【 一封 Co-founder & CEO Brian Chesky 的來信 (中英對照)】
早上晨讀時看到 Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky 宣布裁員 25% 的公開信。讀完覺得富有同理心並思考周到,很值得每位 CEO 參考。
其中一些對於離職員工的就業支持都很值得我們借鏡。雖然 Airbnb 有的資源比很多公司還多。但說不定有什麼是創業家們能參考的,為離職的夥伴多做一些。
為了讓更多人可以看到跟夥伴合作翻譯了一下,不通順的地方請見諒、歡迎在 google doc 提交修改建議。
Google Doc 中英對照版:https://docs.google.com/…/1ctHqdvPxi3USzT1sxzabkcJhFcWlfkg…/
原文:https://news.airbnb.com/a-message-from-co-founder-and-ceo-…/
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今天稍早,Airbnb 聯合創辦人兼執行長 Brian Chesky 向 Airbnb 員工發送了以下訊息。
Earlier today, Airbnb Co-Founder and CEO Brian Chesky sent the following note to Airbnb employees.
這是我第七次在我家裡與各位發表談話。過去每次我們談話時,有好消息也有壞消息,然而今天我不得不分享一些非常令人難過的消息。
This is my seventh time talking to you from my house. Each time we’ve talked, I’ve shared good news and bad news, but today I have to share some very sad news.
當你們問我關於裁員的問題時,我曾說過沒有什麼不可能發生的事。今天,我必須坦承,我們正在縮減 Airbnb 的員工規模。對於像我們這樣一家以歸屬感為使命的公司來說,這是非常難以面對的,對於那些不得不離開 Airbnb 的人來說更是難上加難。我將盡可能詳細地分享我是如何做出這個決定的、我們正在為那些離開的人做什麼、以及接下來會有哪些事發生。
When you’ve asked me about layoffs, I’ve said that nothing is off the table. Today, I must confirm that we are reducing the size of the Airbnb workforce. For a company like us whose mission is centered around belonging, this is incredibly difficult to confront, and it will be even harder for those who have to leave Airbnb. I am going to share as many details as I can on how I arrived at this decision, what we are doing for those leaving, and what will happen next.
先從我們是如何作出這項決定的開始。我們正在共同經歷我們一生中最痛苦的危機,隨著危機的開始,全球旅行業都陷入停滯。Airbnb 的業務受到了重大的打擊,今年的收入預計不到 2019 年的一半。為了應對這場危機,我們籌措了 20 億美元的資金、大幅削減了成本,幾乎觸及了 Airbnb 的每一個角落。
Let me start with how we arrived at this decision. We are collectively living through the most harrowing crisis of our lifetime, and as it began to unfold, global travel came to a standstill. Airbnb’s business has been hit hard, with revenue this year forecasted to be less than half of what we earned in 2019. In response, we raised $2 billion in capital and dramatically cut costs that touched nearly every corner of Airbnb.
採取這些行動是必要的,但很顯然,當我們面對兩個嚴峻的事實時,我們必須更進一步:
1. 我們不知道旅遊什麼時候會復甦。
2. 當旅遊業復甦時,將有截然不同的樣貌。
While these actions were necessary, it became clear that we would have to go further when we faced two hard truths:
1. We don’t know exactly when travel will return.
2. When travel does return, it will look different.
雖然我們知道 Airbnb 的業務終將恢復,但它所承受的變化不會是臨時或是短暫的。於是,我們需要對 Airbnb 做出更多根本性的改變,縮減人力規模以專注在更核心的商業策略。每天都有人們共享自己的房子、並提供各式各樣的體驗。
While we know Airbnb’s business will fully recover, the changes it will undergo are not temporary or short-lived. Because of this, we need to make more fundamental changes to Airbnb by reducing the size of our workforce around a more focused business strategy.
在我們 7500 名 Airbnb 員工中,近 1900 名成員將不得不離開 Airbnb,佔我們公司的 25% 左右。由於我們不能像過去那樣顧及每項業務,透過人力的裁減,我們將會更聚焦於特定的業務上。
Out of our 7,500 Airbnb employees, nearly 1,900 teammates will have to leave Airbnb, comprising around 25% of our company. Since we cannot afford to do everything that we used to, these cuts had to be mapped to a more focused business.
▍更聚焦的業務
未來在這世界旅行將截然不同,我們需要相對應地讓 Airbnb 進化改變。人們會希望有更像家、更安全、更經濟實惠的選擇。人們也會渴望某種感覺被奪走的東西——人與人之間的連結。當我們創立 Airbnb 時,它是建立於歸屬感和連結之上。這場危機使我們更加專注於根本、最基礎的事物、讓我們回到 Airbnb 真正的特別之處——每天都有人們共享自己的房子、並提供各式各樣的體驗。
這意味著,我們將需要減少對不直接支持我們的房東社區核心活動的投資。我們暫停了在運輸部門和 Airbnb Studio 方面的努力,我們不得不縮減在飯店和 Lux 的投資。
這些決定和這些團隊成員的表現無關,也不意味著這些團隊的每個人都會離開我們。除此之外,所有 Airbnb 的團隊都將受到影響。許多團隊的規模將根據他們與 Airbnb 的發展方向的對應程度進行縮減。
▍A more focused business
Travel in this new world will look different, and we need to evolve Airbnb accordingly. People will want options that are closer to home, safer, and more affordable. But people will also yearn for something that feels like it’s been taken away from them — human connection. When we started Airbnb, it was about belonging and connection. This crisis has sharpened our focus to get back to our roots, back to the basics, back to what is truly special about Airbnb — everyday people who host their homes and offer experiences.
This means that we will need to reduce our investment in activities that do not directly support the core of our host community. We are pausing our efforts in Transportation and Airbnb Studios, and we have to scale back our investments in Hotels and Lux.
These decisions are not a reflection of the work from people on these teams, and it does not mean everyone on these teams will be leaving us. Additionally, teams across all of Airbnb will be impacted. Many teams will be reduced in size based on how well they map to where Airbnb is headed.
▍我們如何進行縮編
重要的是,我們要有一套明確的原則,以我們的核心價值觀為指導,指導我們如何減少我們的勞動力。這些是我們的指導原則:
• 將所有縮減過的業務範疇和我們將需要的人手一一對應。
• 為那些受到影響的人盡可能提供協助。
• 在過程中持續地保持團隊多樣性。
• 為那些受影響的人提供一對一的溝通。
• 等到所有細節都確定後再進行決策溝通 —— 僅部分訊息的透明會讓事情變得更糟。
我已經盡了最大的努力來堅持這些原則。
▍How we approached reductions
It was important that we had a clear set of principles, guided by our core values, for how we would approach reductions in our workforce. These were our guiding principles:
• Map all reductions to our future business strategy and the capabilities we will need.
• Do as much as we can for those who are impacted.
• Be unwavering in our commitment to diversity.
• Optimize for 1:1 communication for those impacted.
• Wait to communicate any decisions until all details are landed — transparency of only partial information can make matters worse.
I have done my best to stay true to these principles.
▍還原決策過程
決策過程開始於建構一個更聚焦業務戰略的成本結構。我們評估了每個團隊如何適應我們的新戰略,並確定了每個團隊未來的規模和形式。緊接著,我們對每個團隊成員進行了全面地檢視,並根據關鍵技能以及這些技能與我們未來業務需求的匹配程度做出了決策。
結果是,我們將不得不與我們所熱愛和珍視的隊友們分道揚鑣。有很優秀的夥伴離開了 Airbnb,其他公司有他們的加入著實幸運。
為了照顧那些即將離開的員工,我們一一檢視了遣散、股權、醫療保健和就業支持,並盡最大努力以同理並周詳的方式對待每個人。
▍Process for making reductions
Our process started with creating a more focused business strategy built on a sustainable cost model. We assessed how each team mapped to our new strategy, and we determined the size and shape of each team going forward. We then did a comprehensive review of every team member and made decisions based on critical skills, and how well those skills matched our future business needs.
The result is that we will have to part with teammates that we love and value. We have great people leaving Airbnb, and other companies will be lucky to have them. To take care of those that are leaving, we have looked across severance, equity, healthcare, and job support and done our best to treat everyone in a compassionate and thoughtful way.
▍資遣費
Airbnb 在美國的員工將獲得 14 周的基礎工資,每滿一年額外增加一周。任期將四捨五入到最近的一年。例如,如果有人在 Airbnb 工作了 3 年 7 個月,他們將獲得額外 4 周的工資,或 18 周的總工資。在美國以外,所有員工都將獲得至少 14 周的工資,外加與其所在國家的具體做法一致的任期加薪。
▍Severance
Employees in the US will receive 14 weeks of base pay, plus one additional week for every year at Airbnb. Tenure will be rounded to the nearest year. For example, if someone has been at Airbnb for 3 years and 7 months, they will get an additional 4 weeks of salary, or 18 weeks of total pay. Outside the US, all employees will receive at least 14 weeks of pay, plus tenure increases consistent with their country-specific practices.
▍股權
我們將為過去一年內聘用的所有員工移除需待滿第一年的股權到期限制,這樣所有離職的員工,無論他們在公司工作了多長時間,都可以是 Airbnb 的股東。此外,所有離開的人都有資格以 5月25日作為行權日。
▍Equity
We are dropping the one-year cliff on equity for everyone we’ve hired in the past year so that everyone departing, regardless of how long they have been here, is a shareholder. Additionally, everyone leaving is eligible for the May 25 vesting date.
▍健康保險
在一場持續時間未知的全球健康危機中,我們希望限制醫療成本總負擔。在美國,我們將通過COBRA 覆蓋 12 個月的健康保險。在所有其他國家,我們將支付到 2020 年底的醫療保險費用。這是因為我們如非是在法律上不能繼續承保,就是我們目前的計劃將不允許延長。我們額外將透過 KonTerra 提供四個月的心理健康支持。
▍Healthcare
In the midst of a global health crisis of unknown duration, we want to limit the burden of healthcare costs. In the US, we will cover 12 months of health insurance through COBRA. In all other countries, we will cover health insurance costs through the end of 2020. This is because we’re either legally unable to continue coverage, or our current plans will not allow for an extension. We will also provide four months of mental health support through KonTerra.
▍就業支持
我們的目標是幫助離開 Airbnb 的隊友找到新的工作機會。以下是我們可以提供幫助的五種方式:
• 校友人才目錄 —— 我們將推出一個面向公眾的網站,幫助即將離職的隊友找到新工作。即將離職的員工可以選擇將個人資料、簡歷和工作樣本提供給潛在的雇主。
• 校友安置團隊 —— 在 2020 年的剩餘時間裡,Airbnb 招聘的很大一部分將成為校友安置團隊。留在 Airbnb 的招聘人員將為離職員工提供支持,幫助他們找到下一份工作。
• RiseSmart —— 我們通過 RiseSmart 公司提供四個月的職業服務,該公司專門提供職業轉換和就業安置服務。
• 員工提供校友支持 —— 我們鼓勵所有留下的員工選擇加入一個計劃,以幫助離職的隊友找到他們的下一個職位。
• 筆記型電腦 —— 電腦是找到新工作的重要工具,所以我們允許所有離職的人保留他們的蘋果筆電。
▍Job support
Our goal is to connect our teammates leaving Airbnb with new job opportunities. Here are five ways we can help:
• Alumni Talent Directory — We will be launching a public-facing website to help teammates leaving find new jobs. Departing employees can opt-in to have profiles, resumes, and work samples accessible to potential employers.
• Alumni Placement Team — For the remainder of 2020, a significant portion of Airbnb Recruiting will become an Alumni Placement Team. Recruiters that are staying with Airbnb will provide support to departing employees to help them find their next job.
• RiseSmart — We are offering four months of career services through RiseSmart, a company that specializes in career transition and job placement services.
• Employee Offered Alumni Support
We are encouraging all remaining employees to opt-in to a program to assist departing teammates find their next role.
• Laptops - A computer is an important tool to find new work, so we are allowing everyone leaving to keep their Apple laptops.
▍接下來會發生什麼呢?
我想盡快讓你們所有人知曉狀況。我們在 24 個國家/地區擁有員工,根據當地法律和慣例,提供清晰說明所需的時間各不相同。一些國家要求以非常具體的方式收到解僱通知。雖然我們的流程可能因國家而異,但我們在為每一位員工制定計劃時都力求做到深思熟慮。
在美國和加拿大,我可以提供直接的信息。在接下來的幾個小時內,即將離開 Airbnb 的人將收到一份日曆邀請函,邀請你們與本部門的一位高層領導參加離職會議。對我們來說,重要的是,在法律允許的範圍內,人們可以通過 1:1 的個人對話獲得信息。美國和加拿大離職員工的最後一個工作日將是 5月11日(星期一)。我們認為,週一將給人們時間開始採取下一步行動,並且有機會道別——我們理解並尊重這一點有多麼重要。
一些留下來的員工將賦予新的職位,並將收到主題為「新職位」的會議邀請,以瞭解更多相關信息。對於那些在美國和加拿大的 Airbnb 團隊成員,你將不會收到日曆邀請。
▍Here is what will happen next
I want to provide clarity to all of you as soon as possible. We have employees in 24 countries, and the time it will take to provide clarity will vary based on local laws and practices. Some countries require notifications about employment to be received in a very specific way. While our process may differ by country, we have tried to be thoughtful in planning for every employee. In the US and Canada, I can provide immediate clarity. Within the next few hours, those of you leaving Airbnb will receive a calendar invite to a departure meeting with a senior leader in your department.
It was important to us that wherever we legally could, people were informed in a personal, 1:1 conversation. The final working day for departing employees based in the US and Canada will be Monday, May 11. We felt Monday would give people time to begin taking next steps and say goodbye — we understand and respect how important this is.
Some employees who are staying will have a new role, and will receive a meeting invite with the subject “New Role” to learn more about it. For those of you in the US and Canada who are staying on the Airbnb team, you will not receive a calendar invite.
太平洋時間下午6點,我將為我們的亞太團隊主持一個 world@ 全球會議。太平洋時間上午12點,我將為我們的歐洲和中東團隊主持一個 world@ 全球會議。在每次會議之後,我們將根據當地的做法在每個國家開展下一步工作。
出於對我們受到影響的隊友的尊重,我已經要求所有
Airbnb 的負責人等到本週末再召集他們的團隊。我想給大家接下來的幾天時間來處理這個問題,我將在太平洋時間本週四下午 4 點再次主持一場 CEO 問答。
At 6pm pacific time, I will host a world@ meeting for our Asia-Pacific teams. At 12am pacific time, I will host a world@ meeting for our Europe and Middle East teams. Following each of these meetings, we’ll proceed with next steps in each country based on local practices.
I’ve asked all Airbnb leaders to wait to bring their teams together until the end of this week out of respect to our teammates being impacted. I want to give everyone the next few days to process this, and I’ll host a CEO Q&A again this Thursday at 4pm pacific time.
▍一些最後的話
正如我在過去八周所瞭解到的,危機讓你清楚什麼才是真正重要的。雖然我們經歷了一場旋風,但有些事情對我來說比以往任何時候都清楚。
首先,我要感謝 Airbnb 的每一個人。在這段痛苦的經歷中,你們所有人都激勵了我。即使在最糟糕的情況下,我也看到了我們最好的一面。世界現在比以往任何時候都更需要人與人之間的聯繫,我知道 Airbnb 會在這種時空背景下崛起。我相信這一點,正因為我相信你們。
第二,我對各位有一種深深的愛。我們的任務不僅僅是旅行。當我們創建 Airbnb 時,我們最初的口號是「像個人一般旅行」,人的部分總是比旅行的部分更重要。我們所關心的是歸屬感,而歸屬感的核心是愛。
▍Some final words
As I have learned these past eight weeks, a crisis brings you clarity about what is truly important. Though we have been through a whirlwind, some things are more clear to me than ever before.
First, I am thankful for everyone here at Airbnb. Throughout this harrowing experience, I have been inspired by all of you. Even in the worst of circumstances, I’ve seen the very best of us. The world needs human connection now more than ever, and I know that Airbnb will rise to the occasion. I believe this because I believe in you.
Second, I have a deep feeling of love for all of you. Our mission is not merely about travel. When we started Airbnb, our original tagline was, “Travel like a human.” The human part was always more important than the travel part. What we are about is belonging, and at the center of belonging is love.
對於留下來的你們,
我們向那些即將離開的人致敬的最重要方式之一,是讓他們知道他們的貢獻是重要的,他們將永遠是 Airbnb 故事中的一部分。我相信,他們的貢獻將繼續下去,就像我們的使命將持續不斷一般。
對於那些離開 Airbnb 的人,
我真的很抱歉。請知道這不是你的錯。世界永遠不會停止渴望你們帶給 Airbnb 的品質和才華……正是你們成就了 Airbnb。我衷心感謝你們與我們分享你們的天賦。
布萊恩
To those of you staying, One of the most important ways we can honor those who are leaving is for them to know that their contributions mattered, and that they will always be part of Airbnb’s story. I am confident their work will live on, just like this mission will live on.
To those leaving Airbnb, I am truly sorry. Please know this is not your fault. The world will never stop seeking the qualities and talents that you brought to Airbnb…that helped make Airbnb. I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for sharing them with us.
Brian
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【 一封 Co-founder & CEO Brian Checksy 的來信 (中英對照)】
中英對照:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ctHqdvPxi3USzT1sxzabkcJhFcWlfkga5WMJUTviu0A/
原文:https://news.airbnb.com/a-message-from-co-founder-and-ceo-brian-chesky/
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今天稍早,Airbnb 聯合創辦人兼執行長 Brian Chesky 向 Airbnb 員工發送了以下訊息。
Earlier today, Airbnb Co-Founder and CEO Brian Chesky sent the following note to Airbnb employees.
這是我第七次在我家裡與各位發表談話。過去每次我們談話時,有好消息也有壞消息,然而今天我不得不分享一些非常令人難過的消息。
This is my seventh time talking to you from my house. Each time we’ve talked, I’ve shared good news and bad news, but today I have to share some very sad news.
當你們問我關於裁員的問題時,我曾說過沒有什麼不可能發生的事。今天,我必須坦承,我們正在縮減 Airbnb 的員工規模。對於像我們這樣一家以歸屬感為使命的公司來說,這是非常難以面對的,對於那些不得不離開Airbnb的人來說更是難上加難。我將盡可能詳細地分享我是如何做出這個決定的、我們正在為那些離開的人做什麼、以及接下來會有哪些事發生。
When you’ve asked me about layoffs, I’ve said that nothing is off the table. Today, I must confirm that we are reducing the size of the Airbnb workforce. For a company like us whose mission is centered around belonging, this is incredibly difficult to confront, and it will be even harder for those who have to leave Airbnb. I am going to share as many details as I can on how I arrived at this decision, what we are doing for those leaving, and what will happen next.
先從我們是如何作出這項決定的開始。我們正在共同經歷我們一生中最痛苦的危機,隨著危機的開始,全球旅行業都陷入停滯。Airbnb 的業務受到了重大的打擊,今年的收入預計不到 2019 年的一半。為了應對這場危機,我們籌措了 20 億美元的資金、大幅削減了成本,幾乎觸及了Airbnb的每一個角落。
Let me start with how we arrived at this decision. We are collectively living through the most harrowing crisis of our lifetime, and as it began to unfold, global travel came to a standstill. Airbnb’s business has been hit hard, with revenue this year forecasted to be less than half of what we earned in 2019. In response, we raised $2 billion in capital and dramatically cut costs that touched nearly every corner of Airbnb.
採取這些行動是必要的,但很顯然,當我們面對兩個嚴峻的事實時,我們必須更進一步:
我們不知道旅遊什麼時候會復甦。
當旅遊業復甦時,將有截然不同的樣貌。
While these actions were necessary, it became clear that we would have to go further when we faced two hard truths:
We don’t know exactly when travel will return.
When travel does return, it will look different.
雖然我們知道 Airbnb 的業務終將恢復,但它所承受的變化不會是臨時或是短暫的。於是,我們需要對 Airbnb 做出更多根本性的改變,圍繞更專注的商業策略,去減少我們的員工規模。
While we know Airbnb’s business will fully recover, the changes it will undergo are not temporary or short-lived. Because of this, we need to make more fundamental changes to Airbnb by reducing the size of our workforce around a more focused business strategy.
在我們 7500 名 Airbnb 員工中,近 1900 名成員將不得不離開Airbnb,佔我們公司的 25% 左右。由於我們不能像過去那樣顧及每項業務,這些削減必須與更聚焦的業務掛鈎。
Out of our 7,500 Airbnb employees, nearly 1,900 teammates will have to leave Airbnb, comprising around 25% of our company. Since we cannot afford to do everything that we used to, these cuts had to be mapped to a more focused business.
▍更聚焦的業務
未來在這世界旅行將截然不同,我們需要相對應地讓 Airbnb 進化改變。人們會希望有更像家、更安全、更經濟實惠的選擇。人們也會渴望某種感覺被奪走的東西——人與人之間的連結。當我們創立 Airbnb 時,它是建立於歸屬感和連結之上。這場危機使我們更加專注於根本、最基礎的事物、讓我們回到 Airbnb 真正的特別之處——每天都有人打理自己的房子,並提供各式各樣體驗。
這意味著,我們將需要減少對不直接支持我們的房東社區核心的活動的投資。我們暫停了在通行和 Airbnb Studio 方面的努力,我們不得不縮減在飯店和 Lux 的投資。
這些決定並不是反應這些團隊成員工作表現好壞,也不意味著這些團隊的每個人都會離開我們。除此之外,所有Airbnb的團隊都將受到影響。許多團隊的規模將根據他們與Airbnb的發展方向的對應程度進行縮減。
▍A more focused business
Travel in this new world will look different, and we need to evolve Airbnb accordingly. People will want options that are closer to home, safer, and more affordable. But people will also yearn for something that feels like it’s been taken away from them — human connection. When we started Airbnb, it was about belonging and connection. This crisis has sharpened our focus to get back to our roots, back to the basics, back to what is truly special about Airbnb — everyday people who host their homes and offer experiences.
This means that we will need to reduce our investment in activities that do not directly support the core of our host community. We are pausing our efforts in Transportation and Airbnb Studios, and we have to scale back our investments in Hotels and Lux.
These decisions are not a reflection of the work from people on these teams, and it does not mean everyone on these teams will be leaving us. Additionally, teams across all of Airbnb will be impacted. Many teams will be reduced in size based on how well they map to where Airbnb is headed.
▍我們如何進行縮編
重要的是,我們要有一套明確的原則,以我們的核心價值觀為指導,指導我們如何減少我們的勞動力。這些是我們的指導原則:
• 將所有縮減過的業務範疇和我們將需要的人手一一對應。
• 為那些受到影響的人盡可能提供協助。
• 在過程中持續地保持團隊多樣性。
• 為那些受影響的人提供 1:1。
• 等到所有細節都確定後再進行決策溝通——僅部分訊息的透明會讓事情變得更糟。
我已經盡了最大的努力來堅持這些原則。
▍How we approached reductions
It was important that we had a clear set of principles, guided by our core values, for how we would approach reductions in our workforce. These were our guiding principles:
• Map all reductions to our future business strategy and the capabilities we will need.
• Do as much as we can for those who are impacted.
• Be unwavering in our commitment to diversity.
• Optimize for 1:1 communication for those impacted.
• Wait to communicate any decisions until all details are landed — transparency of only partial information can make matters worse.
I have done my best to stay true to these principles.
▍還原決策過程
決策過程開始於建構一個更聚焦業務戰略的成本結構。我們評估了每個團隊如何適應我們的新戰略,並確定了每個團隊未來的規模和形式。然後,我們對每個團隊成員進行了全面地檢視,並根據關鍵技能以及這些技能與我們未來業務需求的匹配程度做出了決策。
結果是,我們將不得不與我們所熱愛和珍視的隊友們分道揚鑣。有很優秀的夥伴離開了Airbnb,其他公司有他們的加入著實幸運。
為了照顧那些即將離開的員工,我們一一檢視了遣散、股權、醫療保健和就業支持,並盡最大努力以同理並周詳的方式對待每個人。
▍Process for making reductions
Our process started with creating a more focused business strategy built on a sustainable cost model. We assessed how each team mapped to our new strategy, and we determined the size and shape of each team going forward. We then did a comprehensive review of every team member and made decisions based on critical skills, and how well those skills matched our future business needs.
The result is that we will have to part with teammates that we love and value. We have great people leaving Airbnb, and other companies will be lucky to have them. To take care of those that are leaving, we have looked across severance, equity, healthcare, and job support and done our best to treat everyone in a compassionate and thoughtful way.
▍資遣費
Airbnb 在美國的員工將獲得 14 周的基本工資,每滿一年額外增加一周。任期將四捨五入到最近的一年。例如,如果有人在Airbnb工作了 3 年 7 個月,他們將獲得額外 4 周的工資,或 18 周的總工資。在美國以外,所有員工都將獲得至少 14 周的工資,外加與其所在國家的具體做法一致的任期加薪。
▍Severance
Employees in the US will receive 14 weeks of base pay, plus one additional week for every year at Airbnb. Tenure will be rounded to the nearest year. For example, if someone has been at Airbnb for 3 years and 7 months, they will get an additional 4 weeks of salary, or 18 weeks of total pay. Outside the US, all employees will receive at least 14 weeks of pay, plus tenure increases consistent with their country-specific practices.
▍股權
我們將為過去一年內聘用的所有員工提供一整年的股權到期,這樣所有離職的員工,無論他們在公司工作了多長時間,都可以是 Airbnb 的股東。此外,所有離開的人都有資格以 5月25日作為行權日。
▍Equity
We are dropping the one-year cliff on equity for everyone we’ve hired in the past year so that everyone departing, regardless of how long they have been here, is a shareholder. Additionally, everyone leaving is eligible for the May 25 vesting date.
▍健康保險
在一場持續時間未知的全球健康危機中,我們希望限制醫療成本總負擔。在美國,我們將通過COBRA 覆蓋12個月的健康保險。在所有其他國家,我們將支付到2020年底的醫療保險費用。這是因為我們如非是在在法律上不能繼續承保,就是我們目前的計劃將不允許延長。我們額外將通過 KonTerra 提供四個月的心理健康支持。
▍Healthcare
In the midst of a global health crisis of unknown duration, we want to limit the burden of healthcare costs. In the US, we will cover 12 months of health insurance through COBRA. In all other countries, we will cover health insurance costs through the end of 2020. This is because we’re either legally unable to continue coverage, or our current plans will not allow for an extension. We will also provide four months of mental health support through KonTerra.
▍就業支持
我們的目標是幫助離開Airbnb的隊友找到新的工作機會。以下是我們可以提供幫助的五種方式:
• 校友人才目錄——我們將推出一個面向公眾的網站,幫助即將離職的隊友找到新工作。即將離職的員工可以選擇將個人資料、簡歷和工作樣本提供給潛在的雇主。
• 校友安置團隊——在 2020 年的剩餘時間里,Airbnb招聘的很大一部分將成為校友安置團隊。留在Airbnb的招聘人員將為離職員工提供支持,幫助他們找到下一份工作。
• RiseSmart——我們通過 RiseSmart 公司提供四個月的職業服務,該公司專門提供職業轉換和就業安置服務。
• 員工提供校友支持-我們鼓勵所有留下的員工選擇加入一個計劃,以幫助離職的隊友找到他們的下一個職位。
• 筆記本電腦——電腦是找到新工作的重要工具,所以我們允許所有離職的人保留他們的蘋果筆電。
▍Job support
Our goal is to connect our teammates leaving Airbnb with new job opportunities. Here are five ways we can help:
Alumni Talent Directory — We will be launching a public-facing website to help teammates leaving find new jobs. Departing employees can opt-in to have profiles, resumes, and work samples accessible to potential employers.
Alumni Placement Team — For the remainder of 2020, a significant portion of Airbnb Recruiting will become an Alumni Placement Team. Recruiters that are staying with Airbnb will provide support to departing employees to help them find their next job.
RiseSmart — We are offering four months of career services through RiseSmart, a company that specializes in career transition and job placement services. Employee Offered Alumni Support
We are encouraging all remaining employees to opt-in to a program to assist departing teammates find their next role. Laptops
A computer is an important tool to find new work, so we are allowing everyone leaving to keep their Apple laptops.
▍接下來會發生什麼呢?
我想盡快讓你們所有人知曉狀況。我們在 24 個國家/地區擁有員工,根據當地法律和慣例,提供清晰說明所需的時間各不相同。一些國家要求以非常具體的方式收到解僱通知。雖然我們的流程可能因國家而異,但我們在為每一位員工制定計劃時都力求做到深思熟慮。
在美國和加拿大,我可以提供直接的信息。在接下來的幾個小時內,即將離開Airbnb的人將收到一份日曆邀請函,邀請你們與本部門的一位高層領導參加離職會議。對我們來說,重要的是,在法律允許的範圍內,人們可以通過 1:1 的個人對話獲得信息。美國和加拿大離職員工的最後一個工作日將是 5月11日(星期一)。我們認為,週一將給人們時間開始採取下一步行動,並且有機會道別——我們理解並尊重這一點有多麼重要。
一些留下來的員工將賦予新的職位,並將收到主題為"新職位"的會議邀請,以瞭解更多相關信息。對於那些在美國和加拿大的 Airbnb 團隊成員,你將不會收到日曆邀請。
▍Here is what will happen next
I want to provide clarity to all of you as soon as possible. We have employees in 24 countries, and the time it will take to provide clarity will vary based on local laws and practices. Some countries require notifications about employment to be received in a very specific way. While our process may differ by country, we have tried to be thoughtful in planning for every employee. In the US and Canada, I can provide immediate clarity. Within the next few hours, those of you leaving Airbnb will receive a calendar invite to a departure meeting with a senior leader in your department.
It was important to us that wherever we legally could, people were informed in a personal, 1:1 conversation. The final working day for departing employees based in the US and Canada will be Monday, May 11. We felt Monday would give people time to begin taking next steps and say goodbye — we understand and respect how important this is.
Some employees who are staying will have a new role, and will receive a meeting invite with the subject “New Role” to learn more about it. For those of you in the US and Canada who are staying on the Airbnb team, you will not receive a calendar invite.
太平洋時間下午6點,我將為我們的亞太團隊主持一個 World@ 全球會議。太平洋時間上午12點,我將為我們的歐洲和中東團隊主持一個 World@ 全球會議。在每次會議之後,我們將根據當地的做法在每個國家開展下一步工作。
出於對我們受到影響的隊友的尊重,我已經要求所有Airbnb的負責人等到本週末再召集他們的團隊。我想給大家接下來的幾天時間來處理這個問題,我將在太平洋時間本週四下午4點再次主持一場 CEO 問答。
At 6pm pacific time, I will host a world@ meeting for our Asia-Pacific teams. At 12am pacific time, I will host a world@ meeting for our Europe and Middle East teams. Following each of these meetings, we’ll proceed with next steps in each country based on local practices.
I’ve asked all Airbnb leaders to wait to bring their teams together until the end of this week out of respect to our teammates being impacted. I want to give everyone the next few days to process this, and I’ll host a CEO Q&A again this Thursday at 4pm pacific time.
▍一些最後的話
正如我在過去八周所瞭解到的,危機讓你清楚什麼才是真正重要的。雖然我們經歷了一場旋風,但有些事情對我來說比以往任何時候都清楚。
首先,我要感謝Airbnb的每一個人。在這段痛苦的經歷中,你們所有人都激勵了我。即使在最糟糕的情況下,我也看到了我們最好的一面。世界現在比以往任何時候都更需要人與人之間的聯繫,我知道Airbnb會在這種時空邊下崛起。我相信這一點,正因為我相信你們。
第二,我對各位有一種深深的愛。我們的任務不僅僅是旅行。當我們創建Airbnb時,我們最初的口號是"像個人一般旅行",人的部分總是比旅行的部分更重要。我們所關心的是歸屬感,而歸屬感的核心是愛。
▍Some final words
As I have learned these past eight weeks, a crisis brings you clarity about what is truly important. Though we have been through a whirlwind, some things are more clear to me than ever before.
First, I am thankful for everyone here at Airbnb. Throughout this harrowing experience, I have been inspired by all of you. Even in the worst of circumstances, I’ve seen the very best of us. The world needs human connection now more than ever, and I know that Airbnb will rise to the occasion. I believe this because I believe in you.
Second, I have a deep feeling of love for all of you. Our mission is not merely about travel. When we started Airbnb, our original tagline was, “Travel like a human.” The human part was always more important than the travel part. What we are about is belonging, and at the center of belonging is love.
對你們留下來的人,我們向那些即將離開的人致敬的最重要方式之一,是讓他們知道他們的貢獻是重要的,他們將永遠是Airbnb故事中的一部分。我相信,他們的貢獻將繼續下去,就像我們的使命將持續不斷一般。
對於那些離開Airbnb的人,我真的很抱歉。請知道這不是你的錯。世界永遠不會停止渴望你們帶給Airbnb的品質和才華……正是你們成就了Airbnb。我衷心感謝你們與我們分享你們的天賦。
布萊恩
To those of you staying, One of the most important ways we can honor those who are leaving is for them to know that their contributions mattered, and that they will always be part of Airbnb’s story. I am confident their work will live on, just like this mission will live on.
To those leaving Airbnb, I am truly sorry. Please know this is not your fault. The world will never stop seeking the qualities and talents that you brought to Airbnb…that helped make Airbnb. I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for sharing them with us.
Brian
co creating value means 在 AppWorks Facebook 的最讚貼文
昨天台灣大哥大發布訊息,自 2019 年 4 月 1 日起將聘任 AppWorks 創辦合夥人 Jamie 林之晨為總經理,長期關心 AppWorks 的朋友,或許會有些疑惑。其實不是 Jamie 換工作,而是 AppWorks 將與台灣大一起,挑戰一個放大 10 倍的計畫。在此跟大家分享 Jamie 的聲明,有更完整的敘述。
#以下是_Jamie_聲明全文
稍早台灣大哥大發布訊息,自 2019 年 4 月 1 日起將聘任為我為總經理,我的朋友們,以及長期關心我與 AppWorks 的媒體,一定會有許多疑惑,請容我在此統一向大家說明。
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#EnglishBelow 稍早台灣大哥大發布訊息,自 2019 年 4 月 1 日起將聘任為我為總經理,我的朋友們,以及長期關心我與 AppWorks 的媒體,一定會有許多疑惑,請容我在此統一向大家說明。
首先,我不是接下了台灣大總經理的職位,而是接下了整合市值美金 120 億、營收美金 38 億的台灣大與市值美金 36 億、營收美金 25 億的 AppWorks Ecosystem,放大出 10 倍成果的任務。
這得從我的故事說起,如果您還沒聽過的話,我原本已經移民美國,和老婆小孩開心的住在紐約,2008 年,我在美看到 iPhone、Android 相繼問世,Facebook、Twitter 等社群媒體成為主流,意識到軟體的力量將越來越大,而硬體將越來越沒有價值,換言之,台灣的國際經濟地位將受到極大挑戰,因此決定舉家搬遷回台,推動台灣的轉型升級,以免我熱愛的福爾摩沙從世界經濟奇蹟變成失落的遺跡。
這是一個很大的決定,不僅我要放棄自己的美國夢,老婆、小孩都得跟著改變職涯、學涯,因此既然要做,就得發揮最大的 Impact。所以回台之後,我每天思考、決定、努力的,都是最大化我對台灣的貢獻。
因此這些年來我戴了很多帽子,表面看起來沒什麼相關性,但背後都有一個共同的目的,那就是推動台灣的改變。首先,我長期寫網誌、經營 Facebook 等網路社群、在《天下》等期刊寫專欄、出書、演講、接受採訪,心想的是分享新知、新觀念,散播進步需要的養分。
我與夥伴們成立 AppWorks,有系統的幫助年輕人創業,為的是培養千千萬萬帶領台灣前進的下一代生力軍。這也是為什麼 AppWorks 從 2010 年啟動半年一期的創業加速器,至今一直堅持免費提供。目前 AppWorks Accelerator 共畢業的 17 屆、925 位創業者,由他們成立的活躍企業高達 328 家,2018 年產值 760 億,提供 9,500 個工作機會,非常確切的為台灣貢獻一股向上動能。更重要的是,這些創業者們因 AppWorks 而相識相惜,形成一個緊密互助的網路,更是社會的長期資產。
當 AppWorks 在台灣站穩腳步,2014 年我們開始積極走訪東南亞,邀請優秀的東協創業者前來加入,希望透過串連跨國創業者網路,促進台灣的區域化,同時貢獻東協的數位發展。經過 5 年的推動,這個工作也有大幅進展,即將在 3 月進駐 AppWorks 的 33 組 AW#18 團隊,將有高達 19 組來自東南亞,包含他們在內,AppWorks 有 160 家企業在台灣以外的大東南亞市場有據點,形成一個真正區域化的網路。現在,來自台灣、香港、新加坡的 AppWorks 創業者要前往印尼、越南發展,可以很容易的找到 AppWorks 校友帶路,大大降低了區域化的門檻。
除了創業加速器,透過 AppWorks,我們同時努力創造更多台灣改變需要的新典範。以創業投資為例,我們 2012 年成功募集 3.2 億 Fund I,2014 年募得 15 億 Fund II,在 AppWorks 團隊的努力經營下,目前兩支基金的投資績效都是水準以上,其中 Fund II 至今的年化內部報酬率 (IRR) 達 29%,遠高於歐美同期創投基金的 Top Quartile (前四分之一) 指標。透過追求與國際一流基金同等的表現,我們希望促進台灣 LP (創投投資人的簡稱) 更有信心支持本土新興 GP (創投管理公司的簡稱),進而推動台灣創投業的復甦。
2016 年,我們出資成立 AppWorks School,每 4 個月一期,免費幫助年輕人透過實作學習程式、轉職工程師、加入成長中的數位行業,提升他們的職涯的同時,也為台灣貢獻人才。目前 School 已畢業 106 位學生,其中 85% 成功轉職,第一年起薪中位數達 67 萬。雖然杯水車薪,但我們希望拋磚引玉,刺激台灣教育的現代化,幫助年輕人準備好面對 AI 時代。
此外,AppWorks 雖然仍是中小企業,但受到的關注較多,因此也經常以身作則,為台灣業界示範新時代企業可以有的新思維。除了看齊國際優質創投的薪資獎金水準、年假無上限、自由選擇工作時間地點、新年假期長達三、四週外,我們更在日前啟動交棒計畫,讓年僅 30 歲的 Jessica 劉侊縈、40 歲的 Andy 蔡欣翰升任合夥人,希望激發台灣企業勇敢讓年輕人當家。
私部門之外,有機會推動台灣轉型的公領域活動,我也積極參與。2016 年,我從詹宏志先生手上接下 TiEA (台灣網際網路暨電子商務產業發展協會) 理事長,上任後便努力推動網路電商正名運動,成功說服了櫃買中心創立電子商務分類;2017 年起我開始擔任亞洲·矽谷民諮委共同召集人、數位國家諮詢委員、代表台灣參加每年四次的 ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council) 會議,2018 年又奉總統之命擔任 APEC Vision Group 代表,與其他 20 會員國派出的先進,一起定義 APEC 未來的 20 年願景。這些雖然都是義務工作,但我都當作正職全力以赴,因為都有機會大大影響台灣的命運,以及在經濟領域的國際能見度。
最後,我去年決定再次舉家,準備遷往雅加達,同樣還是以為台灣貢獻出發。我觀察到 2.6 億人口的印尼正在快速崛起,短短 5 年內從有限的新創活動,到 4 隻本土獨角獸加 3 隻外來獨角獸的蓬勃景況,必須要幫助台灣抓住這個成長機會,但印尼商業生態與台灣大不相同,所以我決定進駐雅加達、深耕當地,希望能因此扮演帶領 AppWorks 新創進入印尼的嚮導,縮短我們與世界第四大國、東南亞第一大國的距離。這麼做得犧牲一些我在台灣的工作,但這些工作多半我的夥伴們可以承接,因此我便毅然開始行動。
講了這麼多,我其實只是希望您能了解,我大老遠從紐約搬回來的目的就是改變台灣,所以這些年來我做決定沒什麼懸念,因為不需要考慮自己的利益,只需要考慮在這個時間點,我做這件事情,是不是最能貢獻台灣。
如此我們便可以回到正題,這次的「台灣大 + AppWorks」專案。
不久前,蔡明忠董事長約我談話,詢問我有沒有興趣接下台灣大總經理的職位,一開始我其實是無法答應的,首先我已經決定搬去印尼,再來我也不確定接這個位子,跟貢獻台灣的關係。回去想了兩整天後,我有了答案,我跟蔡董事長說,必須有四個先決條件:
第一,結合台灣大和 AppWorks,用 AppWorks 生態系去幫助台灣大轉型為科技企業,同時以台灣大為平台去加速 AppWorks 新創的成長,因此創造更多成功的企業,為台灣示範成熟企業如何與新創實際合作;
第二,由 AppWorks 帶路,推動台灣大 + AppWorks 走出台灣,成為一個大東南亞科技集團,為台灣企業的區域化寫下典範,同時也成為能加速 AppWorks 新創區域化的大平台;
第三,以建立一個市值 1,000 億美金 (US$ 100B) 的科技集團為目標,創造第一個由台灣出發、真正達到國際級的非代工企業;
第四,所有因為台灣大 + AppWorks 集團未來的價值成長,公司依規定希望給予我個人的獎勵,要能全數由集團捐為公益使用,且專注在推動台灣的教育改革與電影工業上。
我跟蔡董事長說,如果以這四個目標為前提,那就值得我花 10 到 15 年的生命去推動。這基本上是我的夢幻清單,如果這麼做的話,能為台灣創造的貢獻,比 AppWorks 繼續獨立營運還會巨大許多,想不到蔡董事長毫不猶豫的答應。也因此,我回頭與 AppWorks 的夥伴們溝通,得到大家的支持後,我們決定一起接受這個挑戰。所以開頭我說,我不是接下了台灣大總經理的職位,而是接下了整合台灣大與 AppWorks,放大出 10 倍成果的任務。
當然,這不是一件容易的工作,發展新的商業模式,我或許有 20 年的創業、工作經驗作為後盾,但對於管理電信事業,對於領導一個 7,000 人的大集團,我有太多需要學習的地方,所以,我請蔡董事長務必持續扮演我的 Partner,在這個過程中一起確保電信本業的營運,好讓我們有最大的空間與時間,去爭取新事業的發展,為所有「台灣大 + AppWorks」的 Stakeholders,爭取最佳的長期利益。
未來幾年,將是電信業轉型的關鍵時期,去年 499 之亂加速電信用戶 ARPU (平均每戶營收) 的下滑,消費者換機時間拉長導致手機營收停滯,接下來資本支出是 4G 近 4 倍的 5G 即將到來,更讓電信長達 20 年紅利時代難以延續,AI、IoT、Blockchain、Cloud 等巨型典範轉移接連的到來,進一步逼迫電信業者不能繼續防守。
另一方面,電信業已經建立的品牌、長期客戶關係、大量用戶數據,卻是極有價值,可以更全面應用的資產。透過台灣大 + AppWorks 的結合,目前已經產生 760 億年營收的 AppWorks 的 328 家新創,以及未來將持續培養的更多新興企業,都有機會透過與台灣大的合作加速成長,而台灣大也能因此取得新的營收引擎,創造雙贏的局面。
所以,在可預見的未來,AppWorks 的方向不會改變,我們將持續邀請優秀的創業者加入,透過 AppWorks 原有的能量,以及新增的台灣大平台幫助他們。AppWorks 基金的營運也不會改變,事實上,加入了台灣大的能量,我們有信心能為 LP 們創造更好的財務、策略報酬。我的角色,除了新增台灣大總經理以外,也沒有改變,將持續擔任 AppWorks 的董事長、合夥人,戮力確保台灣大 + AppWorks 的整合能順利成功、長長久久,創造多贏。唯一改變的,大概是我的工作時間將會增加,因此要犧牲與家人的相處,在此先跟偉大的老婆、兩個可愛的兒子道歉,感謝他們對這個決定的支持與諒解。
至於搬遷至雅加達、引導更多 AppWorks 新創進軍印尼的計畫,很遺憾必須暫緩,所幸 AppWorks 的新任合夥人 Jessica (劉侊縈),已經承諾會扛起這個責任,相信在她的帶領下,AppWorks 的印尼計畫還是能夠大鳴大放、開花結果。
以上,就是針對此次台灣大 + AppWorks 的重大發展,向各位好友、媒體朋友的報告,懇求你們的支持。無論如何,我會持續為貢獻台灣而努力,希望我們這一輩的小孩們長大後,可以和我們一樣,以做台灣人為榮。
最後,預祝 您
新年快樂 諸凡順遂
助君張目 豬滿福保
Earlier today, Taiwan Mobile published an announcement communicating their intention to appoint me as the company’s general manager as of 4/1/2019. I’m sure this announcement may come as a surprise to many of my friends in the startup community, likely leaving you all with ample questions, concerns, and potentially even doubt. Let me take the opportunity to clarify the situation and explain the reasonings behind my decision for everyone.
Firstly, I must clarify that I am not merely taking over as GM of Taiwan Mobile, but taking on the bigger job of integrating Taiwan Mobile, a $12B market cap & $3.8B revenue company, and AppWorks, a $3.6B valuation & $2.5B revenue ecosystem, to amplify our impact by 10x.
But to adequately understand where we’re going, I think it’s important for everyone to know where we’ve come from. This begins with my story—for those of you that haven’t heard it before—which dates back to my time living in New York. It was around 2008 when I saw the launch of iPhone and Android, as well as the advent of Facebook, Twitter, etc, collectively catapulting social media into mainstream use. It was clear that software was increasingly taking over the world while the value of hardware was becoming more and more commoditized. This posed a dire existential threat to Taiwan, whose global economic contributions had been primarily driven by hardware and semiconductor manufacturing. This eventually prompted my resolve to move back to Taiwan and prevent our country from becoming a relic of the past.
This was by no means an easy decision. Not only did I have to give up my American dream, but my wife and child would have to completely uproot their lives, changing jobs and schools. It was a huge sacrifice on their end, so after moving back I dedicated myself to working hard every day to maximize my contribution to Taiwan and exert the greatest impact possible.
I have worn a lot of hats since, and it may seem that there is no correlation on the surface. But, there is indeed a common purpose behind them, which is to promote change in Taiwan. First of all, I have long written posts and columns in online communities such as my own blog, Facebook, and journals like “The Commonwealth Magazine,” while also giving speeches and interviews for a variety of outlets whenever possible. I see these activities as a way to share new knowledge, new ideas, and disseminate the nutrients needed for progress.
I set up AppWorks with my partners to systematically help young people start their own businesses and cultivate the next generation of business leaders that will steer Taiwan forward. That's why AppWorks started its semi-annual startup accelerator in 2010, and has been offering it for free ever since. With the addition of the latest batch AW#17, the AppWorks Ecosystem encompasses 328 active startups and 925 founders, having collectively generated US$ 2.5 billion in revenues and created 9,586 jobs—not an immaterial contribution to Taiwan’s economy needless to say. More importantly, we’ve created a tight-knit community where founders can form lifelong relationships, while seeking advice from both peers and mentors in good times and bad. I see that as a long-term value to society.
Once AppWorks took a firm foothold in Taiwan, we began targeting Southeast Asia in 2014 to invite outstanding ASEAN entrepreneurs to join us. We hope to promote Taiwan's regionalization through a network of international founders, and in turn, facilitate the development of SEA’s digital economy. We've made significant strides these past five years. AW#18 will kick off in March 2019, and consists of 33 teams, 19 of which hailing from countries across SEA and beyond. Spanning our entire ecosystem, AppWorks encompasses 160 companies currently operating in Southeast Asia, forming a truly regional network. Now, AppWorks founders from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore are expanding to Indonesia and Vietnam, and it is easy to find local AppWorks alumni to lead the way, greatly reducing the barriers for international expansion.
In addition to AppWorks Accelerator, we have been working hard to create more examples for a modern Taiwan. Taking venture capital as an example, we successfully raised US$ 11 million for Fund I in 2012 and US$ 50 million for Fund II in 2014. Under the efforts of the AppWorks team, the investment performance of the two funds is currently above the industry average, of which Fund II has achieved an annualized internal rate of return (IRR) of 29%. This is much higher than the top quartile of VCs in both Europe and the United States. By pursuing the same performance as international first-class funds, we hope to encourage Taiwanese LPs (short for venture capital investors) to be more confident in supporting local emerging GPs (short for venture capital management companies) and to promote the recovery and ultimate longevity of Taiwan's VC industry.
In 2016, we created AppWorks School with the aim of helping the younger generation pick up new skill sets, enhance their careers, and join the growing tech industry. The school offers four-month free programs and has now graduated 106 students, 85% of whom have secured jobs as software engineers, with a median starting salary of US$ 21,833. Although our scale is still tiny compared to larger institutes, we hope our efforts have inspired others to promote the modernization of Taiwan’s education system and equip young people with the necessary skills to thrive in the AI era.
In addition, although AppWorks is still a small to medium-sized enterprise, it has received a lot of attention. Therefore, it often leads by example and demonstrates how to apply new thinkings to modern corporate management. In addition to internationally-competitive salaries, our colleagues enjoy flexible working hours and locations, unlimited vacation days, and several weeks off around Chinese New Year. AppWorks also recently launched an internal promotion track, promoting two of our very own staff to partners, Jessica Liu (30) and Andy Tsai (40). We hope that this move will also create a ripple effect across traditional Taiwanese industries, inspiring more local enterprises to put their faith in younger leaders.
Alongside the private sector, I am also actively involved in promoting Taiwan’s transformation through public sector activities. In 2016, I took over as chairman of TiEA (Taiwan Internet and E-Commerce Association) from Mr. Hung-Tze Jan (詹宏志). After taking office, I have worked hard to promote our industry and successfully convinced government cabinet members to create a separate category for e-commerce companies, which didn’t previously exist in Taiwan’s stock market. Since 2017, I have been the co-convenor of the Asia-Silicon Valley Development Agency Advisory Committee, advisor of DIGI+ Taiwan, and the country’s member in ABAC (APEC Business Advisory Council). Most recently in 2018, I was appointed by the President to represent Taiwan in the APEC Vision Group, where 21 member states come together to define APEC's vision for the next 20 years. Although these are all voluntary work, I have treated them as full-time jobs because they produce opportunities that can greatly influence Taiwan’s future.
Finally, last year I was prepared to uproot my family again and move to Jakarta. With a population of 260 million people, I observed that Indonesia was a rapidly emerging economy, producing many areas where Taiwan and Taiwanese companies can contribute. In the span of just five years, Indonesia went from a barren startup landscape to producing four local unicorns and attracting the presence of three international unicorns. Although the opportunities are abundant, Indonesia’s ecosystem was much different from Taiwan’s, creating immense cultural, regulatory, and competitive barriers for Taiwanese companies. I had thus planned on relocating to Jakarta in hopes of better leading AppWorks startups into Indonesia and shortening our distance from the world’s fourth most populous country and GSEA’s biggest economy. I would have had to sacrifice some of my roles and responsibilities in my Taiwan, but I put faith in my partners and co-workers to fill the void.
With all that said, I want you to understand that the underlying mission to change Taiwan has never faltered. With this mission in mind, I’ve never hesitated in making decisions over the years because I’ve never needed to consider my own interests—but only the things I can do at the moment to best contribute to Taiwan and generate the most impact. It’s what prompted my resolution to move back from New York, my intent to move to Jakarta, and now my decision to take on this new opportunity with “Taiwan Mobile + AppWorks.”
Not long ago, the Chairman of Taiwan Mobile Daniel Tsai reached out and asked if I was interested in taking over as General Manager of Taiwan Mobile. At first, I was unable to take his offer because I was getting ready to move to Indonesia and I didn’t know how this would contribute to making Taiwan better. After allowing myself a few days to contemplate, I found an answer. I told Chairman Tsai that I would take on the position, but only if I can pursue these 4 ambitions:
First, leverage the AppWorks ecosystem to help transform Taiwan Mobile into a true technology company. At the same time, leverage Taiwan Mobile as a platform to accelerate the growth of AppWorks startups, thereby creating a successful collaboration template for other Taiwan & SEA large corporations to work with startups.
Second, with AppWorks leading the way, establish Taiwan Mobile + AppWorks into a regional technology group across Greater Southeast Asia, in turn, inspiring other Taiwanese companies to explore Southeast Asia as well as becoming a platform for startups to go regional.
Third, build Taiwan Mobile + AppWorks group to a market cap of US$ 100 billion and create the first non-OEM company that originates from Taiwan and truly reaches a global scale.
Fourth, throughout the process, all the bonuses I am entitled to shall be donated by the group to public welfare, focusing specifically on promoting education reform and the film industry in Taiwan.
I told Chairman Tsai if these are the goals, it’s worth dedicating the next 10 - 15 years of my life to achieve. This is basically my dream list. If I do this, the contribution to Taiwan and the GSEA region as a whole from the combined entity will be much greater than the continued independent operation of AppWorks. Chairman Tsai agreed on these four goals and gave me his promise, but it was still not a decision that I could make on my own--after all building AppWorks into what is it today was not something I did alone. Therefore, I went back to communicate with the AppWorks partners and team, and with everyone's support, we decided to accept this challenge together.
Thus, at the beginning of the post, I said, that I am not only taking over the position of Taiwan Mobile’s GM, but undertaking the task of integrating Taiwan Mobile and AppWorks to amplify our impact by 10x. Of course, developing a completely new business model is not an easy job. I may have 20 years of entrepreneurship and work experience under my belt, but I still have much to learn when it comes to managing a massive telecoms operation with over 7,000 people, most of whom are much more familiar with the industry than me. Therefore, I asked Chairman Tsai to act as my partner through the process to ensure the continued operations of the telecoms unit. This will enable more time and space to develop new businesses, benefiting all “Taiwan Mobile + AppWorks” stakeholders in the long run.
The telecoms industry will likely undergo a crucial transformation in the next few years. Last year’s “NT$499 war” accelerated the decline of telecom subscribers’ ARPU (average revenue per household). Longer replacement periods for smartphones have led to the stagnation of mobile phone revenues and the rollout of 5G will cost four times the capex as 4G. These factors all threaten the industry’s ability to maintain the fluid growth it’s experienced for the past 20 years. Furthermore, the arrival of paradigm shifting technologies such as AI, IoT, Blockchain, and Cloud have put all telecom operators on the defensive.
On the other hand, the telecoms industry has established brands, long-term customer relationships, and a massive amount of user data—all valuable assets that can be better maximized. Through the combination of Taiwan Mobile + AppWorks and the 328 startups that AppWorks has cultivated, all emerging startups will be able to look to the combined platform as a strategic engine for cooperation and growth. This is will also enable Taiwan to develop new sources of value creation--a win-win for both sides.
Therefore, in the foreseeable future, AppWorks will not change direction. We will continue to invite outstanding entrepreneurs to join our accelerator, staying true to the original ethos of AppWorks, while leveraging the new Taiwan Mobile platform to help them. The operation of AppWorks Funds will not change. In fact, with the backing of Taiwan Mobile’s resources, we are confident that we can create better financial and strategic rewards for LPs. My role at AppWorks will not change. I will continue to serve as a partner of AppWorks. I will ensure that the integration of Taiwan Mobile + AppWorks will be a successful, long-lasting win-win situation for all stakeholders involved. The only change is probably that my working hours will increase, effectively cutting into my family time. So first, I must apologize to my great wife and two lovely sons, and thank them for their continued support and understanding of this decision.
As for the plan to move to Jakarta and guide more AppWorks startups to enter Indonesia, regrettably it must be suspended. Fortunately, Jessica Liu, AppWorks’ newest partner, has promised to take up this responsibility. I believe that under her leadership, AppWorks' Indonesia initiative will still be able to make a big splash and develop fruitfully.
Hopefully, this post has provided you with all the relevant details regarding the Taiwan Mobile + AppWorks announcement. To friends and media, I sincerely appreciate your continued support. At any rate, I will continue to work hard to contribute to Taiwan. I hope that the children of our generation will grow up and be proud of being Taiwanese.
Finally, I wish everyone all the best. Have a wonderful and prosperous pig year!