Since April, employees of Pershing Technology Services Corporation (PTSC) have assembled a reading association for the company. Initiated by newcomer and member of the Strategic Product Unit (SPU), Sera Huang, the association holds biweekly meetings with each session being facilitated by a different member of the group. The recent Covid-19 wave hasn’t slowed down the group’s progress as meetings have smoothly transitioned to using Microsoft Teams. Below, members give feedback about the reading association as well as reactions to the first book chosen, Simon Sinek’s, The Infinite Game.
“Reading can promote thinking. In addition, ordinary conversations only touch one side of people’s personalities. With a reading association, we can open up the exchange of ideas amongst people through book after book, taking a deeper dive in understanding the friends and colleagues around us.”－Co-Founder of the PTSC Reading Association, Sera Huang
Only having worked at PTSC since February of 2021, Sera was someone who hit the ground running. She and I immediately connected through her proactive spirit. Clearly one who reflects PTSC’s core value of “Passion,” I could see that she was someone who embodies the rebranding direction PTSC…
Dear Rollin,
I remember when I was a child and you would visit our house with your wife, Aunt Sandy, and sometimes your son, Andrew. I came to associate Thanksgiving holiday with you and your family. Although I can’t say I looked forward to the mysterious “pink stuff” that Sandy would prepare for our Thanksgiving dinner, it was all part of the holiday event.
What does one remember when a friend or family member passes? You can never expect what memories will pop up first, or what sort of images will run through your brain. The human heart and memory…
A Sit-Down with Einstein
Einstein doesn’t sit down. He doesn’t really even know how. He remains motionless on the kitchen wall and keeps his eyes on me, not exactly wary, but ready to bolt at a moment’s notice.
I’m lucky that he has decided to join this interview. After signing the authorisation to record, we begin our conversation.
Me: So the question that I’ve been wanting to start off with— we saw a smaller version of you on our bedroom ceiling during the Winter months. Was that you? M doesn’t think so, but I have my suspicions.
Einstein: I prefer to keep that answer…
After staving off the coronavirus for a year and a half, Taiwan is amidst its second wave of Covid-19, pushing the government to enforce level 3 restrictions since May 20th. While never having entered a complete lockdown, the restrictions have impacted life with most businesses initiating a work from home (WFH) policy. In addition to taking care of our own employees with WFH, Pershing Technology Services Corporation (PTSC), has also taken the time and care to reach out and help with donations to medical funds in Taipei and New Taipei City.
E-mail Bravery
After completing my first year of working in a fully Taiwanese company, I have learned the challenge of building a work culture where employees freely, openly, and proactively give feedback and make suggestions. Each month I send out a feedback form to all employees which always includes a question of the month, a question inquiring as to employee satisfaction, and an open-ended space to provide feedback for suggestions and changes. Although there is some engagement, only a handful of employees choose this method to give feedback. Whether it is fear of being singled out, having the suggestions fall on deaf…
I’ve heard that most people love Saturdays. Not me. For me, Saturdays are my least favourite day of the week. The filth from the previous week accumulates in every corner and crevasse. The dark areas underneath get grimy, my surface loses its shiny sheen, hairs always seem to collect in various places, and my own odour even starts to bother me, especially in Summer. Guess it’s just part of the territory, though.
But yeah…Saturdays are not my day.
I understand that it’s totally the opposite for the two people who live in this apartment. The husband works from Monday to…
This piece is about the Japanese anime series, Neon Genesis Evangelion, episode 4, “Rain, After Running Away,” my time in Japan in 2004, and a connection between this episode and the Japanese art of ikebana 生け花.
“The space of an hour on a page (maybe more, maybe less) to fill or leave empty — sometimes the fear of it, sometimes the knowledge and anticipation of it, sometimes the two (maybe three) being one and the same.” — from a recent letter written by my older brother.
Where is Shinji?
Rain falls in sheets on the skyscrapers across New Tokyo. …
This is the seventh instalment in a series that reimagines events within Greek mythology. This piece follows The Witness, and we reenter the Underworld where Charon has been called by his lord Hades to visit his chambers.
Charon adjusted his hat to fit snugly over his withered ears and plucked an errant hair from his beard. It was unusual for him to leave his post by the Acheron, and yet he had been called upon by his master. The ferryman of the dead couldn’t complain. The atmosphere was morose as usual, and he welcomed any sort of change of scenery.
…
自成立以來，福爾摩沙即興組合（FIG）一直致力於透過即興表演來建立社群網絡，在積極充滿活力的城市－台北－激發並鼓舞即興表演的精神。本文主要針對沒有參與過我們每週一的即興工作坊的潛在表演者對於工作坊的介紹。我與FIG的現任工作坊都督Liam Fanning有深入探討對於FIG的工作坊在2021年及往後的發展期望。
“在FIG，我們認為即興表演應該是一種利益共享。我們致力於為來自不同背景和經驗的參與者提供雙語指導的即興體驗，並分享經驗建立社群網絡。” －Liam Fanning
In April of 2021, Pershing Technology Service Corporation (PTSC) cooperated with Guandu Nature Park 關渡自然公園 to have our first Spring Volunteer Day. Below is an account of the experience, as well as some of the feedback from the participants and hosts.
“Businesses can no longer operate with the sole aim of making profits at the expense of the environment, society, economy, consumers and employees. Companies need to consider how they can give back to society, and this can help you attract customers and keep your best employees.” — from “The Growing Importance of Social Responsibility in Business,” Forbes Magazine, November, 2020
When most people think about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or volunteer projects associated with environmental conservation, their minds might naturally turn towards picking up garbage for a beach clean-up. Indeed, living in Taiwan there are plenty of opportunities for beach…
This piece is especially for those out there with children. Just wondering what your baby anthem is? What are the songs that you play at certain times of the day for your infant? I didn’t know that I would have a baby anthem, but it turns out the anthem is only just beginning.
As much as I like surprises and improvisation, there are certain rituals that I do everyday. With a baby in the house, there are times of the day when some of the rhythms of a growing human being take over — taking naps, feeding, taking a bath, changing clothes, changing diapers (this one has no rhythm), soothing a crying infant. There are now songs that I associate with these life rhythms, and slowly I can feel that a baby anthem is forming. Below is a short selection of songs that I have now come to associate with my daughter.
Feeding Time
…
The Clock Stops
American residing in Asia since 2004. Blogs focusing on life observations, improv, food, creating a learning organisation, management, and stretching time.
