Harry Huang from China studied at the International Business School until 2007. He met Corporate Human Resource Director Wim Zwetsloot of the Dutch packaging company Schoeller Arca while he was still in the Netherlands. Zwetsloot offered him a job and now he is their sales representative in Shanghai, China.
What do you do for Schoeller Arca in China?
‘The most important part of my job for Schoeller Arca is focusing on Sales. Meanwhile, I also have to take care of some other business such as contacting various suppliers in order to get familiar with the raw material, making business plans for future development in China, and so on.’
What is the difference between doing business in China and the Netherlands?
‘In China, investments are usually made without caring for the short-term profits. The long-term profits always turn out to be the key point. In the Netherlands, business men are more cautious about their investment. The usual principle is: no orders from the customers, no investment from the company.’
What have you learned in your work so far?
‘Although I have only worked for Schoeller Arca for six months, I have learned a lot from my daily work such as sales skills, different ways of doing business, and about the packaging systems in Europe, which are different from those in China. Moreover, I also joined the Product Training in Hardenberg, which enhanced my knowledge of Arca products and its production processes. Last but not least, I finally realize the difference between theory and practice.’
Can you use what you have learned at IBS in your new job?
‘I can apply several things I have learned at IBS to my job. The communication skills that I acquired at IBS are very useful, for instance. Everyday I have to communicate with my customers in order to introduce our products and service. Sometimes I even have to contact customers constantly to remind them of our company, which might be annoying after some time. Therefore, it is very important to know the right time to call, email, or visit them. Those communication skills cannot be found in books, but have to be accumulated through IBS life.’