Case: Brittany Miller

and International
Assignments
By: Farhaat Ali

Background Information
International markets are important for companies in the
current age
About 80% of medium and large companies have
employees working abroad
54% percent of those jobs are from people ages 20-39
About 17-21% of those are women

Background Information - Case

We were given the following situation:
Brittany (mother) is given a job opportunity in Shanghai,
China to be in charge of the entire East Asia Region in a
rising company
She has a husband who is a successful accountant at a
big accounting firm in the states
Has 2 kids: ages 5 and 8
Should she accept the job?

Background Information - Shanghai

It has a permanent resident population of 23,019,200, of which 12.21 million
live in the urban areas.
Shanghai Culture is original from Traditional Chinese Culture and melted with
the Wu and Yue Dynasty Culture, and with a deep affected by Western
Culture.
One of the most populated cities in China
Low Crime Rate
Average Petty Crime Rate (Pickpocketing, Auto Theft, Etc)

Adjusting to Life in Shanghai

Culture Shock - anxiety people often
experience when they move from a culture
that they are familiar with to one thats
entirely different
9 out of 10 expatriates failures are family
related

Decision Impacts - COL

Currently Brittany is living in L.A whose cost of
living is higher than Shanghai

Decision Impacts - COL

Decision Impacts - Quality of life

Smog
Water Pollution
Over Population
Noise

Decision Impacts - Education

Shanghai excellent education system
7am- 5pm days
Summer break consists of studying for
summer courses

Decision Impacts - Language

Most people speak Mandarin, Elderly speak Shanghainese
- Important for Business Decision making
Education Curriculum
taught in English if
need be
Gestures are not the
same

Decision Impacts - Job Opportunities

Having connections in China can make it easier to find a
job.
Speaking Mandarin is also a factor

Job Opportunities Continued

6th most influential financial center in the
world
Shanghai is Chinas financial hub and
global finance center (Employment Trends).
Accounting & finance have a strong demand
for english speakers/experienced accounting
professionals

Decision Impacts - Healthcare

Health Care will be much more expensive
Doctors fees in Shanghai can be up to 10 times more
expensive

Quality of treatment will be different

depending on Price of Healthcare

Recommendation
Brittany should take the job
Once in a lifetime opportunity
Female leader in workforce
Easy for kids to adapt at this early age