Happy Anniversary to Us!
Marking 55 years, TOPICS remains a tribute to Taiwan and a labor of love. We’ve shared stories big and small, learned from missteps, and we’re excited for the chapters ahead.
Opinion
Creativity: A Superpower for Futureproofing Your Career in the 21st Century
In the age of artificial intelligence, mastering creativity is key to futureproofing our careers, as it enables us to solve complex, unpredictable challenges where human ingenuity remains unmatched. By blending creative thinking with intelligence, individuals and organizations can drive innovation, adapt to change, and unlock new opportunities in an ever-evolving world.
The Boiling Moat: A Strategic Blueprint for Defending Taiwan
The Boiling Moat: Urgent Steps to Defend Taiwan, edited by Matt Pottinger, outlines strategies for Taiwan and its allies to counter potential Chinese aggression. Highlighting Taiwan’s role in global stability and the semiconductor industry, the book calls for urgent military reforms and coordinated defenses to deter conflict and protect democratic values.
The Power of Psychological Safety in the Workplace
Psychological safety is vital for innovation in fast-growing companies. When employees feel safe to share ideas without fear of judgment, creativity and collaboration improve, boosting overall performance. Leaders can foster this by encouraging open dialogue, modeling vulnerability, and recognizing contributions.
Bold Ambition Needed to Cement Taiwan’s Quake Recovery
While much has been written on the human-made threats to Taiwan, Wednesday April 3 was a reminder of the imminent and real threats lurking beneath the very ground we live on. Right as the morning rush hour was reaching its peak, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake (the U.S. Geological Survey reported it as a 7.4 temblor)…
Bridging Taiwan’s Green Talent Gap
Despite being excluded from international climate agreements, Taiwan has consistently showcased impressive commitment to sustainability and green energy. The establishment of the Ministry of Environment and commitment to implementing a carbon pricing system are particularly commendable developments. As Taiwan accelerates its efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the need for education that aligns…
Implement the Taiwan Fellowship Act
AmCham Taiwan has been a longtime enthusiastic supporter of a proposal that has now taken concrete shape as the Taiwan Fellowship Program, established by an act of Congress in December 2022. Modeled on the Mike Mansfield Fellowship with Japan created by Congress in 1994, the Taiwan Fellowship initiative would annually select up to 10 U.S….
Embracing Economic Optimism in Post-Election Taiwan
In the aftermath of the 2024 elections, AmCham Taiwan extends heartfelt congratulations to President-elect Lai Ching-te, Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-Khim, and the Taiwanese people for their robust participation in this democratic milestone. The voter turnout of nearly 72% underlines a resilient commitment to democratic values in a world where such principles face challenges. The elections,…
Is it Time to Create a New Wellness Function?
Headhunter Alan McIvor explores the concept of a new wellness-centered role within companies, arguing that it could enhance efficiency, productivity, and employee well-being. I recently met a very interesting woman for coffee. A while back, An-ting Liu started her role as the executive assistant to a general manager sent to Taiwan from Europe. She then…
Adapting to a Global Work Environment
For an economy to grow, laws and regulations should reflect the reality of business environments and needs. In today’s rapidly evolving world of work, Taiwan faces two critical challenges: adapting to global market demands to boost competitiveness and addressing labor shortages in the hospitality sector, where industry demand has outgrown domestic supply. The post-pandemic work…