Joanna Tan runs her own company helping expats find the home of their dreams for the duration of their time in China.

7:00 a.m.
_Home—Beijing's Central Park_
I’m woken up by my daughter's sweet kiss. I give her a hug and say morning to her. A new day is coming.
7:10 Turn on the computer and download email, then take shower.
7:40 A bottle of hot milk and a piece of bread for breakfast. I eat while reading and replying to urgent emails.
8:00 Put on make up while listening to TV news and the weather forecast. I’m leaving for Shanghai tonight, so I pack clothes then dress for work.
_Car—BMW5_
8:50 Check my schedule for the day. It’s cold; I’m glad I brought warm clothes!
_Office_
9:15 First thing is a cup of rose tea, then I confirm appointments with my secretary. I meet with our Department Manager to review a key account.
_China World Trade Center_
10:30 Pay a visit to a key account—a U.S. oil company—to check in and say hello and get some feedback on our service.
11:00 There’s another account in the same office building, so I stop in. Their new human resources (HR) director just came to Beijing last week, so I give him our company’s brochure and introduce our services—housing solutions for incoming expats.
11:42 Receive a call from someone looking to buy my villa in Shunyi. I bargain with him, listing the advantages of the compound to get a better price.
_Grand Hyatt Hotel _
12:00 p.m. Lunch with the HR director of an audit company. I thank her for her continued support and from the conversation I learn that five new expats will arrive in Beijing next month. I’m glad to send them a proposal.
_Oriental Plaza_
1:15 I go to the Burberry shop in Oriental Plaza to pick up the handbag I reserved three days ago.
1:30 On the way back to the office, I contact our marketing managers in Shanghai and Beijing. I ask them about our magazine advertisement strategy, specifically whether any business has come in from it. I give them some suggestions to brand our company in Beijing.
_Office_
2:00 I confirm with my secretary an afternoon appointment with a real estate developer. I sign the financial report, asking the cost for each item
2:15 Have a brief sales meeting with four managers to address any complaints or problems with our accounts. Turns out we just received an appreciation letter from a 500 Fortune company. This makes my day!
2:45 I meet with our business development manager. He wants me to attend an HR conference sponsored by AmCham. I schedule it.
3:20 On my way to the appointment with the developer, I talk to my Japanese department manager, following up potential accounts.
_China World Hotel–Aria_
3:45 Have a drink with the property developer and talk about possible leasing cooperation.
4:20 Receive another call from the prospective buyer. He will come here to negotiate the price.
4:50 I can’t accept his price, so we keep bargaining. Finally, we reach some agreement. We will sign the contract next week because I’m leaving for Shanghai tonight.
_Office_
6:15 I meet with the entire staff. We look at sales performance, after-sale service to our clients, new property information, problems and set targets for next week and the near-term.
7:50 Receive a call from my friend in Shanghai. He would like to invest in some Beijing real estate. I gave him some suggestions for different properties.
_Capital Club_
9:25 Jog in the health club, letting myself relax. My driver waits for me downstairs, then we are off to the airport.
_Beijing Airport_
11:10 Arrive at the airport and wait in the VIP lounge where I catch up on economic news, real estate news, what’s the fashion now.
_Shanghai_
1:00 a.m. Arrive in Shanghai, my driver is waiting for me. Open my laptop, read email, check messages on my mobile phone, reply to emails and more messages.
1:40 Arrive home, wash up and put on moisturizer before I get some sweet sleep.