Xhi "Lily" Li, sourcing manager at Derbyshire-based footwear firm Rock Fall, talks about her working week.

Monday

I usually get into the office at about 8.30am. There is a seven-hour time difference with China, so the morning is usually spent on the phone to factories before they close in the evening. Generally, they stop work at about six o'clock, although they can be persuaded to work longer hours if the shipment of footwear is needed urgently. Factories in China are starting to adjust to working with European companies and so the time difference is becoming less of an issue.

We specialise in footwear and safety wear for the construction industry but we're diversifying, so I make a number of calls looking for a supplier for generators, pressure washers and water pumps.
 

Tuesday

In October, a lot of people in China are on holiday, so we plan our next trip over there for November. There are thousands of factories in China and many have internet sites but the information posted there is not always trustworthy. The only way to find out if a factory is suitable is to visit it in person and meet the owner.

The visas have to be sorted out with the Chinese consulate in Manchester. In the past, it was possible to get visas via a postal service but now you have to visit in person. The process has got slower as well because so many more people are travelling to the country.
 

Wednesday

The busiest time of the year for the factories that we deal with is between June and August, so I have to keep chasing them to make sure that deadlines for shipments are met.

Our customers have very specific deadlines for when they need goods because they have launch dates for their catalogues. It takes 30 days for a container to reach us by sea and it costs 30p per pair of shoes.

When factories don't meet our deadlines, it means that we have to bring footwear in by air. That costs £6 per pair and makes a huge difference to us, so I have to assert myself with managers and owners. If you are too polite, there are some who will take advantage.
 

Thursday

I contact our Shanghai office to make sure that every shipment is inspected before it is shipped. Chinese manufacturers are well aware of European standards for the footwear we order and we have never yet had to refuse a batch because it didn't come up to standard. If goods didn't meet the standard, it wouldn't be worth bringing them into the UK because they'd be unsaleable.

There have been problems with colour variations and thickness or material. Once a shipment arrives, then it goes for batch testing in Leicester. In the afternoon, I deal with the day-to-day running of the office, speaking to customers and answering e-mails.
 

Friday

I call Chinese freight forwarders to make sure that shipments are on their way. They are used to dealing with international businesses and so are good to deal with.

Factory owners drive a really hard bargain, like most people in business, which means that they can be difficult. Sometimes, they think that I'm an agent, which makes them more cautious. They tend to relax and become more friendly when I explain that I work for the company. They are certainly getting more accustomed to western rules and regulations, especially in the south. The north of the country is still a bit behind.

Source: Derby Evening Telegraph

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