Multi nationalities

Engineering major Chen Jianyan has a precise mind and likes putting everything in a perfect order.

The trait may be necessary as she has worked in the complex field of information technology (IT) for 30 years, first for a decade at the Beijing China International Economic Information Center and later for software legend Unisys

She graduated from Harbin Engineering University in 1976.

Decades of IT engineering work has cultivated in Chen a scientific perspective, a careful mind and a down-to-earth working style. And those qualities have in turn helped her evolve from a technical position into a management role - she is now manager of Open Source (Greater China) program at Unisys' High Performance Center.

Unisys Corp was born in 1986 with the merger of two United States companies, Sperry and Burroughs. The combined company has a 133-year history and was once the market leader in IT in late 1990s.

Unisys's open source helps clients reduce IT costs by migrating from more expensive operating systems, applications, middleware and databases to a non-proprietary alternative.

Chen leads a 28-member team is based in Beijing and often works in projects around the country. Her team provides a series of IT solutions to clients that include China Construction Bank, the People's Bank of China, China Postal Office, Beijing International Airport, and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.

"It is very simple," she says when asked about how to manage a team of both foreign and Chinese staff.

"I set an objective, and let my staff know clearly and exactly what they need to achieve under the objective. And that is all."

Chen points out that there is one big advantage working with a multinational company - the responsibilities and rights are all clearly defined.

Most of Chen's bosses are foreigners who are often based outside China, so compared to her foreign colleagues, her perspective is more localized. As a Chinese, Chen knows more about her clients and her team, both objectively and emotionally.

"But my foreign colleagues also have their advantages. They often possesses a global perspective which is also very important to a multinational company," Chen says.

Chen admits that the higher position one has in a multinational company, the higher the pressure. And it gets harder to step up the ladder.

"But I do not think Unisys will promote a person because you are a Chinese or not. The nationality factor is certainly not included in promotion opportunities."

"There are many factors that affect your promotion such as the structure of the company, changes in business and the competition." Chen said.

Persistence has helped her to step up to the position she has today as she has worked with Unisys for 20 years. And many talent headhunters have offered her job opportunities.

"I am quite conservative. I will think it carefully before I make a decision. Why should I leave Unisys? Did I fail here? I have to admit that I luckily did a good job here at Unisys and there is no need to change the current situation."

Chen says she is satisfied with the company because as a multinational, Unisys has many advanced management tools to guide her.

"For example, we have a so-called 'team method' system, which has a clear flow chart to guide managers on how to lead a team," Chen says.

In order to increase her management skills, Chen received an MBA degree in 2001 and was then promoted to her current position.

(China Daily 09/03/2007 page5)