VN Newsletter20b

8/2/2019 VN Newsletter20b

1/12

In this issue:

The DutchVietnam

Management Supporter

This magazine was first

published in March 2007. It is

digitally distributed among

my Vietnamese and Dutch

business & private associates.

Purpose: to keep them

informed about my activities

overseas and in Vietnam.

This amazingly attractive andenergetic country has rapidly

conquered my soul, and

become my home away

from home.

Loek Hopstaken

P r o f . L o e k H o p s t a k e n

E m a i l :

l o e k @ h o p s t a k e n . c o m

M o b i l e :

090 888 9450

January 19, 2012

6th year, no. 1

Happy New Year!

Dear Reader

1

2

Singapore: example?

Teachers Day

MBA: academic?

3

4

5

Picture Gallery

2012 Royal courses

Six Blind Men

6

7

8

What are yourKPIs?

Forgetful Elephant

9

10

Standing Offer

Contact information

11

12

Quality means:

fit for use

Dr. Joe Juran

Chc Mng Nm Mi!12 years ago the New Millen-

nium took off with a Dragon

Year. The circle is round: we

now enter a new Dragon Year.

When you listen to economic

forecasters most will tell you it

will not just be a worrisome, buta disastrous year. Economists

predict negative growth (!).

When instead you choose to lis-

ten to some fearless entrepreneurs, you hear a different

story: 2012 is a year of opportunities for those that recog-

nize & then dare to grab them. They tell you that times of

crisis are breeding grounds for great and sustainable ide-

as. Both are right.But of course, you and I have to make it

GO right. Be a Dragon! The 2012 Dragon Year is HERE!

The most beautiful people I know are those who have

known defeat, suffering, known struggle and known loss,

and have found their way out of the depths. These people

have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of

life that fills them with compassion and a deep loving

concern. Roy Nichols, Historian (18961972)The hands belong to a 90 year old lady from Tran Hung Dao, Quang Ninh Prov.


2/12

Dear Reader,The final months of the Year of the Cat are

busy ones. Work! 14 flights in 7 weeks: Singa-pore, Hanoi, Hai Phong. Working as a teacher /

trainer means lots of preparations & lots of

post-delivery actions. Such as now, grading the

42 individual & 6 team MBA assignments of

the Hai Phong MBA students.

Squeezed in between, sightseeing in Singapore

& Ha Long Bay. And: meeting inspiring people,

like Dr. Richard W. Ferrin (left), President &

CEO of World Education Group LLC (WEG).

He also represents Penn Foster Career School,

the largest e-learning course provider in theworld. A man with a mission.

He was in Vietnam to finalize the agreement

& sign an MOU with Golden Alliance. This

relationship will offer Vietnam unique US

vocational training programs to Vietnamese

students.

Loek Hopstaken

26th year, no. 1

The Dutch Vietnam Management

Supporter

There is an old railroad story of

an expert being called in because a

brand-new diesel locomotive would

not start no matter what the engi-

neers did. The expert arrived, stud-

ied the situation, and then gave the

locomotive a light tap with a ham-

mer. It started right up. When the

railroad received the experts bill for$ 1,000, they asked him to itemize

it. The reply came:

1. Hitting the locomotive with a

hammer $ 10

2. Knowing where to hit it $ 990

The task of stimulating good

cooperation is similar. The precise

step you take at the end is a minor

part of the cure.

Source: Lateral Leadership, p.xii; through Mitra Poudel, Nepal

If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine. Its lethal.

Paolo Coelho

Get the new 2012 edition of my Catalog (pdf).

Send a request to [email protected].


3/12


Supporter

6th year, no. 1 3

Singapore: example or benchmark?So close, so different: Singapore. Many have commented about its rapid rise to become

the top economic hub in South East Asia. In November I spend two days in Singapore,

admiring its infrastructure, architecture, and learn about its rise. Are there lessons Vietnam

could learn from this all-Asian example? Many stress the many differencesgeography,

ethnics & population, history, politicsas a reason for arguing that Singapore is just a

stand alone and any comparison would be a mistake. However, when we take the viewpoint

ofbenchmarking, some benchmarks may offer at least inspiration, and encouragement.

Take the fact that Singapore scores the 5th position on the 2011 Corruption Percep-

tions Indexof Transparency International. Vietnam is 112, after being at 116 the previous 2years. Transparency means: openness. Nothing to hide. Non-transparency is perceived as:

Something to hide. Example: under-the-table-money. In the perception of investors, non-

transparency means: Be careful. Bribery culture.In their eyes Singapore is a safe place to

do business. Doing business in Singapore is easyproviding you are willing to be transpar-

ent. While non-transparency is often seen as part of Asian business culture, Singapore

proves it is possible to create a sustainable image of transparency in South East Asia.

One of the many lessons of the financial crisis: economic forecasts are unreliable.

Is Singapore robust enough to survive what many predict: The worst is yet to

come? Or will its entrepreneurs grab the new opportunities?


4/12


Supporter

6th year, no. 1 4

According to some, this was the first-ever MBA class in Hai Phong. Dr. Khoa, my in-

terpreter & teaching assistant and himself a teacher, helped me deliver a four-day course:

the New HRM. New? Yes: no copy & paste from American sources, but adapted to Vietnam-

ese situations & needs. In other words: use what applies, localize & modify where needed,

and ignore what doesnt fit. This requires interaction with students: all experienced people,

from specialists to CEOs. November 20: Teachers Day, a (North) Vietnamese initiative from

the late 50ies. Normally, teachers have a day off. Not in Hai Phong. Dr. Khoa & I started the

day with a delicious crab noodle soup.

Teaching from 8.30 am till 5 pm. The

Hai Phong students showed great in-terest, and made sure their city was

well-represented. After class we were

treated to a rich dinner with, among

others, Mr. Tuan, the Vice Chairman of

the Peoples Committee of Hai Phongs

central district (2nd from right). Mr.

Tan (far right) & his staff made sure

our two weekends ran smoothly.

Teachers Day with Dr. Khoa


5/12

56th year, no. 1


Supporter

MBA: academic or vocational?

On the skydeck of Singapores Marina Bay Sands you feel on top of the world. Many

young people dream about belonging to the top, and having a majestic income. Paradise =

wealth and status. Many believe MBA is the key to this Paradise. The reality: an MBA

certificate doesnt guarantee a quick & easy ride to the top. Unless you have one from the

famous MBA institutions, like Harvard Business School. But for the vast majority of

MBA graduatesright now there must be at least a million around the worldthe road

to the Corporate Suite is long and arduous. Many complain their MBA education was

too theoretical, unrelated to current developments in the business world, or too USA-

oriented. Why do some MBAs appear to be unable to make a company successful, whileGates, Zuckerberg & Jobs proved you dont need an MBA or university degree. Important

questions!In fact, there are many questions surrounding MBA. In the next few issues of

this newsletter Ill try to answer some of the most frequently asked. Here comes the first:

Q. Master of Business Administration is an academic title. Does this mean an

MBA Graduate is a kind of business scientist?

A. MBA is an academic title, but an MBA program is primarily a high-end voca-

tional training. Its purpose: to translate scientific research into practical uses for busi-

nesses. Lecturers from both the scientific and the business world (industry experts; not

necessarily PhD) teach MBA.Academic refers to scientific research. This is not part of the

MBA curriculum. HarvardBusiness School delivers MBA. Harvard University deals withscientific research. MBA trains leadership skills, not how to conduct experiments.

Students are business professionals, interested in a business careernot in an academic

career. Hence the confusion: with its academic image, MBA is in fact a vocational train-

ing program, that for content leans heavily on scientific theories andlike in Vietnam

on business cases and examples that are unrelated to the local practice. However, a good

MBA program produces graduates who have a wide range of know-how & skills that fit

both their daily and future needs to

add value to their organizations.

Which introduces the next question:

How do I know if an MBA pro-

gram is worth the investment?

See the next DVMS no. 21 (March).


6/12

66th year, no. 1


Supporter

The Wise see knowledge and wisdom as one.

Baghavad Gita

Picture Gallery: Hanoi-Hai Phong-Ha Long

Maritime College, Hai Phong

Hanoi

University

of Science &

Technology

With Trung & Lan at

Vincom Center,

Hanoi

Ha Long Bay Ha Long City

(Bai Chay)

Ha Long City

(Tran Hung Dao)


7/12


Supporter

6th year, no. 1 7

The Human Resources Management Program

As training in Human Resource Management is hard-to-find in Vietnam,

Royal Business School fills a need. In Vietnamese and Asian multi-national

corporations, HRM is nearly always limited to recruitment and (legal)

administration. Sometimes extra duties are added. Result: the top of these

organizations lack knowledge & know-how in the field of managing people. For

the third year in a row, Royal presents its HRM program: a range of courses to

train not only HR staff, but also managers and CEOs. These courses are designed & run by a variety

of professors. This is the HRM program for 2012:

HRM Strategy & PlanningProf. Jeffrey Mueller March 1923

Recruitment & Career StartProf. Loek Hopstaken April 1620Career Planning & TrainingProf. Loek Hopstaken May 2125

To complement this program, the following courses are recommended:

Interpersonal RelationsProf. Loek Hopstaken August 13-17

Team BuildingProf. Ronald Ainsbury August 2731

Performance ManagementProf. Jeffrey Mueller October 1519

Organizational Culture, Design & DevelopmentProf. Loek Nov. 1923

The Marketing & Public Relations Program

Marketing and Public Relations are two different fields. Marketing focuses on exploring markets, to

promote & sell a companys products & services. It builds a client base, makes sure clients buy and

feel good about their purchases. Public Relations is directed at improving a companys image &

reputation, by establishing and intensifying active communications with all groups & individuals

that surround the organization. From media to suppliers, from shareholders to staff, from

government agencies to ... customers.

As customers usually prefer to do business with companies that have a well-established, positive

reputation, PR paves the way for Marketing. Where Marketing works hand in glove with PR,

companies score best. Also in Vietnam! This is the Marketing & PR program:

Marketing Impact of Modern MediaProf. Ronald Ainsbury March 59

Modern Marketing ManagementProf. James Cross May 28June 1

Franchising & BtB MarketingProf. James Cross May 28June 1

TheReal Public RelationsProf. Loek Hopstaken July 913Sales ManagementProf. David Snyder July 2327

Marketing Planning & StrategyProf. David Snyder July 2327

Effective Advertising & Promotion StrategyProf. Ronald Ainsbury August 2731

Presentation & Persuasion Skills for Leaders & ManagersProf. Loek Dec. 3-7

Courses are constantly being updated by the professors. Royal provides powerpoint printouts

& handouts in both English & Vietnamese.

Note: the courses are delivered either mornings, afternoons or evenings.

In 2012 Royal Business School will start its MBA program, in collaboration with

Da Nang University & St. John International University (based in USA & Italy).For information about the schedule, visit www.royal.vn and www.mba.org.vn.

Royal Business School 2012

Royal Business School186 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3, HCMC


8/12


Supporter

6th year, no. 1 8

The Blind Men & The Elephant John G. Saxe

When the weak are in power, out of fear of losing it

they always do what they can to disempower the strong. Anonymus

It was six men of Indostan,

To learning much inclined,

Who went to see the elephant,

(Though all of them were blind,)

That each by observation

Might satisfy his mind.

The first approached the elephant,

And, happening to fall

Against his broad and sturdy side,

At once began to bawl

God bless me! but the elephant

Is very like a wall!

The second, feeling of the tusk,

Cried: Ho! what have we here.

So very round, and smooth, and sharp?

To me tis very clear,

This wonder of an elephant

Is very like a spear!

The third approached the animal,

And, happening to take

The squirming trunk within his hands,

Thus boldly up he spoke:

I see, quoth he, the elephant

Is very like a snake!

The fourth reached out his eager hand,

And felt about the knee:

What most this wondrous beast is like

Is very plain, quoth he;

Tis clear enough the elephant

Is very like a tree!

The fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,

Said: Een the blindest man

Can tell what this resembles most:

Deny the fact who can,

This marvel of an elephant

Is very like a fan!

The sixth no sooner had begun

About the beast to grope,

Than, seizing on the swinging tail

That fell within his scope,

I see, quoth he, the elephant

Is very like a rope!

And so these men of Indostan

Disputed loud and long,

Each in his own opinion

Exceeding stiff and strong,

Though each was partly in the right

And all were in the wrong!

?


9/12

Towards the end of the year there is an increasing demand for lectures & workshops

focusing on KPIs. Key Performance Indicators: the elements in someones work that enable

his/her manager to objectively establish the results of his or her work in terms of quantity &

quality. Sounds easy, but in organizations its not always easy to locate them. So, how do you

find them? And when you find them, how do you name them? For a start, its not an activity.

Not behavior. Not a goal. It is measurable. Which often means its related to results.

When you visit your doctor to have a medical check up, the program will contain blood

pressure, heart rate, body mass index: things that tell a story about your physical condition.

When you want to sell your company or take over another, due diligence will be your

KPI-toolbox to guide you & know whether or not the outcome will be worth the effort.

Pilots need objective & accurate, present-time information. The cockpit of an Airbus

A350 is filled with dozens of small screens & meters. Each one of them tells the pilots how

the plane is doing & the flight is progressing. From take-off to landing everything is being

monitored. When one of these KPI-readers doesnt function, the plane will not take off.

Im not suggesting to start measuring the performance of each of your staff in minute detail.

But wouldnt it be nice to know how to locate & name the KPIs inyour organization?

Tailormade Performance Management Review, incl. KPIs & implementation

When you want to improve your Performance Management system, start early in the year.

I can help you & your staff locate & define those KPIs. Also, help you review & improve your

current Performance Management system. This package consists of a one-day workshop,

followed by 6 hours consultancy. Fee: VND 40M (ex. VAT).

96th year, no. 1


Supporter

What are YOUR KPIs?


10/12

Jake was travelling in India, absorbing all

the exotic sights and sounds of a new land. He

loved the food, the culture and the wildlife.

When it came to animals, none impressed him

more than the elephants. He watched how the

mahouts handled them as they worked. He

was in awe at the way an animal weighing 4

tons and able to shift huge loads could also

move so delicately. When it walked, it placed

each hind foot exactly where the front foothad been.

When it was time for the elephant to stop

work, it was tied to a small tree or a handy

fence post. Jake was intrigued surely the elephant could easily uproot these and wander

off. He asked one of the mahouts about it. He was told that the elephant had been tethered

like this ever since it was young. Back then it didnt have the strength to get away and, as

we all know, an elephant never forgets. It still believed that it could not free itself.

An elephant has the biggest brain of all land animals and typically lives to about 70 years

old, a coincidentally similar life-span to humans. Yet through most of its life, it forfeits its

freedom because of a mistaken belief. This can be a warning for all of us.We can be tethered by out-dated beliefs. Conditioning that we inherited years ago can

still limit our achievements. We can be shackled by a misguided sense of consistency that

dictates we must behave the same way as in the past. To liberate ourselves to get out of

the rut we need to forget the stake we are tied to. We have the power to break free.

Freedom is only a single thought away. When you switch your attention to what you can do

your full repertoire of strengths and talents you will find exciting new possibilities where

previously there had been only impossibilities. If you had that freedom, what would you do?

Trevor HillNovember 2011 (http://www.inspiration-at-work.co.uk )

Used with kind permission of the author. Photos taken at Prenn Falls, Lam Dong Province.

106th year, no. 1


Supporter

FIXED IDEAS

are unrecognized fake realities that

can turn otherwise intelligent people

into stubborn believers in nonsense

blindfold us, so our minds are closed

to (1) reality, (2) new ideas & (3) solu-

tions, and (4) feelings

inhibit creativity, innovation, &

progress

are at the root of every conflict

Inspired by the Forgetful Elephant


11/12

Standing Offer + Client List + Mini Catalog

116th year, no. 1

It happens that a company wants to get a taste of my style

before we start a cooperation. One way of getting this experience is

to invite me to deliver a FREE LECTURE (11,5 hours) in your

company. You choose the topic (see mini-catalog). 3 conditions:

1. the participants (max. 40) should be able to understand English

2. in case the distance from my home to your location or venue is

>10 km, you take care of transportation

3. your company provides a lecture space, projector & screen.

Interested? Drop me an email. Name the topic & the period in which

it will be feasible for you & your team to attend the lecture.

Then we can schedule. For contact information: see page 12.

In Vietnam: a.o. business field

Tan Thuan IPC (HCMC) Industrial development

HCMC University of Technology Master of BA program

RMIT (HCMC campus) B. of Commun. program

Royal Business School (public courses) Courses & seminars

Vietnam Airlines (RBS; ISM) International airline

Vietnam Singapore I.P. (SPECTRA) Industrial park

Petronas Vung Tau (SPECTRA) Chemical factory

Nike (Tae Kwang Vina) (SPECTRA) Shoe factory

Le & Associates Training & consultancy

NutriWay Vietnam Animal food

Training House Vietnam (Sacombank) Training & consultancy

Ministry of L.I.S.A. (RBS) Civil Servants

SONY Vietnam (RBS) Consumer electronics

CapitaLand Vietnam (SPECTRA) Real estate

PACE Education / IPL Seminars & courses

Dalat Hasfarm (Agrivina) Pot plants, cut flowers

Hoanggia Media Group Key to Success TV Show

Fresh Green Earth Hi-tech agriculture

Unique Design Interior Design

ERC Institute Vietnam Vocational training Golden Alliance Vocational training

Schoeller Bleckmann Vietnam Oilfield Equipment

De Heus Vietnam Animal food

Centre for Tropical MedicineOxford Uni. Clinical research

Khue Van Academy Courses & Seminars

Training House Vietnam Courses & seminars

In The Netherlands, a.o.

ING Bank Financial services

Philips Electronics

Heineken Brewery

Yamaha Musical instruments Voerman International International relocations

Damen Shipyards Ship repair wharfs

Wittenborg University of Applied Sc. IBABBA, MBA

MINI CATALOG

Overview of Prof. Loeks services

WORKSHOPS

A workshop is a 2-4 day group

activity with a defined purpose,

where theory, practical exercise

and exchange of experiences are the

main ingredients. Areas: HRM, PR,

Communication, and Management.

Team Engineering

Interpersonal Communication

Commercial Communication

Public Relations

Presentation Skills

Organizational Design

Cross-cultural Communication

Time Management / Efficiency

Recruitment Skills

CONSULTING

Consulting is any specified expert

activity to help solve a defined

problem. This can take the form of

coaching, but also, conducting a

research. By definition, it is tailor

made. Areas: HRM, Strategy, PR.

Personal Coach

Business Coach

Moderator

Mediation

Executive Selection

In- & External Surveys (360

Feedback)

SEMINARS

A seminar is a 3-4 hour interactive

transference of core know-how,

including practical assignments.

People Management

Emotions in the Workplace Strategic Thinking

Business Ethics

The Allround Manager

The Allround Communicator

The Soft Skills Program

Investments (ex. 10% VAT / 25% PIT)

Workshops: US$ 1,200 per team / day.

Consulting / Coaching: US$ 100 / hour.

Seminars: US$ 550 850 per seminar

(except the Allround programs).

Lecture: US$ 250 per lecture.

Train the Trainer: US$ 1,200 per day.

Prices may change due to inflation.

Contact me for longterm agreements:

[email protected]

The Dutch Vietnam Management Supporter

List of Hopstaken Clients & Associates

Standing Offer


12/12

The DVM Supporter is published by Loek Hopstaken.

Email: [email protected] or

[email protected]

Mobile: 090 888 9450

Assistant: Ms. Vo Ngoc Lien Huong

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: 090 888 9451

Website: www.hopstaken.com

Loek Hopstakens company in The Netherlands:

Hopstaken Bedrijfsadvies Gouden Leeuw 628

1103 KN Amsterdam ZO. Website: www.hopstaken.com

Who is Loek Hopstaken?

1951: born in Haarlem, The Netherlands

1971-1972: travels: Europe & Asia

1972-1975: Amsterdam City University

1976-1977: travels: North & South America

1977-1993: career in banking: NCB,

Postgiro, Postbank, NMB Postbank Group,

ING Group, ING Bank

1979-1982: Business Administr. studies

1983-1988: Project Manager

privatization process Postgiro to

Postbank (field: P&O / HRM)

1989: Project Manager formation NMB

Postbank Group & ING Group

1989-1993: PM PR; TQM

1991: founding Hopstaken Bedrijfsadvies

1991-present time: career in training and

consultancy, coaching & mediation

1993: left ING Bank

1996-2000: Dutch business club MC

2003-present time: combining training &consultancy with teaching at international

business schools (BBAMBA)

2005 + 2007: Professor appointments

2007-2008: visits to Vietnam: lecturing,

consulting, surveying, delivering courses,

workshops & seminars at universities

November 2008: establishment in HCMC

2008-present time: delivering lectures,

seminars, coaching, workshops & training

courses, mediation; overseas business trips

2010: Examiner VTV1 Key to Success Show

2011: Chairman Advisory Board ERC Inst.http://www.linkedin.com/in/loekhopstaken

Full CV: mail [email protected]

12


Supporter

6th year, no. 1

For many of us the

Year of the Cat has

been an eventful

year. Time for the

Cat to retire.

Welcome to the new-

born Dragon, wholl

dominate our Lunar

Year from January 23.

But: a cat leaves paw

prints in our heart.

Late

Decem-

ber

2011:

at the

gate of

the

Ministry

of

Labor,

Invalids

&Social

Affairs

in

Hanoi.

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