Conference 7.286::digital

    
    	Hey Sunil,  Thanks for some encouraging news!  We NEED
    encouragement today.
    
    	Today, 45 people here in DECdirect (as was) leave on Voluntary
    Redundancy (that is about half of them!) and that makes the day
    rather sad, so your encouraging news is all the more welcome!
    
    				Malcolm.

    Geeze ... I just have to ask: What the heck does Voluntary Redundancy
    mean?
    

      It means one month's pay per year of service (pro rata), no accrued
    holiday pay, no other lump sum. Only in the UK, only for selected
    groups (not MCS); seems to have been mainly sales and DC. Was announced
    about 6 weeks ago, you had to apply for it, not everyone was accepted,
    and not all areas were eligible, though it took a couple of weeks for
    the management to tell us that we (MCS) would not be allowed to take it.
    
      Basically a way of trying to reduce headcount without having to pay
    the full, more generous, package. They can't arbitrarily reduce the
    redundancy (aka TFSO) payments here, because UK and European employment
    laws are stricter than US ones. Apparently they did try to make people
    redundant with a reduced package earlier this year, and had their
    knuckles rapped. Unless the company actually goes bust, they are
    basically stuck with paying out the earlier, more generous package (1
    month per year + 3 months + accrued holiday pay) unless or until no-one
    has been made involuntarily redundant for at least 1 year. After that,
    the company _may_ be able to revert to the statutory minimum - 1 week
    per year + accrued holiday pay.
    
    Ken                            

    
    	The statutory minimum is actually a little higher and a little
    lower than Mr Ricketts quoted.
    
    	Firstly, the first two years of service don't count.
    
    	Secondly, if you are over 40 years old (I think) the the rate per
    year of service (subject to the above) goes up to 1.5 weeks pay per
    (qualifying) year of service.
    
    	Also, the DIGITAL package (involuntary) was in line with other
    companies at the time it was instituted, but they are now stuck with it.
    
    	And again, the cost of reducing headcount, is, I hear, lower in
    Great Britain than most other countries in Europe - especially France
    and Germany.
    
    	I am open to correction on any of the above, it is my understanding
    of the situation.
    
    				Malcolm who was once made redundant.
    					(but it was about 25 years ago!)

    G'day All,
    
    Please don't turn this topic into a "Bad News" topic.  There is a
    bright side to things and let's focus on that here.
    
    Regards,
    
    Sunil

    Digital plans South Asia hub
    	{South China Morning Post, September 27, 1994, Hong Kong}
    
       Growing demand has prompted Digital Equipment Corp to set up a PC
    Integration and Distribution Centre in Singapore to serve ASEAN,
    Vietnam, Bangladesh, India and Sri Landa.
       "The centre is being set up to make us more responsive to our
    customers in the region," Alan McMillan, director of Digital Asia's PC
    Business Unit, said.
       "Current market conditions demand shorter delivery cycles and higher
    levels of customer service."
       Fuelled by rapid economic growth and increased computerisation,
    South Asia has become one of Digital's key Asia-Pacific markets.
       Digital's PC Asia-Pacific business is expected to reach US$500
    million this year.
       The company is already among the top five PC vendors in Asia, having
    achieved a 300 per cent growth in business.
       The company said its estimated ASEAN revenue this year was $100
    million, and that it expected to make twice as much next year.
       It expects its share of the ASEAN PC market to continue to grow
    rapidly, with revenues rising from an estimated $100 million this year
    to double that in 1995.
       The Singapore complex will be a staging centre for distributing
    finished products throughout the region and for handling high-end,
    low-volume orders.
       The centre is expected to spend more than $20 million a year in
    Singapore to source components such as hard drives, sound cards and
    monitors, which will be integrated with the PC kernels shipped from
    Digital's ISO 9000 certified factory in Taiwan.
       The Singapore Integration centre will manage distribution throughout
    South Asia, while the Taiwan factory in Taiwan will continue to support
    Digital's PC business in China, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan.
       Mr McMillan said the centre would also enable Digital to increase
    its marketing and expand its regional network of distributors and
    dealers.
       The 30,00 square-foot centre will include configuration and assembly
    lines. It will initially employ 40 people, including staff from the
    Singapore PC Business Unit.
       Peter Hargraves, general manager of Digital's Singapore PC Business
    Unit, said the city was chosen for its world-class telecommunications,
    warehousing and distribution infrastructure, as well as a highly
    skilled and motivated workforce.

    Hi All,

    Another reason for opening this note was to make people aware of the
    new possibilities and the need to be *NOT* Europe or Americas
    concentric.

    Asians are highly educated and have invested in the education of their
    children.  We are not dumb or backward we have been recovering from
    colonialism and went through a period of adjustment many alliances are
    taking place that will no doubt shape trade in the future.  I feel that
    people must grow out of being focused on the two geographical areas and
    also become aware of other peoples cultures.  The days when western
    culture and languages were given such high regrade is disappearing and
    people want to be respected and also be respectful.  I think this is a
    very positive move and in Australia we have a growing need for Japanese
    speakers and Australia is now shifting towards Asia and wants to be
    part of that region.  It's estimated by 2020 we will have 35% of the
    population that will be Asian not bad for an Asian country to have 35%
    of the natives ;-) !!!!
    
    It frustrates me no end that I still find negative images of this
    region meaning it's cultures and people as well as it's positive
    contribution to the world.  Many people will think of poverty,
    hunger etc. but this is changing very fast and I believe unless Digital
    employees take the time to know more about this region we will not be
    sucessful in the long term.
    
    Too often I hear about the problems in the US and Europe and this does
    not help us in Asia.  We need to give a positive image of stability and
    a of a progressive company, it's about time we put the down sizing
    behind us and move forward.  We need to change our views it's no use
    just complaining about the state of this company any longer as this is
    not a good position to take, let's be positive.
    
    Just think people in Europe and the US have complained about
    immigration and have tended to discourage it.  Some of you may start to
    think about imgrating to Asia or at least your childern.  If you come
    to Australia you are coming to Asia just think about that.  And just
    think Australia is just another player in the Asia market and is not
    the centre for everything, other counries are taking the lead.
    
    Regards,
    
    Sunil

>>        -< We have to start thinking differently and respecting others >-
    
       Yes indeed.
    
>    speakers and Australia is now shifting towards Asia and wants to be
>    part of that region.  It's estimated by 2020 we will have 35% of the
>    population that will be Asian not bad for an Asian country to have 35%
>    of the natives ;-) !!!!
 
      What do you mean by Asian? Do you mean 'of Asian origin'? If they
    care born there, they will really be 'Japanese-Australians' or
    'Chinese-Australians' or whatever. Asia is a big place, with many races
    and ethnic groups, not all of whom have much respect for (or even
    tolerance of) each other. Americans and Europeans have no monopoly of
    prejudice, exploitation or ethnocentricity. In any case, I think the
    Aborigines would have something to say about such recent immigrants
    being classed as true 'natives' of Australia. They were there a long
    time before anyone else, after all!
    
    Ken

>    speakers and Australia is now shifting towards Asia and wants to be
>    part of that region.  It's estimated by 2020 we will have 35% of the
>    population that will be Asian not bad for an Asian country to have 35%
>    of the natives ;-) !!!!
    
    To be pendantic - Austrailia is not part of Asia. It's normally
    considered a separate continent.
    
    Peter

    re -1 and previous
    
    Where would Digital be without pedantic people...
    
    Note that Australian Govt is pushing like crazy the learning of
    'Asian' languages in the schools (Japanese and Korean to my
    knowledge), acknowledging that Asia will be *the* growth engine for the
    late 90s and early next century. If you have a spare few thousand $$,
    invest in an Australian targeted Mutual fund (Unit trust to us Brits).
    
    The Aussies have it right on this one. And Digital is right to invest
    in Asia; If we are also doing well there, then good for us.
    
    What if we built more of our stuff there too ? Maybe lower our
    maunfacturing cost (... EEK !... maybe increase Margin.... Danger...
    rathole approaching..)
    
    
    AW  :-)
    
    

    Well, Sethi's back.  Everyone sit back and relax and prepare to listen
    to long tirades on the colonialistic/imperialistic policies of the
    Western world, the inbred British, and the bigoted/backward Australians
    as juxtaposed to the hard-working, intelligent, but oppressed Asians
    (THAT word covers a lot of disparate groups...kinda like being 'White')
    
    If you love long-winded, diatribes involving distorted views of the
    world, you can research the OZ conference notes going back to his
    arrival on their shores.  I personally dropped the conference for this
    very reason.
    
    There's always gems and nuggets of wisdom available, whether you're
    listening to Dan Quayle, Khalid Muhammed, or Fidel Castro, but I often
    find the mining process too strenous and odiferous in this case.
    
    I'm sure this note will probably get deleted.  However, I have begun
    monitoring this string and will strenously protest all language,
    comments, and innuendos I find rascist, bigoted, prejuidiced, that
    affront my ethnicity (and THAT covers some ground, too), etc.

    Hi Ken and Peter,                                                     

    Much is changing in this region over the last few years the growth rate
    has made countries like Australia and the US take notice of this
    region.  Australian attitudes are changing but it will take time before
    Australians fully accept that they are part of Asia.  True the Koori's
    are the original people and I believe that the government is trying to
    address the issues of injustice of the past.

    >    To be pendantic - Austrailia is not part of Asia. It's normally
    >    considered a separate continent.

    It depends now days as I watch the ABC documentaries they are tending
    to explore the past and address this issue.  In the past  it was a
    deliberate  policy to define Australia as a seperate enitity in this
    region because of the White Australia policy.  Things have been
    changing for the better now days they actually show you how similar
    some of the geographical, flora and forna are to the Asian countries
    that are closest to Australia.  We are progressing slowly but surely in
    this region.  Much of the change has been caused by economic growth in
    the region.  Hence my comment about Asians being native to this region
    meaning that the Aussies are changing slowly and are seeing themselves
    as part of Asia some are taking it in their stride and others are not.
    
    I think that old attitudes have to change and it's true we have many
    problems amoungst Asians but economics is changing that.  I think
    countries will in the end have to put aside their difference for the
    betterment of all concerned.  I think people spend too much time
    focused on Europe and the US but there are regions were there is vast
    potential and growth, so it's not all bad news.  I guess I will leave
    it up to you all to think about things.
    
    Regards,
    
    Sunil

    >Australian attitudes are changing but it will take time before
    >Australians fully accept that they are part of Asia.
    
     my oh my wasn't there some kind of dispute if I remember around
    1940-1944 with the Japanese having a world view similar to this? Well
    Sunil I think maybe you would find it interesting to discuss this issue
    with some of those who felt for various reasons that they did (and
    maybe still do) not want to be classed as part of Asia.
    
    martin   

    Re .12
    
    You must be using an unusual definition of Asia, since by the normal
    definitions Europe is much closer than Australia, both geographically,
    and in terms of the flora and fauna. I suspose you are using some sort
    of political definition, but if you are not using the normal
    definition, you should explain what you do mean by 'Asia'. Otherwise
    there are likely to be misunderstandings, particulary as the
    redefinition of geographical terms was a common technique of Hitler.
    
    Peter 

>   <<< Note 3420.11 by DPDMAI::EYSTER "Seems Ah'm dancin' with cactus..." >>>
>                       -< One apple CAN spoil a barrel >-

	Just make sure that YOU are not that apple ;-).

    Perhaps an analogy might help sort out the various arguments.
    
    If someone were foolish enough to say "Ireland is part of the British
    Isles", they'd probably come in for a fair bit of abuse.  Such a
    description may be geographically apt, but for political and historical
    reasons is completely unacceptable to the Irish.  Or so I understand.
    So maps of that region read "Ireland *and* the British Isles".
    
    On the other hand, if you were to ask the Irish what their
    extra-national ecomonic grouping is, most would probably say that
    economically, they are part of Europe.  I expect that most British
    would say the same thing, although they wouldn't have a few years ago.
    
    Certainly, neither the Irish or the British would say that they are
    econimically a part of North America, despite the strong cultural
    and racial ties between both those countries and the United States.
    The wars fought in the past with some European countries, and the
    various forms of colonialism suffered by both countries (farther 
    back for Britian, but still there) aren't relevant to the issue of
    whom their main trading partners are today.
    
    Anyway, I think that assertions about Australia's history and cultural
    or geographic identity need to be carefully distinguished from
    assertions about whom Australia economic trading partners are now
    or will/should be in the future.  Then maybe the argument will be
    more constructive.
    
    	Enjoy,
    	Larry

Regardless of what it's *exact* makeup may be all the
business news I've been reading seems to refer to the
Pacific Rim as the boomtown of business for the century.

And I doubt that they will escape the same petty nationalistic
bickering that has plagued the western world. liesl

Hmm...
I'm in Seattle.
Seattle is part of the Pacific Rim.
Does that mean that I'm Asian???

    re: .16
    
    Perhaps a better analogy would be to say "North America is part of
    Asia", on the basis that (1) the tip of North America (Alaska) is very
    close to Asia, and (2) historically, there have been many waves of
    migration from Asia into North America -- although most of them don't
    have a whole lot of influence on what Canada and the U.S. are now.
    
    For what seems to be intended in this topic, Pacific Rim seems to be a
    more contemporary term, as mentioned in .17.  Of course, a strict
    definition of that term would include Russia and all Pacific-bordering
    nations of North and South America.
    
    How does anybody ever communicate, anyway? :-)
    
    -Mark

    "Continents and alliances have been shifted to further the
    base author's premise.   Checking maps could further jeopardize
    understanding of the base-noter's premises.  It is recommended that
    history books not be used in conjunction with this string.  Please
    avoid all economic reports broken down by country.  Those living in 
    Seattle and Russia will be issued chopsticks an an as-needed basis."
    

    Yup, seems like as a European I'm in danger of being classed with the
    dinosaurs if I won't accept the realities of the New World Order.
    
    hohum.
    
    martin 

    One of my customers at The City of Cincinnati, Shaoli Huang, recently
    visited some family and friends in China.  He asked me for the name and
    phone number of someone in Digital Asia who would be responsible for
    setting up a new Distributor/Reseller arrangement in China.  Some of
    his friends are very interested in reselling Digital PC's and Alpha's.
    Please advise with a name and outside phone #...

    Is your friend interested in a specific line of business for reselling
    (e.g. networks, Alphas, services, etc)? THis might help to get the
    right name. 
    
    Debbie 
    (Asia Pacific Network Services)
    

    They are interested in selling Digital PC's and AlphaStations and
    AlphaServers...Thanks in advance for your help!

    Beijing office # is [86] 1 849 2888, fax 849 2222.
    
    I don't know the name of the channels person there but they should get
    through to the right person by asking for the branch manager of
    channels manager.
    
    Alternatively if you send me details of the interested company I will
    get this through to our Beijing office.
    
    Axel
    

    The general manager of Digital China is Paul Chan @hgo if all else
    fails.
    
    Debbie
    

    Thanks for the prompt response to my question about reseller contacts
    for Digital China...Michael Eck

    re .26  Paul Chan is no longer with the company.  For SBU (Alpha)
    reseller information start with Bobby Choonavala (VP AP SBU/ABU) since
    I do not know what the SBU China situation is today.
    
    For PCBU, contact Winnie Chow @BEJ (or @HGO).  She is the PCBU
    General Manager for the PRC.
    
    
    Jeff Gustafson
    General Manager, Korea PCBU
    

    Hi All,

    It's been over a year since I entered the base note !!

    During that time the countries of the Asian region have been growing in
    size (economically) each year, some have doubled in size.

    There is a tremendous change in the region and also a bit of a back
    lash.  The back lash I predict will really start to happen as countries
    are being forced to accept "western" culture and giants such as KFC and
    MacDonald's and satellite tv.  Some of the satellite tv players have
    started to realise that they have to change the contents of their
    programming otherwise they will lose their market share as local
    players enter the market.  Customers have been voting with their "feet".

    I think this company can rise above all of this and adapt it's self
    better to local market conditions providing it respects local culture. 
    What would be a very good act of faith in the region would be a visit
    by our CEO to the region.  This region has so much to offer and there
    is a market that we can develop that will in the long term be bigger in
    size then our "traditional" markets.

    There as also some rumbling in ASEAN (Association of South East Asian
    Nations) at the inclusion of Canada, US, Australia and NZ in the
    association.  These rumblings represent the growing confidence in the
    region of our future, Asian feel that they have more control over their
    future.
    
    What I feel is that we really need to show the region that Digital is
    seeing the wider picture and wants to be part of the region.  We can do
    that by repecting the local culture and taking an active part in the
    development of the region.  From my experience I have felt the "stuffy"
    old image expressed by some companies that turn their noses up at
    Asians because they don't meet "their" standards. This is a wrong move
    and can be damaging in the long term.
    
    There is a big market in countries like India, China and Indoneasia to
    mention a few nations.  Asia is booming and I am sure our end of year
    results will reflect that.
    
    Regards,
    
    Sunil

    Sunil,
       I question your comment about Asians being "forced to accept
    "western" culture. I spend a great deal of my time in Asia and have
    seen a noticeable change in how many of the McDonald's, KFCs, TCBYs,
    etc. are popping up in the various contries. As you said, the customers
    "vote with their feet" and if there is one thing these companies are
    good at its putting their stores where they will make MONEY! The
    consumers are "voting" to increase western culture in many countries
    but providing the western stores a booming monetary incentive with
    their business. I agree that the culture is shifting, and that may not
    be goodness, but I disagree that anyone is "forcing" this change,
    except perhaps the younger generation of Asians.
    
    Debbie
    

    .29
    
    Sunil, I'm not sure if your message relates to a general culture shift
    in the Asian countries or more specifically to Digital in Asia
    Pacific.  The first should probably be discussed in Soapbox or
    somewhere similar.
    
    On Digital in Asia Pacific; the growth and opportunities are well
    appreciated at "corporate".  Digital AP is headquartered in Singapore
    and the country operations are run as local companies.  With very few
    exceptions the country managers are locals and the staff within each
    country is local.
    
    Local partners are valued and clearly a key to growing in the local
    markets.
    
    There are major efforts in marketing, engineering and manufacturing to
    ensure products, programs and communications are localized and
    available as closely as possible to the release of English material. 
    It's not perfect but certainly receiving lots of attention.
    
    There is no chance of us "forcing" acceptance of our products. The
    reason we do well in AP is because we have the right people in place
    and we meet local market requirements.
    
    By the way - refering to Asia Pacific and Asia is very misleading.  It
    is well understood here and in Singapore that Asia Pacific (the Digital
    entity) is comprised of many individual countries, each presenting a
    different business environment.  We need to tailor our message and
    products to each to take advantage of the growth opportunities.
    
    Axel