Speaker & China expert

John Lin

John Lin is an expert at the intersection of East and West, showing companies how they can learn from China’s rapid digital innovations. Drawing on his experience at bol.com and as a board member of the Netherlands China Business Council, he shares practical strategies and challenges common misconceptions. His sessions help organizations understand how China is shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship, enabling Europe to remain relevant in global competition.

Rate indication: Price on request
Available for booking as: Speaker
Languages: Dutch English

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030-3040025

About John Lin

John Lin (林镇宇) is a board member of the Netherlands China Business Council, a columnist for BusinessWise, Twinkle Magazine, and De Ondernemer, and a highly sought-after speaker on Chinese innovation and digitalization. As a Dutch-Chinese entrepreneur, he grew up in a Chinese-Dutch family and has unique insight into the opportunities that arise at the intersection of two cultures. His experience and expertise make him a bridge between the fast-moving technological East and traditional Western Europe.

Why We Need to Learn from China Now

China is no longer the country of cheap labor and copycats. Companies such as BYD, Xiaomi, and TikTok have become global players and leaders in innovation and technological progress. John emphasizes the urgency for Europe to learn from these developments quickly and strategically. Otherwise, Europe risks becoming the museum of the world within twenty years. His message: understanding, embracing, and being open to Chinese entrepreneurship is essential to remaining internationally relevant.

From Strategy to Inspiration

After studying Innovation Management at Erasmus University and spending time studying at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, John worked at bol.com as a Strategy & Business Developer and Lead Ecosystem Developer. During his time there, he applied successful Chinese platform strategies to the Dutch market and organized inspirational trips to China for bol.com’s executive team. Today, he inspires organizations across various sectors and also organizes trips for entrepreneurs, allowing them to experience first-hand how China innovates and grows at scale.

Challenging Preconceptions, Seizing Opportunities

John helps European companies and audiences better understand China’s rapid digital developments and translates these insights into concrete strategies. Chinese companies are ready to internationalize and are increasingly focusing on Europe. John encourages organizations not to miss these opportunities, but to embrace them by strengthening collaboration. Through compelling examples, sharp analysis, and a touch of humor, his mission is clear: to bring East and West closer together and make Dutch and European companies future-proof.

Themes

Sessions

You have probably heard of WeChat or Alibaba, but are you also aware of how these platforms are shaping and reinventing the future of retail? One thing is certain: China is innovating at such a rapid pace that it raises questions about the Western approach to innovation. In his lecture, John Lin takes you on a journey to China and highlights, among other things, the importance of digitalization.

China has been innovating at an extremely rapid pace in recent years, but does so with a very different philosophy from the West. While innovation in the West is commercially driven, China is driven by necessity. In his lecture, John Lin explains what this means for us and what we can learn from it.