Page 32 - Port of Hamburg Magazine - 02.19

■ HAMBURG AND CHINA
32 | Port of Hamburg Magazine | June 2019
At home in two worlds
Anybody visiting Marlis Rötting in Hamburg will see at a glance that this businesswoman is at home in two worlds. There’s a blend of the best in German and Chinese cultures here. For thirty years, Marlis Rötting’s second home has been in Beijing. She worked there for various companies. After her retirement, she launched a trading firm. Since her son Daniel Rötting joined her, she has allowed herself to spend the summer months in Hamburg as a personal treat.
Marlis Rötting is one of currently 36 honorary ambassa- dors, whose task is to boost knowledge of Hamburg in 24 countries. The HamburgAmbassador program was the brainchild of the Senate Chancellery and Hamburg Marketing. It has given birth to an innovative network, with Hamburg pursuing new paths in the area of adver- tising, image promotion and active location marketing. This truly Hamburgian lady is ideal for the role. She de- lights in bringing people together and networking them. She speaks vividly and enthusiastically of her faraway new homeland: “I am curious about people and cul- tures.”
MUTUAL RESPECT
Marlis Rötting’s attitude to life is that anybody seeking success in a foreign country needs to be open-minded. Naturally she had to accustom herself to the Chinese way, manners, cuisine and culture – with the result that she feels just as happy in Beijing as in Hamburg. In re- cent decades she has through her own efforts ad- vanced to become a sought-after China expert and businesswoman. Anybody seeking to do business in and with China must in the first
“I was doing a lot for the first time,” she says with a twinkle in her eye. It was not least thanks to her effec- tive networking that her career went so well. Among other successes, with her help and despite many ob- stacles, in 2004 Schwäbisch Hall founded the first mortgage lender in China. In addition, the Hamburgian built up the Chamber of Commerce in Beijing.
USING A SWING FOR A WORKOUT
It was from the building society that she retired. A pen- sioner’s role, however, is not one for Marlis Rötting. She was able to turn to music and design as hobbies. The businesswoman herself designed many eye-catch- ers in the house and garden, then having these built in China and imported from there. An imposing swing in the garden is one of these. For the grandchildren? “Naturally they may use it too. But no, it’s for me,” says Marlis Rötting with a smile. Swinging is the best workout of all. Anybody who doesn’t believe this is welcome to have a go.
place show respect – and ensure that when agreements are signed, the same rights, obligations and legal force apply to both sides.
INITIALLY THERE FOR A YEAR
There was no sign at first that she
would spend 30 years in China.
She was originally a teacher,
founded a family, and only much later tackled Sinology for a second degree. Her three children were then of an age to face school-leaving exams. As a tour guide, her work often took her to China. Her first job on the spot was offered her out of the blue by Möwenpick Hotels. “One year was the plan, for training up the staff for the new hotels in China,” she recalls. So she got to grips with Chinese labour law, then promptly re- ceived an offer from another hotel chain. The family council voted – and Marlis Rötting then remained an- other two years in China, heading 2000 staff.
The sudden and far too early death of her husband meant that a visit to China then became something lasting. Various posts for German companies in China followed. Marlis Rötting grew with her responsibilities.
“A great deal has changed in China in recent decades”
Her trading firm concentrates on importing high-end Hinterseer Parkett floor coverings from Germany. The Chinese appreciate these prod- ucts for their quality and freedom from contaminants. “A great deal has changed in China in recent decades,” realizes Marlis Rötting. Whereas in 1998 available living space per person averaged eight square metres, meanwhile it runs to over 30. This naturally creates growing demand in the middle classes, especially, for high-quality furnishings and
consumer goods.
ADVERTISING FOR HAMBURG
As HamburgAmbassador, in Beijing she organizes nu- merous events in her company’s showroom. In addition, she motivates Chinese tour operators to include Ham- burg as a destination in their programs. Media work is al- so among her tasks. Thanks to her intervention, a cultural series about Hamburg ran for a whole year on Chinese state television. For Hanseatic companies, she is much in demand as a source and intermediary in Beijing. Marlis Rötting has no thought of giving up. She sees neither her honorary post nor her work as stress or burden. “I simply enjoy it,” she states, returning to her swing. ■