Blog about Virtual Assistant, Outsourcing, KPO, BPO and China

According to official statistics, almost 480 of the Fortune 500 companies have made investment in China during the past 30 years.
From 1978 to 2007, the country’s total utilization of foreign investment exceeded $760 billion, ranking the first among developing countries and the second largest across the globe.

In 2007 alone, China’s foreign direct investment, which was less than $20 million in 1978 when the country implemented its reform and opening-up policy, reached $83.5 billion and outbound investment stood at $18.7 billion.

Furthermore, China’s foreign trade has also registered a rapid growth, soaring from $20.6 million in 1978 to $2.17 trillion in the previous year.

“By using both the markets and resources from home sand abroad, China has improved its international competitiveness remarkably,” an official said.

Given the promising domestic environment for investment, BPOVIA Ltd, with its professional team providing virtual assistant services, is ready at all time to facilitate our clients’ business process in China.

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Online clothing retailer PPG said it has plans to list in the US toward the end of this year or in early 2009, either on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ.

Relying on the Internet and call centers, the company applies an e-commerce and traditional retail business model, which helped PPG to save the cost of maintaining retail outlets and attract $80 million in investment from TDF, JAFCO Asia, KPCB, and San Shan Capital Partners. Like Dell in the computer industry, its strong point lies in direct sales and 80% of its orders are over 250 yuan.

PPG’s biggest expense is advertising. The retailer spent 230 million yuan on advertising last year—about a third of its 700 million yuan in sales revenue. Its advertisement covers almost every possible channel—newspapers, TV, magazine and direct mail. Last year its ad budget shrank when management deemed market recognition was satisfactory.

“Now, we’re focusing our marketing strategy on branding,” said David Lee, its chairman. “We want to be another Gap.”
Instead of opening retail outlets, the company will strive to expand its business to second-and-third-tier cities through an intensive ad campaign in those markets. “We want to reach most cities across the nation in the next two years,” said Lee.

Besides, PPG is also looking for opportunities to explore the overseas market. It has set up a US subsidiary in late March and next stop will be Europe and beyond.

Like PPG, BPOVIA Ltd based in China also works through the internet and opens its door to all those who are looking for virtual assistants to tap the Chinese market.

Popularity: 19%

BPO, China Business News, China Consumer Market, China Virtual Assistant, Internet and Hi-Tech advertising, BPOVIA, China, clothing, e-commerce, internet, PPG, retail