Posted by Toh Shun Gui of 15th SHEN.

I took time off work and attended this event on 25 November 2011. In this event, I learnt one key thing:

         "Put in extra effort in everything you do. These effort will not be wasted. Sooner or later, they will come back to you in the forms of opportunities, job promotions, etc. Everything moves in a circle. When you are young, you might not be able to see how your career and life will play out but you when get older, you will clearly see that everything you did when you were young has a meaning."

Also, Dawn, Long Qing and I had a chance to chat with Leong Wai Leng, Chairman of OCBC Bank China and Ms. Grace Fu, the Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts, and the Environment and Water Resources. During our conversation, what they asked what I did at my internship in Shanghai, I said " change water dispenser bottle" and they laughed because it made them remember the menial tasks (stapling, photocopying, etc) they did just starting out in their careers.

Lesson of the Day: I might be only 'changing the water dispenser bottle' today, but Ms. Leong Wai Leng and Ms. Grace Fu reminded me that they too, started from 'changing the water dispenser bottle'.

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Write-up and Photos taken at the Event:

6^th Business Forum Organised by SSBA, “Entrepreneurial Journey – Innovation & Internationalisation” (创业之路-自主创新与国际化) was held from 09:15-13:30 on 25 November 2011, Friday at JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square. The program which was held in Chinese, focused on

•  How to transform a small domestic enterprise into a global renowned company
•  How foreign firms can capitalise on the opportunities in China
•  The application of Laozi's philosophy for building enterprises and doing business in China

Guest of Honour, Ms. Grace Fu, the Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts, and the Environment and Water Resources in Singapore, graced the event and delivered a keynote address.

This event was an excellent opportunity to interact with a wide variety of professionals. Panelists shared thoughts on the challenges of doing business in China and how enterprises and business owners can grow their companies through innovation and internationalisation.  

Guests who arrived early.

Melrose Pizza

Pre-event networking

VIP table 

Broadcaster and Compere – Xu Hui 

Xu Hui starts the event.

As Xu Hui was talking, everyone was listening attentively

Darren gives his opening speech in Mandarin

Senior Minister, Ms. Grace Fu delivers her opening speech

After Ms. Grace Fu's speech, the panelists are welcomed onto the stage to start the Zhao Qiguang.                                     

Q&A Session

SSBA Presenting The Token Of Appreciation To Sponsors Of This Event

SSBA presenting the Token of Appreciation to sponsors of this event

SSBA presenting the Token of Appreciation to sponsors of this event

SSBA presenting the Token of Appreciation to sponsors of this event

Post-Event Networking                                       

Post Event Buffet Lunch

Very nice spread of buffet lunch!

About the Panelists:  

Leong Wai Leng was appointed as Chairman of OCBC Bank China in August 2007. She has overall responsibility for directing and executing OCBC Bank's growth strategy in China in her current role.   A Singaporean and a graduate of the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Ms Leong has more than 22 years of experience in finance  both  in the corporate world and in corporate banking.  She has worked in China for  the last  ten years ,   including  seven years of corporate experience with Philips Electronics Group  as its China Country Treasurer and  VP,  and China Group CFO.  She held several senior banking positions in Citibank Singapore, JP Morgan Chase Singapore, and HSBC China. 

Zhao Qiguang is Burton and Lily Levin Professor of Chinese at Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota. He was born in Beijing and grew up in China. He has an MA in English and American literature from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He started the Chinese Language program at Carleton College and has been teaching courses in Chinese language and literature, comparative literature, and Taoism for more than twenty years. He has frequently appeared on Chinese television, on both national and local channels, discussing culture and international relations. He talked about Taoism on Shanghai television in a ten-part series called "The Wisdom of Lao Tzu," which was broadcast in November 2007, and is published in book form. He also did a seven-part lecture series on a Shandong Television program, "Laozi, Number One Under the Sun." He has published six books including a comparative study of Eastern and Western dragons.