Rich passes on one of the best lines I’ve ever heard regarding guanxi:

Guanxi either retires or it goes to jail

This is brilliant. My longstanding advice to clients (back before such advice was fashionable) is that they do not want to get caught in the trap that is reliance on guanxi. Usually it takes a ten minute discussion to explain why this is so. This phrase renders that speech unnecessary.

Now all I have to do is tell clients that guanxi either retires or it goes to jail, and in either case, it will not be there for you when you need it.

Thanks Rich.