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Face-to-Face is a new feature from newzealandinc.com where we sit down for a chat with young business leaders from around the globe. We’ll be running a special series of these from China where we talk to young New Zealanders doing big things on the ground here.
The first in newzealandinc.com’s Face to Face China series is with the director of Marianas Group, Alex Worker.
Born in Hong Kong, Alex first moved to China in 1985 when father Carl was posted at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing. Moving back to New Zealand where Alex completed the majority of his education, his personal China story came full circle when he moved back to take up a Rotary Scholarship.
Now director of Marianas Group, a firm set up in conjunction with two friends to export the best of New Zealand foods to Asia and South America, Alex has already undertaken a fascinating journey which provided plenty to talk about when we caught up with him in Beijing.
NZ INC. Firstly, why China? You’ve been here before and now you’ve come back – what was the motivation to move to China? China is the hot market – there’s phenomenal growth here. With a population of 1.35 billion people and a young generation striving to lead a better life than the generation before them. From the fast moving tier 1 cities like Chongqing and Tianjin to growth in its purest form in some of the Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities – the pace is just absolutely phenomenal. It’s all the reason to be here and be a part of that.
NZ INC. What about the opportunity for New Zealand in China? I’ve been really lucky to the extent that through my father I’ve learned about the great efforts that the New Zealand government has gone to build relationships with the public and private sector throughout Asia – in particular China. Through dad’s roles in the public sector I was very lucky to realize how well New Zealand is set up to take advantage of and grow with the Asia-Pacific region. In my opinion now though it comes down to the average New Zealander as well as the private sector in particular to build on this and it’s not just down to the Fonterra’s and the Zespri’s to walk the talk.
NZ INC. Could you tell us a bit about your new company, Marianas Group and what they’re doing, particularly in China? Marianas Group was set up about 10 months ago by myself and two close friends. We’re three New Zealanders with a vision to represent the world’s best natural products across the Pacific Rim. We’re very lucky to work with and represent a range of New Zealand’s premium, portfolio brands. Our focus has to be about developing the China end – our goal over the next two years is to position them, to promote them, to protect them and to grow great channel partnerships within China. Our focus is really long term growth and partnerships. We want to be seen as the most trusted, delicious, natural products available.
NZ INC. Coming back to China, what did you find difficult about moving back the second time around? Challenges exist on every level. Personally I’ve found the language and figuring out how the Chinese go about things – from their personal to their business lives one of the largest obstacles to overcome here. Everything from conducting yourself properly in business situations to learning etiquette and how to build relationships is challenging because it’s a different culture.
NZ INC. With these challenges in mind, what would you to say to young Kiwi’s back home who are thinking about China as a destination for themselves? Actually getting here and immersing yourself in it all is the best way to learn, but that’s one of the biggest challenges in itself. It doesn’t have to be a cold start though. The opportunities back in New Zealand to get ready for China are growing fast at every level. We’re seeing language classes being offered at schools and universities. There’s a growing number of organisations which exist to foster relationships with Asia and can help people make the transition – at the University level there’s the Confucius Institute and Asia:NZ for example. For students in particular, getting to know members of the growing Chinese student population in New Zealand is a great way to not only learn, but to make connections ready for when you arrive here. Internships and government programmes are also a great option for getting here.”