(Đọc bài viết này bằng tiếng Việt)
The first-ever Asia Connection, initiated by Enterprise Bridge Magazine was organised on 29 November 2013 in Ho Chi Minh city. Over 200 top business leaders, economists, regional entrepreneurs and representatives from Ministry of Industries and Trade gathered at Riverside Palace Convention Center for this special event. As the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is to be established by 2015, the Asian Connection acts as the special mark for entrepreneurs and businesses in the pre-Vietnam ASEAN community integration. The quarterly Asia Connection events are organised with the following core themes:
- Promoting activities for ASEAN Economic Community 2015
- Advocacy promoting for World Company Day initiative (15/08)
- Creating business connecting opportunities for Vietnamese and Asian entrepreneurs and enterprises
- Convergence of economic information, trade promotion within Asia, especially Vietnam
- Attracting foreign investment funds for Vietnam enterprises
- Contributing to information spreading on ASEAN Economic Community 2015 across the region.
Over 200 top business leaders convened at Asia Connection 2013.
Helena Pham, Head of Vietnam at Consulus, was invited as a speaker to share with participants about the World Company Day initiative. World Company Day was officially launched on 15th August in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam as a world-wide initiative by Shape the World Conference. The annual event aims to raise consciousness about the role of companies in shaping a better world. The initiative’s official website (www.worldcompanyday.org) acts as a platform to raise consciousness of Vietnamese companies about the role of their organisations in shaping a better future for Vietnam in particular and a better world in general, as well as, enhancing collaboration to bring about greater good.
Representatives of companies signed the pledges to advocate World Company Day initiative.
Helena Pham, who has more than 10 years of experiences consulting for regional Asian companies across industries, advised Vietnamese enterprises to assess the current state of their business model before seeking any investments. Is it a model guided by purpose? It can be reviewed based on 3 key aspects: ability to provide products/service, ability to create influence and the ability to create competitive edge through innovation.
The flow of foreign investments brings both opportunities and risks for Vietnamese enterprises. According to Ms Pham, Vietnamese organisations need to be aware of the risks of possible take-over by foreign investors and put resources into building their own IP and increase innovation through collaboration.
Ms. Helena Pham (first on the right) shared with participants during panelist discussion on investment.
During the panelist discussion on “Vietnamese enterprises toward AEC 2015”, she emphasised that Vietnamese enterprises should be always reminded of preserving their own culture rather than imitating foreign peers. At the same time, the integration requires each enterprise to have a strategic road map with specific visions and annual reviews to win this race.
Asia Connection, initiated and organised by Enterprise Bridge Magazine, is a series of quarterly events connecting foreign and domestic enterprises, encourage trade promotion, and partnership opportunities for regional enterprises.
To read more information on Consulus’s projects and our shape the world experiences in Vietnam and region, please visit our website at www.consulus.co
