Assignment task:
Read Case Mr. Wui goes to America. Answer questions 2, 3, & 4.
"Mr. Wui Goes to America Wui arrived in Mobile, Alabama, in the middle of summer, unprepared for humidity and heat. The first day he bought a lightweight, breathable business suit. He was helped by a salesgirl who smiled as she packed the coat and slacks into a box. Americans are nice, Wui decided. He was not worried about his assignment in America. The contract had been negotiated. Wui's job was to work out the details and establish communication protocols. Wui's firm, DSD, was one of the biggest construction firms in China. Wui was assigned to the Shenzin Green project, a state-of-the-art, 30-story office building. Wui was sent to Mobile because that is where Katsam industries had its new electrochromic glass fabrication factory. The factory was producing Next-generation glass products, which dramatically improved energy efficiency and occupant comfort. Katsam's global experience was limited, but it had a reputation for being innovative. When Wui woke up he called Jon Bigelow at Katsam to confirm his 10:00 a.m. meeting. Bigelow's assistant verified the meeting. Wui arrived at the Katsam office at 10 a.m. sharp. He had brought a pair of sitting foo dogs for Bigelow. The statues were carved from special stone found only near his father's village. They are cherished by the Chinese for their ability to ward off evil spirits. He would explain the significance to Bigelow later when they knew each other. When Bigelow's assistant ushered him in, Bigelow stood up immediately and rounded his desk with an outstretched hand. Squeezing Wui's hand, he roared, "How are you? Long trip from Hong Kong? Please sit down, please sit down." Wui smiled and reached into his jacket for his card. By the time he had presented it, Bigelow was on the other side of his desk. "My card," Wui said with a slight bow. "Yes, yes," Bigelow answered. He put Wui's card in his pocket without a glance. Wui stared at the floor." "Here," Bigelow handed his card. "Oh, Jon Bigelow, Director of Operations, Katsam Industries, Mobile, Alabama," Wui read out loud while holding the card with both hands. "Katsam has an excellent reputation in China." "That's me," Bigelow replied. "Pleased to meet you, Wui; I think we will work very well together; won't you sit down?" Wui smiled and laid Bigelow's card on the table in front of him. "DSD is pleased to do business with Katsam," Wui spoke slowly. Wui was proud of his English. Not only had he been the top student in his high school and university, but he had also studied business English in evening courses for four years. Bigelow looked impatient. Wui continued to talk about DSD and Katsam history. "We are the best in the business," Bigelow interrupted. "Ask anyone in the industry, our glass is the best in the world!" Wui didn't know what to say. He knew Katsam's record-that was why he was in the room. Surely Bigelow knew that. His foot touched the box containing the foo dog statues. Maybe he should give the gift now. No, he thought. Bigelow was still talking about Katsam's achievements. Now Bigelow had switched "to his own achievements. "You have to come over to my house. It's a totally renovated 200-year-old colonial mansion with a fantastic view of the bay. You know, I have the greatest wife. She is a superb cook. You come to our house and she'll give you a real taste of Southern cooking: grits, gumbo, sweet tea, you name it." Wui shifted his weight and said, "Thank you, I would enjoy that very much." He then reached down and picked up the box. "I brought you a present," Wui said, handing him the box containing the foo dogs. "Thanks," Bigelow answered. He looked genuinely pleased as he tore open the paper and opened the box. Wui looked away while Bigelow picked up a foo dog in each hand and said, "Hey, thanks a lot, I will give one to each of my daughters." Bigelow pushed the statues aside and said, "Give me a second, Wui; I need to send a message to my assistant." They spent the next hour going over Wui's visit and answering questions about the work Katsam was going to do for DSD. The discussion was interrupted by a tap on the door. Bigelow "jumped up and said, "It must be lunchtime!" Bigelow's assistant entered the office caring a brightly colored package. When she handed the package to Wui, Bigelow announced, "Katsam has a present for you." Wui nodded thanks and waited. Bigelow cried, "Aren't you going to open it? I think you are really going to like it. Go ahead, open it." Wui reluctantly opened the package. He pulled out of the box a light grey shirt with "Atlanta Braves" spelled out on the front and a picture of what appeared to be a screaming Indian. On the back was printed the name Aaron and, in big numerals, 44. Bigelow proudly proclaimed, "We heard you guys like baseball, so we thought it would be only fitting to give you a replica of the greatest baseball player to ever come out "of Mobile, Alabama, good ole #44, Hammering Hank Aaron." He patted Wui on the back and said, "Now let's go get some food!"
Q1. "What mistakes did Wui make?
Q2. What mistakes did Bigelow make?
Q3. How could these mistakes have been prevented?"