Companies are trying to figure out how best to respond to new and unique challenges, while staying vigilant about the unexpected. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, wreaking havoc on economies throughout the world, companies are struggling to come up with ways to keep business operational, as well as employees and clientele safe. Taiwan,…
Core Pacific City was an architectural oddity, tucked into an unfashionable part of Taipei. Still, the shopping center – now being razed – always had its admirers. The year of the rat is off to a rough start, throwing so much news of earth-shaking proportions at the public that less-significant stories get lost amid a…
The company will face more constraints under the government’s multi-purpose taxi program than it did partnering with rental-car companies. Uber Technologies’ experience in Taiwan is a cautionary tale that reveals much about how new business models and challenges to industry incumbents are perceived in this market. Although Uber boosted competition, created jobs, and raised the…
Despite some negative public attitudes, this business practice has been highly popular with local consumers and would-be entrepreneurs. Few businesses face greater reputational challenges in Taiwan than the multi-level marketing (MLM) industry, also known as network marketing or direct selling. Past unethical practices by a minority of companies have caused the industry to be heavily…
Faced with rising labor costs, Taiwanese companies are increasingly utilizing the latest sophisticated technologies to go beyond conventional automation to embrace Industry 4.0. A growing number of Taiwanese manufacturers are making the leap to smart factories, reflecting the worldwide trend towards industrial automation known as “Industry 4.0.” The Tsai administration has made the development of…
While global auto markets faced significant setbacks and weak sales growth this year, Taiwan appears to have fared relatively well. However, challenges for domestic automakers continue to intensify as consumers increasingly choose imported vehicles. 2019 was a tough year for global auto markets. A combination of factors – declining demand, increasingly strict emissions and fuel-consumption…
The recent IFA show in Berlin gave Taiwanese companies an opportunity to showcase new products. Taiwan’s consumer electronics providers have begun exploring new market segments in the face of slowing global economic growth, decreased replacement demand, persistent concerns over the U.S.-China trade war, and stiff competition from China. The 2019 edition of IFA, one of…
The private certification program helps companies develop core values and policies that benefit all stakeholders. A growing worldwide trend for companies to certify their commitment to sustainability and accountability has also been gaining traction in Taiwan. Within the past three years, 27 Taiwanese companies have received B Corporation (also known as B Corp) certification, more…
Our members rave about their employees. They’re hardworking. Open to training. Have strong business ethics. They can be trusted. And they execute tasks well. But our Business Climate Survey this year identified some areas that could be stronger. They include English ability and communication skills. Creativity and the ability to innovate. An international mindset. And…
Larger established companies are now among the prospective clients, not just startups. In a new trend in the global coworking industry, a number of major space providers are moving away from the original model of flexible, communal workplaces mostly geared toward entrepreneurs, remote workers, and startups. The new business plan offers comprehensive, customized workplace solutions…
