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Today's customers are increasingly demanding, in Asia as elsewhere in the world. Henry Astorga describes the complex reality faced by today's marketers, which includes much higher expectations than we have been used to. Today's customers want performance, and they want it now!
For first time visitors to China, one of the most stunning entry points is Shanghai. The view from the mouth of the Yangze River, which looks out over Shanghai and other cities, reveals an incredible urban and industrial panorama, clearly one of the most rapidly developing areas among all the cities of the world. And yet . . . The Chinese have described themselves as 'A plate of scattered sand grains' that would never join or unite with each other. Piset, in his latest Awakening Dragon column, tells the story of Two Bridges to illustrate just some of the underlying dynamics of China's explosive economic growth.
Well, it's election time in the Republic of the Philippines, and that means the monkeys are rolling around in those political barrels, having as much fun as they can while laughing their heads off at the strange goings-on that characterize a democratic process loosely based on the American model but that de facto looks more like a Fellini movie crossed with a Tom and Jerry cartoon - column includes a useful election-year glossary!
The word 'globalization' seems to have evolved into a cliche and handy dandy fighting word for ideologues. The alternative (and often conflicting) definitions and interpretations are enough to make you dizzy.
Why General Motors dropped the Oldsmobile. The four brand paradoxes GM had to face - the name, the product, image re-positioning, and the consumer - all added up to a brand that had little hope of rebranding.
Although a smattering of Chinese, Filipinos, Japanese, Indians, Thais, and others may crow about seeing their kind sitting in prominent positions in corporations and organizations in the USA, these accomplishments become mere cultural high-fives and ritualistic chest-thumping goaded and impishly patronized by 'mainstream society' - the milder and gentler term for the white-dominated populace.
The Blues is alive and well in the Philippines, as evidenced by this appreciation of the Pinoy Blues band 'Lampano Alley', penned by columnist Clarence Henderson as a counterpoint to his usual economics, business, and culture fare.
Thailand, after escaping the worst ravages of SARS and terror attacks, is the place of choice for APMF readers right now in our 'Best Places in Asia' survey. After more than 5,000 votes since March 2003, Thailand dominates the tourism categories (Best Business Hotel, Restaurant, Hawker Food, Tourist Resort, Bar, and Guest House) but Bali, Hong Kong, and Malaysia lead other sections such as Best Airline, Airport, City, and Tourism Destination.
Chiang Mai is the surprise leader in the newest category of the APMF Asian Business Travel Survey, nudging out Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Hong Kong as the most livable city in Asia. Add your vote and reasons to make your opinion count. Our Best Airlines survey has also surpassed the 1,000 respondent mark, with Cathay Pacific extending their lead over Singapore Airlines.
Globalization does strange things to people. A day in the life of a Manila Philippines based business consultant - proving that you really CAN talk about Muddy Walters, bluegrass and work all on the same page...
The new APMF survey of the best Asian tourism destinations has just kicked off, but it's crowded at the top, with Chiang Mai in Thailand just leading from perennial favourites Hong Kong, Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, and Bali in Indonesia. Be one of the first to vote and let us know your reasons.
Looks like the Philippines, despite itself, has survived the election without excessive violence, major civil unrest, or untoward People Power eruptions. GMA finally has that elusive electoral mandate, and the air of uncertainty that pervaded Manila in the weeks leading up to the election has given way to (for some) an air of cautious optimism or (for others) resignation that nothing ever changes much in the Philippines and that the strong leadership and fundamental changes needed to save the country are long shots.