Since I started my career in the mid-1980s, I have traveled around the world and enjoyed the world, which wouldn't be easy if I was in another industry. When I was young, I set a goal to travel to 300 cities around the world, and now I have traveled to more than 100 cities in China, 100 cities in Asia outside of China, and more than 100 cities in Europe and America.
Traveling may not really be that relaxing, but before each trip I would read something related to my destination, such as its culture.
Before I went on a trip to Israel, I read books about Israel and learned about Via Crucis and the Western Wall; while I was traveling, I also read "Jerusalem: The Biograpghy," "Mornings in Jenin," "A Spice Odyssey," "The Kite Runner," "My Father's Paradise," and "The Crossing Place: A Journey Among The Armenians." These books made my journey less like a postman in a constant hurry.
I have read several books about the Northern Song Dynasty as a result of my travels to the historical region of "16 Prefectures" in northern China. I have read books about the Chinese communists' "Long March," and I have visited some of the places along their route.
In the mid-19th century, my family moved to Taiwan from China. When I traveled to the Taiwan makers' production bases in the Yangtze River Delta in China, I visited the historical sites in Suzhou and learned that the battles of Ningbo and Shanghai were the turning points of the fate of the Boxer Uprising. A historian may not necessarily be a strategist, but a strategist is necessarily an amateur historian. And it is impossible for me to do industrial analysis without knowing anything about the region.
When I was stationed in the US, I studied how BestBuy sold computers; when I was stationed in Silicon Valley, I went to CompUSA every week trying to understand how their business strategies worked. When I had time, I would drive along the US Highway 1 and twice I drove all the way from Maryland to Florida. I'm an eager traveler and an avid reader.
I have been to India nearly 20 times and read dozens of books about India. I understand its geography and history quite well. In addition, I also know that India sells 3.8 million cars and 20 million motorcycles annually, and the number one car brand is Maruti Suzuki. For companies that want to do business in India, it is crucial that they grasp the key issues.
I travel to Japan quited often and have lived in South Korea for two years. I speak Korean, which is an advantage for me. The future world of technology will be co-constructed by the US, China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Taiwan is right at the core of this world. How can the electronics inudstry be boring?
