BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
In order to internationalize their brands and reach a wider audience of consumers, more Taiwan businesses, including bike businesses, are recruiting Western talent into their ranks.
As its brands seek wider global recognition, Taiwanese companies are increasiingly hiring Westerners into their design, marketing and business development divisions.
Australian Kain Galliver, a designer at Pacific Cycles, said:
"Taiwan is a prominent hub where many of the world’s best designers and innovators come together to develop world class products. The companies that have a deeper understanding of the subtle, yet profound differences in cultures can tap into unique advantages across many aspects of business and product markets."
Mature Taiwanese brands have learned from their OEM experience and see enormous opportunities in developing and marketing products under their own name. As they work to develop their brand recognition, these companies are recruiting more Westerners to join and in some cases lead their marketing divisions.
Tern Bicycles hired Chinese-American Eric Mah as project manager of consumer marketing. Mah noted how a friendly and accommodating local environment for English-speakers forms an incentive for Westerners considering opportunities in Taiwan.
"Friendly people, excellent infrastructure and a vibrant social and cultural life makes living and working here fun and interesting," said Mah.
According to statistics from the National Immigration Agency under the Ministry of the Interior, there were a total of 4613 foreign business workers in Taiwan’s labor force in 2013. The majority originating from Western countries came from America, with the rest originating from France, the UK, and Germany, respectively.
