Risky Business in Rising China: Deals, ordeals, and lessons learned as an American entrepreneur in a surging superpower grappling with growing pains

Risky Business in Rising China by Mark Atkeson is a Non-Fiction Story published on October 15, 2023. The narrative chronicles Atkeson’s experiences in China which were not always as it is now. However, over the past decades, China’s economic and military stance has grown tremendously. 

Spoiler-free plot

The decaying conditions of several historical landmarks, like the Old Summer Palace and the Imperial City, which serve as reminders of both Western imperialism and China’s turbulent history, were part of the personal experiences of Mark Atkeson when he first visited China with his family in 1982.

In 1986, Mark Atkeson returned back to China. He took a risk at the beginning of his career by choosing to pursue a career in an underdeveloped China instead of joining Corporate America, as other Yale engineering graduates did. At the time, Japan’s supremacy in global trade greatly eclipsed China’s poverty. He and his spouse, Shannon nurtured their four kids in China.

Mark is upbeat about China’s future notwithstanding the nation’s extreme poverty and disparities from the West. Even though Mark’s peers were skeptical about China, believing it to be insignificant and backward in comparison to Japan, he was still positive.

Mark encountered several difficulties when he assumed the role of the General Manager of Beijing Fuel Pump & Fuel Injector Co. (BYC). He encountered challenges such as financial difficulties, dishonest management, and cultural differences. He began making adjustments to turn the firm around by removing dishonest workers, enacting new regulations, and reorganizing production, with the assistance of coworkers like James Li.

As Mark conducts his business in China, he soon realizes that the corporate landscape has dramatically shifted, rendering his once robust experience outdated. In a determined effort to adapt and evolve, he sets his sights on the aviation industry for potential career opportunities. After thorough exploration, he discovers a profitable avenue in aviation asset trading. Through his tenacity and extensive connections, he secures a vital role as the GM of a collaborative venture between GA Telesis and Air China. This aided him in leading and managing operations within China. However, despite his persistence and established connections, various barriers arise. These barriers threaten to impede his progress.

‌My Take on Risky Business in Rising China

“Risky Business in Rising China: Deals, ordeals, and Lessons Learned as an American Entrepreneur in a Surging Superpower Grappling with Growing Pains” is a well-detailed memoir, which happens to have an interesting storyline. I had fun reading this book, and I also gained insights from it. The sections in the book are enough to keep you motivated and make you want to read the book from start to finish.

Apart from providing an unparalleled insight into Chinese society, economy, and administration in the immediate and remote future, the book also features Atkeson’s private commercial interactions with officials from the government and businesses. His personal experiences, the difficulties, and the opposition he faced were well incorporated in this book, and it reminded me of how well hard work pays.

Before I read this book, I knew little or nothing about the Chinese business. However, when I read “Risky Business in Rising China,” I felt like I was in a different realm. I was overwhelmed by the amount of knowledge and accurate details that I got hold of because I read this book.

This book is a worthwhile and interesting read for anyone curious about the background history of China’s economic development, whether a student, financial analyst or investor. The author skillfully takes us through the sophistication of China’s ever-changing economy and how well the nation has developed. If you have a passion for business, and you believe in yourself, reading this book will be an eye-opener for you. Also, if you want to understand everything that comes with conducting business in China, this book is a must-read for you. It will widen your horizon.

This non-fiction illuminates the inherent hazards and benefits for companies and entrepreneurs by delicately navigating across the complicated and ever-changing economy and other interesting aspects of China. This book was incredibly factual, entertaining, and intriguing in my opinion.

Atkeson expertly reflects on the economic growth of China, a growth that has transformed China from poverty to prosperity over the past decades. He goes the extra mile to vividly present the juxtaposition of China’s past and present.

Beyond learning a lot about China, this book comes as a form of inspiration to readers. It ignites a never-giving-up mentality in you if you read to understand. The passion of Atkeson to follow his dreams even in the face of opposition from his peers is highly inspirational. It was also one of the things that elevated my interest in reading the book.

The writing style is elegant and at the same time simple. One thing that makes this book easily readable is the presence of different sections in the book, and each with a lesson or two to learn.

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