Raiders Partner With AirAsia
July 1, 2009
To serve and expand the franchise’s global fan base, the Oakland Raiders recently announced an unprecedented sponsorship of AirAsia, the largest low-fare airline in Asia.
The highlight of the sponsorship is an AirAsia A340 airliner named “Xcellence” that is adorned with Raider imagery, including the Raider shield on the tailfin and an eye patch on the nose of the plane. AirAsia will also host a “1,000 Seats Courtesy of AirAsia” web-based contest in which students will be chosen at random for the opportunity to win free tickets to Raiders home games. Program and contest details will be made available on Raiders.com and AirAsia.com.
“We are absolutely thrilled with our new relationship with AirAsia,” said Raiders Chief Executive Amy Trask. “It is a unique and audacious relationship between two truly global organizations. As always, we eagerly seek creative opportunities to serve and interact with our fans throughout the world and we are delighted to work with AirAsia on this creative endeavor.”
An industry leader in providing content for international fans, The Silver and Black maintains a global presence and communicates worldwide through the team’s official web properties which feature original and translated content in six different languages - Tagalog, Japanese, German, Chinese, Spanish and English. The Raiders have a fan following throughout the world and have increased the NFL’s popularity worldwide by playing in American Bowls in London, Tokyo and Mexico City.
AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, services the most extensive network with 122 routes covering more than 65 destinations. Within seven years of operation, AirAsia has carried over 70 million passengers and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to 80. The airline today is proud to be a truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, servicing a network stretching across all Asean countries, China, India and Bangladesh.
“We are very excited to associate ourselves with a great, iconic team like the Oakland Raiders as they reflect our own endeavor for excellence,” said AirAsia Group CEO Dato Sri Tony Fernandes. “This is AirAsia’s latest effort in boosting our brand globally via our extensive route presence across Asia. With AirAsia’s Airbus A340 Oakland livery plane, we would be able to deliver just that and further enhance our brand.”
The Raiders are celebrating the organization’s 50th season in 2009 and begin the campaign on Monday Night Football against the San Diego Chargers on September 14.
For tickets call 1-800-Raiders or visit Raiders.com.
Chinatown Job Fair Draws Over A Thousand People
June 29, 2009
The Chinatown Neighborhood Workforce Center hosted a large scale Career Fair in San Francisco Chinatown on June 18, 2009 at the Salvation Army gym.
The event attracted over 1,200 of eager job seekers, all looking for a glimpse of hope in these tough times. Candidates ranged from new immigrants to seasoned professionals. Employers were able to pick out many resumes that they deemed well qualified for their open positions. Sixteen major employers with over 250 job openings participated, including: All Day Homecare, Inc., CBS Radio, Safeway, California Public Utilities Commission, United Commercial Bank, Radio Shack, the San Francisco Police Department, U.S. Army, and the San Francisco Airport
The purpose of the career fair was to bring jobs into the community and help with the city’s economic recovery.
Funded by the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, the Chinatown Neighborhood Workforce Center - a program part of the Chinese Newcomers Service Center, strives to recruit the most qualified candidates for employers. At the same time, the center provides career orientated services to job seekers; including workshops, career counseling and job referrals.
CNWC plans to host similar large-scale career fairs once every quarter. Employers interested in participating are welcome to call (415) 421-1388 for details.
Ron Takaki and Asian American Leadership
June 9, 2009
Forging a More Successful Multicultural America
By Preston Ni
Former U.C. Berkeley professor Ron Takaki passed away last month. With his quietus, America lost one of its most important warriors in the endeavor to forge a stronger, more successful multi-cultural society. As I contemplate Takaki’s legacy, one of the most seminal events for Asian Americans comes to mind.
It happened on June 19, 1982. Vincent Chin, a Chinese American whose father serviced the U.S. in World War II, was celebrating his bachelor party at a club in Highland Park, Michigan when he was mistaken for Japanese by Detroit autoworker Ronald Ebens and later that night savagely beaten to death by Ebens wielding a baseball bat. Before Chin slipped into a brain-dead coma his final words were “it’s not fair”. In the subsequent trial, Ebens pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was given a sentence of three years probation and a $3,000 fine. More trials followed, but Ebens never served a jail sentence.
This event was a wake-up call for Asian Americans and touched off a series of issues that had long been simmering: the failure of mainstream America to see Asians Americans as Americans; the inability of many Americans to distinguish one Asian from another (“all Asians look alike”); and ultimately the worth of a life in America as a second-class citizen. Those were the days when being successful as an ethnic minority in the U.S. involved primary two choices: either abandoning one’s cultural identity and assimilating into the Euro-American culture, or forsaking mainstream acceptance by sticking with your own group and forming a strong cultural identity. Some Asians Americans tried to maintain a measure of both, but it’s never an easy balancing act.
“I am still trying to figure out whether I am Chinese American or an American with Asian eyes”
Michelle Chin, age 16
Into this reckoning emerged Ron Takaki, a grandson of Japanese immigrants. Takaki joined the faculty at U.C. Berkeley in the 1970s and taught courses leading to degrees in Comparative Ethnic Studies. His book “A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America” remains the standard by which multicultural texts are measured. Through his teaching, writing, and speaking, Takaki showed America a new perspective: that we can take pride in our cultural heritage and be successful Americans at the same time. Equally important, Takaki reminded us that part of what it means to be a successful American is to attempt to understand the experiences of other ethnic groups, and develop cross-cultural empathy and competence. Takaki’s work has become standard curriculum in high schools and colleges across the country, offering U.S. history lessons that reflect the diversity of students in classrooms, and leaving an indelible mark on generations of American youth.
Today we live in a society where multi-cultural America is generally considered a positive and diversity is sometimes taken for granted. We have a bi-racial president and in the coming decades every single person in our country will be member of a minority group. For Asian Americans, many challenges remain. The glass ceiling is real. Asian American women and men are still commonly perceived through the narrow lens of cultural stereotypes, and in many places we’re still considered foreigners in our own country. At the same time, undeniable progress has been made. If we believe Asian American children today are growing up in a country that’s more inclusive of people who look like them than just one generation ago, we can be grateful for the contribution made by the life work of Ron Takaki.
For further reading
On Ron Takaki: www.thelavinagency.com/speaker-ronald-takaki.html
On Vincent Chin: www.asianweek.com/061397/feature.html
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Preston Ni is a professor of communication studies, Fortune 500 trainer, executive coach, and organizational change consultant. His column appears the first Monday of every month. Write to Preston at commsuccess@nipreston.com, and access free resources at www.nipreston.com. © 2009 by Preston C. Ni. All rights reserved.
Leadership Success Series
June 1, 2009
- Ten Characteristics of Millionaires
- Is Your Voice Promotable?
- Follow Your Bliss: Discover your true calling in Life
- Overcome the Top Fear in America: Reduce Public Speaking Nervousness
- How’s Your Money Doing?
- Manage Your Time Successfully
- Six Strategies to Secure Your Job
- Communication Success with Four Personalities Read more
Etiquette in a “Multi-Culti” World
May 16, 2009
If you haven’t already heard the newest buzz word for “multi-cultural,” it’s “multi-culti.”
Living in the San Francisco Bay Area is the best. We truly live in a “multi-culti” area, where we don’t have to travel far to meet people from all over the world, and we can easily enjoy the many diverse restaurants, shops and celebrations taking place throughout the Bay Area.
Here are three reminders of how cultural differences continue to perplex people not familiar with Asian customs.
· Greetings: In the Western world, it is customary to shake hands when we meet someone for the first time - on the street, at an office, at home, at an event. It’s also the custom to shake hands when departing. In the Asian culture the time-honored tradition is to simply to bow. In India, Thailand and other parts of the world, the custom is to place both hands together, fingers pointing up to the heavens, and say, “Namaste” or “Wai.” Today, we are seeing a blending of all these practices. I see people combining a slight bow, or the “Namaste” and “Wai,” followed by a handshake. Learning how to greet someone properly is the best way to win friends quickly.
· Receiving Gifts: I love how Chinese etiquette requires a person to refuse and decline a gift or invitation of any kind at least twice or three times before accepting. In American culture, however, if the American offers the Asian a cup of tea, and the Asian refuses it, there will not usually be a second or third chance to say yes. What I see most is: “Would you like a cup of tea?” “Oh, no thank you.” “Are you sure?” “Well, all right. Thank you.” Two rounds are all there will be. Don’t hesitate for that cup of tea if you want it.
· Touching: Asians who are new to the U.S. are often uncomfortable with how familiar and physical Americans are when meeting and conversing with one another. I remember being at a dinner party where the guests of honor were this lovely couple, who were on their first trip to the U.S. and San Francisco. I saw how uncomfortable the wife became when one of the American guests kept touching and poking at her arm as she was talking. Another awkward moment occurred at the end of the evening when a male guest gave her a big hug and kiss on the cheek as he said good-bye. The wife smiled and received it graciously, but I could see she was totally lost in terms of how she was to handle or react to such physical contact.
Asian Pacific Heritage Month is not only about celebrating our own culture and heritage within our own ethnic communities. Yet, to me the true purpose is to celebrate, share and help educate each other about the many similarities and unique qualities we each have. This month, have fun organizing a party among co-workers and friends to celebrate APA Heritage Month. Take kids and friends to the many events happening throughout the Bay Area. Set aside time to enjoy other celebrations each year, including Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Women’s History Month and the many other celebrations happening each year. Ask people you know to tell you more about their culture and heritage and to share their stories. This is truly what life is all about.
As Confucius says: “All people are the same, it’s only their habits that are different.”
Happy Practicing!
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Syndi Seid is a professional trainer, celebrity speaker, international author, and founder of San Francisco-based Advanced Etiquette. See AdvancedEtiquette.com for more information.
Street Celebration Sponsors
May 16, 2009
The Asian Heritage Street Celebration could not happen without the generous support of our corporate and business sponsors.
Their contributions allow the Street Celebration to mount a massive public outreach and media campaign that includes outdoor advertising on bus lines, subway and bus shelters; television advertising on major network stations, cable television and Asian TV; radio promotions on Top Forty stations and Asian radio; Read more
Communication Success with Four Personalities
May 12, 2009
Resource Guide Helps Understanding of Self and Others
“Know yourself, know others;
one hundred battles, one hundred victories.”
- Ancient Chinese saying
What is human behavior? In what ways are we similar and different? How can we successfully communicate with one-another?
My recently written reference guide “Communication Success with Four Personality Types” is an interpretation of some of the most popular personality tests used by many organizations in hiring, professional development, and performance evaluation. The purpose of the reference guide is to present an overview of four major personality types, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and provide information on how to communicate more effectively with each trait. Read more
CityBuild Helps Disadvantaged Asian Americans Find Jobs
May 1, 2009
By Lian Qiu
Wind Chang was a successful businessman in China, but all that changed when he immigrated to the U.S. two years ago. With limited English skills, Chang struggled to find work, and when he eventually did, he was laid off because of the economic downturn.
Chang’s luck finally changed when he discovered CityBuild Academy (CBA), a structured pre-apprenticeship program designed to prepare attendees for employment in a variety of skilled trades.
CityBuild provides recruiting, on-the-job training and placement services to job seekers, employers and contractors working in San Francisco’s construction industry. There have been 8 CBA cycles, each roughly 3 months long since the program’s inception. Approximately 400 students have graduated from CBA, with a job placement rate is as high as 95%. CityBuild was created in 2004, when San Francisco County Transportation Authority appropriated $700,000 towards an 18-month pilot initiative, spearheaded by Commissioner Sophie Maxwell and Mayer Gavin Newsom.
Chang says CBA simulated a realistic workplace environment and helped him to understand the construction industry.
Chang was hired to a union job immediately after he graduated from CBA. He now works as a glazer with a decent starting wage, $15.72 per hour. He is just one of the many Asian immigrants that have benefited from the program. Read more
Where are the Asian CEOs?
May 1, 2009
By Gerrye Wong
Where are the Asian CEOs? This burning question has long been asked in quiet conversations among business people and high tech individuals for the past several decades when Asian Americans have been touted as a driving force in America’s economy. On this issue, a number of Bay Area executives will be sharing their thoughts on a panel May 20 at the TiE Conference Center in Santa Clara, CA. It is co-sponsored by Asia Society Northern California (ASNC), Ascend Bay Area and Corporate Executive Initiative, with event partners AAMA (Asian American MultiTechnology Association), CAAEN (Corporate Asian American Employee Network) and TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs)..
The panelists speaking on this important issue to all Asian Americans will be Vish Mishra, Partner at Clearstone Ventures and President TiE Silicon Valley; Brian Schipper, Senior Vice President/HR, Cisco Systems; Chris Min, Vice President/Finance, Intel; Susan Wang Wade, Board Member, Nektar, Altera and Avanex.. Their talks will pinpoint the issue that while Asian Americans are widely recognized as influential innovators and key contributors in successful companies throughout the Bay Area, why are there only a handful of Asians who have reached the highest corporate levels? There will be open discussion of the reasons behind their under representation at the corporate board and senior executive levels. They will explore further what executive skills are required in large, complex organizations and what different companies are doing to develop and retain their best employees, especially their “high Potential” Asian employees.
The meeting, open to the public, will be held May 20 with 6pm Registration, followed by the panel discussion program and reception. The ticket price is Asia Society/Ascend/event partner members $10; Non-members $15; Students/Seniors $5. To register: 415 421 8706.
Read more
High Tech CEO Paul Chen Finds a Mission in China
April 30, 2009
By Gerrye Wong
When Paul Chen, who was well ensconced in the testing field for high tech companies in Silicon Valley, decided to move his company to China in 2003, he was unaware that this career path would lead him down a road to help China recapture its history. Chen’s Beijing office was right across from China’s famed Summer Palace and he always enjoyed looking out his window and seeing its serene park-like setting below. It was his favorite sightseeing location for him to explore with visiting family members and clients. His interest in Chinese culture and antiques was reborn during the past five years while he established the headquarters of his company, EMC Compliance Management Group in Beijing.
ECMG, Chen’s company, is an accredited test lab with sites in Sunnyvale, CA, Taipei and Taichung, Taiwan, Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Each office/lab location provides EMI/EMC/RFI, electrical safety, mechanical, environmental tests and certification services to domestic and international clients. In layman’s language, Chen adds, “Our company provides services to keep products from less interference to communication systems and safer to use plus energy saving and environmental friendly. There are growing laws and regulations in each country that manufactures must adhere to.” The Taiwan born Chen moved to America as a young student, receiving his BS/MS degrees in EE and studied Laser applications. In the future he hopes to find time to write books on compliance and environmental management.
In 2007, Paul Chen met well-known Taiwanese antiques collector, Mr. Su Guo-Hsin. In Mr. Su’s home library, Chen was shown a wall size painting amongst Su’s collections. He recalls, I recognized the major objects on this painting were of the Summer Palace, and learned that this painting, circa early 1900s, was a depiction of how the Summer Palace grounds and buildings were designed over 100 years ago. He immediately researched the history of the painting.
Paul Chen learned that, as history tells it, in 1900 the Eight-Nation Alliance was an alliance made up of Austria, Hungary, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States whose armies invaded China to put down the Boxer Uprising in August 1900. Their troops were sent to China after the Boxers attacked and murdered Chinese Christians and foreign missionaries across Northern China before converging on Beijing to besiege foreign diplomats and civilians who had taken refuge in the Legation Quarter. After a first landing failed, the Alliance armies eventually lifted the siege. However, those troops then looted and pillaged the capital.
Chen said he further learned that this painting was cut, folded and looted from The Summer Palace during that 3-day mass robbery. It only appeared 70 years later in a Chicago Antique Shop, Nagatami, Inc., acquired from a Boston Museum of Art. In 1974 it was sold to Mr. Byron Harvey, who in 1978 resold it to Mr. George Chamberlain of Scottsdale, Arizona. Following her father’s death in year 2000, Ann Chamberlain sold the painting to Mr. Guo-Hsin Su who met Paul Chen through a business associate and happened to show Chen the painting. Excited at the prospect of returning the painting to its rightful place in The Summer Palace, Paul Chen contacted the Director of Relics Department of The Summer Palace, where an evaluation meeting with six experts was held in March, 2008. Deemed authentic by the experts, this Ming art piece, Chen strongly believed, should come back to The Summer Palace where it once belonged. “This painting shows the original landscape and structures which are important information for those doing restorations. The China Relics Department of the Summer Palace is fully supportive of my effort and has planned to budget for the donation ceremony. The Summer Palace Relic Department is planning the donation appreciation acknowledgement process and this painting will be displayed in the main cabinet of Wen-Chang Yuan,” continues Chen.
When Chen learned Mr. Guo-Hsin Su was planning to consign the painting to an auction house in Hong Kong, Chen recalls, “I convinced him to consign this painting to me instead. In return, I guaranteed I would somehow collect the same amount, $1.2M, that the auction house had estimated they could bring in an auction sale. Immediately in good faith, I paid Mr. Su $200K as the first donor installment for this painting. My goal, now, is to find other donors who believe like me that the painting belongs back in The Summer Palace and are willing to help us purchase the painting to be donated to its rightful place.”
Chen excitedly goes on to say, “The Museum Directors, of course, are excited at this prospect, as am I, but we are in need or other philanthropic donors who can make this transition happen. We are still looking for donors to help us fulfill our goal of raising $945,000 to bring the painting back to the Summer Palace.
Presently there are plans for an official donor ceremony to be held on October 1 (The Chinese 4th of July, China’s Independence Day) to commemorate The Summer Palace’s 60 year anniversary. The donation of this painting to the Summer Palace would be the highlight of this celebration. When this gift is made, officials of the Beijing Summer Palace will honor their promise to all donors that a plaque with their names will be permanently displayed in front of the painting, and the names will also be listed in The States Historical Registration.
A very determined man, dedicated to this mission, Paul Chen says, “This painting was from and belongs to The Summer Palace in Beijing” For those similarly inclined wishing to join Chen in his goal.
Chen’s contact numbers are paulfchen@gmail.com or +1-650 279-6789
Preston Ni’s Leadership Success Series: Six Strategies to Secure Your Job
April 6, 2009
Survival Skills in an Economic Downturn
“In every crisis there’s an opportunity.”
- Chinese saying
In the past few months I’ve been speaking with many clients on how they’re enhancing the survivability of their jobs in the midst of this severe economic downturn. The following are six job protection strategies coupled with real life examples:
1. Take on long term, strategic endeavors.
An administrative professional took courses in negotiation and mediation, and became part of the negotiation team representing human resource interests of all administrative staff in the organization. His unique, strategic position meant that he was an unlikely candidate for layoff.
2. Participate in revenue generating tasks.
For the past few years the operations director of an organization increased the scope of her responsibility from building security and maintenance to marketing and renting out the facility for conferences and special events. Her revenue generating capacity, plus the personal relationship she established with many regular clients, made her position more secure.
3. Oversee projects that make you indispensible.
When the assistant manager of a large, non-profit organization was offered the task of upgrading the computer network for the entire firm, he took it on with gusto. Not only was he eager to bring new technology into the organization, he was also well aware of the fact that, as the only employee who knows how to make the computer network run without a hitch, the task made his position in the firm indispensible.
4. Incorporate multiple positions and responsibilities to reduce employer cost.
When a data processing firm implemented a hiring freeze with possible layoffs on the horizon, an office manager took on an additional position left vacant by the freeze. By clearly demonstrating to her employer that she’s boosting productivity while saving the company money, she increased her value and the likelihood that she’ll be protected from layoffs.
5. Acquire specializations that make you indispensible.
A high tech professional working for a global media outlet took an advanced certification course which qualified him as one of only two hundred and fifty people in the U.S. with that skill set. This specialization, plus his ability to effectively communicate with clients and managers, helped him keep his job through merger and consolidation.
6. Develop cross-occupational niche.
Example #1: A manufacturing worker saw the writing on the wall that his plant was going to shut down and all the jobs outsourced to Mexico. With great foresight, he took Spanish classes to enhance his qualifications. When layoffs came, he not only survived, but received a promotion to manage from the U.S. the team in Mexico.
Example #2: Many realtors, in the absence of large number of home sales, are taking courses to branch into areas such as foreclosures and property management.
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Preston Ni is a professor of communication studies, Fortune 500 trainer, executive coach, and organizational change consultant. His column appears the first Monday of every month. Write to Preston at commsuccess@nipreston.com, and access free resources at www.nipreston.com. © 2009 by Preston C. Ni. All rights reserved.
Wong Runs Largest Asian Owned Electrical Company in Sillicon Vally
March 23, 2009
Third generation Chinese American, Steve Wong grew up in a Santa Clara Valley which had few Chinese families living in Redwood City and Milpitas where he was raised. Of his life on the farm, he recalls, “It was fun with so much space to play in, but when my sister, Alice, brother Lester, and I got to junior high, we were expected to work on the farm after school and on weekends alongside our parents. We never took summer vacations because the summer crop of chrysanthemums had to be tended and picked as they came to bloom.”
Although Steve doesn’t recall exact dates, he thinks his grandfather came to the United States around the turn of the century and entered into some kind of business. Steve’s father, Mike Wong, was born in the US in the 1920s, but was sent to China for study.
Read more