Seminar Descriptions

2018 SEMINAR DESCRIPTIONS

Kazu Yozawa, CEO & CTO, Global Business, NTT Security Japan, Tokyo
Norman (Bob) Zukis, Adjunct Professor of Management & Organization, USC Marshall School of Business

The world’s digital future runs through Asia, for better and worse. Our speakers share their insights and research on digital Asia and how it is impacting business around the world.

William Overholt, Senior Fellow, Harvard Asia Center, Cambridge, MA

China is in the position of an entrepreneur whose business success reaches a threshold where success can only continue if it transforms itself (e.g., with professional accounting, professional HR, and much else). The economy has become so complex that it cannot be efficiently managed in the old way, and political complexity mirrors the economic complexity. China’s leadership now has a brilliant model of economic transformation, but has political problems with implementation of key reforms, and has no comparable model of political transformation.

Ira Kasoff, Advisor, APCO Worldwide, Los Angeles

Alan Turley, Deputy Assistant Secretary for China, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C.

William Zarit, Chairman, American Chamber of Commerce in China and Senior Counselor in Beijing, The Cohen Group, Washington, D.C.

Moderator: Jonathan Karp, Executive Director, Asia Society of Southern California, Los Angeles

Gain insights from three distinguished experts who have decades of on-the-ground private and public sector experience working in China. Hear the sentiments of U.S. companies doing business in China. Hear about how the U.S. government might change its China trade and investment policies—and how these changes might impact your business.

Clayton Dube, Executive Director, USC U.S.-China Institue, Los Angeles

To realize the rejuvenation of China, Xi Jinping’s China Dream, the Chinese leadership is betting big on Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative. In this session, we’ll look at why the initiative is so important to China’s economic future, what it offers China’s neighbors, what are the most formidable obstacles to its success, and the opportunities it offers American businesses.

Biswajeet Mahapatra, Vice President and Head of Trasers, Trianz, Santa Clara, CA
Sri Manchala, CEO & President, Trianz, Santa Clara, CA

Digital Transformations and Implications for Industry & Government eco-systems
Digital Transformation is not just a technological or business evolutionary process. It is a series of technology-led convergence that have given an opportunity for governments, societies, and communities to provide education, healthcare, farmer and workers welfare schemes, disaster management, search and resource operations management and improve the living conditions of many undernourished and less privileged communities across the world. Smart Cities initiatives, Smart governance, Smart healthcare help in reducing pollution, reducing carbon footprint, make lives less stressful and provide equal opportunity to various societies across large countries. Due to its size APAC can benefit heavily from the Digital Evolution. APAC however urgently requires infrastructure modernization, better security process and policies, skill upgradation and training.

Highlights of the 2018 Global Digital Transformation Survey & Study In order to develop a holistic view of Digital Transformations Trasers conducted the largest integrated Digital Transformation study in the world in 2017-18. Trasers surveyed 6300+ respondents across the globe out of which 2000+ responses are from Asia. The survey was conducted in 13 Business Functions and IT across 15 industries. Our analysis shows transitions in business models, processes, technology infrastructures and the focus of CxOs and governments across the globe, including APAC. The definition of Digital Transformation varies both region and industry-wise with APAC demonstrating unique characteristics.

Asia Spotlight
Asia being the future power house of economic activities will see a huge uptake in technology deployment and digital transitions. Asia will lead in consumption of IT and non-IT resources . Asia will also be the pioneer in developing new business and IT models which will be emulated across the globe. However, the Asian region is plagued with some fundamental problems which need to addressed first. Asia is also fragmented with certain regions showing very high growth and adoption of technology , whereas some regions need more resources, and finances to come up to speed. Certain Functions like Supply Chain, Logistics, Research & Development, Procurement have matured in the Asian region, however Asia can do much more in other functions like Sales, Marketing and Human Resources.

What Attendees Can Get from This Session:
1) The meaning of digital transformation and its application at an industry, company or government and role level
2) Key global patterns
3) Digital Transformation patterns in Asia.
4) Similarity / Differences in Digital Challenges in Asia, compared to rest of the world.
5) Guidance on how Asia centric organizations might want to approach Digital Transformations

Nick Vyas, Executive Director, Global Supply Chain Management, USC Marshall School of Business, Los Angeles, CA

Automation and innovation are not new phenomena. From the inventions of electricity, the telephone, steam engine, and global trade has made a significant impact on our society for last few centuries. However, today, digital reality, cognitive computing, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain—stars of the enterprise technology realm—are redefining IT, business, and society in general, especially how the human capital of the future will look. We have seen these trends making a significant impact on western countries as seen by recent political outcomes. How will Asia’s fast-growing economies address these issues? What if any lesson can be learned from the west and current trends that government, industry, and citizens can learn to address these issues proactively?

Wayne Forrest, President, American Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, New York

What sales strategies and practices work best in SEA ‘s largest market? Using real life examples of companies that he has worked with for over 30 years, Forrest will illustrate how to navigate the minefield of geographic distances, cultural differences, and legal/regulatory ambiguity that characterizes the Indonesian market. The talk will also discuss the practicalities of appointing an agent or opening a representative office, structuring a sales contract, how to be paid, and how to handle bureaucratic “demands”.

Alison Germak, Director, Corporate Development, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), Washington, D.C.
Marianne Hughes, Regional Director, West Region, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Irvine, CA
Robert N. Saikali, Vice President & Manager, International Banking & Trade Finance, City National Bank, Los Angeles, CA
Moderator: Diane Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Global Markets-Asia U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C.

The success of a commercial transaction ultimately comes down to accessing the funds to move forward. The U.S. government and private lenders offer a range of financial tools to promote U.S. exports and help U.S. companies win business overseas. This panel will bring together representatives of the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and City National Bank, and will allow attendees to learn more about those programs available to small, medium and large-sized companies.

Gunjan Bagla, Managing Director, Amritt, Malibu, CA

A large fast growing Asian economy that respects American intellectual property, India is often under-represented in the growth plans of American corporations. In his tenth appearance at APBO, The India Expert, Gunjan Bagla will offer ten tips on profiting from India with examples from large and small companies who have done well there. There will be plenty of time for your questions.

Adrian Mutton, Founder & Group Chief Executive Officer, Sannam S4 Group, New Delhi
Ken Silverman, Head, North America, Sannam S4 Group, Pvt. Ltd., Pasadena, CA

India is the world’s fastest growing major economy, with a massive aspirational middle class, and massive wants and needs. Whether you’re selling B2B or B2C, your company cannot afford to not assess India. Get critical pointers from two seasoned veterans on how to successfully up your India Quotient.

Evan Yee-Fan Chuck, Partner, Shanghai Office Liaison and Chief Legal Representative, Bryan Cave LLP, Shanghai & Los Angeles
David R. Stepp, Partner, Bryan Cave LLP, Los Angeles

Deals in Asia present multinationals with a host of opportunities and risks to consider in their cross-border M&A strategies. Join Bryan Cave’s International Trade partners, with decades of experience in Asia, to gain critical insight into new laws governing these transactions, including regulations impacting foreign investment, e-commerce and mobile applications, cybersecurity, and the potential impact of the Trump administration’s trade agenda.

Mu Dan Ping, Executive Director, World Heritage Foundation, Los Angeles, CA

International business deals do not usually fail due to external factors such as money, technology, market environment, product, politics, economics or technical considerations. Most often failures are caused by a lack of understanding of cultural differences based on personal values, expectations and perceptions held by people from different cultures. Successful business relationships between the U.S. and Chinese firms require cross-cultural exchange and mutual understandings. The inability to interact effectively can lead to misunderstandings and negatively affect the peoples and business between the two countries.

Stanley Rosen, Professor of Political Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

China’s growth has already led to the rise of a new middle class, as well as a stratum of the rich and even super-rich. Current trends and surveys strongly suggest that this phenomenon will continue, and Chinese citizens are optimistic about their future entry to middle class status. These developments in turn have created new role models and new patterns of consumption. For example, whereas price and Chinese brand name had always been the key factors in purchases, more recent surveys have shown that, depending on the consumer item, such things as quality, style and foreign brand name have become far more important. Despite these clear changes, the attitudes and behavior of China’s younger generation have been contradictory, ranging from conspicuous consumption of American products such as Hollywood films to anger at the perceived lack of respect China has received in the America media and from certain U.S. government policies. On the one hand, you see the kind of idealism that contributed to the volunteerism after the Sichuan earthquake in May 2008. On the other hand, virulent cyber nationalism has distinguished at least some of the behavior of “angry youth”.

David M. Carter, Executive Director, USC Sports Business Institute; Associate Professor, USC Marshall School of Business, Los Angeles, CA

More so than any other professional sports league, the NBA has leveraged foreign markets to help extend its brand both domestically and abroad. In particular, the NBA has paid keen attention to the opportunities associated with Asian markets and how they can impact the growth of the league and, by extension, the value of its franchises.

Ron Somers, Founder and CEO, India First Group, Washington, DC

Prime Minister Modi’s leadership has advanced reforms and positioned India to become a major global power in the 21st Century. Recent electoral victories of Prime Minister Modi have virtually assured re-election of the Prime Minister in 2019 for a second five-year term, lasting until 2024.

Such stability underpins India’s geopolitical rise, while establishing India as a magnet for international investment – which is required if India is to create the 1 million jobs needed every month to generate opportunity for India’s young population.

This presentation by Ron Somers, a noted India hand, who has worked in India for more than 25 years, including heading the U.S.-India Business Council in Washington, DC for a decade, offers “crystal ball” insight as to the next steps the Modi Government will be taking to prepare for the historic 2019 General Elections, and will offer a candid scorecard on the reforms implemented by the Modi Government and the impact these have had on investors. Bottom line: India is an opportunity not to be missed. This is India’s Century.

George Drysdale, Chairman and CEO, Marsman-Drysdale Group, Manila

What are the core principles and strategies of investing in the dynamic, high growth, but often unpredictable emerging markets of the Asia/Pacific? Investor George M. Drysdale shares his perspective gained from a life and career in Southeast Asia developing and managing a widely-diversified portfolio.

Wendy Cutler, Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Society Policy Institute, Washington, D.C. Office

In Shifting Trade Winds: U.S. Bilateralism & Asia-Pacific Economic Integration, authored by a group of senior trade experts across Asia, under Ms. Cutler’s chairmanship—finds that one year after the U.S. pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), governments across the Asia-Pacific are reassessing their reliance on American economic leadership and the U.S. market and pressing ahead with their own trade and investment agreements. This paper is the latest installment of the Asia Society Policy Institute initiative, “Building a High Standard and Inclusive Asia-Pacific Trade Architecture.” It makes a number of key recommendations to policymakers in the region on how to navigate an increasingly complex Asia-Pacific trade landscape after an unusually eventful year for trade. The report’s recommendations address topics such as the near-complete “TPP-11” negotiations, the merits of bilateral and regional agreements, opportunities to advance digital trade, and how to rebuild public support for trade.

Ivanhoe Chang, Director, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco
Chris Lo, Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Los Angeles

The session discussion will highlight the capabilities and opportunities of the most vibrant southern China regional as a market, an innovation & technology development hub, as well as the entry point to the China market as a whole. Within the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Great Bay Area, there are 11 cities with 66 million population (1.5 times the population of California); an infrastructure linkage within 90 minutes of travel radius; GDP of US $1.3 trillion; and strength in: financial services, asset management, professional services, innovation and arbitration.

Kevin McAuliffe, Founder and President, Newort Ltd., Tokyo, Japan

A vibrant and demanding consumer and business market, Japan remains a lucrative market for American products and services. Find out how to avoid common market-entry mistakes and build a large and profitable business in the world’s third largest economy.

Rebecca Balogh, Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service, San Diego, CA
Maryavis Bokal, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Export Assistance Center, Irvine, CA

This is a great session to enhance your understanding of how to access and wisely use the U.S. Commercial Service capabilities working with U.S. domestic offices as well as with their overseas locations. This session helps prepare for one-on-one meetings with the Senior Commercial Officers during the conference. Join this dialog on how to make the most of this useful government resource to increase your exports.

Herb Cochran, Senior Director, Trade Facilitation, American Chamber of Commerce, Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam has become the largest ASEAN exporter of goods to the U.S., accounting for more than 25% market share, and continues to grow. These and other fast-growing exports to global markets have pushed up Vietnam’s GDP growth rates and consumer and business spending. At this session, you’ll learn how Vietnam’s government is encouraging FDI and economic growth, and how U.S. firms are cooperating to leverage their business development strategies.