GCAC: Foreign companies can succeed in China

According to Virtuos boss Gilles Langourieux, having success in the notoriously difficult country of China is possible, as long as there's an understanding of how best to do business.

In a keynote speech at the Games Convention Asia Conference, Langourieux pointed to a number of factors that he feels has worked for him during his time in the country with first Ubisoft, and now Virtuos.

Crucially, he said, although there are numerous barriers in growing a foreign company in China, there are also many benefits: "China has 40 million gamers, and will soon be number one globally."

Analysing some of the key issues, specifically recruitment and retention of staff, he told the audience that generating trust on the part of the employee was key, as was a sense of humility on the part of the management.

In conclusion Langourieux noted eight lessons that he'd learnt in the past few years that any company thinking of establishing a base in China should note.

1. A focus on specific products or services, rather than trying to do everything

2. Ensuring the management team is always big enough for expansion

3. The wise use of local partners, especially to circumnavigate political barriers

4. Taking care to build brand and reputation

5. Recruitment drives nationally rather than in just one or two regions

6. Investment on internal and external training schemes

7. The importance of respecting local sensitivities

8. Keeping the company differentiated from — and in front of — the competition