The International Business Podcast

China is a complete and complex system with its own history, internal logic, and implicit rules that influence every business decision taken inside its borders. In this episode we connect leadership, policy, infrastructure, and culture to the practical question of how to operate in and with China in 2026.

Over six months, Leonardo Marra combined deep reading with interviews from eight professionals who work inside the Chinese context every day, including coaches, market advisers, joint venture managers, recruiters, and marketers. Their answers sit alongside narrative sections that trace how China moved from Mao’s planned economy to today’s mix of Party control, industrial capacity, and technological ambition.

Chapters in this episode

Leaders: from Mao to Xi – How leadership choices still influence business today.

FDI and Special Economic Zones – From export factories to “in China, for China”.

The Five Year Plan – Reading the Fifteenth Plan as a strategy signal.

The Dragon’s Roads: BRI – Belt and Road projects, opportunities, and risks.

China and the United States – Tariffs, export controls, and tech ecosystems.

China’s new growth model – Dual circulation, new productive forces, and slower growth.

Operating in and with China – Three ways to work with China: manufacture, source, or sell.

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If you work with Asia or in Asia and want to understand it properly, you are in the right place. Business culture, and intercultural stories. ⁠Join the “Asia With Leonardo” newsletter⁠.
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⁠"Asia with Leonardo library"⁠, if you want even deeper content. Structured, evergreen deep-dives for professionals working in or with Asia. Country-based briefings on modern history, business culture, and key companies, with audio and concise PDF summaries.
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Guests:

Gabor Holch – Intercultural leadership coach, founder of East West Leadership, and author of Dragon Suit: The Golden Age of Expatriate Executives in China. More than two decades coaching senior leaders in China and East Asia on how to adapt their leadership style without losing themselves.

Pearl Lai – Sales strategy and GTM adviser for multinationals entering or scaling in China, designing localised sales processes, channel playbooks, and training programmes, with a focus on turning global strategy into local execution.

Ivo Ganchev – International relations scholar in Beijing, Assistant Professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University and Director of Corporate Education. Completed a PhD in Comparative Politics in Chinese and works with executives on how China’s political system thinks about strategy.

Manfred Huschka – Founder. Advising Western companies that work with Chinese manufacturers on supplier selection, quality expectations, and cross‑cultural project management.

Manuel Murrenhoff – MD of a Wuxi joint venture between Swiss group Bühler and Canadian company Premier Tech, with previous leadership roles in Vietnam, Nigeria, Kenya, and China, bringing a comparative view on industrial capabilities and risk.

Miriam Wickertsheim – German recruiter and general manager in China, 17+ years connecting international companies with talent, creator of the “China Perspectives” channel, and close observer of how the talent market has evolved.

Olivia Plotnick – Founder of Wai Social, a Shanghai‑based social media agency helping international brands on WeChat, Xiaohongshu, and Douyin, combining client work with a 60‑day trip through 30+ cities focused on retail and youth culture.

Richard Loomans – Intercultural management consultant from the Netherlands, with over twenty years in international trade and risk, now focusing on power distance, collectivism, and communication style, and how these dimensions affect cooperation with Chinese partners.

This episode is designed for managers and executives who prefer to base their China decisions on context and evidence rather than short summaries, and who want to hear from people dealing with China’s realities on a daily basis.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo Marra, welcome to The International Business Podcast.

AI can now summarise almost anything in seconds. That's powerful, but it makes it easy to stay at the surface. We get headlines, "3 key takeaways", and move on. What's lost is context, nuance, and understanding that changes how professionals think and decide in international business. With this new format, host Leonardo Marra pushes in the opposite direction. Instead of a quick AI overview, he built a long‑form deep dive into Japan after 1945: from World War II defeat to economic miracle, bubble, stagnation, and today's super‑aging, innovation‑driven society.

Part 1 traces Japan's path from post‑war devastation through U.S. occupation, state‑guided capitalism, keiretsu networks, export‑led growth, oil shocks, the 1980s bubble, and the "lost decades." It links policy, institutions, and social change to Japan's rise and current challenges.

Part 2 shifts to practical insights. Guests who live and work in and around Japan share how firms make decisions, how kaizen and relationships function, how demographics reshape strategy, and what foreign executives consistently misunderstand about the Japanese market.
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If you work with Asia or in Asia and want to understand it properly, you are in the right place. Business culture, and intercultural stories. Join the “Asia With Leonardo” newsletter.
-------
"Asia with Leonardo library", if you want even deeper content. Structured, evergreen deep-dives for professionals working in or with Asia. Country-based briefings on modern history, business culture, and key companies, with audio and concise PDF summaries.
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With guests:

Massimiliano Colonna – Director of Communications, Brookings Institution Governance Studies. MPhil in Modern Japanese Studies from Oxford's Nissan Institute, where he researched the internet's role in Japan's political debate.

Waka Someno – CEO of YOUNEEDS Co., Ltd. and SOMENO-YA (Tokyo/Osaka). Provides sales, marketing, and legal support for international companies entering Japan. Over 15 years in B2B sales, DX solutions, and market-entry advisory.

Jason Durkee – President, Idea Development (Tokyo); co-founder, Practical Training Transfer. 25+ years helping businesspeople innovate, communicate across cultures, and transfer learning to results. CPTD, ATD Japan director, serves 130+ clients annually across Asia.

Neal Jansen – Director, Asia Office, Arkansas Economic Development Commission. CEcD with 20+ years in FDI, trade, and workforce development. Fluent in Japanese, builds long-term partnerships between Arkansas and Asian companies.

Brett Jason Lee – Learning and performance professional specializing in Asia Pacific; ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC). Designs learning solutions focused on behavior change, capability building, and cultural context for Japan and the region.

Shaun Rein – Founder & Managing Director, China Market Research Group (Shanghai). Author of five bestselling books on China's economy. Works with Fortune 500s, PE firms, and heads of state. Regular contributor to WSJ, FT, NYT, CNBC, CNN, Bloomberg. Harvard MA.

Tom Roberts – Founder, Cranberry Leadership International. "The Expat Whisperer." Former Head of Japan - Neurology at UCB (200 people, ~$1B P&L) and MD/President UCB Korea. Forbes Coaches Council member, helps C-Suite leaders navigate cross-border challenges.

Jeff O'Dea – Communication Specialist, Inspiringbiz (Tokyo). Since 2010, helps Japanese professionals communicate effectively in English for global meetings. Clients include BMS, Novartis, MSD, Chugai, Merck, UCB, Softbank.

Kelvin Ro – Founder, Kagi Career LLC (Tokyo, 15+ years). Coaches non-Japanese professionals on landing jobs in Japan. Author of Three Ways to Land Your First Job in Japan; ranked #2 non-Japanese LinkedIn creator in Japan (Dec 2024).

⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to The International Business Podcast.

In this episode, Leonardo unpacks the “double helix” of risk and opportunity that defines international business for 2025: from the fragmentation of globalization and the unstoppable rise of AI, to the centrality of sustainability, talent shifts, and geopolitical turbulence. Joined by expert guests Tom Van der Heyden, Edmundo Echauri Marroquin, and Emmanuel Daniel, we break down actionable strategies for leaders navigating a complex global landscape.
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If you work with Asia or in Asia and want to understand it properly, you are in the right place. Business culture, and intercultural stories. ⁠Join the “Asia With Leonardo” newsletter⁠.
-------
⁠"Asia with Leonardo library"⁠, if you want even deeper content. Structured, evergreen deep-dives for professionals working in or with Asia. Country-based briefings on modern history, business culture, and key companies, with audio and concise PDF summaries.
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What you’ll learn:
Why global companies are moving from cost optimization to resilience and agility in their supply chains.
How emerging technologies and AI are transforming operations, from the boardroom to the factory floor.
What new roles sustainability and ESG are playing in global competitiveness.
How demographic change and upskilling are reshaping the labor market worldwide.
Practical strategies for thriving amid macro volatility, new trade rules, and policy uncertainty. And more.

Special Guests:

Tom Van der Heyden is the co-founder and CEO of S³ Group, a European consultancy renowned for its expertise in international sourcing, supply chain strategy, and business development across Asia, Europe, and emerging markets. With a career spanning over 25 years, Tom is recognized for building resilient, adaptable supply chains and operational models for SMEs and multinationals alike. His practical experience bridges East and West—advising clients on supplier development, compliance, risk diversification, and the deep nuances of entering new markets. Tom is a regular lecturer at leading business schools, an intercultural negotiation expert, and a trusted partner for companies seeking to thrive in complex, fragmented global landscapes.

Dr. Edmundo Echauri Marroquin is the CEO of PROISSA and a highly regarded leader in the fields of traumatology and orthopedic surgery. Based in Mexico, he brings over two decades of hands-on clinical expertise and health sector management. Edmundo has built a reputation for advancing medical technology adoption, fostering cross-border collaborations, and steering PROISSA into a model for international best practices and innovation in healthcare delivery. His work spans direct patient care, leadership at major medical congresses, and implementing global sourcing strategies for high-quality medical devices. He embodies the intersection of clinical excellence and international healthcare business.

Emmanuel Daniel is a globally respected thought leader on geopolitics, the future of finance, and technology’s impact on society. He is the founder of TAB Global and The Asian Banker, platforms connecting C-suite leaders and policymakers worldwide. Listed as a top 10 fintech influencer, Emmanuel is the author of “The Great Transition,” exploring the personalization of finance and seismic changes driven by blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and AI. With a background in law and economics, and business connections in over 130 countries, Emmanuel is sought after as an advisor, boardroom mentor, keynote speaker, and commentator on BBC, CNBC, and Bloomberg. He brings unmatched, real-world insights on how global trends are rewriting the rules for leaders and innovators.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast.

Amanda Molenaar is a life coach for high-achieving expats. As a former diplomat, she knows what it's like to balance international ambition with a steady personal life. Through 1:1 coaching, online programs and events, Amanda now helps high-achievers abroad find more fulfillment, create deeper relationships and take bolder action, so that they can live global lives that make them truly happy. Amanda also has a podcast, This Expat Life, where she opens up space for all facets of life abroad.
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If you work with Asia or in Asia and want to understand it properly, you are in the right place. Business culture, and intercultural stories. ⁠Join the “Asia With Leonardo” newsletter⁠.
-------
⁠"Asia with Leonardo library"⁠, if you want even deeper content. Structured, evergreen deep-dives for professionals working in or with Asia. Country-based briefings on modern history, business culture, and key companies, with audio and concise PDF summaries.
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If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, this is the show for you. This is your host Leonardo, welcome to the international business podcast.

Strategy, structure, people. This encapsulates the need for a clear strategic direction, an organizational framework to support it, and the right human resources to execute it—each reinforcing the others to drive business success.
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If you work with Asia or in Asia and want to understand it properly, you are in the right place. Business culture, and intercultural stories. ⁠Join the “Asia With Leonardo” newsletter⁠.
-------
⁠"Asia with Leonardo library"⁠, if you want even deeper content. Structured, evergreen deep-dives for professionals working in or with Asia. Country-based briefings on modern history, business culture, and key companies, with audio and concise PDF summaries.
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Dr. Rebecca Homkes is a high-growth strategy specialist and CEO and executive advisor.  She is a Lecturer at the London Business School, Faculty at Duke Corporate Executive Education, Advisor and Core Faculty for BCGU (Boston Consulting Group), and a former fellow at the London School of Economics Centre for Economic Performance. 

A best-selling author, global keynote speaker and recognized thought leader, she is also the global Faculty Director of the Active Learning Program with the Young Presidents Organization (YPO).

A Marshall Scholar, she received her PhD and MSc from the London School of Economics in International Economy. Prior to LSE, Dr. Homkes received two degrees at Indiana University: BS (Honors) in business administration alongside a BA (Honors) in Political Science where she was a Wells Scholar and graduated as the schools’ top graduate in 2005 and its sole Herman Wells Scholar. She previously served as a Fellow at the White House’s President’s Council of Economic Advisors and has worked in strategy consulting with Bain & Co. She lives between Miami, San Francisco, and London.

If you work across time zones, borders, and cultures, come on the show to share your story. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with the host Leonardo Marra.⁠⁠⁠⁠

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