How to Navigate and Operate in the European Market

The University of Manchester East Asia Centre was proud to host our first-ever event collaboration with the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce's (HKGCC) European Committee. Held at our study centre in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, this insightful session titled "How to Navigate and Operate in the European Market" brought together academic expertise and first-hand business experience to help companies identify opportunities, manage challenges, and build lasting success in Europe.

Key Insights from the Panel

The session brought together voices from academia, large enterprise, and the SME sector to share distinct perspectives on cross-border growth. Professor Malcolm Smith from the Alliance Manchester Business School looked at effective international negotiation from an academic angle, highlighting why open information exchange is crucial for successful cross-border deals. Michael Chan, General Manager of Business Development at MTR Corporation Ltd, shared large-corporate perspectives on global expansion, introducing the concept of "拼船出海" (sharing boats to go global) to emphasize how strategic collaboration allows businesses to tackle international markets together. Shifting to an entrepreneurial viewpoint, Thomas Su, Founder and Managing Director of Wessen Group, shared an SME perspective, pointing out that building trust and networks is vital when you don't have the massive resources of a multinational. He noted that a strong reputation takes you far, and looking at the bigger picture rather than worrying over minor costs often yields the best results.

Growing Your Global Career

If you are looking to dive deeper into these topics, especially the one delivered by Professor Malcolm Smith, our flexible, part-time Global MBA programme is designed to elevate your career without pausing it. It combines online study with face-to-face workshops across our international study centres, including Dubai, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manchester, and Singapore. The curriculum covers key areas such as negotiation skills, venture capital, and entrepreneurship. More importantly, our student and alumni network connects you with professionals across various industries where trust is already established, offering a ready-made community for professional growth.