The Leaving China Show

ShanghaiZhan: All Things China Marketing, Advertising, Tech & Platforms

This episode is for those who are thinking of leaving China, maybe now or in the future.
In this episode, we're joined by 2 "experts of experience" who left China to return home and can share their experiences about adjusting, why they left and what they really miss. For many, especially the expatriate population, the Shanghai lockdown has become a time to re-evaluate future priorities as foreign companies consider reducing both staff and investments in the country.
Meet Milo Chao who is currently the Chief Strategy Officer for ad agency, DDB Chicago. Milo was formally CSO for DDB China and later, TBWA. Milo returned to the US in 2019. We're also joined by Ker Gibbs, who is currently an Executive in Residence at the University of San Francisco. Ker is best known as the past President of the American Chamber of Commerce Shanghai from 2019 to 2021 but has been in China for most of his career. He returned to the US in the early part of the year.
1. Why did you come to China, why did you stay so long and why did you leave?
2. When is the right time to leave? Has Shanghai lost its mojo?
3. Will Shanghai change past the lockdown? Will expats leave or eventually come back? Is this the fall off the cliff moment?
4. The evolution of Shanghai: now we're in a more developed stage & the role of foreigners has changed.
5. Foreign companies vs. Foreigners: How will China adjust post-Covid?
6. Returning Home: How do you prepare for repatriation? What are the transferrable skills?
7. If you can make it in China, you can make it anywhere...China is still an important market
8. Expect 2 years to get acclimated to your home culture leaving China
9. Keep your networking prospects and start right now before you leave...
10. The post-China job market realities: a. WFH is the new normal. b. Growth of the Gig Economy. c. Big global labor shortage
11. Are there still opportunities in China? Yes, but be prepared!
12. A/B Test: Ding Tai Feng, Cui Jian, Baguettes, and the Shangri-La!
Milo Chao On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milochao/
Ker Gibbs on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kergibbs/
For everything ShanghaiZhan: http://zhanstation.com/

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ShanghaiZhan Theme Music: by Bryce Whitwam

https://soundcloud.com/bryce-r-whitwam/bad-cough-syrup?si=cfb30a6e0c0e459da78b912bf60825ac

Bryce on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brycewhitwam/

Ali on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alikazmi/