Newsletter: Will the Lucky Number 8 Help iPhone 8’s Launch in China?

Dear Global Business Enthusiast,

Michael Michelini (@michelini) here. You’re getting this email because you requested my periodic thoughts on international business from Hong Kong.

[Edit: Actually, it’s possible that you’ve never gotten an email from me. Somebody might have just given you the link to this page, which is an online archive of an email that I sent to folks who had asked for it. If you’d like to get articles like this in your inbox, totally free, about once a week or two, give me your email address.]
This week:

Chinese toilet water, Apple vs. some “e-phones”, Foxconn hedging, and more

Just walked my buddy’s dogs, took kids for a walk – and being reminded by Tim Ferriss to get more outside as well – but it is freakin’ hot! Hope everyone is having a great turn to August and enjoying a few more weeks of the summertime.

I do plan to go to the beach for the weekend, the Chinese beach – with the wife and kids – don’t worry I’ll send photos 😉


Welcome to GFA Pulse Number 133

Business News From Around Asia

Since last week we announced the news that Global From Asia is getting in as an e-commerce seller and is looking for venture partners: we have been receiving applications. For those who are interested yet have not yet submit the application, here is the gentle reminder: the application will be closing on 22nd and we are announcing it on Shenzhen’s meetup on 22nd, August (what do you think of the name E-Commerce Gladiator?).

What are some strategies Chinese phone manufacturers use to compete with Apple and Samsung?
Did you ever hear of Transsion Holdings, a Shenzhen company? They have 40% of an African market.

Speaking of phones…
Will Chinese people buy the iPhone 8?
Well – 8 a lucky number for China – so maybe?
Or Maybe not.
In China, it seems the biggest rival of Apple isn’t phone manufacturers like Huawei, Samsung etc — but Wechat!!! Chinese people spend around 60% of the time on Wechat when on their phones – does it really matter if they are using iOS or Android?

Some analysts doubt the Chinese will pay $1,000 for ‘iPhone 8’ when they spend most of their time in WeChat

It is true – I am paying for everything with Wechat pay – fast food, taxis, even some groceries! Big brother is coming – heck it is here!
Beijing topped the list for penetration of cashless payments, followed by Shenzhen and Guangzhou in Guangdong province, and Shanghai.

Living in China for more than a decade I know exactly why China is the world’s capital of manufactured goods.
It is about market supply and demand.
But, will times change?
Did Donald Influence this?
Why America may prove to be a cheaper option than China for Foxconn

Drinking toilet water?
“dude, seriously..
are they that stupid or that desperate?
I don’t even blame the one forcing them, it’s not like at gunpoint or so..”
Via Andre Martin 

From the Global From Asia Media Desk



We just started our e commerce series and have the first episode:
We had our mentor Meir Simhi with us to answer some burning questions that our members and many of you guys out there have regarding starting an e-commerce business. He offered us some really useful insights on these questions. Tune in

We will have 2 podcasts a week now – Tuesdays will be interview style, and Fridays will be this new e-commerce business series – which style do you prefer?

We are still looking for local chapter organizers who are creative, like minded, sociable and love to be part of a global community. You will be responsible for the local event marketing as well as event management. If you are interested in becoming a local chapter organizer or know more about how it works, simply drop us an email at: blog@globalfromasia.com

This week’s blog

We offer tactics to make your first ever hire in Hong Kong even if you are abroad! Check it out here

    Listen to more podcasts →   
After so many requests from our community members, we are finally having a Facebook marketing for ecommerce meetup and workshop in August. Book and pencil down the date for it!!

We are adding a lot recently – best to bookmark

Rose spent 2 days this week taking a first time business visitor around Shenzhen factories – they are loving our GFA market for the escrow payment and credit card payment options – then we pay her in RMB once the deal is confirmed.


I’m still getting people emailing me job descriptions asking me to help – its best to use our jobs.globalfromasia.com site and I can include in this newsletter and our other channels – try it out today for your recruiting needs!

It is about balancing the life and work from my perspective. It has never been easy to do so but I am getting better at it:) Let me know how you manage to make the balance!


We are having some of our GFAVIP member’s join in our podcast interview calls and get real interaction with our guests, trying to innovate and give more value to our members. We will have a private member’s call and podcast recording with a top executive on crowdfunding Saturday Aug 26
Join in our membership and start connecting with others today!

Sent August 3, 2017

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Keep in Touch

I’d love to hear from you!

– Michael Michelini
mike @ globalfromasia.com
Hong Kong

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Michelini

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American internet entrepreneur in China, Asia, and Hong Kong. Helping companies do business globally from Asia

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