From: RAJA@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu
Subject: RE: Those Typical Taiwanese
Organization: University of Florida, NERDC
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 22:18:09 EST

In article <i8PoXB1w165w@student.business.uwo.ca>
g3wong@student.business.uwo.ca (Gregory Wong) writes:
 
>
>Hey Raja! You don't think Taiwan's rich? Take a look at the foreign
>exchange reserves of $84 billion, the largest in the world. Taiwan's the
>second largest investor in Southeast Asia and mainland China. Taiwan's
>got money, buddy and the disparity of wealth (difference in the income of
>rich to poor) is the smallest in the world. Sure, they may not have the
>best quality of life, living standard, but they DO HAVE money.
 
You also forgot to subtract $50 billion for environment cleanup backlog, 40%
in inflated exchange rate (from 40 : US$1 to today's 24 : US$1), about $XX.00
billion of American Foreign Aid, and perhaps $xx.00 billion of intangible
cost for your countrymen's lousy personality development.  See, now
you've a negative foreign exchange reserve.  You may have a very different
definition for richness than that of mine; however,I just don't see how you can
call yourself rich while your GNP is not even ranked in the TOP 10 among the
third world!
 
>
>The poor image of MIT (made-in-Taiwan) products is the legacy of poor
>products made during the economic development of the country. Japan had
>in the same problems in the 50s and 60s with their cars and radios the
>laughing stock of the whole world. Taiwan is a generation behind Japan
>and it'll take time before MIT is equated to good quality. Do you think
>HK and Singapore have better images? I don't think so.
 
But for NOW, MIT is the number one laughing stock.  The future outlook may be
good.  Keep your fingers crossed, you may well get it.
 
The Singaporean are able to achieve a GNP of US$15k with minimal environment
destruction.  They started to stress quality 10 years before the Taiwanese
even realize the importance of quality.  They didn't even have the tool of
"SON MING CU E" that you guys treasure.  I have seen TV programs that make
fun of Made in Hong Kong, but I haven't encountered any MIS jokes yet, have
you?  BTW, take my words, I AM NOT A SINGAPOREAN.
 
>
>You obviously don't know much about Taiwan. Both industry and government
>in Taiwan are trying to improve the image of MIT. It's ingrained
>attitudes like yours which makes it difficult. It will take time but I'm
>confident that they will be successful.
>
>The government provides investment tax credits for companies developing
>their own brand identities. The Brand International Promotion Association
>is a group of Taiwan companies sharing information and ideas on how to
>develop and market Taiwan brands. Here are some of the brands:
>
>Acer
>Tatung
>ProKennex
>Giant
>Sampo
>Nova
>United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC)
>Microtek
>Mitac
>Genius
>Gigo
>Foxconn
>Leadwell
>Kent
 
I have heard of none of these brands except Tatung.  My former Taiwanese
roommate actually treasured his Tatung rice cooker.
 
>
>There are many more and if there's anyone interested, I can upload the
>rest.
>
>There are a lot of really exceptional companies on Taiwan but their image
>is tarnished by a few poor ones. Like Japan, it will take time but it
>also requires people to be open-minded and to shatter ingrained
>attitudes.
 
Let me rephase that: a few decent companies but their image is tarnished by a
flood of poor ones.
                           -- not a mainlander
>
>g3wong@student.business.uwo.ca (Gregory Wong)
>Western Business School  --  London, Ontario
Newsgroups: soc.culture.taiwan