Jim JamesFounder, UnNoticed Ventures · Hi, what's on your mind? I'd love to know.

Why Only the Ox Survives Business in China.

19 Feb 2021 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

1:20

In this YouTube monologue, Jim James uses the ox—a persistent, stubborn, and strong beast of burden common across Asia—as a metaphor for the qualities required to succeed in the Chinese market. He argues that half‑hearted, short‑term approaches inevitably fail because rewards in China come slowly. Entrepreneurs must be persistently committed, stubbornly confident in the face of skepticism (including from Western peers who claim other markets are easier), and physically and emotionally resilient to handle the demanding professional environment. The talk emphasizes that these traits are essential for any venture aiming to thrive in China’s unique business landscape.

Chapters

So first of all, the ox in China is considered, and as we know, is persistent. It's so stubborn animal, but it's also strong. It is the beast of burden throughout Asia. And if you want to work in Asia generally, I would say, but certainly in China, one has to be persistent. To have a half-hearted approach to Asia is destined to fail because the rewards never come quickly. The second is to be stubborn, because whilst you have in mind what you think can be done, the chances are quite likely that it's not going to happen in the way that you think it's going to get done. So sometimes you have to be a bit bullheaded and carry on in spite of the people saying that it can't be done. And by the way, some of those people will be people here in the UK who say they think that it's easier to sell to America, for example. So being a little bit stubborn, not popular as a character, but essential, I think, as an entrepreneur. And to be strong, because being in China is very demanding physically and emotionally and professionally.