SRI Spring Tradeshow Speaking Schedule19 Mar 2010

I’ll be speaking at 3 different shows in April.  Topics range from Problems Solving to Sourcing Basics and an extended version of the bi-annual China for New Buyers.  Like I’ve done with previous shows, I’ll be posting Q&A as well...

Labor, Sub-suppliers and Time–3 other ways to lose money in China15 Mar 2010

A quick story before I get to the issues at hand. An interesting thing happened on the way home from church…  I was picking strawberries with my boys at a small farm yesterday when I overheard the workers talking about us.  Now, hearing people ta...

Reasons why a factory doesn’t want you to come see things.5 Mar 2010

Before I get to the post today, everyone working in China should read this great article on corrupt QC (h/t China Law Blog). —————- We’ve been extremely busy both before and after the CNY break.  As we get back into f...

Reading the (Western) Media on China26 Feb 2010

UPDATE, 01/03/10: Apple Admits Child labour was Used to Build iPods and iPhones in Chinese Factories. This is at best an (educated) guess but at worse a lie–Apple did not admit this.  From the article: The exact location of the factories has n...

Under-promise, Over-deliver, Part II, Vietnam22 Feb 2010

So I’m sitting in a factory office outside of HCM city as the factory General Manager is talking with another client.   The inevitable discussion about product quality and how the production doesn’t match the samples comes up and the conversati...

Alistair Darling attacks ex-ministers in lobbying row - BBC News21 Mar 2010

The GuardianAlistair Darling attacks ex-ministers in lobbying rowBBC NewsChancellor Alistair Darling has attacked three ex-Cabinet colleagues who were filmed apparently offering to influence government policy for cash. Speaking about the claims on BBC One's Andrew Marr show, he asked: "What on earth did they think they were ...Four Labour MPs implicated in 'cash for influence' scandalTelegraph.co.ukLabour takes on lobbying after MPs caught in sting over cash for influenceThe GuardianTop Labour MPs trapped in TV stingDaily MailTimes Online -NOTW Blogs -Sydney Morning Heraldall 86 news articles »

Gunmen open fire on police at Ireland border - The Guardian21 Mar 2010

U.TVGunmen open fire on police at Ireland borderThe GuardianRepublican dissidents fired on police officers who were inspecting a suspect device on the Belfast-to-Dublin rail link at the weekend. The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed today that shots were fired at the officers, who were examining a ...Gunmen open fire on police near Irish borderIndependentRailway security alert continuingBBC NewsSix Nations fans caught in terror alert travel chaosBelfast TelegraphAberdeen Press and Journal -CBC.ca -Ireland Onlineall 55 news articles »

Raja Saeed, father of kidnapped Sahil, speaks of family's ordeal - Telegraph.co.uk21 Mar 2010

Mirror.co.ukRaja Saeed, father of kidnapped Sahil, speaks of family's ordealTelegraph.co.ukThe father of a five-year-old boy held hostage in Pakistan has spoken publicly for the first time about the family's ordeal. By Rebecca Lefort Raja Saeed, father of Sahil, said the kidnappers threatened to cut off the youngster's limbs during his 13 ...Terrifying Bomb Threats Of Sahil's KidnappersSky NewsSaving SahilTimes OnlineSahil Saeed's kidnapping in Pak masterminded in Britain: PoliceSINDH TODAYSydney Morning Herald -Lancashire Evening Post -Sportinglife.comall 133 news articles »

Anger and disappointment in Ireland as the Pope's letter fails to heal - Telegraph.co.uk21 Mar 2010

Times OnlineAnger and disappointment in Ireland as the Pope's letter fails to healTelegraph.co.ukVictims of abuse at the hands of priests in Ireland are not satisfied by the Pope's letter of apology. By Carissa Casey in Dublin Marie Collins is still a practising Catholic despite years of pain and frustration fighting the Irish Catholic hierarchy. ...Pope Benedict accused of ignoring abuse allegations against HullermanTimes OnlineArrogant, corrupt, secretive – the Catholic church failed to tackle evilThe GuardianAustralian clerical abuse victims want apologyABC OnlineAljazeera.net -Reuters -Times of Indiaall 2,776 news articles »

Labour desperate to end BA strike with election looming - The Guardian21 Mar 2010

The GuardianLabour desperate to end BA strike with election loomingThe GuardianDesperate attempts to end the BA cabin crew strike were being mounted by government ministers last night as Labour battled to prevent the dispute from wrecking its preparations for the general election. Gordon Brown's officials were in close touch with ...Air strike: will Gordon Brown be hit by friendly fire?Times OnlineAir and rail strikes threaten travel plans and Labour hopesTelegraph.co.ukRMT rail signal workers to take strike actionBBC NewsScotsman -ITN -Independentall 268 news articles »