Thus, "guanxi" is important in two domains: social ties with managers of suppliers, buyers, competitors, and other business intermediaries; and social ties with government officials at various national government-regulated agencies. Given its extensive influential power in the shaping of business operations, many see "guanxi" as a crucial source of social capital and strategic tool for business success. Thanks to a good knowledge of "guanxi", companies obtain secret information, increase their knowledge about precise government regulations, and receive privileged access to stocks and resources. Knowing this, some economists have warned that Western countries and others that trade regularly with China should improve their "cultural competency" in regards to practices such as "guanxi". In doing so, such countries can avoid financial fallout caused by a lack of awareness regarding the way practices like "guanxi" operate.