I released Episode 53 of the Awesomers.com podcast some time back, and it's a deep dive into a book that I consider absolutely essential for anyone involved in manufacturing or trade with China: Paul Midler's "Poorly Made in China." If you're doing business there, this isn't just a recommendation; it's a necessity.
Paul Midler is a brilliant author who has genuinely lived the stories he outlines in this book. With over 15 years of my own experience trading with China, I can tell you that many of his anecdotes are eerily familiar – often both funny and tragically so. This book offers an extraordinary, in-depth look into how China's export industry truly operates, and indeed, how China itself works.
In this episode, I break down some of the most critical concepts Paul discusses, which resonate strongly with my own observations:
• Quality Fade (or Product Fade): This is real. Factories subtly reduce product quality over time—thinner shampoo bottles, changed formulas, subcontracting to cheaper facilities, or reducing material weight or thread count. These changes are often hard to detect visually, making vigilance crucial.
• "Price Go Up": You've probably heard it. Factories frequently increase prices, citing labor, environmental controls, or raw material costs. Yet, they rarely, if ever, inform you when prices could go down due to currency shifts or other factors. Their objective, after all, is to maximize their own profit.
• Counterfeit Culture & Intellectual Property (IP) Issues: The book highlights astonishing instances, like factories copying a customer's product formula and then audacious claiming it as their own intellectual property when asked for disclosure.
• Profit Siphoning & Under-reporting: Paul details cases such as Chinese partners in joint ventures siphoning off all profits, and factories under-reporting production of patented goods to avoid paying rightful patent fees, even devising elaborate schemes to circumvent oversight programs.
• Manipulation Tactics: I caution listeners about "guanxi" (long-term relationships), which, while valuable, can also be used as a manipulation tactic by factories. Understanding these strategies is paramount to maintaining an even playing field.
I truly believe that "knowledge is power" when navigating relationships with Chinese factories. "Poorly Made in China" is one of the very best books I've seen on the subject—extraordinarily insightful and entertaining, despite the serious lessons it imparts. Honestly, I'd consider it "entrepreneurial malpractice" not to recommend it.
If you trade with China, buy products from China, or develop products there, reading this book and understanding these dynamics will help you be better prepared and significantly minimize potential problems through proper management.
Watch the full episode for a deeper dive: 👉 https://awesomers.com/53
You can also find more helpful processes and procedures on our mailing list at https://awesomers.com.
For professional, Amazon-ready product photography for your China-manufactured goods, check out https://symoglobal.com. And for the business operating system for your marketplace business, visit https://parsimony.com.
Let me know in the comments if you've read "Poorly Made in China" or experienced any of these situations!
If you want to work with me check out https://catalyst88.com and https://humanitynow.com or our new chatbots at https://chat.parsimony.com
#ManufacturingInChina #PoorlyMadeInChina #SteveSimonson #AwesomersPodcast #ChinaTrade #SupplyChain #QualityControl #IntellectualProperty #BusinessStrategy #GlobalTrade
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I released Episode 53 of the Awesomers.com podcast some time back, and it's a deep dive into a book that I consider absolutely essential for anyone involved in manufacturing or trade with China: Paul Midler's "Poorly Made in China." If you're doing business there, this isn't just a recommendation; it's a necessity.
Paul Midler is a brilliant author who has genuinely lived the stories he outlines in this book. With over 15 years of my own experience trading with China, I can tell you that many of his anecdotes are eerily familiar – often both funny and tragically so. This book offers an extraordinary, in-depth look into how China's export industry truly operates, and indeed, how China itself works.
In this episode, I break down some of the most critical concepts Paul discusses, which resonate strongly with my own observations:
• Quality Fade (or Product Fade): This is real. Factories subtly reduce product quality over time—thinner shampoo bottles, changed formulas, subcontracting to cheaper facilities, or reducing material weight or thread count. These changes are often hard to detect visually, making vigilance crucial.
• "Price Go Up": You've probably heard it. Factories frequently increase prices, citing labor, environmental controls, or raw material costs. Yet, they rarely, if ever, inform you when prices could go down due to currency shifts or other factors. Their objective, after all, is to maximize their own profit.
• Counterfeit Culture & Intellectual Property (IP) Issues: The book highlights astonishing instances, like factories copying a customer's product formula and then audacious claiming it as their own intellectual property when asked for disclosure.
• Profit Siphoning & Under-reporting: Paul details cases such as Chinese partners in joint ventures siphoning off all profits, and factories under-reporting production of patented goods to avoid paying rightful patent fees, even devising elaborate schemes to circumvent oversight programs.
• Manipulation Tactics: I caution listeners about "guanxi" (long-term relationships), which, while valuable, can also be used as a manipulation tactic by factories. Understanding these strategies is paramount to maintaining an even playing field.
I truly believe that "knowledge is power" when navigating relationships with Chinese factories. "Poorly Made in China" is one of the very best books I've seen on the subject—extraordinarily insightful and entertaining, despite the serious lessons it imparts. Honestly, I'd consider it "entrepreneurial malpractice" not to recommend it.
If you trade with China, buy products from China, or develop products there, reading this book and understanding these dynamics will help you be better prepared and significantly minimize potential problems through proper management.
Watch the full episode for a deeper dive: 👉 https://awesomers.com/53
You can also find more helpful processes and procedures on our mailing list at https://awesomers.com.
For professional, Amazon-ready product photography for your China-manufactured goods, check out https://symoglobal.com. And for the business operating system for your marketplace business, visit https://parsimony.com.
Let me know in the comments if you've read "Poorly Made in China" or experienced any of these situations!
If you want to work with me check out https://catalyst88.com and https://humanitynow.com or our new chatbots at https://chat.parsimony.com
#ManufacturingInChina #PoorlyMadeInChina #SteveSimonson #AwesomersPodcast #ChinaTrade #SupplyChain #QualityControl #IntellectualProperty #BusinessStrategy #GlobalTrade
Here's an AI overview that reviews the very first Awesomers episode. https://awesomers.com/1
Awesomers: A Detailed Briefing
This briefing analyzes content from the Awesomers Podcast, focusing on episode one and the website's core message. The analysis highlights key themes, important facts, and philosophies presented by Steve Simonson, the podcast host and a seasoned entrepreneur.
Core Themes:
Awesomer vs. Normie: The content establishes a distinct dichotomy between "Awesomers" and "Normies." Awesomers are characterized as proactive individuals who challenge the status quo, embrace continuous learning, and strive to create value. They own their mistakes, focus on the big picture, and believe in abundance. Conversely, Normies are often portrayed as risk-averse, reactive individuals who blame circumstances, get bogged down by problems, and operate with a scarcity mindset.
Pay It Forward & Abundance Mindset: The podcast is deeply rooted in Zig Ziglar's philosophy: “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.” This "pay it forward" mentality underscores the importance of helping others without expecting anything in return. It's closely tied to an abundance mindset, believing that there's enough success and happiness for everyone.
Strategy, Systems, & Scale: Simonson emphasizes the importance of a three-pronged approach to business success: strategy, systems, and scale. He encourages entrepreneurs to develop their own unique strategies, implement robust systems (like his https://parsimony.com ERP system), and leverage the power of collective growth through e-commerce associations like https://empowery.com
Important Ideas & Facts:
Knowledge is Equity: Simonson repeatedly stresses the importance of continuous learning, stating that “knowledge is equity.” He highlights successful individuals like Warren Buffet, Elon Musk, and Bill Gates who dedicate significant time to reading and knowledge acquisition. He encourages listeners to invest in their intellectual capital as it's a valuable asset that can never be taken away.
Focus on Strengths: Instead of dwelling on weaknesses, Simonson advocates for doubling down on one's strengths. He believes that individuals and organizations should focus on their areas of excellence and build teams that complement each other.
Sustainable Strategies over Quick Fixes: While acknowledging the appeal of "hacks" and quick fixes, Simonson cautions against relying on them for long-term success. He emphasizes the importance of developing sustainable strategies grounded in sound business principles.
Notable Quotes:
"Equity over the long run is the most important strategic indicator that your strategy is working." This quote emphasizes the need for focusing on long-term value creation rather than short-term gains.
"Knowledge is equity; nobody can take knowledge away from you." This statement reinforces the importance of continuous learning and knowledge acquisition as a valuable personal asset.
"Wherever you are in life today, it's because of all of your decisions up until this point." This thought-provoking quote encourages listeners to take responsibility for their choices and their impact on their current situation.
"Awesomers understand the world of abundance and disregard the scarcity mindset." This quote highlights a key difference in perspective between Awesomers and Normies, emphasizing the importance of believing in limitless opportunities.
"Awesomers do the right thing, even if nobody is looking." This statement underscores the importance of ethical behavior and acting with integrity regardless of external validation.
Overall, the Awesomers Podcast promotes a philosophy of proactive, value-driven entrepreneurship, encouraging individuals to embrace an abundance mindset, focus on their strengths, and continuously learn and grow.
Additional resources:
https://symoglobal.com
https://catalyst88.com
https://stevensimonson.com
Awesomers.com
I released Episode 53 of the Awesomers.com podcast some time back, and it's a deep dive into a book that I consider absolutely essential for anyone involved in manufacturing or trade with China: Paul Midler's "Poorly Made in China." If you're doing business there, this isn't just a recommendation; it's a necessity.
Paul Midler is a brilliant author who has genuinely lived the stories he outlines in this book. With over 15 years of my own experience trading with China, I can tell you that many of his anecdotes are eerily familiar – often both funny and tragically so. This book offers an extraordinary, in-depth look into how China's export industry truly operates, and indeed, how China itself works.
In this episode, I break down some of the most critical concepts Paul discusses, which resonate strongly with my own observations:
• Quality Fade (or Product Fade): This is real. Factories subtly reduce product quality over time—thinner shampoo bottles, changed formulas, subcontracting to cheaper facilities, or reducing material weight or thread count. These changes are often hard to detect visually, making vigilance crucial.
• "Price Go Up": You've probably heard it. Factories frequently increase prices, citing labor, environmental controls, or raw material costs. Yet, they rarely, if ever, inform you when prices could go down due to currency shifts or other factors. Their objective, after all, is to maximize their own profit.
• Counterfeit Culture & Intellectual Property (IP) Issues: The book highlights astonishing instances, like factories copying a customer's product formula and then audacious claiming it as their own intellectual property when asked for disclosure.
• Profit Siphoning & Under-reporting: Paul details cases such as Chinese partners in joint ventures siphoning off all profits, and factories under-reporting production of patented goods to avoid paying rightful patent fees, even devising elaborate schemes to circumvent oversight programs.
• Manipulation Tactics: I caution listeners about "guanxi" (long-term relationships), which, while valuable, can also be used as a manipulation tactic by factories. Understanding these strategies is paramount to maintaining an even playing field.
I truly believe that "knowledge is power" when navigating relationships with Chinese factories. "Poorly Made in China" is one of the very best books I've seen on the subject—extraordinarily insightful and entertaining, despite the serious lessons it imparts. Honestly, I'd consider it "entrepreneurial malpractice" not to recommend it.
If you trade with China, buy products from China, or develop products there, reading this book and understanding these dynamics will help you be better prepared and significantly minimize potential problems through proper management.
Watch the full episode for a deeper dive: 👉 https://awesomers.com/53
You can also find more helpful processes and procedures on our mailing list at https://awesomers.com.
For professional, Amazon-ready product photography for your China-manufactured goods, check out https://symoglobal.com. And for the business operating system for your marketplace business, visit https://parsimony.com.
Let me know in the comments if you've read "Poorly Made in China" or experienced any of these situations!
If you want to work with me check out https://catalyst88.com and https://humanitynow.com or our new chatbots at https://chat.parsimony.com
#ManufacturingInChina #PoorlyMadeInChina #SteveSimonson #AwesomersPodcast #ChinaTrade #SupplyChain #QualityControl #IntellectualProperty #BusinessStrategy #GlobalTrade
