Sean Upton-McLaughlin
Senior cross-border growth and alignment leader with deep experience inside high-velocity Chinese technology firms.
Global Growth Starts With Internal Alignment
Having led global functions inside high-velocity Chinese technology firms, I focus on strengthening the alignment between headquarters strategy and overseas execution.
Growth rarely fails because of ambition. It falters when leadership expectations, operating realities, and cross-border execution drift out of sync.
What I Work On
I work with leadership teams navigating growth and execution between China and international markets. My focus spans strategy, communications, and cross-border alignment, helping organizations close the operational gaps that often emerge as they scale.
Whether guiding market expansion, shaping positioning, or supporting cross-border coordination, I focus on work that is measurable, accountable, and grounded in real business outcomes.
Alignment
Companies often scale faster than their internal structures can support. I focus on clarifying decision rights, cross-functional coordination, and leadership expectations before growth pressure exposes structural gaps.
Execution
Strategy rarely fails on paper. It breaks down when assumptions from one market are applied to another without adjustment. I help leadership teams align execution across China and international markets.
Trust
Trust is not a communications tactic. It is built through consistent decisions, incentives, and leadership behavior. Sustainable growth requires a structure that reinforces long-term credibility.
Selected Insights
My writing explores China’s business landscape from the inside out, synthesizing strategic perspective with operational nuance.
Here you’ll find essays, case studies, and commentary on trends affecting China-global relations, marketing in Chinese markets, innovation ecosystems, and leadership in the digital age.
These pieces are meant to inform decision-makers who need depth, context, and perspective, not oversimplification.
Dual Culture Management
Leading across China and international markets requires more than translation. It demands clarity around decision rights, expectations, and operating norms to prevent friction from becoming structural risk.
The Risks of China Speed
Speed drives competitive advantage in China’s technology ecosystem. But without alignment, that same speed can amplify risk when operating globally, creating friction that leadership teams must actively manage.
Guangzhou Auto Show 2025
The Guangzhou Auto Show offers a ground-level view of China’s evolving innovation landscape. Beyond product launches, it reveals how domestic ambition and global expansion intersect in real time.
Hiring in China in 2026
China’s talent market is evolving alongside its global ambitions. Hiring strategy now requires sharper clarity around role design, expectations, and cross-border collaboration rather than simply increasing headcount.
Hidden Layers in China
China’s business environment operates across visible and invisible layers. Sustainable success depends on recognizing operational realities beneath surface narratives and adjusting execution accordingly.
Global Talent: Bridge the China Gap
Global teams often underestimate the coordination required between headquarters and overseas markets. Bridging the China gap means aligning incentives, communication rhythms, and leadership expectations across cultures.
About My Expertise
Over the past 15+ years, I have operated inside global technology companies, international agencies, and founder-led growth businesses, leading cross-border initiatives at scale.
My work spans headquarters strategy and overseas execution, with a focus on strengthening alignment between China and international markets during periods of growth.
Integrated Global Marketing Execution
Planned and executed integrated brand and sales campaigns across e-commerce, digital media, influencer networks, and creative teams. Delivered measurable commercial outcomes, including major seasonal campaigns that significantly increased international market revenue and engagement.
Cross-Border Organizational Alignment
Worked at the intersection of headquarters leadership and overseas teams to improve execution clarity. Reduced friction across product, PR, marketing, and regional operations during launches and expansion initiatives.
Team Structuring & International Scale-Up
Redesigned global structures to support rapid international growth, managing distributed teams and agency partners while strengthening operational discipline and cross-functional coordination.
Executive Communications & Narrative Development
Shaped executive speeches, leadership narratives, and corporate messaging frameworks. Translated complex strategies into clear positioning for global audiences while maintaining alignment with internal culture and long-term direction.
Global Reputation & Crisis Leadership
Led multi-region communications operations during high-risk product launches and sensitive market moments. Aligned headquarters and regional leadership under unified strategy when execution stakes were high.
Influencer & Media Systems Design
Designed scalable global media and influencer engagement systems to improve performance measurement, accountability, and long-term advocacy across international markets.
Speaking & Media
I speak about China’s economic transformation, global technology trends, cross-cultural strategy, and effective communications at conferences, corporate briefings, and industry events.
My talks translate complex developments into practical insight. I engage audiences in ways that help leadership teams move from uncertainty to an actionable perspective — whether on stage, in media interviews, or at private roundtables.
Available for keynote, panel, workshop, and executive-briefing engagements.
Shenzhen Government Event
Ecuador-China Chamber Event
Shenzhen Daily Interview
On-the-Ground in Shenzhen
Work With Me
I selectively advise leadership teams navigating growth and execution between China and international markets. My focus is on operational alignment, communication clarity, and reducing friction between headquarters and overseas teams.
- Cross-Border Execution Alignment
- Growth & Market Expansion Advisory
- Executive Communication & Narrative Risk
- Organizational Friction & Coordination
For deeper engagement structures and project-based work, visit SageSight Consulting.
Sean Upton-McLaughlin 