I work with clients on a monthly retainer basis, rather than one-off projects. China-related decisions rarely happen all at once. Information changes, relationships evolve, and new risks often appear after initial plans are made. A retainer-based engagement allows support to remain flexible, continuous, and aligned with how cross-border work actually unfolds. Clients retain me not for deliverables alone, but for ongoing judgment, context, and decision support as situations develop.
Engagement Overview
All engagements are structured around three principles: Continuity — retaining context over time leads to better decisions Independence — no commissions, no intermediary incentives Clarity — reducing uncertainty in complex situations Most clients begin with one of the following monthly engagements and adjust as their needs become clearer.
Starter Advisory Retainer
USD 2,000 – 3,000 / month
Designed for Companies in the early stages of evaluating China-related opportunities or decisions. This engagement is focused on helping leadership gain clarity before making meaningful commitments. It is especially suitable when information feels fragmented, uncertain, or difficult to interpret.
Ongoing strategic guidance Regular advisory support to help you think through China-related questions, assumptions, and options as they arise, rather than relying on one-off advice.
Review and interpretation of materials Support in reviewing contracts, proposals, emails, or background information from Chinese counterparts, with explanations focused on practical implications rather than literal translation.
Scheduled advisory calls Typically one structured call per week to discuss developments, questions, and next steps, with flexibility as situations evolve.
Email and messaging support Ongoing access for follow-up questions or clarifications within the agreed scope, so decisions are not delayed unnecessarily.
Primary value: Reducing uncertainty and avoiding early-stage mistakes by making better-informed decisions.List item
Core Execution Retainer (Most Common)
USD 4,000 – 6,000 / month
Designed for Companies actively working with partners, suppliers, or ongoing projects in China. At this level, support moves beyond advisory into active involvement. The focus is on maintaining momentum, alignment, and clarity as work progresses.
Primary China-side support Acting as a consistent point of contact for China-related matters, helping coordinate communication and maintain context across conversations.
Communication and coordination support (EN ↔ CN) Assisting with ongoing discussions to ensure intent, expectations, and implications are clearly understood on both sides.
Progress tracking and issue identification Helping monitor developments, surface potential concerns early, and keep projects moving forward in a structured way.
Regular execution and strategy check-ins Ongoing calls to review progress, reassess priorities, and adjust approach as conditions change.
Primary value: Keeping execution on track while reducing friction, misunderstandings, and avoidable delays.List item
Fractional China Representative
USD 8,000 – 12,000+ / month
Designed for Companies with ongoing or expanding exposure to China that require consistent, senior-level involvement. This engagement is structured as a longer-term partnership, providing continuity and perspective across multiple initiatives or relationships.
Acting as a fractional China representative Serving as a long-term, independent reference point for China-related matters, with an understanding of historical context and evolving priorities.
Participation in key discussions and decisions Involvement in important conversations, negotiations, or planning sessions where judgment and context are critical.
Ongoing risk assessment and strategic alignment Helping leadership anticipate issues, evaluate trade-offs, and align China-related activities with broader business goals.
Consistent senior-level support Providing steady guidance without the cost, complexity, or rigidity of building a full local team too early.
Primary value: Long-term clarity, continuity, and confidence in managing China-related decisions.List item
Engagement Level Comparison
Aspect
Starter Advisory
Core Execution
Fractional Representative
Primary focus
Decision clarity✔
Execution alignment
Ongoing oversight
Level of involvement
Advisory-focused✔
Actively involved
Senior-level, continuous
Nature of support
Strategic guidance
Hands-on coordination
Long-term representation
Decision responsibility
Shared
Shared with active input
High, ongoing input
Continuity over time
Limited
Moderate
High
Typical situation
Early evaluation
Active operations
Sustained China exposure
This comparison is intended to illustrate different levels of involvement. Actual engagements are scoped based on individual client needs.
Not sure which engagement fits your situation? Let’s discuss your goals
