What is new in this directory?

Listening to the reader is our priority. We have taken your suggestions seriously. This year you will notice some changes in the structure of the Directory. The ‘China Training Industry Report’ can be found toward the latter section of the Directory. This relocation of information provides more expedient access to sponsors’ profiles. The color coding of the Index facilitates fast tracking your desired training providers and this year’s index are labeled for the first time with page reference numbers.

The most up to date compilation of training companies and other training-related entities in China, with very current contact information including over 65 profiles. The directory has a focus on training firms who maintain representative offices, joint venture or wholly foreign owned operations in the PRC. We also list consulting firms involved in management training, corporate universities that provide external training services, domestic training companies, business schools, as well as some Asia based training firms active on the mainland. Local training companies listed continue to expand their scope of business beyond the training realm and their profiles indicate a host of related consulting services.

The ‘Training Directory’ offers two convenient methods to identify suppliers. A ‘Table of Contents’ at the front of the directory in alphabetical order indicating the name and corresponding page number where the training supplier profile can be found. At the back of the directory, the reader can find a convenient ‘Index’ which lists the main types of training categories or courses and matches the name of the provider under these generalized program content listings. Index pages have been designated a different color than the profile pages for fast track identification of this reference section. Choose the subject area you would like to train your employees and then source in alphabetical order the various suppliers. Suppliers have been limited to listing a maximum of five categories only in this quick reference ‘index’.

Universal Ideas dedicated a significant increase in resources to this year’s ‘Training Sector Industry Report’. We do hope the reader senses the thoroughness of the enclosed revealing research on training services procurement habits in China. This section of the directory offers a very current comparative analysis of trends and realities from both a ‘buy side’ and ‘supply side’ perspective of training services procurement in China. Colored graphs and charts help to summarize the narrative conclusions from more than 400 survey respondents.

‘Profiles of Training Entities in China’ include background information on the various training suppliers listed in this year’s directory. Wherever possible, you will find a detailed list and

description of the training services offered by each provider. To maintain objectivity and continuity in the presentation of the data each profile is intended to include curriculum and course outline information, language of teaching, target audience, duration, certification and where available cost. Program costs are not available where the respondents opted not to disclose pricing information. A starting point of the culture of this directory has been to make a best effort attempt to leave out the overuse of superlatives in the wording included in the profiles.

As mentioned above, an Index of training capabilities at the end of the directory will help the reader identify the providers of specific training courses.

The contents of the 2008 Directory is also available at the our website.

Detailed information and verification of the trainers' credentials and experience.

Evaluation of the individual company's experience and ability to bring about improved organizational effectiveness through their training programs.

Assessments of the quality, strengths or weaknesses of training programs listed.

An opportunity was given to training providers listed in this directory to draft their own profile, supplement their submissions with promotional copy or support the publication of this directory through their sponsorship of the jointly held seminar. Other corporations or organizations unrelated to the training/HR sectors have also demonstrated their support to this initiative through additional seminar sponsorship.

Although minor editing was performed, each profile reproduces the participant’s own words, and bears the marks of the company’s own style. Ample opportunity was made available for all entrants to ensure the information going to print is correct. The reader will find some narrative autonomy on the part of the supplier within the contents of each profile and the accuracy of this information has been validated to some extent. Details included in each profile reflect the different amounts of information volunteered by the training supplier, as well as varying levels of seminar sponsorship. Editors for this directory strongly encouraged an objective portrayal of company services.

Program evaluations are only possible through direct participation in the training courses and/or testimonials from former clients. The scope of our research did not include this kind of investigation. Our firm has personally audited or maintained a close working relationship with many of the listed training providers over the past ten years. Independent third party professional training provider assessments and referrals are available on a fee for services rendered basis. The publishers welcome your request to assist in the verification of credibility of training suppliers not listed in this directory.