“Chicago”: The 2017 American Ball

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The 2017 edition of the always much-anticipated American Ball, co-organized by AmCham Taipei and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), took place October 28 in the beautiful Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Taipei. Guests enjoyed the room’s dazzling Chicago-themed décor provided by the Feng Ze Design Center, crowd-pleasing entertainment routines devised by the VMJ dance group, and the choice of music by energetic vocalist Dooley and his band, as well as DJ Rick Kraft.

The Master of Ceremonies was Mark Lewis, taking a break from his day job at the AIT Commercial Section. AmCham Chairman Albert Chang and President Andrea Wu, accompanied by AIT Director Kin Moy and Deputy Director Rob Forden, greeted the attendees on behalf of the host organizations.

View the full photo gallery here.

Before the reception, guests were greeted with a lively cocktail reception drink of Robert Mondavi Winery’s Woodbridge Sparkling Brut courtesy of Sergio Valente Inc. The gourmet five-course meal that followed featured smoked salmon tartare, lentil soup with papadum chip and sour cream, Tarocco Orange sorbet, roasted U.S. beef tenderloin with polenta cake and crispy carrot, and for dessert a Red “C” chocolate-origin mousse with raspberry sorbet and sea salt sable. The dinner was accompanied by Robert Mondavi Winery Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay (from Sergio Valente) and Johnnie Walker Double Black (from Diageo). Cocktails and Guinness stout were available at the bar.

The event was made possible by the generosity of a number of sponsoring companies. These included Grand Prize Sponsors United Airlines and Grand Hyatt; Wine & Liquor Sponsors Diageo and Sergio Valente; Gold Sponsors HSBC, Grand Hyatt Taipei, and Versum Materials; Décor Sponsor Standard Chartered Bank; Silver Sponsors Bristol-Myers Squibb, BlackRock, Corning, and Prospect Hospitality Co. Ltd. (McDonald’s Restaurants); and General Sponsor The Tobacco Institute of the Republic of China (TIROC).

Substantial raffle prizes added to the excitement of the evening. This year’s grand prize, an “Ultimate Dream Vacation” package, included two round-trip Taipei to Chicago business-class tickets by United Airlines, plus a three-night stay at the Park Hyatt Chicago. Other gift sponsors were 3M, eslite hotel, Ever Rich, Grand Hyatt, Hotel Eclat Taipei, Howard Plaza, The Landis Taipei, Mandarin Oriental Taipei, Mellow Fields Taipei, Palais de Chine, The Place Tainan, Procter & Gamble, Regent Taipei, Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, The Sherwood Taipei, Westin Taipei, The Westin Tashee Resort Taoyuan, and W Taipei.

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Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.

Making Corporate Transformation Happen

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What happens when a large, well-established, global corporation finds its market leadership position threated by seismic changes taking place in its industry? Microsoft recently undertook the largest and most significant transformation in its 42-year history, one that impacted every one of its 120,000 employees in more than 200 locations worldwide.

On October 19, AmCham Taipei invited Andrew Pickup, Senior Director of Communications from Microsoft Asia, to give a presentation on “Making Corporate Transformation Happen.” The session was held at the Shangri-la’s Far Eastern Plaza.

From left to right: AmCham Secretary Vincent, Assistant General Counsel, GM, Corporate, External & Legal Affairs at Microsoft Taiwan Corp.; AmCham President Andrea Wu; Speaker Andrew Pickup, Senior Director of Communications at Microsoft Asia AmCham; and AmCham Supervisor Nadia Chen, Country Executive, The Bank of New York Mellon Taipei Branch

Pickup shared with the audience the challenges (and opportunities) Microsoft saw as worldwide PC shipments and sales figures continued to decline over the last decade. In transforming the business to deal with that trend, he said, Microsoft focused on the following priorities:

  • Organizational Design–ensuring that business units, including engineering teams, are fully aligned with business outcomes.
  • Outcomes and Incentives – making sure desired outcomes are clearly communicated and understood, and that a reward system is in place to provide incentives.
  • Training and Readiness – providing guidance so that employees feel fully confident and supported throughout the transformation process.
  • Culture and Values – making sure employees understand the behaviors expected from them so that there is a shared sense of responsibility.

While it can be a challenge to get employees excited and working together in support of a transformational strategy, Pickup stressed that it can lead to positive outcomes for long-term success.

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Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.

AmCham Taipei Marks 66th Anniversary

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With a gala reception attended by nearly 100 members and guests, the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei on September 14 celebrated the 66th anniversary of its establishment. The event was held at The Penthouse located on the 16th floor of the Eslite Hotel, where attendees enjoyed a light buffet dinner and spectacular night views of Taipei City.

The event was sponsored by Abbott Laboratories Services Corp., Taiwan Branch.

2017 Anniversary Cocktail – AmCham Taipei Acting Chairman Dan Silver, President Andrea Wu, AIT Directory Kin Moy

In brief remarks, AmCham Taipei Acting Chairman Dan Silver highlighted some of the Chamber’s key achievements over the past year, including this year’s June 26-30 Doorknock trip to Washington, D.C. to better understand the current thinking in the American capital about U.S.-Taiwan relations.

He also mentioned that this year the annual Taiwan White Paper received wide media and government attention, especially when it became known that no issues from the 2016 White Paper had yet been completely resolved. In response, the Taiwan government set up quarterly review meetings with AmCham Taipei over the coming year, to monitor progress on the issues and help ensure better results in the current advocacy cycle.

2017 Anniversary Cocktail – AmCham Taipei Acting Chairman, Dan Silver

Silver also reported that the utilization of the AmCham Taipei Lincoln Room, the multifunctional meeting space on the 6th floor of the Chamber’s office building, has been growing at a very encouraging rate and has increased its revenue by 60% from last year. The Lincoln Room has served more than 60 Chamber events this year, including press conferences, government visits, luncheons, workshops, seminars, happy hours, and marketplace sessions, and it is also available for rental by member companies and others.

Further, Silver called attention to the efforts to increase the digital presence of the main AmCham website and Taiwan Business TOPICS Online, as the traffic of both websites has grown steadily, doubling compared to a year earlier.

Representing the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Director Kin Moy expressed appreciation for AmCham’s longstanding, continuous efforts to strengthen bilateral economic relations between Taiwan and the United States. He cited the Chamber’s annual Taiwan White Paper as providing excellent reference for both the Taiwan and U.S. governments regarding the needs of multinational businesses operating in Taiwan.

2017 Anniversary Cocktail – the American Institute in Taiwan Directory Kin Moy

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Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.

Delegating to Robots: Document Automation for Lawyers

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As the cost of office rent and salaries continues to increase while in-house budgets continue to shrink, how can law firms and in-house legal departments cope with the financial squeeze and enhance profitability? The answer – according to a recent presentation at an AmCham Taipei workshop – may be automation of the preparation of legal documents.

On July 13, Peter Davies of Thomson Reuters gave a presentation in AmCham Taipei’s Lincoln Room on “Delegating to Robots: Document Automation for Lawyers.” A former private equity lawyer, Davies now works with corporates in North Asia to determine how new technological models can assist in bringing efficiencies to the legal profession.

From left to right: Speaker Peter Davies with Don Shapiro, Chamber’s Senior Director

Davies stressed that several preconditions are necessary for documentation automation to be feasible:

  • The existence of a good set of templates that computers can draw on to compile a document
  • Sufficient volume for each type of document to create economies of scale
  • A willingness to invest the money and especially the time to create an effective automation system
  • The market power to devise documents based on the office’s own determination (not possible, for example, if a law firm must work on the client’s own template)

Given the right conditions, however, automation brings the advantages of faster speed – manual preparation takes 80% longer on average – and greater accuracy, reducing the incidence of typos and other errors. Davies asserted that automation does not mean robots taking away lawyers’ jobs. Rather, it should free up lawyers’ time for more productive activity.

From attendees’ comments during the interactive presentation, it appears that the automation of legal documents in Taiwan is far less common than in markets such as Hong Kong and Singapore. The main reason may be the lesser volume here of any given standard document.

2017 AmCham Membership Satisfaction Survey

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At AmCham Taipei, we are constantly working to deliver a great experience for our members and looking for ways to further improve our services. Between May 18 and June 23, we conducted a Membership Satisfaction Survey consisting of 12 questions. A total of 111 AmCham Taipei members responded to the survey with their feedback.

“The Membership Satisfaction Survey provides valuable insight into the needs of our members,” said Andrea Wu, president of the Chamber. “It serves as a benchmark for our performance and provides a comparative measure of our success from year to year.”

AmCham Taipei is grateful to all members who participated in the survey. As a token of our appreciation, a lucky draw contest was held, with prizes to three participants.

The Membership Satisfaction Survey not only reflects areas of success and needed improvement but also helps inform future AmCham Taipei initiatives and priorities. Future surveys will enable us to track the results of our member satisfaction efforts over time.

Here are the results of the 2017 Membership Survey (click images to enlarge):

Digital Marketing Roadmap: 2017 and Beyond

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In this age of digital media, marketers face sharp new challenges, but they are also armed with new tools and techniques to deal with them.

At a two-hour AmCham Taipei “Digital Marketing Roadmap: 2017 and Beyond” workshop on June 14, James Chard, an independent digital media and marketing consultant and former Communications Manager at AmCham Taipei, shared insights on how to form a successful digital marketing strategy. The program included a hands-on group exercise to spark ideas on ways to develop an effective email marketing campaign.

Chard began with an overview on the current state of digital marketing, noting that consumer expectations are higher than ever. As consumer trust continues to decline and consumer savviness increases, marketers must pursue personalized, relevant, and targeted marketing strategies in order to capture and retain consumer attention. Chard highlighted the importance of technology trends in modern day digital marketing, such as the dominant role of mobile communication and the growing significance of video, chat functions, and influencer marketing, among others. He then discussed the “new customer journey,” which has shifted with the evolution of consumer needs and the expanding landscape of technological possibilities.

From left to right: Don Shapiro, Chamber’s Senior Director, James Chard, Independent Digital Media and Marketing Consultant, Andrea Wu, AmCham President

The New* Customer Journey: Pre-Purchase Stages

  1. Engagement – Brand Awareness
  2. Education – Problem Identification
  3. Research – Investigate Solutions
  4. Evaluation – Assess Satisfaction of Needs
  5. Justification – Justify & Quantify Value, the Internal Buy-In
  6. Purchase – Transactional and Transitional Factors

The New* Customer Journey: Post-Purchase Stages

  1. Adoption – Onboarding and Implementation
  2. Retention – Satisfaction and Success
  3. Expansion – Up-sell, Cross-sell
  4. Advocacy – Loyalty and Evangelism (winning the trust battle and getting consumers to spread the word for you)

Chard emphasized the importance of inbound marketing – pulling consumers in organically – rather than outbound marketing, which depends on fighting for consumer attention in a sea of communication messages. He concluded with an analysis of the most powerful tools to boost marketing effectiveness and best practices:

  • Website
  • Content
  • Social media
  • Search
  • Email
  • Ads
  • Marketing Automation
  • Analytics

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Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.

The AIT and AmCham Taipei Co-Host U.S.-Taiwan International Patient Day

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The American Institute of Taiwan (AIT) and AmCham Taipei co-hosted U.S.-Taiwan International Patient Day at the AmCham Taipei Lincoln Room on May 24. The goal of the International Patient Day is for foreign government regulators and high-level officials to see the personal impact U.S. medical technology has on the Taiwan population.

The event featured presentations by local doctors and medical experts on how U.S. medical technologies are being used to ease suffering for patients, while increasing the probability of full-recovery and reducing mortality in Taiwan. Patients were also in attendance at the event to share their personal stories and experiences on how U.S. medical technologies have helped to improve their lives during the treatment and recovery. U.S. technologies that were highlighted include: 1) advanced hemodynamic monitoring for major burn victims; 2) transcatheter aortic valve replacement surgery (TAVR); 3) insulin pump therapy for diabetic patients; and 4) closures for left atrial appendage. Representatives from Cigna also introduced their healthcare platform to help consumers manage their health and engage with care systems via mobile app.

From left to right: Henley Jones, Commercial Officer, AIT Commercial Section, Tsung-Hsi Wang (王宗曦), Secretary General, Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), Andrea Wu, President of AmCham Taipei, Mao-Ting Sheen (沈茂庭), Chief Secretary, National Health Insurance Administration, MOHW

Attendees to the U.S.-Taiwan International Patient Day included Tsung-Hsi Wang (王宗曦), Secretary General, Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), Cheng-Hua Lee (李丞華), Deputy Director General, National Health Insurance Administration, MOHW, Mao-Ting Sheen (沈茂庭), Chief Secretary, National Health Insurance Administration, MOHW, and other officials from healthcare and medical related divisions.

Special thanks to the doctors and specialists who presented and shared their medical expertise:

  • Chia-Shen Yang, Chief, Burn Center and Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
    楊家森醫師 – 高雄長庚燒燙傷中心主任、高雄長庚醫院整形外科醫師
  • Wei-Hsien Yin, Cardiologist, Chief, Division of Cardiology, Heart Centre at Cheng Hsin General Hospital
    殷偉賢醫師 – 振興醫院心臟醫學中心 心臟血管內科主任
  • Chia-Hung Lin, Attending physician, Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology at Taoyuan Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
    林嘉鴻醫師 – 桃園長庚醫院新陳代謝科主治醫師
  • Amy Lee, VP of Operations at Cigna Taiwan
    李映慧 – 康健人壽資深副總
  • Sandy Chen, Chief Operation Officer at Cigna Taiwan
    陳立琳 – 康健人壽營運長
  • Chia-Ti Tsai, Attending Physician in Cardiology, National Taiwan University Hospital
    Professor of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University
    蔡佳醍 醫師 – 台大心臟內科部主治醫師、國立台灣大學醫學院內科專任教授

AmCham’s 2017 Golf Championship

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On May 12, AmCham Taipei held its 2017 Golf Championship at the Kuo Hua Golf & Country Club in Beitou.

With a full shot-gun start, all players teed-off promptly at 6:30 a.m., following the Texas Scramble based on Peoria format. The day was mostly cloudy with pleasant temperatures, and players were able to stay refreshed with non-alcoholic drinks generously sponsored by Swire Coca-Cola, Savanna Cider by Distell, and Ice cream by Swensen’s.

A total of 55 golfers, organized into 14 teams, took part in the golf event.

Thanks to hole-sponsors Corning, and Taiwan Sotheby’s International Realty, golfers had the chance to win Nearest to the Pin contests at every Par-3 hole, as well as Longest Drive on two Par-5 holes. In addition, Ally Logistics Property also sponsored 8 sleeves of top-quality golf balls as hole prizes.

All participants also took home “goody bags” filled with prizes provided by Asian Tigers, Ally Logistics Property, Costco, Crown, and Taiwan Sotheby’s International Realty.

Tournament Results

Team handicaps for this year’s tournament were determined using the Peoria system, with the six special holes drawn randomly by players during the awards lunch. Evonik (Thomas Zechel, Albert Lee, Michael Huang, and KC Lin) won the championship. Other golfers also had opportunities to win prizes in the lucky draw that followed, with products sponsored by Audi, Costco, Grand Hyatt Taipei, Howard Plaza Taipei, IGST, Patron Spirits, Regent Taipei, Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei, Silks Place Taroko, The Place Tainan, The Sherwood Taipei, and the W Taipei. Distell also sponsored Scottish Leader Whisky that was served during lunch.

Before ending lunch, AmCham President Andrea Wu extended special thanks to the 2017 AmCham Golf Committee – Doug Klein, Jesse Chen, James Hsiao, and Wayne Shen – for their expert advice on all things golf-related.

View the full photo gallery here

Special Event – Chemical Registration

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With the upcoming requirement (Taiwan-Reach) to register of existing chemical substances in Taiwan, the industry will face new challenges. ERM/ReachCentrum has supported industry in Europe since 2008 and since 2015 in Korea on similar registration requirements. i.e. joint registration and data sharing management.

On April 13, AmCham Taipei invited Willi Muenninghoff, Project Manager of ReachCentrum to share his expertise on involvement with regulatory issues for the chemical industry. The seminar also highlighted some of the challenges and provided practical guidance on how this has been handled in other regions.

From left to right: James Leu, Managing Director of ERM, Willi Muenninghoff, Project Manager of ReachCentrum, Kenny Jeng, Co-chair of Sustainable Development Committee

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Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.

AmCham Wine Tasting Night

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AmCham Taipei held its Wine Tasting Night on Thursday, April 6 at AmCham Lincoln Room. Members and guests gathered to learn about the world of wine and discover different wine flavors. We invited Mr. Benjamin Vigier to share his unique experiences and fascinating stories about the winery. In addition to samplings of wines from Italy, France, and Spain, we also served delicious appetizers, cheese and crackers to accompany the tasting.

Thanks to our sponsor, Taifung Trading, for providing wine samplings and making this event possible. Wine samplings served at the event:

  • Gancia Brut NV
    The Gancia Company was founded in 1850 in Canelli, Piemonte (Italy), by Carlo Gancia. In 1865, Carlo Gancia produced the very first Italian Sparkling Wine. Gancia Brut is a dry Italian wine with fruit flavor which always creates a festive mood!
  • Chateau de Valcombe Tradition White 2015
    Vineyard soils are made of Rhone pebbles on 3% to 5% slopes, with a South exposure, overlooking the Camargue ponds. A very thin limestone layer brings up a surprising freshness and a mineral touch to the wine; this is an absolutely unique case within the Costières de Nîmes wine region.
  • Tinto Figuero Crianza F12 2012
    20% of the Tempranillo grapes used in this wine come from vines older than 50 years, with the remaining 80% coming from vines between 20-40 years old. After being hand-harvested and undergoing cluster selection in the vineyards, the grapes are destemmed and go through gravity-controlled tanks, with 5-6 days of cold-skin maceration prior to fermentation. An additional 2 months of maturation follow, with malolactic fermentation taking place. The wine is aged for twelve months in 2-plus year-old barrels (80-percent American and 20-percent French oak). It is then aged an additional 2 years in bottle before leaving the cellar.

Interested in attending our events? Join us at other upcoming events, click here.

Note: AmCham events are intended primarily for AmCham members and their guests. Many events are open to members’ guests and other non-members, but the attendance of any non-member must be approved in advance. AmCham reserves the right not to admit a non-member to any event without explanation.