Shows
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastPeter Drysdale — A Struggle Between Two Conceptions of the Worldn this episode of the Asia Pacific Business Forum Podcast, we speak with Peter Drysdale, Emeritus Professor of Economics at The Australian National University, a leading authority on Asia-Pacific economic integration, and an intellectual architect of APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation organization whose leaders met in South Korea three days after our conversation.
Peter discusses the increasing tension between President Trump’s “coercive power” bilateral approach and the rules-based, multilateral system of “cooperative regionalism,” which has been a key to
the remarkable economic successes of Asian economies—what he describes as a growing “struggle between two conceptions of the world.”
In response to Ame...
2025-11-0426 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastGlyn Ford - "Kim Jong Un wrote nuclear weapons into the NPRK constitution"In this episode of the Asia Pacific Business Forum Podcast, Dick Drobnick speaks with Glyn Ford, one of Europe’s foremost experts on East Asia and the Korean Peninsula. Over a 25-year career in the European Parliament, Ford made nearly 50 visits to North Korea, developing a deep understanding of its politics, its leaders, and its position in the region. He is the author of *North Korea on the Brink: Struggle for Survival* and *Talking to North Korea*, and has been at the center of high-level dialogue and negotiation efforts for decades.
Ford brings candid insights into the relationship between Kim Jo...
2025-08-2014 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastSD Darmono - Is Trump's Economic Plan a Wakeup Call?In this episode, of the Asia Pacific Business Forum Podcast, we speak with SD Darmono, one of Indonesia’s influential business figures and the architect of the country's Special Economic Zone strategy. As founder of the Jababeka Group, Darmono helped transform a vision from the early 1990s into a thriving industrial city—creating over a million jobs through partnerships with 2,000 companies from 36 countries.
His work created what he calls. “A cut and paste” model for development across the Indonesian archipelago, linking industry, infrastructure, and education. Known for playing the long game, Darmono pointed out, “If you take the analogy of Hong Kong...
2025-07-0416 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastIs the U.S. hearing an echo of China’s Cultural Revolution?In this episode of the Asia Pacific Business Forum Podcast, Dick Drobnick speaks with Geoff Cowan, former Dean of the USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism and 22nd Director of the Voice of America.
The discussion centers on how the Trump administration has disrupted global journalism and constrained the international flow of information. They discuss the damage being done by the termination of the Voice of America. Termination that undoes much of Geoff’s own work when as the 22nd Director of the Voice of America from 1994 to 1996, he expanded VOA's language services from 47 to 53 and oversaw VOA's first us...
2025-05-3023 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastThe China, Japan & Korea Side Effects of Trump TariffsIn this episode of the Asia Pacific Business Forum Podcast Professor Qiwei Chen brings insight to China’s possible reactions to the Trump Administration’s tariffs.
Will the tariffs push frosty neighbors in the region towards greater economic integration? Will second generation Chinese entrepreneurs increase their business with the 36,000 Japanese firms operating in China?
Join us for an inside look at how the economic ties across Asia are shifting.
2025-05-1622 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastDr. Chung-in Moon - In North Korea & USA – Big Deal • Small Deal • No DealIn this episode, we’re joined by renowned diplomat and scholar, Dr. Chung-in Moon, Professor Emeritus at Yonsei University and former advisor to the South Korean President. Dr. Moon offers rare insight into how President Trump’s sweeping tariffs are reshaping alliances—pushing South Korea, China, and Japan into closer economic coordination.
He also shares a candid analysis of the complex relationship between Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, exploring how their failed meeting in Hanoi affects chances for future diplomacy. With tensions rising and trade dynamics shifting, Dr. Moon helps us understand what’s at stake in Northeast...
2025-05-0826 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastNarongchai Akrasanee - The Ugly American • The Popular American • The Angry AmericanNarongchai Akrasanee Ph.D spoke with us on President Trump’s Liberation Day. Dr. Akrasanee, Thailand’s former Minister of Energy and Former Minister of Commerce spoke with Dick Drobnick about the implications across the Asia Pacific region.
2025-04-3025 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastRonnie Chan - “World trade is now a dunking contest between Lebron James and Yao Ming."Ronnie Chan is the Honorary Chairman of The Hang Lung Group and the Chairman of the Asia Society Hong Kong Center. He spoke with Dick Drobnick on the day after President Donald Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs were announced. In this conversation Ronnie looks at the recent events in the US, as viewed from countries across Asia.
Our next episode will feature Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, a former Minister of Energy and Minister of Commerce of Thailand, one of the initiators of the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement and the APEC Leaders’ Meeting.
Dr. Akrasanee will analyze how ASEAN nations and China are...
2025-04-0924 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastDr. Kang Kyung-wha, President of the Asia Society talks tariffsDr. Kang Kyung-wha, President of the Asia Society and former Foreign Minister of South Korea, joins Dick Drobnick, Ph.D., for this episode of the Asia Pacific Business Forum Podcast. Their conversation explores Dr. Kang’s vision for the Asia Society and examines how the Trump administration’s policies may influence relations across Asia.
Our next episode will feature Ronnie Chan, Honorary Chairman of the Hang Lung Group and Chairman of the Asia Society Hong Kong Center.
Produced by Dan Griffin - www.ggfilms.com
2025-04-0821 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastCecilia Chan’s investment strategy is to “Do well by doing good.”Cecilia Chan is the Managing Director of a Manhattan-based private equity firm, Octonovem. In over 30 years as an investor, she has honed a style that focuses beyond the bottom line, to assess success by including a project’s effects on its community and the world. “Asset-light” companies, such as content creators, travel companies and products like perfume are included in her portfolio. Her “Doing good” maxim is supported by spending 80% of her time on business projects and 20% of her time on charitable projects.
2023-06-2214 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastPandemic: Economic bubbles are bursting – Kevin Morse – Cairn Spring MillsCairn Spring Mills is a company that surprisingly is growing during the pandemic. The company is a varietal flour mill that produces a high quality locally sourced product. While other companies have been strapped by failing consumer demand and disrupted supply chains, Cairn Spring has increased sales by changing their business model - pivoting from being a strictly commercial wholesale outfit to being a nimble retail business.
CEO Kevin Morse said "I think a bubble has been broken. I was talking to one of our advisors who's a former venture capitalist and she called this a macro-shock event which is...
2020-07-1020 minAsia Pacific Business Forum Podcast#Pandemic: How the virus is changing business in China – Marcus LuThe #Covid-19 virus is changing accepted business norms around the globe. In this episode of Business Class, we spoke with #MarcusLu as he sheltered-in-place at his home in #China. With deep insight into business in China, Marcus described how the virus is changing long accepted patterns of how business is conducted. “We realize and are starting to accept the fact that doing business can be easier,” he noted, while saying that, for the first time, important business meetings are being conducted virtually.
In an interview with Dick Drobnick, Director of the #USC #IBEARMBA program, Marcus takes us through how he init...
2020-06-2023 minAsia Pacific Business Forum PodcastPandemic: Applying MBA degree skills to a crisis - PJ Van Hecke – The Reading Room - BangkokIn this episode of #BusinessClass, we return to Thailand for an #MBA review of the business skills needed to face this financial crisis. We spoke with PJ Van Hecke, a 2018 graduate of the #USCIBEARMBA program. PJ used his time in the program to shift from a global career in maritime engineering to the entrepreneurial side of book publishing. He is now a Co-Founder in #Bangkok-based #TheReadingRoom.
In conversation with IBEAR MBA Director Dick Drobnick,, PJ lays out the core MBA skills he worked to master. He goes on to describe how these skills helped guide his new venture through the...
2020-06-1318 minAsia Pacific Business Forum PodcastPandemic: Craft Beer, Corned Beef and the Corona Virus – Janet Lighter – Boundary Bay BreweryThe moment the St. Patrick’s Day Parade was cancelled, Janet Lightner - General Manager of Boundary Bay Brewery - knew they were in trouble. In this episode of Business Class, we move to the Microeconomic impact of the pandemic and go to the craft brewery nexus of Bellingham, Washington, to explore how the virus has upended the business model of a classic brew pub.
Boundary Bay, 25 years old, is a pioneer craft brewery that has built a brand on its constant interaction with its customers and community. As the virus spread and shut down orders were given, Janet said sh...
2020-05-2917 minAsia Pacific Business Forum PodcastPandemic: “Globalization will become regionalization.” - Narongchai Akaransee Ph.D. - ThailandIn this episode of #BusinessClass, we look at how the #Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the ASEAN nations, particularly #Thailand. We turn to #Dr.NarongchaiAkaransee, a former Thai government minister with extensive business knowledge.
Dr. Narongchai explains Thailand’s successful approach to control of the Covid-19 virus. In comparing the government’s reaction to the #CovidCrisis vs. the 2008 financial crisis, he explains how the Thai government decided to distribute wages to 20 million people for three months because, “This time they lost their job because of a government order.”
In conversation with #USC’s #DickDrobnick, the two explore the economic effects of the virus...
2020-05-2219 minAsia Pacific Business Forum PodcastPandemic: On the virus timeline, "China has a two-month lead." Jim McGregor, APCO ChinaIt’s always difficult to know what’s happening inside China. In this episode of Business Class, we hear first-hand information and analysis on China’s Covid-19 response from Shanghai resident, Jim McGregor, the CEO of APCO China.
In an interview with USC’s Dick Drobnick, Jim notes that “China’s exports have fallen off a cliff.” They explore if: having a two month head start with the virus is affecting the country’s recovery strategy, how China is opening up and they dig into the “poisonous” U.S. / China relationship. In one of the biggest shifts the virus has triggered, Jim descr...
2020-05-1520 minAsia Pacific Business Forum PodcastPandemic: #Cricket and #Covid-19 - Jasdeep Pannu – ESPN IndiaMillions of sports fans across the Asian sub-continent are watching the results of Jasdeep Pannu working from his living room. In this episode of Business Class, we speak with the Head of Digital Programming for ESPN India about how his organization saw the virus coming and moved #ESPNIndia out of the studio and into the guest room. The biggest problem? The virus coincided with the country’s most anticipated sporting event – The #IndianCricketLeague. “We were tied into the fortunes of how the league would happen. So if the League went ahead, we would be proceeding. “
But in a time where a new no...
2020-05-0818 minAsia Pacific Business Forum PodcastPandemic – What happens when the world is suddenly moved online? - Paul Wilson - GoogleOvernight, the Covid-19 pandemic moved much of the world’s business and business interactions online. In this episode of Business Class, we talk with Paul Wilson, Managing Director for Google Cloud (Public Sector) Asia Pacific. We asked Paul how this pandemic has created a moment in time, where technology tools are being adopted for use by people all over the globe and being put to work in ways no one ever imagined.
We had many questions. What did this shift mean? Can the networks handle it? What new norms are being created? Paul takes us through how his team shifted fr...
2020-05-0118 minAsia Pacific Business Forum PodcastPandemic - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of China’s Covid-19 response. – Clay Dube – USCAre the numbers coming out of China real? Will China record any positive GDP growth for the year? Will global companies change their strategies to remove the China bottleneck in their supply chains? Business Class continues its look at the economic impact of the Covid-19 virus with Clay Dube, Director of the USC US-China Institute. “The Chinese economy fell off a cliff,” notes Clay Dube as he takes us through what is known and what is speculated around Covid-19 in China.
The Good – “There are aspects that can only be described as good; things that they did that proved effective.”
The Bad...
2020-04-2319 minAsia Pacific Business Forum PodcastPandemic: The movie business is going to need a rewrite. Devin Mann – Iconic Talent AgencyBusiness Class originates in Los Angeles, the home of the entertainment industry. In this episode, we look at how Covid-19 has brought the entire industry to a standstill. Movie theaters are empty, studios are closed, the few TV commercials being filmed are done so in isolation via Zoom and iPhones. Devin Mann, Founder of Iconic Talent Agency of Beverly Hills, takes us inside the pandemic effects on entertainment production. What happens when a workforce that is based on creativity is told to go home and stay there? Do movie theaters come back? Does this signal a shift in how the...
2020-04-1719 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastPandemic: How does a business survive when demand drops to zero? – Peter Guyer, Athena FoodsBusiness Class begins a series of interviews to explore the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic. In this episode, Peter Guyer, Founder of Athena International Foods gives insight on the effect the virus has had on his business, his supply chain and his sector. What can a business do to prepare for this kind of event? What lessons from past experience have helped guide him? Is there a way to prepare for such a unique business disruption?
Peter discusses resilience - a term from biology - in terms of how a business can survive and maintain viability. In terms of leadership...
2020-04-1019 minAsia Pacific Business Forum PodcastCarlos Ugarte may be the man who saves you from traffic jams of the future – Carlos Ugarte - CintraCintra is one of the world’s largest infrastructure building companies. In this episode of Business Class, Carlos Ugarte, Global Head of Corporate and Business Development, explains how a project must send the right economic signals to be successful. Using toll roads and managed pricing as examples, Carlos explains the right moves that cities need to make. He laments however that even though urban populations are projected to grow by 1 billion people…few of the world’s cities are listening to the signals that are telling them how to plan for the future. Carlos feels the right investment, in a projec...
2020-03-1615 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastE-commerce in China. When $67 Billion in sales makes you #2 - Jasmine Liu - JD.com USThe battle lines are being drawn in the world of global e-commerce. JD.com is the #2 online retailer in China with a staggering $67 billion in sales. In this episode of Business Class, Jasmine Liu, Director of HR & Operations of JD.com’s Silicon Valley Research Center, gives us insight into why her company sees plenty of room for JD.com, Alibaba and Amazon.
Jasmine points out that research, creating a better customer experience and marketing deeper into China’s 2nd tier are giving JD.com its edge. She notes that “the density of population centers” creates opportunities that don’t exist in t...
2019-12-2415 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastIndra Uno - Indonesian SocialpreneurAt heart, Indra Uno is a consultant. He did a case study of his country and came up with a powerful set of findings:
• manufacturing jobs are leaving for less expensive locations
• unemployment is steady of 5% - but is 15 – 16% for youth
• 98% of the countries businesses are micro-entrepreneurs with sales under $50,000 USD
• Regulations are slowing needed growth in Indonesia
The Recommendation
• The country needs to create 2,000,000 new micro-entrepreneurs in the next 5 years.
In this episode of Business Class, we’ll hear how Indra is working to take these findings and implement the changes needed to help move Indonesia, it’s economy and youth -- ahe...
2019-11-0917 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastThe man who brought Intel to China and Mao threw into prison. Twice! - Sidney RittenbergSidney Rittenberg led an exceptional life. He tumbled into the swirling waters of history as the communist revolution swept Mao into power. He was a friend of Mao. He was also a prisoner of Mao. Twice. He spent sixteen years in solitary confinement, six years thanks to Josef Stalin, and ten years courtesy of the Cultural Revolution.
Somehow he rebounded and started a consulting business that brought companies such as Intel, Levis and Microsoft into China.
Throughout these events and efforts he was always observing and thinking. We go back to a 2014 interview with Sidney and talk about the amazing...
2019-10-3120 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastClimate change is a fact in Singapore - Masagos Zulkifli – Minister for Environment, SingaporeIn this episode of Business Class, the subject is climate change and business. Interviewed by USC’s Dick Drobnick, Singapore’s Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Masagos Zulkifli explains how Singapore, a small country with few natural resources, may present a very realistic model for a world that is facing effects from its changing climate.
Masagos Zulkfli, is an engineer and looks to science and numbers to understand the threats his country must prepare for. He pointed out that Singapore is already planning to move its primary seaport and airport to locations that can be defended from sea leve...
2019-09-1113 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum Podcast“Think of the digital transformation as Industry 4.0.” Sri Manchala - CEO, TrasersAccording to Sri Manchala, CEO of Trasers, “This is where the game begins.” Sri and Trasers are digging in deep to help companies understand the Digital Transformation. Trasers has recently completed an exhaustive, many industries wide survey, of just where companies stand and what they understand about the Digital Transformation.
The resulting reports are aimed at helping companies understand how this revolution will affect them as well as how to begin to get out in front of it. Sri says that the data tells him that only 7% of companies have taken on the transformation in a meaningful way. This means that...
2019-08-1216 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastThe Digital Transformation "This is hand-to-hand combat.” Bob ZukisBob Zukis sees two corporate worlds. In one world, a company is smoothly navigating the Digital Transformation and using these new tools to connect with customers and advance their business. In the other world, he sees boardrooms that simply don’t comprehend how the digital world operates and that there are barbarians at the gates. Bob says, “this is a crisis in the boardroom” and that business are facing new risks while simultaneously being presented with tremendous opportunities, He notes “Even Warren Buffet says we’re in uncharted territory.” In this episode of Business Class we hear how businesses can begin to nav...
2019-07-1615 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastWhat Lord Nelson tells us about business strategy - Carl Voigt - USC Prof. of ManagementHow does the Cold War inform business strategy? What truism about strategy did Lord Nelson understand to win the Battle of Trafalgar? Carl Voigt, Professor of Clinical Management and Organization at the USC Marshall School of Business and Academic Director of the USC IBEAR MBA Program brings storytelling to Business Class to describe what makes a good and what makes a bad business strategy.
The basic definition of strategy? Professor Voigt says, “It’s my strengths against your weaknesses.” He finds that good business strategies are rare and that companies can trick themselves into believing they have one. In this conver...
2019-06-1820 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastWill oysters survive in the ocean of the future? – Bill Dewey – Taylor Shellfish CompanyClimate change forces an industry to adapt of die. Business Class spoke with Bill Dewey of the Taylor Shellfish Company about being one of the first industries that had to face the impacts of climate change. Taylor Shellfish, founded in the 1890s, is a family owned company with over 500 employees in the Pacific Northwest. The company operates a shellfish farm, a chain of restaurants and needs it’s baby oysters to survive. In 2008 a crisis hit the company when all of the newly hatched oysters suddenly began to die. In this change or die story, Business Class looks at how a...
2019-05-2914 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastPalau - The farmers and the fishers - Negotiate a merger - Faustina Marugg, Minister of StatePalau is a small island nation. It’s northern island -Babledoab - is mostly trees, rivers, farms and some small villages. And yet, on the very northern tip of the island are two groups using classic business planning techniques to form a working partnership. In this episode, Business Class takes a look at how the Farmers and the Fishers of Babeldoab plan to form a merger - and how these sophisticated negotiations came about.
We speak with Faustina Marugg, The Minister of State of Palau & Steven Victor, Director, Micronesia Program, The Nature Conservancy
2019-05-1014 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum Podcast“In Palau, the environment is the economy.” – Steven Victor - The Nature ConservancyIn this two-part series, Business Class explores the business policies on the small island nation of Palau. We hear that choosing to protect the nation’s environment is a long term business decision.
In Part 1 - we talk tuna. We learn how small countries of the region formed an alliance to protect tuna stocks in their waters from the fishing giants of the world. We also explore Palau’s business model of protecting and enhancing coral reefs to attract high-value SCUBA diving tourists. We study what happens when a country manages the environment as its primary business asset.
We spoke with...
2019-04-0415 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastOn the rise of the New Economy in China – Fan Bao – Chairman & CEO, China RenaissanceBusiness Class speaks with Fan Bao of Renaissance China in Shanghai, about what he terms the New Economy of China. This economy has no state owned enterprises and represents half the economy of China. Digging deeper, Mr. Bao describes two important super cycles that are driving the China economy and gives an inside view on how important entrepreneurs are to the country. In an interview that ranges from the trade war with the US to the tense situation with Huawei, Mr. Bao delivers unique insight into international business.
The interview is conducted by Dick Drobnick, The Director of the USC...
2019-03-0712 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum Podcast“This is not a trade war. It’s a tech war.’ – Jim McGregor, Chairman APCO ChinaJim McGregor, the Chairman of APCO China and former Wall Street Journal Bureau Chief has been working in China since 1990. When he says, “The US and China are at a fundamental turning point,” it pays to listen. McGregor looks at the idea of a trade war differently than most. While the trade aspects are important, he sees that the US and China, “Are now in fierce competition for all the technologies of the future.” In this Business Class episode, Dick Drobnick sits down with Jim McGregor in Shanghai and goes deep on the ‘Made in China 2025’ plan and how this fundamentall...
2019-01-2918 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastFocus on SE Asia - Why a hot startup chose Singapore – Krish Sridhar – CEO, KnowKrish Sridhar is building a company that sees 2 billion potential users. The goal, “Connecting the top floor with the shop floor,” in places where the only technology is a smart phone. Know, is a Singapore based start-up that recently pulled down a 7 figure round of US, VC funding. Krish, Know CEO and former McKinsey consultant, spoke with Business Class on why a hot start up would pick Singapore as its base; and explores the what, why and how of Singapore creating a vibrant startup ecosystem.
2019-01-1714 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastThe Entrepreneuring of Singapore, Inc. – Paul Meyers, Start-Up Ecosystems Builder, consultant to ADBAny mention of Singapore and business has to take into account the policies of the Singaporean government. In the case of entrepreneurs, the government has taken its foot off the brake and is stepping firmly on the gas. Business Class spoke with Paul Meyers of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on the shifts that now make Singapore the entrepreneurial center of SE Asia.
Meyers is a serial entrepreneur and has been working on the digital transformation of SE Asia since the late 90’s. Now, as an adviser on early stage investment for the Asian Development Bank, he is seeing changes ta...
2018-12-1716 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum Podcast“This is the new abnormal” – Danny Russel, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of StateDanny Russel has seen diplomacy in action. As the Assistant Secretary of State under John Kerry, he had a ringside seat. Now, watching punches being traded in the trade war between the U.S. and China he feels he’s watching, “the new abnormal.” Discussing China’s expected response to tariffs, he says, “Trying to body slam the Chinese is not going to make them give in. It will make them dig in.” Overall all he is seeing a strategy that is leading both countries in a difficult direction as, “Strategic rivalries bring out the worst on both sides.” In this Business Cl...
2018-12-0616 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastBeijing and D.C. wonder what the other is thinking – Kevin Rudd, Former PM Australia - Part 2In Part 2 of this Business Class conversation, we look at the backstory of the US -China Trade War. Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister says “I worry that the lines of communication are shutting down.” Using his background as a Sinologist, he notes that both Presidents are looking at the politics of the confrontation. And as, “The impact of a shuddering halt to US – China trade would be profound,” feels that a resolution and a declared victory from both sides could be an expected result. He adds, this dual victory is partly possible as, “The US President has a remarkable ability to r...
2018-11-1920 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastTrade War ‘China can concede or double down’ Kevin Rudd, Former Australian Prime Minister – Part 1Kevin Rudd is the former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Australia and also happens to be a China scholar. He feels that, “2018 is a watershed for US / China relations.” In Part 1 of this Business Class podcast, Mr. Rudd brings his deep experience to analyze what is going on behind the scenes in Beijing and Washington. In his view, both Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are leading their countries away from the 40 year old policies that both countries have followed since the time of Deng Xiaoping and Richard Nixon. In this discussion, Mr. Rudd digs in to the clues of wher...
2018-11-0115 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastThe Devil and the Digital Transformation - Bob ZukisBob Zukis wants people to understand the digital transformation. He wants people to understand that a successful business needs a trained technologist in the C-Suite. With social technologies showing their power in events such as the manipulation of the US election, he reflects, “Bad preceeds the good, until we learn how to control it.” His view is that we are just at the beginning of building the regulations and controls needed to bring the good side of social technology to the forefront. He points out education is needed to deliver the promise of the digital transformation to companies, “Only 14% of boardr...
2018-10-0814 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastI was building companies from the ground up – Christopher Darnell - CEO, The Human BatonChris Darnell likes risk and has “a high capacity for ambiguity.” Good traits for an executive whose career path includes being CFO of the Microsoft Cloud as well as an entrepreneur in Sub-Saharan Africa. Always looking to blend the worlds of the executive and creative, Chris’ current company ‘The Human Baton” will burst onto the media scene soon with race cars, horses, high speed boats and more. In this Business Class interview, we hear how Chris has taken the skills from his USC IBEAR MBA and applied them to a unique career.
Chris spoke with Business Class when he returned to USC, to...
2018-08-2315 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastIn network security “The bad guys are always ahead.” - Kazu Yozawa - CTO, NTT SecurityKazu Yozawa is the Global CTO of NTT Security and thinks we live in a scary world. This is the world of network security, where threats can range from a teenager forging a user code on a piece of software, to state sponsored hackers that target specific industries around the globe. He said that more education in how computer networks operate will help, but at this time, “only a few executives understand this situation.” Mr. Yozawa keeps a positive view saying that although the threats are coming faster now than before, he feels that in the long term the ‘Good Guys’...
2018-08-0312 minAsia Pacific Business Forum PodcastCecilia Chan’s investment strategy is to “Do well by doing good.”Cecilia Chan is the Managing Director of a Manhattan-based private equity firm, Octonovem. In over 30 years as an investor, she has honed a style that focuses beyond the bottom line, to assess success by including a project’s effects on its community and the world. “Asset-light” companies, such as content creators, travel companies and products like perfume are included in her portfolio. Her “Doing good” maxim is supported by spending 80% of her time on business projects and 20% of her time on charitable projects.
2018-07-1000 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastU.S. – China trade from the Chinese side“What’s the difference between this U.S. president and others” -QiWei Chen
There is a question inside China about how this president is different from other U.S. presidents. Dr. QiWei Chen, the Founder of ABC Capital of Shanghai considered this and other questions in an interview with Business Class. Noting that China has benefited greatly from trade with the U.S. - he feels that China will respond to tariffs set by the U.S., but would do it carefully. Is talk from President Trump a provocative threat, or a negotiating tactic? He notes that this may be the ca...
2018-07-0215 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastWhen is it a Trade War? - Part 3 “Raising tariffs violates our WTO obligations.” - Wendy CutlerWendy Cutler spends a lot of time thinking about trade. She was the Chief Negotiator on the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement and the Lead Negotiator on the TPP Agreement. We spoke with her just as the US announced that tariffs were going to be placed on China and other US trading partners. She commented on what trading partners might feel, “Well it’s China today, but maybe tomorrow the president will impose tariffs on us as well.” In this conversation, we look at the ripples and shock waves that are created within the trading world when a country the size of the...
2018-06-1416 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum Podcast“When is it a Trade War? – Part 2 - “I wasn’t surprised with this trade war.” - Clayton DubeIn the first year of his presidency Donald Trump largely avoided trade issues with China. As the second year unfolded, Clay Dube notes that the President seems to have returned to the attack mode promised in the campaign. As policies shift daily, Business Class asked Clayton Dube, the Director of the USC US – China Institute, to take a look at the Trump playbook and bring his insight to the Administration’s game plan.
Clayton Dube, is the Director of the USC U.S - China Institute
2018-05-3116 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum Podcast“When is it a Trade War? – Part 1 - “Trump says “trade battle”, I say trade war.” - Baizhu ChenEconomics is front page news around the world as trade pacts are dismantled, tariffs are threatened and trade wars suddenly appear on the horizon. Baizhu Chen, noted USC China expert takes us inside the threatened US / China tariffs to see what is at play. In the complex trade relationship between the US and China, it seems that the main issues in this trade war are explained in every Econ 101 text book.
Baizhu Chen is professor of Clinical Finance and Business Economics at the USC Marshall School of Business.
2018-05-3115 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastGary Locke thinks the US has more to lose in a trade war than ChinaGary Locke, former US Ambassador to China, Secretary of Commerce and Governor of Washington has experienced trade issues from all angles. He sees threatening tariffs more as a political gesture, than a well thought out strategy. Tariffs on steel for example would hurt Canada more than it would China. He asks, “Why would we want to anger our allies?” Locke brings insight to questions ranging from tariffs and technology transfers, to strategic exemptions and North Korea.
Interviewed by Dick Drobnick, Director of the USC IBEAR MBA Program.
2018-05-0321 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastConstructing A Career - Part 2How do you align a career with your own motivations? When do you pivot your career? How does extra training such as an MBA impact your strategy?
In Part 2 of the Constructing a Career series, Grant Ingersoll, President of Integrated Oncology Network and Ana Maria Stringi Guemáraes, Audit Director at MUFG US Bank, discuss when and how to make a move.
Ana Maria and Grant are both graduates of the USC IBEAR MBA program.
2018-04-1815 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastConstructing A Career - Part 1Where does an MBA fit in a career plan? How do you plan a career? How many steps does it take to reach your goal? In this episode of Business class we begin a series that will take a deep look into careers. We will talk with MBA grads at all stages of their career. We’ll hear what steps they took, mistakes they made and insights they have gained.
In Part 1, Doug Montgomery, VP of Customer Insight at Warner Brothers and Regina Leung, Founder of Mayflower Health Consulting analyze the steps that brought them to where they are today.
Re...
2018-04-0215 minAsia Pacific Business Forum PodcastBill Zarit says the environment for foreign investment in China is deterioratingIn this episode of Business Class, Bill Zarit, the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, describes the monumental economic shifts that are taking place. He sees Chinese investment in the U.S. doubling, while U.S. investment in China is drifting downward. He notes that China is making strategic purchases in sectors aimed at challenging current U.S. global leadership and questions the long term benefits of letting that happen. In a wide ranging conversation held at the USC Marshall/ U.S. Department of Commerce annual Asia Pacific Business Outlook Conference, he and Dick Drobnick dig in...
2018-02-2718 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastWayne Forrest sees Indonesia beginning to turn toward the world of entrepreneurshipWayne Forrest has been President of the American Indonesian Chamber of Commerce through many of the country’s business and political cycles. He’s been integral to Indonesia’s relationship with international energy and mining conglomerates. Now as the nature of business is shifting toward the world of startups and venture capital, the Chamber is deeply involved there as well. So much so that he helped facilitate the first Global Ventures Summit in Bali. In this episode of Business Class, the conversation focuses on how the business and political policies in Indonesia continuously mesh and diverge as people, leaders and techno...
2018-02-0718 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastJim Castle with his view from Indonesia, sees the US surrendering the market to ChinaJim Castle, who describes himself as ‘an accidental businessman’ established CastleAsia in 1980 which has given him a unique view of the shifting of economic power from west to east. Through CastleAsia’s Indonesia Country Program executive roundtable, Jim meets weekly with top executives from 140 member companies. This insight is reflected in an interview that discusses his work in Indonesia, and how he sees current politics in Washington is serving to enhance the power of the Chinese economy.
Jim Castle is the Chairman & CEO of CastleAsia.
Jim has also served two terms as the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ind...
2018-01-1817 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastYosuke Honjo wants everyone in North America to drink his green teaIto En sells over $4 Billion USD of tea annually in Japan. In North America Ito En hits $300 million. In this classic international brand building story, Yosuke Honjo, CEO and President of Ito En North America, describes how his company pushed by a shrinking population and growing competition domestically, “Must go out from Japan and find a new market internationally.”
His plan includes continually fighting a dual battle with the beverage Goliaths, Coca-Cola and Pepsi. He not only must carve out space with retailers for his tea, but also respond to merger questions from these competitors, “We always say no”. Then beyond b...
2018-01-0614 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastBusiness Class Podcast – USC IBEAR brings real business to MBA studentsThere is book learning and then there is taking your knocks on the street. The students who enroll in the USC IBEAR MBA take their knocks all around the world. The International Business Consulting Project is an extreme version of experiential learning. The class is literally turned into an international consulting firm, where clients contract for consulting services and then the students get on planes and fly out to find a solution to their customers problems. These aren’t virtual clients either. Names such as Sony, Hitachi, Warner Brothers in countries from Indonesia, to Mexico, to China fill the roster.
Th...
2017-12-0112 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastBusiness Class Podcast – Alfred Fung connects game design and his MBAAlfred Fung starts speaking about his gaming with the absolute that it must be fun.
He traces his love for gaming to his childhood, but credits his entry into the business to the MBA he received from the USC IBEAR program. His facility with big data, business analytics, monetization and his ability to connect the dots put him ahead of a flood of applicants for his first job in the cutting edge game industry.
Now deep into his entrepreneurial career as the CEO of fun-gi, he still pulls on these skills to guide the creation of the company’s soon to...
2017-10-2713 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastDan Ping Mu solves business problems in ChinaDan Ping Mu faces challenges for her consulting clients in China head on – and then looks at them from all angles to find the right solution. Her goal is to keep things moving ahead by presenting both sides of an issue with a clear win. She finds that many issues with ventures in China can be solved by sending the team with the not only the rights skills, but also the correct attitude.
She says, “ Many people feel it is difficult to do business in China, but it’s difficult to do any place in you don’t understand it.”
Dan Ping M...
2017-10-2019 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastMarcus Lyu and the shifting of China’s industryMarcus Lyu runs hard commodities trading in Asia for the 100 billion USD, Swiss head-quartered energy trading firm Mercuria. In this interview in Shanghai, Business Class again looks at a changing China. Marcus explains how the coal and iron ore commodities markets, give insight into Chinese policy. He also describes how the 2008 global crash has shifted many heavy industries in China from private to predominately State Owned Enterprises.
We see that commodity prices serve as a canary in a coal mine.
Marcus Lyu is an alumni of the USC IBEAR MBA program.
Interview by Dick Drobnick, Director of the USC IBEAR...
2017-10-0512 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastJim McGregor in China, “From bicycles to Bentleys.”Jim McGregor engages in a spirited interview on issues facing foreign companies doing business in China. Speaking with Dick Drobnick in Shanghai, they cover topics from finding employees, to product dumping, to the impact of politics. McGregor states that, “This is China’s day,” and companies need to constantly re-evaluate their position as China itself is constantly changing.
With thirty years experience in China and seeing it move “from bicycles to Bentleys” McGregor brings powerful and pointed observations to the table.
Interview by Dick Drobnick, Director of the USC IBEAR MBA Program.
2017-09-1818 minAsia Pacific Business Forum PodcastNat Rothschild on business and being a RothschildNat Rothschild has a storied family name that defined banking for centuries. Nat spoke with Dick Drobnick while taking part in the USC IBEAR MBA 40th anniversary two day seminar. The conversation ranged from his starting of one of the 90’s most lucrative hedge funds, to losing millions in a Indonesian coal mining venture.
Now in the business of ‘staying rich’ he also gives us the politics and background story of the Rothschild family fortune. He lets us know that even while a name like Rothschild helps, there is no sure thing.
Interviewed by Richard Drobnick, Director of the USC IBEAR...
2017-08-3116 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastThe USC IBEAR MBA at 40!the 40th anniversary of the USC Marshall IBEAR MBA program, in a conversation with three of the past and present program directors.
The IBEAR MBA was one of the first business programs in the U.S. to embrace an international focus. The early understanding of globalization has created a program with a unique group of alumni. In a discussion lead by Jim Ellis, Dean of the Marshall School of Business, we hear from three program Directors as they discuss how the program got to this point, and as they look ahead to what the program needs to do to stay...
2017-08-1616 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastGary Rieschel - from biology major to MBA to Intel to Cisco to Softbank to running a VC in ChinaCareers are made one opportunity at a time. Gary Rieschel racked up wins all along the way in his move to be the Founder of Qiming Venture Partners in China. Qiming’s record of 59 out 60 investment wins is now facing a changing China which is ,”becoming more competitive with every deal.” In this episode of Business Class hear how an agile mind negotiates the international business landscape.
Interviewed by Richard Drobnick, Director of the USC IBEAR MBA Program. Recorded at the 2017 USC APBO Asia Pacific Business Outlook Conference.
2017-07-2619 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastPaul Wilson describes his hands-on experience in an emerging MyanmarFinding himself at the right place at the right time, he used his MBA and military training to build Four Rivers a successful Myanmar-based consulting company. His view of Myanmar’s past is that it was a country that had so much going for it: location, resources, climate that the government had to try hard to get things to go wrong. Now, he sees a country on the move forward, with a government and military that wants to distance itself from past mistakes.
Interviewed by Richard Drobnick, Director of the USC IBEAR MBA Program. Recorded at the 2017 USC APBO Asia Pa...
2017-07-0119 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastGeorge Drysdale talks business from Philippine bananas to major league baseballMaking generational business decisions is George Drysdale’s goal when selecting an investment. Buying, operating and improving is his long term goal. He puts this strategy to work on a four square mile banana plantation in the Philippines and as a partial owner of the MLB San Francisco Giants. His 20-25 year investment horizon necessarily stretches across different political landscapes, and he discusses the changing politics of the Philippines and the U.S.
Interviewed by Richard Drobnick, Director of the USC IBEAR MBA Program. Recorded at the 2017 USC APBO Asia Pacific Business Outlook Conference.
2017-06-1316 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastRon Somers front row seat to a developing IndiaRon Somers has a long term bet on the success of India. With a career focused on large scale projects, he has experienced the country’s advantages and challenges first hand. This Business Class conversation digs into his view of India’s the wins and losses of the day.
Win: a young motivated workforce
Win: President Narendra Modi and his anti-corruption plans
Loss: The U.S. and it’s limited H-1B visa program
Loss: U.S. political turmoil affecting the choice of high value students to attend U.S. educational institutions
Interviewed by Richard Drobnick, Director of the USC IBEAR...
2017-05-1515 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastEdwin Soeryadjaya at the center business in IndonesiaEdwin Soeryadjaya of Saratoga Capital describes being a ‘forced entrepreneur’ and gives a unique look inside business in Indonesia.
The task of building a business and rebuilding an empire fell to Edwin Soeryadjaya. At the center of business in Indonesia, he witnessed the highest and lowest points for his country and his family’s business. Now at the top of his career, he describes his version of entrepreneurship and looks outward to describe the effect of the shifting policies coming from Washington D.C.
Mr. Soeryadjaya is an alum of the USC Marshall School of Business.
Interviewed by Richard Drobnick, Direct...
2017-05-0222 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastAmbassador Robert Blake - How Indonesia epitomizes the complex trade issues facing the U.S.Former U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Robert Blake, takes us from local politics in Indonesia to the Trump Administration.
Who will be the new governor of Jakarta? The new president of Indonesia? How does the failure of the TPP drive Indonesia and India toward China? Does the idea of bilateral trade agreements promote U.S. business? In this edition of Business Class, we hear Ambassador Robert Blake connect the dots of how changes in U.S. policy sends complex ripples across the globe.
Interviewed by Richard Drobnick, Director of the USC IBEAR MBA Program.
2017-04-1717 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastIn Jip Yang - Managing the world’s best selling brand of spiritsIn Jip Yang goes in depth on building long term international business partnerships.
According to the New York times bestseller, The Drunken Botanist. “More Jinro soju is sold each year than all Smirnoff vodka, Bacardi Rum and Johnnie Walker Whisky combined.” In this interview we hear how Hite-Jinro built this powerhouse brand. Plus, we dig in to the subtleties of working with international partners, how Mr. Yang negotiated a hedged foreign exchange strategy and details as granular as successful product labeling.
The interviewer is Richard Drobnick, Director of the USC IBEAR MBA Program.
2017-04-0616 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastPatrick Yoon - International banking in a local marketPatrick Yoon, Managing Director at Standard Charted in Seoul, explains the path an international bank must take to do business in Korea. As one of only two international banks in the country, Standard Chartered must work under Korean regulations while competing globally. His team has instituted creative measures to bring younger employees, expand technology and still maintain the support of strong local unions.
The interviewer is Richard Drobnick, Director of the USC IBEAR MBA Program.
2017-03-1614 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastAndrew Wylegala - Opportunities for US Business in JapanIn an interview that took place outside of a Starbucks in downtown Tokyo, Andrew Wylegala brings new thought to US companies doing business in Japan. Regulations have been streamlined. Japan has the largest per capita R&D budget of any country. Japan and the U.S. sync up in many sectors which creates opportunities.
The interviewer is Richard Drobnick, Director of the USC IBEAR MBA Program.
2017-03-0312 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastBringing Back the House Call – Medical Startup Heal - Part 2Business Class Podcast - Greg Drobnick, USC Alum and Co-Founder of Heal, talks about how technology is taking us back to the future and helping fix our broken healthcare system.
In this presentation we listen in on Greg's visit to the USC IBEAR MBA classroom to describe the business side of Heal. He describes Heal's model of having top board certified physicians going back to the roots of medicine and visiting patients in their homes.
2017-02-1613 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastCreating a $30+ million healthcare startup - Heal Part 1Business Class Podcast - Greg Drobnick, Co-Founder of Heal, describes how the Heal App is recreating the world of your doctor making a house call.
In this presentation we listen in on Greg Drobnick’s visit to the USC IBEAR MBA classroom to describe the creation of an innovative personal healthcare startup. Greg takes the IBEAR students through a master class of how startup funding works. Heal has already raised $34 million in startup funding. Business Class will follow Heal and present additional episodes as the company progresses.
2017-02-0115 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastInvesting in China - Jack Wadsworth of Morgan StanleyBusiness Class Podcast - Jack Wadsworth of Morgan Stanley, talks venture funds and the realities of investing in China.
In this phone interview, Jack Wadsworth who developed Morgan Stanley’s Asia franchise, looks at venture investing in China. His analysis of growth rates, current programs to minimize corruption and the wish for Renminbi based investing brings unique insight.
The interviewer is Richard Drobnick, Director of the USC IBEAR MBA Program.
2017-01-1715 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastSidney Rittenberg - Part 2 - Deal MakingBusiness Class Podcast - Sidney Rittenberg: Deal making from Maurice Greenberg to Craig Barret to Deng Xiaoping. First hand insight on the business etiquette of international deal making and the meetings that unlocked bringing Intel in to China.
2017-01-0614 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastSidney Rittenberg Part 1 - Power & ChinaPart 1 – Sidney Rittenberg discusses China and the nature of power. A man with an amazing life that has ranged from being a private translator for Mao to helping unlock the deal that brought Intel to China.
2017-01-0213 min
Asia Pacific Business Forum PodcastEarly in to China – Ronnie ChanExpert Insight into the world of business.
In this edition of Business, Ronnie Chan, Chairman Hang Lung Properties Ltd, Co-Chair Asia Society, Trustee of the University of Southern California, looks back at the decisions and strategies that took Hang Lung properties very profitably in to the real estate market of China in the early 1990’s.
Business Class is a twice monthly Podcast produced by the USC IBEAR MBA program.
2016-12-2018 min