World Brand Congress
Our experience and exposure to professionals over the years has provided us with a ringside view of the happenings in the business world. We have had a chance to observe the innovations that have sprung up across diverse areas ranging from reducing energy and water consumption, eliminating inefficiencies, improving supply chain sustainability and so on. While these have had a significant impact the world-over, we are on the cusp of something larger, with far-reaching effects. This we have gathered through our interactions and observations at various editions of the World Brand Congress.2016 is special because we celebrate our Silver Jubilee with our schedule of global events:· Asia Edition celebration in Kuala Lumpur (April, 2016, already concluded)· GCC Edition celebration in Dubai (October, 2016)· Global Edition celebration in Mumbai (November, 2016)· Africa Edition celebration in Mauritius (December, 2016)The event is chaired by Mr Nand Kishore Badami, Chief Marketing Officer, Cisco Systems India. The theme is "NEXT NOW..." for the 2016 edition. The event is guided by a global advisory board comprising senior professionals from the industry; all driven by a passion to meaningfully contribute to making this world a better place.Globally, from economies to businesses, all are subjected to a multitude of forces that they have to either anticipate or respond in quick time to, to ensure survival. We are all familiar with examples of companies and even nations that have failed to respond appropriately or fast enough, but can we avoid getting into this situation?It all boils down to the decisions we take and the moves we…
Asia’s Most Established Forum on CSR, Thought Leadership and Practice
Now in its 15th year, the AFCSR is Asia’s most established forum on CSR, thought leadership and practice.On 20-21 September, 2016, the AFCSR will convene for the first time in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar to focus on corporate social innovation (CSI) as a strategic approach to addressing social challenges to uplift communities, transform countries and create a better future.The key questions:· How can inclusive innovation help solve the challenges of poverty, disparity and climate change?· How can business and government promote inclusive innovation and achieve inclusive growth?· How can CSR and CSI help build a company’s brand and strengthen competitive advantage?Why attend?1. Join the conversation on the latest thinking on corporate social responsibility with delegates from across the world2. Learn from inspiring leaders and thinkers on how inclusive innovation is relevant to your organisation's and the world's future3. See for yourself the opportunities unfolding in one of Asia's most exciting emerging countries, MyanmarConfirmed speakers include: Diosdado “Dado” Banatao, award-winning Silicon Valley entrepreneur, enterprise builder and philanthropist; Aisa Mijeno, innovator, engineer and award-winning social entrepreneur, Founder of SALt; Chandran Nair, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Global Institute for Tomorrow, Hong Kong; David Grayson CBE, Director, Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility, UK; Bradley Googins, Professor Emeritus, Caroll School of Business, Boston College, USA; and Nina Teng, Vice President Public Affairs, Grab, Singapore.The AFCSR is an annual regional conference co-convened by the Asian Institute of Management, Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. Centre for Corporate Responsibility and Asia Inc Forum together with Intel as the Strategic Partner; SPA Group as…
Award-Winning Silicon Valley Entrepreneur to Address 15th AFCSR in Myanmar
Silicon Valley-based Diosdado “Dado” Banatao, award-winning technology entrepreneur, enterprise builder and a Forbes Asia “Hero of Philanthropy”, has accepted the invitation to address this year’s 15th Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCSR) 20-21 September in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.“I hope to contribute my insights in technology development, innovation, entrepreneurship, enterprise building, and their impact to all aspects of society’s needs,” he said in confirming to participate in at AFCSR. Dado believes that challenging tradition and mediocrity can disrupt the cycle of poverty. As Chairman of Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev) and other foundations, he seeks to translate science and technology education into innovation and entrepreneurship and boost economic growth by developing well-trained engineers who produce high value products for the world market. He fosters innovation and entrepreneurship by empowering resource-scarce yet promising students in the fields of engineering and technology through educational scholarships and financial assistance, both in the Philippines and Northern California.“Innovation and entrepreneurship are inseparable for a complex and globalised world,” Dado emphasises.After completing his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Stanford University, Dado worked for several technology companies and in 1984 became an entrepreneur. He founded three technology startups and is credited as the inventor of two of the foundation technologies in every personal computer today.Dado is also Managing Partner of Tallwood Venture Capital, a venture firm focused on semiconductor technology solutions for computing, communication and consumer platforms.Dado Banatao joins other notable speakers at this year’s AFCSR; including Chandran Nair, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Global Institute for Tomorrow, Hong Kong; David…
Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility to Convene in Myanmar for the First Time
The Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCSR), Asia’s most established regional dialogue on CSR thinking and practice, will convene in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar for the first time on 20-21 September this year.Now in its 15th year, the agenda will focus on Corporate Social Innovation (CSI) as a strategic approach to addressing social challenges to uplift communities, transform countries and create a better future.Sessions will be structured in an engaging and interactive format, with discussions led by key figures in the new Myanmar Government, visionary business leaders, top CSR-thinkers and inspiring social entrepreneurs who will share vital insights and unique perspectives to 350 attendees from 25 countries.The 15th AFCSR takes place at a very interesting time in Myanmar’s history with a remarkable political transition to the new democratically-elected Government, high levels of optimism about future economic prospects and increasing foreign direct investment and global interest as the country broadens engagement with the world.Conference Chairman, Dato Timothy Ong recalled: “These days, we live in a world of great challenge and great opportunity. There is a rise of interlocking social, economic and environmental challenges that require new and fresh approaches. Businesses, government and non-government organisations must work together and come up with ideas and transformative solutions for lasting impact to both businesses and communities.”Among the key questions to be discussed are: How can inclusive innovation help solve the challenges of poverty, disparity and climate change? How can business and government promote inclusive innovation and achieve inclusive growth? How can CSR and CSI help build a company’s brand…
China’s Multidimensional Outlook
In spite of reports that China’s economy is now registering its slowest pace of growth in 25 years after decades of expansion, investors may be fooled into thinking that China is struggling to hold its own in the global political arena. However, the world often loses sight of the sheer scale and power of the country’s economy, and the importance of economic cooperation with the “locomotive of world economic development”. “No matter what rate the country grows at in 2016, its share of the global economy, and many specific sectors, will be larger than ever,” Gordon Orr, McKinsey & Company aptly noted in a commentary at the start of this year.The inexplicably-linked global slump in commodity prices and currency devaluation are causes for concern among investors, with China confidence still recovering from rock-bottom. On the flipside, the country has been quick to identify the changes needed to grow to prominence once more; guiding its economy away from the old growth model - which had a largely one-dimensional reliance and dependence on cheap exports – toward a future powered by Chinese consumers and a stronger services sector.Experts have long been asking the question: Can China truly recover? There is no doubt the country has a tough road ahead to shift away from its mainstay of exports and focus on its own personal economic development through multiple subeconomies. Supporting this, the Government’s 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP), combined with the State Council’s ‘Made in China 2025’ (MiC2025) initiative, promises to give rise to a new China, with the power…
Setting the Pace for Global Innovation
Written by Dr. Rafael Escalona Reynoso, Lead Researcher at The Global Innovation IndexWith half of its economies ranked in the top 40, Southeast Asia and Oceania maintain their innovation dynamism this year, according to The Global Innovation Index (GII), 2015. Recognised as a hub for technology and innovation, the region is home to some of the world's largest and most prosperous economies; namely Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong (China) are helping set the pace of innovation globally and are noted to be major contributors to industrial-commercial growth and prosperity in the region.In innovation, the region’s performance is led by high-income economies like Singapore, South Korea and Japan. These nations perform above the regional average in all areas measured by the GII and are on-par with nations at the top of the global rankings. This is especially true for human capital and research, and infrastructure, two of the pillars of the GII, areas in which these nations perform above the global leader, North America. Singapore, in particular, brings to the region outstanding performances in infrastructure and business sophistication, categories in which it holds the highest rankings globally.The GII, which is co-published by Cornell University, INSEAD and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and surveys 141 economies around the world, shows how China and Malaysia, two upper-middle income economies, also help boost the region’s innovation performance. These two are the only non-high-income nations approaching the top 25 economies in the rankings.China displays a strong performance in areas associated with knowledge and technology outputs and is also highest among…
Emerging Markets Drive New Normal in Global Economy
The financial world order has yet to stabilise into a new normal following the last global crisis, but Amundi Asset Management’s Global Chief Investment Officer, Pascal Blanqué believes that a new ‘normal’, with a greater level of complexity will be the order of the day.“Typical reaction of the markets is to go back to the old framework, to memories of the past,” he said at the World Capital Markets Symposium 2015 Roundtable discussion entitled, ‘The Shape of Things to Come: Financial Market Outlook 2016’. “What we are seeing today is back to the 1997 reference point and this is wrong.“Countries in ASEAN are no longer in the position they were in 1997.”Blanqué was one of four panellists discussing issues that seem to be helping shape 2016 into another year of volatility marked by currency turmoil and unstable growth.One development to have spooked global investors recently was the sudden drop in China’s stock markets amidst fears of economic imbalance. However, Chi Lo, BNP Paribas Investment’s senior economist said that investor fears may have been overdone.“The impact of China’s volatility is the fear factor. The connectivity between China and rest of the world is trade. Countries that export to China are dependent on China’s domestic demand,” he said. “But the impact of volatility is less than four percent of GDP in emerging markets and less than one percent in developed markets.“The impact therefore is the sudden change in Chinese economic policy that looks different from recent years and the world doesn’t know how to handle it.”From this perspective,…
Building Tomorrow’s Project Management Leaders
The Project Management Institute Malaysia Chapter (PMIMY), a Chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI) - the world’s largest not-for-profit membership association for the project management profession - will host the 2nd Project Management Institute Malaysia Chapter International Symposium from 17-19 August, 2015 at Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur.The 2nd Project Management Institute Malaysia Chapter International Symposium 2015 is HRDF claimable and delegates can earn up to 22 PDUs at the event. The two-day interactive symposium and one-day workshop will host more than 250 local and international delegates including 30 leading international speakers representing international and multinational companies across a plethora of sectors.KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:· PROF. DATUK ISMAIL IBRAHIM, Chief Executive, ISKANDAR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (IRDA), MALAYSIA · DATO’ IR. LIM CHOW HOCK, President, THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS MALAYSIA (IEM), MALAYSIA · CHEAH KOK HOONG, Group Chief Executive Officer/Director, HITACHI SUNWAY INFORMATION SYSTEMS; Chief Information Officer, SUNWAY GROUP; Chairman, PIKOM CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:· AMMAR ABUZAHRA, Director, PLERION SOLUTIONS · ANANTHAN SANGGAR, Head of Operations AMEA Client Services, BT GLOBAL SERVICES · BARRY JESKE, Asia Construction Program Manager, SCHLUMBERGER · BRIAN SHUPTRINE, Director – South East Asia, TURNER & TOWNSEND · CALLUM BOTHWELL, Managing Director – Asia Pacific, FAITHFUL+GOULD · CHRISTIAN JOURDAIN, Operations Director, FUJITSU SINGAPORE · CHUA E LONG, Vice President, PMI MALAYSIA CHAPTER; Senior Vice President & Project Director, AXA · DAVIDE CATUZZATO, Divisional Director Project Control APAC, AMEC FOSTER WHEELER · ERIC KU, Director of Professional Development, PMI MALAYSIA CHAPTER; Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, ITRAIN · IZWAN IBRAHIM, Chief Operating Officer, PETRONAS ICT, MALAYSIA · JIM…
Corporate China Speaks ‘Business’
Peter Burman, President of EF Corporate SolutionsIt’s a modern-day maxim that nations with the strongest desire to build competitive economies are the ones that aggressively invest in up-skilling their labour force. As China's entrepreneurial streak races ahead, corporate executives from Shanghai to Shenzhen are recognising the importance of agility in meeting the demands of a perpetually changing global marketplace. Mastering English as the international language of business provides this agility, allowing executives to instantly respond to new opportunities in otherwise impenetrable markets.Following what appears to be a highly effective top-down approach for many Chinese businesses, CEOs are the first to ramp up their English language skills.In China, most C-suite executives are highly qualified in computer science and engineering, subjects traditionally valued for its ‘employability’. While English is taught extensively in schools, Chinese pupils largely learn by rote, and may find their classroom English insufficient when speaking on the world stage. Our research (link to EPI-c) has revealed a large gap between current usage and the desired level of proficiency in English in China, highlighting the nation’s increasingly outward-facing business outlook. Ambitious for global capital fund-raising, as well as business expansion to sell more made-in-China tech products to global consumers require top Chinese executives to speak English. There’s a clear desire in China to learn English on a corporate level for business competitiveness, and on an individual level, vying for higher profile employment opportunities.A few decades ago, the business community projected that Mandarin would be the new language of business, but this hasn't been the case. English…
Chinese Property: Seeing Through the Fog
The first whispers of worry about a Chinese property bubble surfaced in late 2009. Since then, the local real estate market has quickened and slowed in line with government measures to stoke or cool the market, but has never crashed. Nonetheless, some market watchers insist that the Chinese property bubble would burst one day. Recent sector weakness has given them further ammunition, as has the near collapse of Kaisa, a mid-sized Shenzhen-based developer. Until December 2014, Kaisa’s finances were perceived to be strong and sales were rising. Now its survival is at the mercy of lenders and rivals. Its woes started when the government halted some of its Shenzhen projects in December without giving a reason. The chairman abruptly resigned, while debts to banks and bondholders have gone unpaid and the firm is in the process of being acquired by its competitor. It has yet to reach a consensual solution with its creditors. Kaisa’s mysterious implosion seems to stem from China’s unprecedented two-year anti-corruption drive. Authorities have largely kept silent about the affair but it has since been alleged that the firm is being probed for ties to a local official accused of corruption. Such a saga is unlikely to be repeated on the same scale. The government can scarcely afford to dent investor confidence, which might cause developers to lose access to offshore funding. Already, US-dollar bond issuances from Chinese real estate companies have fallen significantly in the first quarter this year, a period that usually sees a lot more activity. Chinese property companies issued US$3.6 billion of…
