VN Newsletter19

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In this issue:

The Dutch Vietnam

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

November 15, 2011

5th year, no. 5

A Need for Change

Dear Reader

1

2

Prof. Dave Ulrich

Team Building in VN

Business Schools

3

4

5

Fellow Travellers

Going public @Royal

Golden Alliance

6

7

8

Career Competen-

ces; Wittenborg UAS

9

10

Standing Offer

Contact information

11

12

It don’t mean a

thing if it ain’t got

that swing!

“It can’t happen here”

That you cannot predict the future is not the proper

rebuff to the person who tells you to get off the tracks

because a train is coming. Slim Fairview

The world is shaking: the USA goes from one near-

bankruptcy to the next, the Euro-zone is in big trouble, in

the Arab world people are fighting their dictators. Mean-

while, Mother Nature keeps torturing our planet with

tsunamis, floodings and earthquakes, and criminals de-

stroy our planet: from heartless entrepreneurs to hunterswho don’t mind killing the last surviving Java Rhinoceros

in Vietnam. Just for its horn, to make money out of other

people’s crazy superstition.

Yes—a gloomy start of an otherwise light-hearted news-

letter. More & more people are becoming aware of the

need for change. On many levels, in many areas. There

are two attitudes: 1. I’m powerless, so I do nothing; 2.

Let’s see if I can do anything, even the smallest thing.

Change is rarely the result of one major decision. Usually

it is a gradual process, with many steps. The world is inneed of change, though many prefer to deny the need.

Next to the

Amsterdam

Stock Mar-

ket: a pro-

test against

banks &

capitalism



Dear Reader,

Some encounters you rather forget. Too embarrassing! But

now he is gone, I might as well confess. In October 1976, 3

months before he founded Apple, I was introduced to Steve

Jobs in Berkeley, California. He was accompanied by a few

friends, including Steve Wozniak. They looked very hippy.

LH: “Hi, I’m Loek Hopstaken, from Amsterdam.” SJ: “Steve

Jobs.” LH: “No, I’m not looking for a job.” SJ: “???”

Despite this embarassing start, we had a polite, yet brief

exchange about what he was doing (which I didn’t under-

stand) & what I was doing (which didn’t interest him).

When I recognized Jobs & Wozniak a few years later on tv

I wondered what would have happened if I had been lessclumsy with my reply. It’s true: life & careers are not the

result of major decisions, but of chance meetings & medio-

cre events. All you can do is to say Yes or No, without time

to think.

Loek Hopstaken

25th year, no. 5

The Dutch Vietnam Management

Supporter

A one month visit to Amster-

dam was well-filled with meet-

ing business associates, friends,

family, and teaching at Witten-

borg University. The financial

crisis and its aftermath, the Eu-

ro-crisis, have hit Holland hard.

The media don’t help. They seemto repeat the same message:

doom is coming. Most companies

respond by cutting costs, stop-

ping investments, adopting a no-

risk attitude, and hope to sur-

vive. Still, Amsterdam continues

to reinvent itself, with lots of

construction works underway.

1.

Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who

asked why.Bernard Baruch

Get the new 2012 edition of Prof. Loek Hopstaken’s

Catalog (pdf). Just send your request [email protected].

The construction of the North-South subway line & the renovation

of Amsterdam Central Station are close to completion.

Jobs, a few months after our

encounter




Supporter

5th year, no. 5 3

The World’s No. 1 Guru: Dave UlrichGurus Michael Porter and Philip Kotler

have become old school. Their works are rap-

idly becoming outdated. Porter’s strategies

prove to be unworkable during this financial

crisis. Kotler hasn’t caught up with the mod-

ern times of social media & changing custom-

er behaviours. Being Americans, both don’t

really get what’s going on in Asia. Meanwhile,

one guru is still going strong: Dave Ulrich. Heis considered to be the no. 1 management

teacher. His major works deal with human

resource management, and leadership. Orga-

nized by PACE, September 29 he lectured for

a day in Saigon for a sold-out conference hall

in Sheraton Hotel. Mr. Ulrich shared his enlightening views on topics like Talent Manage-

ment, Organizational Culture, and Leadership. Now it’s up to us to apply!

It was also a perfect introduction for my HRM class with group 2 of the Institute of Potential Leaders

(IPL). The students all attended, and Mr. Ulrich & Mr. Gian Tu Trung joined our photo session.

“The underlying

cause of many

(most?) problems in

the workplace is a

‘deficit’ of both

meaning and

purpose.”




Supporter

5th year, no. 5 4

It cannot be denied: in Vietnam, Team Building is very popular. Vietnamese love to

play, to compete, and to celebrate victory. I recall running a 2-day Team Building event. Lo-

cation: a fine resort in Long Hai. The 25 participants were fully engaged in the many

games—6 per day—and understood the purpose of each game. As the weather was perfect,

many games were played outside, on the terrace or on the beach. After we finished the first

day, the participants couldn’t stop playing. In fact, after dinner they went back to the beach,

built fires, bbq’d squid & continued playing games they remembered from their childhood. It

must have been around midnight when they finally went to bed.

Why Team Building? Reason: departments don’t cooperate sufficiently, things go wrong,and as a result, clients complain. So we mixed the representatives of different departments:

people who sometimes didn’t cooperate, or

better: prefered to work with colleagues of

their own department. However, when

playing games, they worked perfectly to-

gether. What do you mean, “we don’t coop-

erate sufficiently”? We are GOOD at that!

Team Building always leads to one

winner and a series of losers. Everyone

wants to win, and works hard to win.

So far, so good.

Two weeks after the Team Building, I had

a conversation with the HR manager.

LH: “What are the results?”

HRM: “Well, we received very positive feed-

back. They all had a great time.”

LH: Fine. But, does it make a difference in the way the departments cooperate?”

HRM: “Well, that’s hard to say. I get the impression that they just continue their old habits.”

In other words, they had a well-spent holidays, but the link to work—which was the purpose

of the Team Building, stressed every time we did a game—didn’t happen. No effect on the

work place. So, what’s wrong with Team Building in Vietnam? Does it work??There is nothing wrong with Team Building. But there may be misunderstandings

about its purpose, and the best ways to use it. My advise: use it to reward those responsible

for a successful project, or after a good business year. Just don’t believe it will improve team

work. It won’t. It may turn non-cooperating teams into more competitive teams. They may

even communicate less. Is that what you want when you send staff for Team Building?

So, does it work, in the sense of better cooperation across departments? I have my doubts.

Team Building: does it really work?

I'm a great believer in luck, and I find

the harder I work, the more I have of it.Thomas Jefferson



55th year, no. 5


Supporter

@ Business Schools

There are two kinds of business schools. One kind has students who have no experience in business,

but hope to get a good job after completing their education. They need the certificate as a key to their fu-

ture career. Collecting know-how is usually a means to get it. The other kind has students who have jobs or

own companies, and hope to boost their careers & improve their business. They are after new insights and

know-how. Practical applications of know-how in their own business environment interests them most.

These are all working students, after completing a course—and before their exams.

Top: Group 2 of IPL (Institute of Potential Leaders), an initiative of PACE-founder Mr. Gian Tu Trong to

select young Vietnamese top talents and support them in their quest to become the new generation of busi-

ness leaders. Bottom: the B01 MBA class of Thai Nguyen University & PGSM, after our HRM program.



65th year, no. 5


Supporter

♫ You’ll never walk alone ♪ Oscar Hammerstein II

In Vietnam, whom do I travel with?Business partners are people. Sure: they represent companies. But first of all, people.

My loyalty is with people first, organizations second. When we get along, we may embark

on a journey of collaboration. We become fellow travellers. When a person I have a sound

working relationship with leaves a company, I may well follow this person to her or his

new company. As with any relationship, its success depends on a few simple values:

• communication: active, and two-way

• fairness: a fine balance between give & take

• reciprocity: honesty, respect, understanding & support

In my 3+ years in Vietnam, I have embarked on fruitful relationships with several people

& the companies they represent. People are not necessarily Founders or CEO’s. Many arecoordinators who organize the training & take care of the many details involved. Prof. D.

Ulrich asks in his book “The Why of Work”, “Whom do I travel with?” The following I con-

sider to be my fellow travellers. We are on a journey of repeated & fruitful collaboration:

• Mr. Raymond Wiranatakusuma, Miss Hoang Thanh Nha & Mr. Doan Dinh Cuong—SPECTRA

• Dr. Ngo Anh Clement & Dr. Tran Quoc Dung—Golden Alliance

• Ms. Jade Bilowol & Mr. Graeme Domm—RMIT Vietnam (HCMC campus)

• Ms. Chau Tran Thi Hoang & Ms. Sarah Barton—Centre for Tropical Medicine—Oxford Uni. CR Unit

• Mr. Tran Huy Ha—Training House Vietnam

• Ms. Vung Tu Ngoc & Mr. Hoang Hai Au—Hoanggia Media (CEO Key to Success show—VTV-1)

• Miss Dang Thi Diem Quynh—Royal Business School (also, Prof. John Behzad & Prof. David Snyder)

• Ms. Nguyen Thuy Uyen Phuong & Mr. Gian Tu Trung—PACE; Institute of Potential Leaders (IPL)• Ms. Janice Phung, Mr. Warren Eng & Prof. John Vong—ERC Institute Vietnam

• Ms. An Le Ditty—Unique Design

• Ms. Phuong Trang & Mr. Bernhard Schenke—Dalat Hasfarm

• Mr. Ngo Dinh Dung—ISM

• Miss Le Ngoc Tra My & Mr. Gabor Fluit—De Heus Vietnam

• Ms. Vo Thi Thanh & Mr. Campbell McPherson—Schoeller Bleckmann Vietnam

• Mr. Nguyen Vu Sao Bien—IFA

• Mr. Nhung Vo & Mr. Tran Dinh Dung—Khue Van Academy

• Ms. Hong Hanh—Vietstar / PGSM

The list is growing.

It’s important to work with trustworthy & capable interpreters or translators. Over

the years, these are the ones I have worked with frequently, and recommend: Mr. Ngo

Quoc Phong (HCMC & Hanoi), Mr. Ngo Kiem Hieu & Mr. Ly Ngoc Tuyen (HCMC), Mr.

Hoang Dinh Khanh (Da Nang), Dr. Nguyen Viet Khoa & Dr. Mai Anh (Hanoi).

In business, you cannot walk alone. Business success is the result of a combined effort

of many involved. The backbone is formed by people who understand & manifest what sol-

id collaboration is all about: communication, fairness, and reciprocity. The list is growing.

Without these people—and of course my wife, who supports my efforts in any which way

she can—I would not be able to accomplish anything. We all need our fellow travellers.




Supporter

5th year, no. 5 7

While most of my activities deal with closed groups—in-company

management teams, MBA-classes & invitation-only seminars—I treasure

my public courses. Since 2+ years I deliver these at Royal Business

School. Apart from HRM courses I have delivered Breakthroughs in Office

Efficiency & Time Management, Presentation Skills, and Interpersonal

Communication Skills. In September the participants of my Public Relations course (below)

learned the difference between Marketing & PR, how these two units can work together in

synergy, and of course how to use many PR tools. The participants learned a lot!

What I treasure most is meeting & working with people who represent different types of organizations. Besides the fact that they have made a personal choice to join the course, they

share a keen interest in learning and improving their professional skills. After breaking the

ice, many are willing to share their experiences and openly discuss their situations. In this

way the participants’ own world becomes the source of real-life business cases. This I believe

is better for learning than using foreign business cases taken from a book. And: I may be

their teacher, but I always love to learn from my students. Some are brilliant!

For 2012 the next courses have been programmed:

HRM: Recruitment & Career Start; Career Planning & Training, and Organizational

Culture, Design & Development. Also: Interpersonal Relations, The Real PR Course, and

Presentation & Persuasion Skills. Of course all courses delivered before will be updated.

Going public @ Royal

Royal Business School—186 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3, HCMC

Contact Miss Dang Thi Diem Quynh ([email protected]) for more information.




Supporter

5th year, no. 5 8

A fresh start @ Golden Alliance

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an

optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.Winston Churchill

Strategic partner of Alliance ITC “Golden Alliance”, under leadership from CEO Dr.

Tran Quoc Dung & Coordinator Dr. Ngo Anh Clement opened its doors in October. An agree-

ment with the American education providers Penn Foster Career School & the World Educa-

tion Group, and the dedicated support of Dr. Dung & Dr. Clement has resulted in an organi-

zation with a unique package of services:

• US High School Diploma (through Penn Foster Career School)

• 109 Vocational Training courses—online & overseas (through Penn Foster)

•

Preparatory Program for Vietnamese who intend to study overseas (through WorldEducation Group, a connection with 67 real —no ‘postbox’—universities in the USA)

All three programs come along with Eng-

lish language training programs.

Many Vietnamese students who go

abroad to study, experience their first

year as difficult. They miss their family,

the Vietnamese food, the Vietnamese life.

They don’t mix with foreigners, but in-

stead stick with other Vietnamese stu-

dents. Cooking Vietnamese meals, organ-izing karaoke parties singing Vietnamese

songs, and sharing Vietnamese memories.

Many are plain homesick. The first year

on campus often leads to disappointing

study results. There are many explana-

tions for this phenomenon, but that’s the bleak reality. As many parents will testify.

What we offer at Golden Alliance, is a preparatory year: English, focused not only at

TOEFL iBT 65+ or IELTS 6,0, but also at knowing academic English. They learn to write a

thesis APA-style: the mandatory writing & layout at American universities. They learn howto deliver an academic presentation. They learn how to deal with cultural differences, and

how to connect with American life. Besides, we subscribe to the 8 competencies as defined by

former Harvard President Prof. Derek Bok—see page 9.

Clearly, not only does it prevent disappointment and frustration, it saves the students

(their parents & sponsors) lots of money: an estimated US$ 20,000.

Golden Alliance is located on 109 Cong Hoa, Ward 15, District Tan Binh, HCMC.

Left to right: Prof. Philip La Veau, Prof. Loek Hopstaken, Dr.

Ngo-Anh Clement, Dr. Tran Quoc Dung & Prof. Patrick Leija,

at the new Golden Alliance premises.



Derek Bok (born 1930) is a lawyer and educator, and

the former president of Harvard University. Bok, a grad-

uate from Stanford University, Harvard Law School, and

George Washington University, has taught law at Harvard

since 1958, where he served as dean of the law school and

then as university president. Bok currently serves as the Fac-

ulty Chair at the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations

at Harvard and continues to teach at the Harvard GraduateSchool of Education. Bok has written several books that exam-

ine the goals of education and the structures of learning environments.

Bok argues that if education would aim at helping students “…analyze more rigorously,

become more ethically discerning, be more knowledgeable and active in civic affairs, society

will be the better for it.” Bok points out that these institutions of learning suffer from being

driven by external markers of success and prestige rather than by core beliefs and a common

commitment to an education that prepares students to become fully engaged members of the

global community. According to Bok, students should be encouraged to pursue & develop

several competencies beyond a field of expertise, 8 of which he believes to be most important:

1. The Ability to Communicate: to write with precision and grace and to speak clearly

and persuasively is essential in civic life.

2. Critical Thinking: “to recognize and define problems clearly, to identify the arguments

and interests on all sides of an issue, to gather relevant facts and appreciate their relevance,

to perceive as many plausible solutions as possible and to exercise good judgment in choosing

the best of these alternatives after considering the evidence and using influence, analogy,

and other forms of ordinary reasoning”.

3. Moral Reasoning: to analyze ethical issues and act on one’s well-reasoned beliefs.

4. Preparing Citizens: to be active participants in the process of democratic government.

5. Living with Diversity: to live in diverse communities with understanding, tolerance,

and mutual respect. 6. Living in a More Global Society: to understand international affairs, other countries,

cultures, and religions.

7. A Breadth of Interests: to have the capabilities, knowledge, and breadth of interests to

enable students to enjoy full and varied lives.

8. A Readiness for Work: to prepare students for satisfying, productive, and meaningful

careers.

I fully agree with Prof. Bok. One cannot really succeed without these qualities.

95th year, no. 5


Supporter

Twice Harvard University President lists

the 8 primary career competencies

If people were more concerned about being respectable and

dignified, they could worry less about being treated with dignityand respect.

Slim Fairview



Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences is a Dutch business school, founded in

1987 and located in one of the best developed areas in The Netherlands. “Applied Sciences”

stands for focus on both research and practical applications by establishing a link between

academia & the business world. Wittenborg has strong links with companies in the area.

It is one of Holland’s few private business schools. Within a few years it has gained

recognition from the government—both national & local—and the business environment of

its new (2010) location, the city of Apeldoorn. Its international partner is the University of

Brighton (UK). Graduates can earn a double certificate.

I was appointed Professor at

Wittenborg by its President

Peter Birdsall in 2007. In 2009

I became its representative in

Vietnam. For several years, when

back in Holland, I have delivered

Master Classes to its Bachelor &

Master students, on subjects like

PR, HRM and Mediation.

Wittenborg’s policy is to attract

students from all over the world—

all continents, so to speak. In my

November class I had studentsfrom Europe, Asia, Africa and

South America. Like all modern business schools, Wittenborg has both on- & offline courses.

Besides Bachelor & Master in International Business Administration (BBA, MBA),

Wittenborg offers a post-graduate degree Master in Science (MSc) International Tourism

Management & International Event Management.

I strongly recommend Vietnamese who are seeking a sound education abroad, and who

prefer Europe over the USA and Australia, to contact Wittenborg for more information:

Email: [email protected]. Website: http://www.wittenborg.eu. See you in Apeldoorn!

105th year, no. 5


Supporter

Wittenborg University oAS, The Netherlands

We have to do the best we can. That is our sacred human responsibility.Albert Einstein



Standing Offer + Client List + Mini Catalog

115th year, no. 5

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

before we start a cooperation. One way of getting this experi-

ence is to invite me to deliver a FREE LECTURE (1—1,5 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

>15 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: page 11.

In Vietnam: a.o. business field

• Tan Thuan IPC (HCMC) Industrial development

• HCMC University of Technology Master of BA program

• RMIT (HCMC campus) Bach. 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 Labour, I. & S.A. (RBS) Civil Servants

• SONY Vietnam (RBS) Consumer electronics

• CapitaLand Vietnam 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 Management education

• Institute for Finance & Management Training courses

• Schoeller Bleckmann Vietnam Oilfield Equipment

• De Heus Vietnam Animal food

• Centre for Tropical Medicine Clinical research

• Khoa 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. IBA—BBA, MBA

MINI CATALOG

Overview of Prof. Loek’s 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$ 90—125 per

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



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 Hopstaken’s 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

2003-2008: combining training &consultancy with teaching at international

business schools (BBA—MBA)

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

5th year, no. 5

“According to studies, we all work

for the same thing—and it’s not

just money. It’s meaning . Through

our work, we seek a sense of pur-

pose, contribution, connection,

value, and hope. When we achieve

meaning through our work, we

succeed beyond our wildestdreams.”

Dave Ulrich (The Why of Work, 2010)

Dave Ulrich & Loek Hopstaken—HCMC 29.9.11

“It is our duty to remain optimists. The future is open.

It is not predetermined and thus cannot be predicted - ex-

cept by accident. The possibilities that lie in the future are

infinite. When I say “It is our duty to remain optimists”,

this includes not only the openness of the future but also

that which all of us contribute to it by everything we do:

we are all responsible for what the future holds in store.”

Sir Karl Popper, The Myth of the Framework, p. xiii

VN Newsletter19

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