunities that you otherwise wouldn’t. Our trip to China holds particular significance as it brings us together as a cohort for one last time before we complete our final projects and offers a chance to see a completely different view of the world.

Blending theory with practical learning

The residency in China has been a great chance to deepen my relationship with my cohort for one final time before completing my studies, whilst simultaneously gaining an insight into China’s business landscape, offering a completely different view of the world.  

The week was a blend of academic experiences with our partner university, which helped to develop a theoretical understanding of China in a business context, as well as practical learning opportunities through company visits. 

Exploring Shenzen

We were encouraged to get out of the classroom and into the real world, exploring what Shenzhen had to offer.  

I personally loved spending an afternoon wandering around and getting a look at what’s on offer in the city. From buying food from street vendors, hunting down a bargain in the markets, exploring over 7 floors of electronics and trying to overcome the language barrier with the help of technology, there was plenty to see and do there!

Insights into China's business landscape: economy and technology

One of the things I was interested in seeing was how manufacturing in China had evolved in direct response to their rising cost of living. Over the week, we got an insight into this and how they’ve moved further into high-end manufacturing and are losing ground on low wage manufacturing, such as textiles, to countries like Bangladesh. 

Through the university partnership, we had the opportunity to learn a lot about business in China, their economy and methods of growing brands in a different region.  

We all contributed to team presentations on topics relating to China; my group and I researched and presented on the impact of trade wars on technology. 

I came away inspired about how technology and platform plays could be used in the west, and had a better understanding about how regulation and societal beliefs around privacy have an impact on how technology is delivered. I feel I have a better handle on the region and am better equipped to support my current and future firms work in this region.