Networking in HK Recently, to prepare for my stay in HK next year, I had a long phone conversation with S, a construction consultant who works for a major international tax and accounting firm in San Francisco. I first met S in connection with a major construction lawsuit that I am handling. While interviewing S as a consultant/expert witness for that case, I learned that he had spent a lot of time in HK dealing with construction projects and disputes.

Here's what S told me about business opportunities and conditions in HK:

* Although HK is a major city with a big population, the business community tends to be small and close knit.
* News about any business activity travels around surprisingly fast.
* Most construction disputes are handled by a small circle of HK law firms. The large ones tend to be British, Australian, or American firms. The medium and small ones tend to be Chinese.
* For someone with my background in construction law and Cantonese, the best prospect probably would be one of the medium-sized Chinese law firms.
* Expat businessmen in HK often get together after work to socialize at pubs, clubs, or restaurants. A lot of useful and enjoyable networking occurs in those places.
* The key to getting a job in HK is networking. There is no substitute for meeting business contacts face-to-face over drinks or dinner and asking them for advice and referrals.
* Most expat businessmen like to go out for drinks or dinner and readily accept an invitation from a newcomer.
* If you go drinking with expats, especially Brits and Aussies, be prepared to drink a lot.
* Major construction activity in HK is winding down. Building construction still is going on, but it cannot compare with the huge public works projects that recently have been completed. As a result, some large British and European construction firms are leaving HK or scaling back their activities.
* The business climate in HK is becoming more challenging for foreign companies. Business is not as lucrative and easy as it used to be.
* Virtually every expat has his or her own exit strategy to return home. It is rare to find an expat who plans to live the rest of his or her life in HK.

Next year, when I go to HK to study Cantonese, I plan to check out job opportunities in the legal and construction fields. S has given me some good contacts, and I plan to network with them. It will be interesting to see how things go for me.

I promised to finish the Cantonese insect words:

蟻 ngai2 -- ant
蜜 蜂 mat6 fung1 -- bee
蝴 蝶 wu4 dip2 -- butterfly
蟋 蟀 sik1 seut1 -- cricket
蜻 蜓 ching1 ting4 -- dragonfly
烏 蠅 wu1 ying1 -- fly
草 蜢 chou2 maang2 -- grasshopper
蚊 man1 -- mosquito
飛 蛾 fei1 ngo4 -- moth
蜘 蛛 ji1 jyu1 -- spider
黃 蜷 wong4 hyun2 -- worm
飛 虫 fei1 chung4 -- flying insect (any kind)

I’m saving one more as a surprise. (Hint–-it has some connection with what I’ll be doing this weekend.) Stay tuned for my report.  ¶ 8:00 PM