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 Particularly Insightful Regarding The Mysterious Concept of "Guanxi"
To begin with John Chan has unique and practical insights into what exactly the controversial concept, guanxi, (roughly translated to "connections") is, what it isn't, and where it will get you in China. He realizes that true guanxi is not a tit-for-tat relationship, bribery or any number of things that many expatriates mistake it for. Chan also argues successfully that guanxi can be a foreign businessperson's greatest asset; however, it is not an issue that need be worried about too much unless one is based in China. For the businessperson stationed abroad, it is nearly impossible to establish good guanxi and is thus impractical to concern oneself with.
John Chan's perspective on this key concept alone is invaluable; it can go a long way in clearing up common misconceptions of those doing business in China, whether they are newcomers or Old China Hands. Along with The New Silk Road: Secrets of Business Success in China Today, while researching the book I co-authored, Know China Business: The Insider's Guide to Doing Business Successfully in China, China Street Smart was among the most useful.
China Street Smart also covers some other important issues such as how to use business consultants and market researchers in China (interpret the provided data yourself and be as involved, on-the-ground as possible) as well as providing a useful, concise modern Chinese history tailored especially for the foreign businessperson that doesn't have the time to go through 5,000 years of history.
Excellent Primer on Entering the Chinese Market
I enjoyed this book and found it valuable. This is a book on my list of recommended reading for the MBA students I take to China each year. It does an excellent job of providing a practical nuts and bolts tour of the mechanics, strategies behind, rhythm, sequencing, timing and successes (and even more importantly for learning purposes the mis-steps) of a foreign firm entering the Chinese market. Knowledge of these factors is not a given for businesspeople and/or students; if they were, then foreign firms would not be making these same mistakes over and over again when they enter the Chinese market. The book is also balanced in that it highlights some of the impressive facets of China and its economy and culture, but also acknowledges some of the warts. I personally found the pictures, graphs and charts to be helpful, as many people are visual learners and seeing a picture, even a simple one, that puts the corresponding text in context is helpful. Thank you for taking the time to pull together, write and publish this book!
 Useful book on the "practical" end of the scale
I've read many books on China, and I found this one to be a quick read and quite helpful. It's very practical, with real-world examples drawn from businesses that Mr. Chan has helped in China. I suggest anyone opening a business in China add this to their collection of "doing business in China" books as a complement to other excellent but more theoretical books.
My only criticism is that the book is written in a very casual style. The author includes many photos of friends and acquaintences at other companies, and while this lends to the books's authenticity, at times it reads more like a blog than a published manuscript.
 This book was hard to read.
I had a very hard time finishing this book. Other business in China Books are better, such as HBR's "On Doing Business in China." The case study about one company throughout the book is good, and the brief summary and defense of Chinese history in the appendix was good, but the rest was a difficult read. Especially annoying is the authors repeated use of "China Streetsmart" in every other sentence. The "China Streetsmart" way is to read "China Streetsmart" and do "China Streetsmart" things the "China Streetsmart" way.
Streetsmart
This is a good overview and collection of information for those considering China as a place to do business. Much of the information is "common sense," but this is a commodity that seems to be in short supply among certain businessfolks, as the rivers of red ink surging over past years well attest. Readers would be well advised to take the book seriously. The ideas and counsel seem prosaic and mundane, but they are very much on target. Companies wishing to take the plunge into doing business in China in the short term would be well advised to buy and read a copy of this book and to donate the rest of their proposed investment to a charity. Read and heed before you jump and dump a pile of money. The advice is good. Bears following closely. If you're othewise inclined, don't waste the money on the book. Hire consultant instead. Pray the consultant's read the book and taken it seriously.
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(based on 32 reviews)
