The Dutch Vietnam Management Supporter

It cant happen here

The world is shaking: the USA goes from one nearbankruptcy to the next, the Euro-zone is in big trouble, in the Arab world people are fighting their dictators. Meanwhile, Mother Nature keeps torturing our planet with tsunamis, floodings and earthquakes, and criminals destroy our planet: from heartless entrepreneurs to hunters who dont mind killing the last surviving Java Rhinoceros in Vietnam. Just for its horn, to make money out of other peoples crazy superstition. Yesa gloomy start of an otherwise light-hearted newsletter. More & more people are becoming aware of the need for change. On many levels, in many areas. There are two attitudes: 1. Im powerless, so I do nothing; 2. Lets 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 in need of change, though many prefer to deny the need.
Prof. Loek Hopstaken Email: loek@hopstaken.com Mobile: 090 888 9450

5th year, no. 5 November 15, 2011

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 and energetic country has rapidly conquered my soul, and become my home away from home. Loek Hopstaken

In this issue:
A Need for Change Dear Reader Prof. Dave Ulrich Team Building in VN Business Schools Fellow Travellers Going public @Royal Golden Alliance Career Competences; Wittenborg UAS Standing Offer Contact information 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Next to the Amsterdam Stock Market: a protest against banks & capitalism

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

It dont mean a thing if it aint got that swing!

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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, Im Loek Hopstaken, from Amsterdam. SJ: Steve Jobs. LH: No, Im not looking for a job. SJ: ??? Despite this embarassing start, we had a polite, yet brief exchange about what he was doing (which I didnt understand) & what I was doing (which didnt interest him). When I recognized Jobs & Wozniak a few years later on tv I wondered what would have happened if I had been less clumsy with my reply. Its true: life & careers are not the result of major decisions, but of chance meetings & mediocre events. All you can do is to say Yes or No, without time to think. Loek Hopstaken
Jobs, a few months after our encounter

Get the new 2012 edition of Prof. Loek Hopstakens Catalog (pdf). Just send your request to loek@hopstaken.com.
1. A one month visit to Amsterdam was well-filled with meeting business associates, friends, family, and teaching at Wittenborg University. The financial crisis and its aftermath, the Euro-crisis, have hit Holland hard. The media dont help. They seem to repeat the same message: doom is coming. Most companies respond by cutting costs, stopping investments, adopting a norisk attitude, and hope to survive. Still, Amsterdam continues to reinvent itself, with lots of construction works underway.

The construction of the North-South subway line & the renovation of Amsterdam Central Station are close to completion.

Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why.
Bernard Baruch

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The Worlds No. 1 Guru: Dave Ulrich

Gurus Michael Porter and Philip Kotler have become old school. Their works are rapidly becoming outdated. Porters strategies prove to be unworkable during this financial crisis. Kotler hasnt caught up with the modern times of social media & changing customer behaviours. Being Americans, both dont really get whats going on in Asia. Meanwhile, one guru is still going strong: Dave Ulrich. He is considered to be the no. 1 management teacher. His major works deal with human resource management, and leadership. Organized 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 Management, Organizational Culture, and Leadership. Now its 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.

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Team Building: does it really work?

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. Location: a fine resort in Long Hai. The 25 participants were fully engaged in the many games6 per dayand 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 couldnt stop playing. In fact, after dinner they went back to the beach, built fires, bbqd 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 dont cooperate sufficiently, things go wrong, and as a result, clients complain. So we mixed the representatives of different departments: people who sometimes didnt cooperate, or better: prefered to work with colleagues of their own department. However, when playing games, they worked perfectly together. What do you mean, we dont cooperate 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 feedback. They all had a great time. LH: Fine. But, does it make a difference in the way the departments cooperate? HRM: Well, thats 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 workwhich was the purpose of the Team Building, stressed every time we did a gamedidnt happen. No effect on the work place. So, whats 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 dont believe it will improve team work. It wont. 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.

I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.
Thomas Jefferson

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@ 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 future 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 courseand 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 business leaders. Bottom: the B01 MBA class of Thai Nguyen University & PGSM, after our HRM program.

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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 CEOs. Many are coordinators 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 consider to be my fellow travellers. We are on a journey of repeated & fruitful collaboration:
Mr. Raymond Wiranatakusuma, Miss Hoang Thanh Nha & Mr. Doan Dinh CuongSPECTRA Dr. Ngo Anh Clement & Dr. Tran Quoc DungGolden Alliance Ms. Jade Bilowol & Mr. Graeme DommRMIT Vietnam (HCMC campus) Ms. Chau Tran Thi Hoang & Ms. Sarah BartonCentre for Tropical MedicineOxford Uni. CR Unit Mr. Tran Huy HaTraining House Vietnam Ms. Vung Tu Ngoc & Mr. Hoang Hai AuHoanggia Media (CEO Key to Success showVTV-1) Miss Dang Thi Diem QuynhRoyal Business School (also, Prof. John Behzad & Prof. David Snyder) Ms. Nguyen Thuy Uyen Phuong & Mr. Gian Tu TrungPACE; Institute of Potential Leaders (IPL) Ms. Janice Phung, Mr. Warren Eng & Prof. John VongERC Institute Vietnam Ms. An Le DittyUnique Design Ms. Phuong Trang & Mr. Bernhard SchenkeDalat Hasfarm Mr. Ngo Dinh DungISM Miss Le Ngoc Tra My & Mr. Gabor FluitDe Heus Vietnam Ms. Vo Thi Thanh & Mr. Campbell McPhersonSchoeller Bleckmann Vietnam Mr. Nguyen Vu Sao BienIFA Mr. Nhung Vo & Mr. Tran Dinh DungKhue Van Academy Ms. Hong HanhVietstar / PGSM

The list is growing. Its 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 solid collaboration is all about: communication, fairness, and reciprocity. The list is growing. Without these peopleand of course my wife, who supports my efforts in any which way she canI would not be able to accomplish anything. We all need our fellow travellers.

Youll never walk alone Oscar Hammerstein II

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Going public @ Royal

While most of my activities deal with closed groupsin-company management teams, MBA-classes & invitation-only seminarsI 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.

Royal Business School186 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3, HCMC Contact Miss Dang Thi Diem Quynh (quynh@royal.vn) for more information.

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A fresh start @ Golden Alliance

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 agreement with the American education providers Penn Foster Career School & the World Education Group, and the dedicated support of Dr. Dung & Dr. Clement has resulted in an organization with a unique package of services: US High School Diploma (through Penn Foster Career School) 109 Vocational Training coursesonline & overseas (through Penn Foster) Preparatory Program for Vietnamese who intend to study overseas (through World Education Group, a connection with 67 realno postboxuniversities in the USA) All three programs come along with English 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 dont mix with foreigners, but instead stick with other Vietnamese students. Cooking Vietnamese meals, organizing karaoke parties singing Vietnamese songs, and sharing Vietnamese memories. Left to right: Prof. Philip La Veau, Prof. Loek Hopstaken, Dr. Many are plain homesick. The first year Ngo-Anh Clement, Dr. Tran Quoc Dung & Prof. Patrick Leija, on campus often leads to disappointing at the new Golden Alliance premises. study results. There are many explanations for this phenomenon, but thats 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 how to 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 Boksee 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.

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
Winston Churchill

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Twice Harvard University President lists the 8 primary career competencies

Derek Bok (born 1930) is a lawyer and educator, and the former president of Harvard University. Bok, a graduate 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 Faculty Chair at the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Harvard and continues to teach at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Bok has written several books that examine 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 ones 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.

If people were more concerned about being respectable and dignified, they could worry less about being treated with dignity and respect.
Slim Fairview

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The Dutch Vietnam Management Supporter

Wittenborg University oAS, The Netherlands

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 Hollands few private business schools. Within a few years it has gained recognition from the governmentboth national & localand 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. Wittenborgs policy is to attract students from all over the world all continents, so to speak. In my November class I had students from 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: info@wittenborg.eu. Website: http://www.wittenborg.eu. See you in Apeldoorn!

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

Albert Einstein

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Standing Offer + Client List + Mini Catalog

Standing Offer
It happens that a company wants to first 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 >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.

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.

List of Hopstaken Clients & Associates

In Vietnam: a.o. Tan Thuan IPC (HCMC) HCMC University of Technology RMIT (HCMC campus) Royal Business School (public courses) Vietnam Airlines (RBS; ISM) Vietnam Singapore I.P. (SPECTRA) Petronas Vung Tau (SPECTRA) Nike (Tae Kwang Vina) (SPECTRA) Le & Associates NutriWay Vietnam Training House Vietnam (Sacombank) Ministry of Labour, I. & S.A. (RBS) SONY Vietnam (RBS) CapitaLand Vietnam PACE Education / IPL Dalat Hasfarm (Agrivina) Hoanggia Media Group Fresh Green Earth Unique Design ERC Institute Vietnam Institute for Finance & Management Schoeller Bleckmann Vietnam De Heus Vietnam Centre for Tropical Medicine Khoa Van Academy Training House Vietnam In The Netherlands, a.o. ING Bank Philips Heineken Yamaha Voerman International Damen Shipyards Wittenborg University of Applied Sc. business field Industrial development Master of BA program Bach. Commun. program Courses & seminars International airline Industrial park Chemical factory Shoe factory Training & consultancy Animal food Training & consultancy Civil Servants Consumer electronics Real estate Seminars & courses Pot plants, cut flowers Key to Success TV Show Hi-tech agriculture Interior Design Management education Training courses Oilfield Equipment Animal food Clinical research Courses & Seminars Courses & seminars Financial services Electronics Brewery Musical instruments International relocations Ship repair wharfs IBABBA, MBA

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$ 90125 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: loek@hopstaken.com

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The DVM Supporter is published by Loek Hopstaken. Email: loek@hopstaken.com or loek.hopstaken@gmail.com Mobile: 090 888 9450 Assistant: Ms. Vo Ngoc Lien Huong Email: jane.hopstaken@gmail.com 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
It is our duty to remain optimists. The future is open. It is not predetermined and thus cannot be predicted - except 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

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 (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

Dave Ulrich & Loek HopstakenHCMC 29.9.11

According to studies, we all work for the same thingand its not just money. Its meaning. Through our work, we seek a sense of purpose, contribution, connection, value, and hope. When we achieve meaning through our work, we succeed beyond our wildest dreams. Dave Ulrich (The Why of Work, 2010)

Full CV: mail loek@hopstaken.com