Interviews with young associates
Marielle Cuevas Odiardi
Marielle Cuevas Odiardi (29) from Mexico works as a trainee in the Bosch purchasing department in Shanghai. Here, she learns to put the Bosch values into practice in an intercultural context.
Your stay in China is part of the Bosch trainee program, which also fosters the intercultural skills of junior executives. What have you learned in China?
"I’ve learned how Chinese culture places great value on personal relationships in business. Building trust is the basis of any successful partnership. I have also learnt about the importance of body language here. For example, handing over business cards with both hands is a sign of respect.
You are working for the Bosch purchasing department in Shanghai. What challenges are you facing at the moment?
"The steep rise in the price of raw materials, for example copper and steel, is a huge challenge for buyers in China. Wage costs are also increasing faster in China than in other growth markets.
Bosch is committed to meeting minimum social and ecological standards in the supply chain. How does that work in practice?
"Bosch takes its lead from international standards for occupational safety and environmental protection. If suppliers are not certified to standards such as ISO 14001 or OHSAS 18001, we carry out our own audits to check and assess their environmental and occupational safety guidelines."
The Bosch corporate culture is based on a clear system of values. Did this influence your decision to apply for a job with Bosch?
"Yes. It is important for me to be able to identify with the values of a company. Cultural diversity and initiative in particular are values that I experience in my daily work. Here, I work with colleagues from China, Korea, Taiwan, and Germany, and learn from the cultural differences."
"It is important for me to be able to identify with the values of a company."
