The Asian Business Consulting (ABC) Program 2024/25, a collaborative initiative between distinguished universities, offers students a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the region’s business and cultural practices. Designed to foster cross-cultural understanding and provide insights into business processes within an “Asian context,” National Taiwan University’s GMBA Program proudly hosted this year’s program. Participants were immersed in Taiwan’s vibrant entrepreneurial and cultural landscape, enhancing their professional and personal growth.
 

Bringing together students and faculty from SolBridge International School of Business (Korea), Prasetya Mulya University (Indonesia), and National Taiwan University (Taiwan), the program placed a strong emphasis on collaboration across cultures, hands-on consulting projects, and real-world business insights. It served as an invaluable platform for participants to engage with Taiwan’s dynamic business ecosystem while deepening their understanding of Asian markets.
 

The program’s rich itinerary included company visits, interactive business meetings, networking opportunities with local industry leaders, and thought-provoking discussions led by expert professors from partner universities. Participants explored Taiwan’s business environment through a structured curriculum, tackled cross-cultural management challenges, and delved into innovation strategies and market expansion opportunities.

Online Sessions: Laying the Foundation

Before the in-person program, participants attended two interactive online sessions designed to equip them with essential knowledge and insights. These sessions played a crucial role in preparing participants for the hands-on consulting and business interactions they would experience in Taiwan. By introducing key concepts early, the online sessions ensured that participants arrived with a strong foundational understanding, allowing them to engage more effectively with real-world business challenges.
 

The first session focused on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and business process transformation. Participants explored sustainable business models, innovative entrepreneurial strategies, and the critical role of business process transformation in driving efficiency and growth. These discussions helped them understand how businesses adapt to changing markets while maintaining long-term sustainability—a crucial perspective for consulting on business challenges in Taiwan’s dynamic economy.
 

The second session covered employee retention in multicultural firms, strategic management, and global branding. Participants examined how companies build strong teams across cultures, enhance employee satisfaction, and develop branding strategies to compete in global markets. These insights provided valuable context for understanding Taiwan’s business landscape and equipped participants with practical frameworks to apply in discussions with local business leaders.
 

Day 1: Immersive Welcome: Exploring NTU and Taiwan's Business World
 

The first day of the program focused on fostering connections and providing participants with a strong foundation for the week ahead. The Opening Ceremony set an inspiring tone, as NTU faculty welcomed participants and emphasized the program’s commitment to collaboration, cross-cultural learning, and innovation.
 

A campus tour offered a glimpse into NTU’s dynamic academic environment, blending tradition with modernity. As participants explored the university’s facilities, they gained a deeper appreciation for its role as a hub for research, business, and entrepreneurship.
 

In the afternoon, team-building activities encouraged collaboration and strengthened bonds among participants. These interactive exercises not only broke the ice but also laid the groundwork for effective teamwork in the consulting projects to come. A subsequent lecture provided a bridge from theory to practice, connecting academic insights with a practical consulting approach and clarifying the consultant's role within that framework.
 

The day concluded with an insightful lecture on Taiwan’s business ecosystem, providing valuable context on the country’s economic landscape, key industries, and entrepreneurial culture. The Welcome Dinner that followed created an atmosphere of camaraderie, allowing participants to connect in a more informal setting while looking forward to the experiences ahead.
 

Day 2: Multi-Industry Immersion: Innovation and Insights
 

The second day of the program provided participants with a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s business landscape by exploring industries that reflect the country’s evolution from the Asian Tiger era to its thriving startup ecosystem. Through company visits, participants gained insights into Taiwan’s entrepreneurial resilience, innovation, and global influence.
 

At Heroic Faith (聿信醫療器材科技股份有限公司), a med-tech startup, participants witnessed Taiwan’s commitment to technological advancement in the healthcare sector. The visit demonstrated how startups in Taiwan are driving innovation and competing on a global scale, proving that entrepreneurial success can thrive even in highly specialized industries.

A visit to Chun Shui Tang (春水堂) offered a historical perspective, highlighting Taiwan’s transformation during the Asian Tiger era. As the birthplace of bubble tea, the company exemplifies how traditional businesses can evolve into global brands, showcasing Taiwan’s ability to blend heritage with modern business strategies. Participants also had the opportunity to enjoy lunch at Chun Shui Tang’s branch in Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, immersing themselves in an iconic cultural setting while experiencing Taiwan’s renowned tea culture firsthand.
 

The final stop at Ideal Venture Studio (理想創業工場) shed light on Taiwan’s startup ecosystem. Through conversations with the director, participants explored the challenges and opportunities of launching a business both in Taiwan and outside Taiwan, gaining valuable insights into how startups navigate the market and establish themselves in competitive industries.
 

By bridging Taiwan’s industrial past with its innovative present, these visits provided students with a comprehensive view of the country’s business evolution, from tradition-driven enterprises to groundbreaking startups shaping the future.
 

Midweek sessions were designed to strengthen participants' consulting expertise and cultural understanding. The day began with a lecture on "Practicing Management Consulting in Asia," where participants were introduced to actionable frameworks tailored to address the region's unique business challenges. This session provided valuable tools to help participants navigate the complexities of consulting in Asia.
 

Following this, a virtual session on the integration of technology and finance in consulting explored how digital tools and financial strategies are reshaping the consulting landscape. The session highlighted how participants could leverage emerging technologies to tackle real-world business problems, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve in today’s evolving business environment.

In the afternoon, the group embarked on a Cultural Tour, beginning with a visit to the National Palace Museum, where participants explored the country's cultural history. The tour continued to the Martyr’s Shrine to see the changing of the guards, and be amazed by their discipline and military service. The day concluded with a visit to Taipei 101, an iconic symbol of Taiwan's economic development and innovation. The tour not only offered a glimpse into Taiwan's rich history and vibrant traditions but also illustrated the influence of culture on business practices in the region.
 

Day 4: Experts and Professional Insights on Case Studies
 

Day 4 offered participants a flexible schedule, allowing them to tailor their activities based on their team’s needs. The focus of the day was on refining consulting strategies with expert guidance and enhancing the quality of their recommendations.
 

Some groups held online meetings with their companies, providing an opportunity to gather additional insights and clarify key points directly with company representatives. These virtual discussions were crucial in refining their solutions and ensuring that their recommendations aligned with the specific needs of the businesses they were consulting for.
 

Other teams chose to stay on campus, gathering in informal settings like the student lounge to brainstorm and collaborate on refining their presentations. These relaxed settings encouraged open dialogue, helping participants consolidate their findings and enhance their strategies.

In addition, dedicated office hours with NTU professors allowed teams to receive tailored feedback, ensuring their solutions were both innovative and practical. The expert guidance helped teams fine-tune their approaches and strengthen their presentations.
 

By the end of the day, students had made significant progress, in developing actionable and well-rounded solutions for Taiwanese companies. Day 4 highlighted the program’s emphasis on self-directed learning and collaboration, giving participants the tools to move forward with their final presentations confidently.
 

Day 5: Showcasing Excellence and Celebrating Success
 

The program concluded with the much-anticipated final presentations, where participants could showcase their consulting solutions to a distinguished panel of judges, including professors from each university, the GMBA director, the Dean of NTU College of Management. and company representatives. These presentations, held after lunch, marked the culmination of a week filled with learning, teamwork, and innovative problem-solving.
 

Before lunch, participants had dedicated time to discuss and refine their decks, ensuring that their presentations were polished and well-prepared for the final session. This time allowed teams to incorporate any last-minute feedback and make final adjustments to their strategies.
 

The presentations reflected the participants' ability to integrate cultural insights with strategic business solutions, impressing the judges with their thorough research and thoughtful recommendations. The panel praised the participants for their ability to understand the complexities of Taiwanese business practices and how they applied this knowledge to create practical, forward-thinking solutions.
 

Following the presentations, the program culminated in a Farewell Dinner, where achievements were celebrated, and participants had the chance to reflect on the week’s experiences. The evening marked the conclusion of an unforgettable journey that fostered personal and professional growth, cross-cultural understanding, and lasting connections.

Day 5 was a fitting end to the program, offering a moment of reflection and celebration for all participants, who left with a sense of accomplishment and new skills that would shape their future careers as global business leaders.

Conclusion

The ABC Program 2024 was a transformative experience that combined academic rigor, practical consulting, and cultural exploration. Participants not only honed their business skills but also built lifelong connections and gained a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s entrepreneurial and cultural landscape. This program exemplifies the commitment of three Universities to empowering future leaders and remains a must-join opportunity for those seeking to excel in a globalized world.

Info Session Agenda (Taipei Time):