Forumosa entrepreneurship meeting Sunday August 13, 2006

Business Money
#1

Dear All,

Following up on the success of the first 7 meetings I am pleased to announce that the eight meeting of the Forumosa entrepreneurship meeting will take place at Carnegies Taipei on Sunday August 13, 2006. The meeting will start at 12:00 as usual.

Carnegies Taipei is located on No 100, Section 2, Anhe Rd.

The meeting is open for all interested. It is intended for people currently running or interested in opening their own business in Taiwan. The objective of the meeting is to discuss ideas, issues and problems facing business owners here, and off course also to socialize and build a good network to draw on when needed.

this is the first meeting after summer - hope you are energized and ready to show up with all your good ideas.

We still need a reconfirmation on the speaker issue - I will post when I know more.

#2

What do you want from speakers? What kind of things have been requested at previous meets? If I can add value I will.

#3

Well, this time I am trying to get someone with experience in franchising to speak. If you have any topic you knwo about, then by all means, PM me and tell me what you feel about talking about.

We do have vacant spots.

We have had people talking about freight forwarding, imports and exports, China, procurement, a little bit about economy etc.

A main rule is that it has to be related to either business or investing, apart from that, I think it’s pretty open. By all means PM me with the topic you want to talk about, and I will get back to you with what’s expected.

#4

Aiya, I am about to sign a franchise deal but thats as far as I have got. Maybe I should sit this one out and get a feel for it. If you are short handed my areas of expertise are Distribution, Marketing, Consumer Credit in that order of recency.

#5

I plan to be attending for the first time. Just to be listening, not to do much of any speaking.

I’m not a businessman (yet), but I’m walking around with an idea to either make or import certain European foods on a small scale, but I’m still unsure about how to sell the products, either through the Internet or ‘on the street.’ I hope I can get more insights from the meeting. See you Sunday.

#6

Cewrtainly looking forward to see you too.

#7

So, do we form a precision driving team of cars up from Yangmei or all together.

Spellunko, me, Mr He, Toasty? and…? in 1 car.

Could we survive the trip?

#8

I will also be there and talk a bit about franchising and my experiences with Subway.

#9

Great.

#10

Thank you all for great meet - also a great hand to Jlick for his willingnes to share his experiences.

#11

Good experience yesterday. I’ve just been on the phone with one of my business partners discussing a “small phone book” procedures manual based on Jlicks talk about franchising.

We will begin implementing this today and no doubt it will take some time and require updating. It is something I have been aware of for sometime and something that bit me on the backside one week ago when I forgot 3 key points in setting up a marketing test on something we do (3 points since rectified with no loss).

Re talks. It is often hard to hear and sometimes we (me included in we) end up talking at the expense of the person who has graciously agreed to share their experience. Not sure how to fix this but something we need to think about. Probably a mild reminder at the start that we are in listening mode.

Carnegies for example is my idea of the best environment in Taipei, expecially balcony end. Problem is road noise at that road end or loud music inside. So, perhaps at the far inside corner and see if we are able to organise tables so we end up more circular and see if the music could be kept off for say 20 minutes.

Also, re speaking time. I’d suggest a 20 minute max (probably what Jlick got through yesterday) because we are on Sunday socialising time and not work time.

We can of course consider other locations but I suspect a constant location and Sunday of the month will help a more consistent attendance. Yesterday was what? 20 people.

#12

Someone left a CD on the table in a clear plastic case. I have it, so PM me and I’ll get it back to you.

Great meeting, and nice meeting you all.

#13

[quote=“Ironman”]Re talks. It is often hard to hear and sometimes we (me included in we) end up talking at the expense of the person who has graciously agreed to share their experience. Not sure how to fix this but something we need to think about. Probably a mild reminder at the start that we are in listening mode.

Carnegies for example is my idea of the best environment in Taipei, expecially balcony end. Problem is road noise at that road end or loud music inside. So, perhaps at the far inside corner and see if we are able to organise tables so we end up more circular and see if the music could be kept off for say 20 minutes.[/quote]

Yeah, Don and I talked about this a bit after we left. While Carnegie’s is a nice place to kick back, it’s not very conducive to speaking. Even when everyone was quiet there was still a lot of environmental noise. I was thinking we could look for some place that has a private room we could reserve for the afternoon; even better if it had a microphone. The places I know of are hotel conference rooms but it would be nice to keep it someplace where we could get drink and food service without having to pay exorbitant catering fees. Anyone have any ideas?

#14

The basement of a restaurant I know of might be good. It has 2 or 3 big round tables in a private area.

#15

Well, I think Carnegies is great because after the 20 minute speech, many of us stay back for hours afterwards (for a few of us it was 9 hours yesterday).

I think one of the reasons these meetings are successful, is the socializing and sharing of ideas afterwards and Carnegies atmosphere is ideal for this. In order to counteract the noise, perhaps we can book the back of Carnegies where there is less noise and then move outside after the speech.

#16

[quote=“Tyc00n”]Well, I think Carnegies is great because after the 20 minute speech, many of us stay back for hours afterwards (for a few of us it was 9 hours yesterday).

I think one of the reasons these meetings are successful, is the socializing and sharing of ideas afterwards and Carnegies atmosphere is ideal for this. In order to counteract the noise, perhaps we can book the back of Carnegies where there is less noise and then move outside after the speech.[/quote]
The place I’m talking about is on Ren’ai and Dunhua. That’s not too far from Carnegies. Maybe a lunch/meeting thing could be done at the one place and then moved to Carnegies for socializing afterwards.

#17

I am aware of this, and I am working on a few suggestions - a private place OK for the speaking, however a concern woudl be that after the speaking thing, a few people would leave and not hang out at Carnegies after.

As I say every time, the socializing part is a very important part of the whole thing.

#18

Tycoon

9 hours, I think that’s just irresponsible. You yongsters tsk tsk.

#19

I managed 10 hours once.

OK, let’s see. We have the chance of another location how many minutes away from Carnegie’s or perhaps keeping it in Carnegies.

The manager told me that they could kill a loudspeaker and then keep it in the corner, IE the “old place”. It might be more peaceful that way.

Just a thought.

#20

[quote=“Mr He”]I managed 10 hours once.

OK, let’s see. We have the chance of another location how many minutes away from Carnegie’s or perhaps keeping it in Carnegies.

The manager told me that they could kill a loudspeaker and then keep it in the corner, IE the “old place”. It might be more peaceful that way.

Just a thought.[/quote]

I’ve done 12 hours. Anyone apart from Tpebob done better?

Personally I would like to see it stay at Carnegies because it needs a relaxed atmosphere and consistant location. The speaker problem sounds like it can be overcome in back and with some smart table positioning. Could we get a microphone working to the speaker that is not sending out music for the 20 minute chat. (I can hear the groan from Bob, sorry. Just trying to work out how to keep everybody happy)

2 locations and a change all seems too hard. I’d just go to Carnegies and get the days drinking underway. Keep in mind that this is leisure time with a little business gear meshing thrown in.