Welcome to Part 2 of the special Association Netherlands China board members series. In this series, I interview five board members from the Association Netherlands China, VNC – Vereniging Nederland China in Dutch.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of conversing with Frans Greidanus. Frans studied physics and received his PhD from Leiden University in 1982. In 1982 he joined Royal Philips for which he worked till his retirement in 2013. From 2005-2013 he was head of Philips Research Asia and CTO of Philips Asia, located in Shanghai.

After his career at Philips Frans has been amongst others, Qiushi Chair professor at the School of Management of Zhejiang University in Hangzhou China, and economic advisor to Wuxi Municipality in China. Currently, he is a Board Member of the "Vereniging Nederland China" and a Member of the Governing Board of the Foundation of History of Technology.

In 2007 and 2011, Frans respectively received the Silver and Gold Magnolia Award from the city of Shanghai for his contributions to the economic and social development of the city. In 2023, the city of Wuxi granted him the title of 'Friendship Envoy.

During our conversation, Frans shared profound insights into navigating diverse cultures, building successful collaborations, and understanding the dynamics of working in China. Frans' experiences offer valuable lessons for professionals seeking cultural intelligence.

Highlights:

🌱 Cultural Navigation: Frans shares his journey in setting up Philips laboratory in Shanghai, emphasizing the importance of staying authentic while navigating the nuances of Chinese culture.

🌱 Building Bridges Between Headquarters and China: Learn about Frans' approach to educating Dutch colleagues on Chinese operations, and vice versa, fostering collaboration, and overcoming the challenges of aligning expectations.

🌱 Strengths of Chinese and Dutch People: Discover the strengths of Chinese individuals – flexibility, entrepreneurial spirit, and persistence – and how they contrast with the systematic Dutch approach.

🌱Team Collaboration: Frans emphasizes the significance of practical collaboration, sharing insights on building personal relationships for successful teamwork.

🌱 Leadership Styles in Different Cultures: Explore the differences in leadership styles between the Netherlands and China, providing strategies for effective leadership in the Chinese context.

🌱Building Relationships in China: Frans delves into the art of building relationships in China, emphasizing the importance of understanding individuals and their environments.

🌱 Mentoring Chinese Students: Learn about Frans' rewarding experience mentoring Chinese students at Zhejiang University, highlighting the curiosity and eagerness to learn exhibited by these students.

🌱 Involvement with VNC: Discover Frans' motivation to contribute to better understanding between China and the Netherlands.

🌱Practical Tips for Working in China: Frans provides valuable tips for those working or doing business in China, emphasizing the importance of cultural understanding and humility.

You can connect with Frans on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/frans-greidanus-83b45511/

Website Association Nederlands China - VNC: https://www.vnc-china.nl/

Podcast video and audio available on:

🌱YouTube: https://youtu.be/yTozQkd82Jg

🌱Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23MDLHw0ZIZEo05AsNhwjq

🌱Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-cultures-our-world/id1650591999

For more information about Our Cultures & Our World Podcast: https://iibboo.com/podcast/.