UWest Student Entrepreneur Paints Unorthodox Picture of China’s Economy
Michael Oertel, student of University of the West, Rosemead California, recently released his first book “An Introduction to China’s Economic Development, or simply we can say, Doing Business in China. Michael Ortel is currently completing his M.B.A in International Business from University of the West, Rosemead, CA. Prior coming to California for his M.B.A Michael was one the most in-demand and prime consultants to American companies seeking business opportunities in China and visa-versa. Michael has extensive first-hand knowledge about the Chinese culture and can tell you the best practical ways to be successful in China. He can speak Mandarin and some sub Chinese dialects.
1) What inspired you to write your book?
After returning to the United States from a long but pleasurable experience working and living in China, I wanted to share my perspective on China’s economic development. My book “An Introduction to China’s Economic Development” which is available on amazon.com, is tailored towards Americans who are interested in understanding China’s economic development and what indicators to evaluate when assessing China’s economy. My book is unorthodox in a sense because I nearly ignore statistical data such as GDP and GDP growth rates when evaluating China’s economic development and focus more on developmental indicators such as total population, population growth rate, education, health care, income inequality, et cetera. After carefully evaluating China’s economic development using human development indicators, I explain how they will affect China’s long-term development. What the reader will find, after reading my book, is that China is facing many internal problems that are not reflected in its GDP growth rate. For example, why are the wealthiest Chinese trying to get their money out of China and into the United States? Or why are Chinese students going to great pains to study abroad when the Chinese government is reallocating so much money to Chinese universities? These questions and more are addressed in my book to bring awareness to the public but more specifically for American organizations that are contemplating whether or not to relocate operations to mainland China.
2) How did you come to do what you’re doing today?
My initial plan, after finishing my undergraduate degree, was to teach English in China for four months and then return to get my masters degree in International Affairs with a concentration in Chinese-American diplomacy. However, as you can tell, my plans have changed. I find that government is too inefficient and haunted with legacy issues which impair its ability to adapt to the 21st century. I am not the kind of person who can sit in their comfort zone for too long and just go through the motions 8 hours a day 5 days a week. I like to explore the unknown and indulge in things that Americans would never fathom doing. Right away I noticed my niche- I have the ability to adapt to my local environment much faster than the average American which gives me a comparative advantage in China.
Right now I am working to develop an organization that will help Chinese students and American teachers. While teaching in China, I noticed that the universities lacked qualified teachers and that the United States has an over-supply of qualified teachers. My organization will help bridge these two inefficiencies by recruiting American teachers who have been affected by the recent budget cuts and help them find jobs teaching in China. What is different about my organization than other recruiting agencies is that my organization will provide additional training before our teachers begin teaching in a Chinese classroom. In simpler terms we will make sure that all of our teachers are prepared for their transition into the Chinese classroom so that instructions are effective and productive. I strongly believe this solution is a win-win for both China and the United States. China will receive qualified teachers and the United States will receive job opportunities.
3) What do you think about China U.S trade relations?
I think China and the United States have such a unique relationship never before witnessed in history. China needs American consumption and the United States needs China to buy its debt. This relationship is effective only if the two countries can maintain good relations. However, relations between China and the United States are affected by miscommunication and mistrust due to cultural and language disconnect. The only way to break down this barrier is through cultural exchange programs. Cultural exchange programs will send representatives from each country to study and learn more about their host country’s culture and values. My organization is addressing this dilemma by incorporating services that will help more Chinese students study in the United States and more importantly, help American students study in China.
4) What do you most enjoy about what you do?
I enjoy what I do because I want to help improve relationships between the United States and China. I think my organization can address this problem while simultaneously helping Chinese students and creating jobs for American teachers.
5) Are there any people and/or books that have inspired you along your journey?
I would say Thomas Friedman and Peter Hessler have been the most influential. Thomas Friedman because he is always challenging Americans to have the audacity to go out and change things and Peter Hessler because his books and articles really capture China’s development and its people. I would advise people to stay away from books by Henry Kissinger regarding China because they do not capture the realities of China (I might get into trouble for this statement).
6) Can you share some business tips for our readers, intending to do international business?
Adapt fast and show respect to your host. Remain open-minded and try everything- think of it as a performance not just a responsibility. Rely on your intuition and less on rational thinking- rational thinking could get you in trouble when conducting business in China.
7) Can you share something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
I am a political scientist at heart and enjoy reading about the Middle-East. I think the world is interconnected in a way and I enjoy the challenge of building relationships and correlations between variables that others dare not to explore. I spend less time reading about theory and more time reading books by journalists and their personal experiences. I don’t believe a person with a PhD sitting in his office in Cambridge Massachusetts can capture the world order better than those who are in the trenches everyday experiencing day-to-day transactions.
If you would like to contact Michael Oertel regarding this article or are interested in fostering better working relationships between China and the United States please feel free to write to his personal webmail account at moertel1@gmail.com
Murray Johannsen, President, Legacee Corporate Services, Inc.-
“This book is a goldmine for anyone who wants to do business in China. It’s jammed full of interesting stories, valuable facts, hard to find statistics, illustrations and significant pictures of daily live in China—it is a must read”.
Dr. William Howe, author, leadership strategist, Dean of Academic Affairs–
“We’ve all heard that we’re in ‘the Century of China.’ Michael’s Oertel’s
book makes this abundantly clear and shows the reader, with ample
evidence, why China will inevitably become what he calls “the
destination of choice” for individuals and companies as we move further
into the century. The focus here is on understanding and even
empathizing with China and the Chinese culture — a perspective we would
all do well to adopt if we hope to interact well with this superpower in
the crucial decades ahead.”
book makes this abundantly clear and shows the reader, with ample
evidence, why China will inevitably become what he calls “the
destination of choice” for individuals and companies as we move further
into the century. The focus here is on understanding and even
empathizing with China and the Chinese culture — a perspective we would
all do well to adopt if we hope to interact well with this superpower in
the crucial decades ahead.”
By Takspa Lekdan
Dinsmoor Heritage House Christmas Open House “An Old Fashioned Christmas”
On December 3, 2011, the Dinsmoor Heritage House and friends celebrated the Holidays with their Annual Holiday Christmas Celebration and Open House. The historic Dinsmoor is located at 9632 Steele Street, on the corner of Temple City Blvd and Steele in “the mead”. The house was built in 1927 and is now one of the oldest houses in Rosemead.
The Dinsmoor had been beautifully decorated for the Holidays inside and out. Inside a beautiful tree, garland tied with bows strung through the banisters, holiday decorations placed all through the house, and the dining room table was filled with Christmas goodies, fudge and cakes, cookies and candies, all prepared by members of the society for their guests. Outside, the grounds had been neatly groomed and the house looked great with the all the new cosmetic repairs.
The whole community was invited for a wonderful afternoon of music, holiday goodies and gift raffles. Visitors were all so amazed at the huge historical house. Many of them had never seen the house or even been inside, even the neighbors who have lived near the house for many years. Tours were conducted once an hour, and attendees got to see parts of the house, some people have never seen.
We also were very lucky to have Coach Chuck Lyons and the Rosemead High School Girls Basketball Team, who volunteered to help with the event. The girls were very in awe of the house. Most of them took the tour several times. They were told stories of what it was like when the Dinsmoor family lived in the house and how much different it was then.
It was a great day!
By Cathy Brehm
Seminar on How to Start-up your own Business
Surrendra P. Mehta, Entrepreneur & Business Owner Subway Rosemead, CA
It is the dream of many people to become a business owner. In order to successfully start-up a business, one needs to prepare and meet certain requirements and conditions, such as having minimum capital and competitive products/services. Many businesses fail during its start-up or its initial expansion. In this seminar, Mr. Surendra P. Mehta, a successful business owner and entrepreneur, will share his many years of experience. He will discuss how to start-up and expand your own business successfully.
Mr. Mehta is the owner of Subway in the City of Rosemead. He also has successfully set up various food product facilities overseas. He is a member of the Rosemead Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He received his MBA from West CoastUniversity, Los Angelesand studied in the Executive Management program at UCLA. He was also an adjunct professor of the MBA program at Universityof La Verneand has been listed in Who’s Who in California.
This seminar is organized by Rosemead Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Business Administration, and the Center for the Study of Minority and Small Business at UWest.
The Seminar is open to the public free of charge. UWest is located at1409 N. Walnut Grove Avenue,Rosemead,CA91770, off the 60 Freeway. For more information or to reserve your seat please call (626) 571-8811, ext. 125.
Time:-
Tuesday, December 06, 2011. 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Rosemead’s September Run for the Memorial
By Cathy Brehm
On Saturday, September 10, 2011, at 8:00 a.m., 10 years from the tragic event on September 11, 2001, about 75 or more individuals participated in the “Second Annual Run/Walk for the Memorial” raising funds for the beautiful monument that would be unveiled the following day at City Hall.
The Run for the Memorial began at the UFC Gym, located at 8920 Glendon Way and ended at Rosemead City Hall and was presented by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, UFC Gym and the City of Rosemead.
I was able to catch one of the 5K runners, Takspa Lekdan , and he commented on his experience at the run. “It was very well organized, weather was great and towards the end of the race, my deep emotions and thoughts of 9/11, gave me the energy to sprint to the finish line.” To his misfortune, Takspa, entering the race at the very last moment, and not having enough time to get his T-Shirt on before the race began, so in error was not recognized as one of the winners. “Just being able to participate was enough for me”, he commented.
At the end of the run/walk, medals were awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each division and to all participants 10 years and younger. All participants received a Run for the Memorial T-Shirt, a 30-day pass to the UFC Gym, and a giveaway bag.
It was a great day for Rosemead!
UWest and Asian Business Association Jointly Hold a Lecture Series on Business Technology and Management
The Department of Business Administration at University of the West and the Asian Business Association will hold a lecture series on business technologies and management.
This lecture series is aimed at helping small businesses discover big business solutions, expand market presence, reach out to new customers, manage operations, and make money through investment in technology.
The lecture series will cover the following five topics.
I. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Thursday, September 22, 2011, 6:00-9:00 pm
II. E-Marketing
Thursday, October 6, 2011, 6:00-9:00 pm
III. Online Financial Management
Thursday, October 20, 2011, 6:00-9:00 pm
IV. Purchasing & Inventory Management
Thursday, November 3, 2011, 6:00-9:00 pm
V. Website Development
Thursday, November 17, 2011, 6:00-9:00 pm
All lectures will be held at AD205, and free of charge. Reservation is required to attend. To register for the lecture series, go to the website at http://ababroadband.eventbrite.com.
University of the West is located at 1409 N. Walnut Grove Avenue, Rosemead, CA 91770; Tel. (626)571-8811.
This project was funded by the U.S Department of Commerce and the Emerging Technology Fund.
Starting a Business in Rosemead
Starting a Business
There are several steps to starting a business in the City of Rosemead. The steps may vary according to the type of business you intend to start, but this guide will give you a general idea of the process. It provides you with information about starting and conducting a business in the City of Rosemead and serves as a directory of telephone numbers that can provide assistance to new business owners.
Step 1: Determine the business location and obtain the required permits.
Selecting the right location for your business is crucial to its success.
Every business in the City of Rosemead requires a Business Occupancy Permit which can be obtained through the Planning and Building Division. The City of Rosemead has specific zoning requirements for different types of businesses. Prior to entering into a lease agreement or purchasing a piece of property, check with the Planning Division to determine if the type of business you wish to operate is a permitted use within the zoning district where it is located. If your business is not permitted in the zoning district, the Planning Division can advise you of the proper zoning district(s) for your business.
Step 2: Obtain the proper applications for a business.
When the location has been decided and the zoning has been cleared, you are ready to obtain an occupancy permit application from the Planning Division. Since all businesses don’t require a business license, it is best to check with the business license department to see if your particular business requires one.
Step 3: Obtain any permits or licenses required by the state or federal government for your business type.
The state and federal governments have additional requirements for businesses. Certain businesses are required to obtain permits from the Department of Consumer Affairs and State and local environmental agencies.
Step 4: Making an appointment with the Building and Safety Division.
Once the Planning Division has completed a site inspection to verify compliance with the Rosemead Municipal Code, they will sign your signature form. Once approved you can make an appointment for the final inspection through the Building and Safety Division to make sure that all requirements are met. If for some reason you fail the building inspection, you are required to correct all Building Code violations. Upon completion of all Building and Safety codes you are required to obtain an approval signature from the Building and Safety Division. After compliance with all the necessary steps you are ready for a business license.
Step 5: Submitting your business license application.
Once all the approval signatures from all the divisions have been obtained you can submit your application for a business license. Some business licenses may require background investigations that may take between 3-8 weeks. For a list of businesses that require background checks, please refer to the back of this brochure. Once cleared with all divisions, you will be called and informed to pick up your Business Occupancy Permit and your Business License.
Congratulations and Good Luck!!!
City of Rosemead
Top 10 Reasons to Join the Rosemead Chamber Of Commerce
NETWORKING
Advancing community and business, providing a platform for making long lasting connections is a common goal shared by the Chamber investors. Year round networking events gives you an opportunity to broaden your network of business connections with individual and businesses who understand the importance of being a good business neighbor. Whether your goal is to develop business partnerships, expand your market, better understand the needs of today’s businesses or just to become more well known in the local community, you won’t find a better venue to achieve your networking goals than The Chamber.
ADVERTISING
Through its vast menu of advertising, sponsorship and public relations opportunities, the Rosemead Chamber of Commerce helps you align your company with an organization recognized from excellence. With its vast network of businesses and community decision-makers, the Chamber assists in building your brand recognition and visibility among a receptive audience in the local community.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
As a member, you receive a complimentary classified listing in our Chamber Business Directory (which is published every couple of years). This Directory is mailed to all our member’s businesses in the city of Rosemead, plus all city contacts and other Chambers of Commerce
WEB LISTING
Membership at the Chamber includes a free web listing on the Chamber’s website. Your website can also be linked to ours by supplying us with a Company Logo and your web address.
REFERRALS
Referrals at the Chamber of Commerce consist only of Chamber Members.
RIBBON CUTTINGS AND GRAND OPENINGS
The Chamber helps and supports new businesses by providing publicity, advertisement and community support. The chamber organizes Grand Opening’s of a new business with a Ribbon Cutting sponsored by the Chamber.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMITTEES
There are various committees that a business can join. One of such committees is the Ambassadors Committee, whose mission is to foster the growth of the business and professional community, by acting as the voice of the Chamber and letting its members take advantage of their benefits. If you would like to get more involved with the Chamber of Commerce, we have various committees that you could join. Ambassadors meet once a month and discuss the Chamber’s upcoming events and the ways they can be most useful to the Chamber. They also are the meeters and the greeters at all Chamber events, and in doing so, represent their Company’s as well as the Chamber.
LEGISLATIVE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION
Rosemead Chamber of Commerce actively advocates for public policy that supports business and community success at the local, state and national levels. The Rosemead Chamber’s Legislative Affairs Committee strives to keep you informed about legislative issues that may affect your business both locally and federally.
THE CHAMBER LOOKS OUT FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS!
It never hurts to have an ally. The Chamber serves as a support system for all Your business needs, large or small.
PERIODIC EMAIL NEWS BLASTS
In order to keep you informed on a daily basis, whenever the Chamber has information that has to be publicized immediately, an E-mail new blast is sent off to all members and other interested businesses.
Green Campus Action
Plantation of Orange Groves fro the International Year of Forests
(The United Nations has declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to promote forestry development around the world)
SPONSORS
- University of the West
- California Institute of Environmental Design & Management (CIEDMA)
AGENDA
08-11-2011
11:00 Opening Remark (at the tree station site)
Introduction of the vent sponsors & major event participants by event host- UWEST
Presentation Session
15 minute presentation on the importance of, and the mission to build urban forests as well as the development of this project by CIEDM-Ed
Speech of UW president
Speech of the local Politicians (i.e. City Mayor)
Plantation Session (site for 10 trees)
Announcement of UW “Adopt-A-Tree” Initiative
Recognition of the FIrst 10 Student Participant in the Initiative
Transplantation
(VIP, students & staff planting trees in the pre-dug locations)
Photo Session
-by media, CIEDM & UW PR Staff
Closing Remarks
-By UWEST
Fore more information:
Rosemead Chamber of Commerce 