IN 1996, one would probably define “new economy” as an economy powered by technology. Now, five years later, various new advancements are calling for a modified view.
It is true that new economy is driven by technology, but that is not all. A spirit of innovation and initiative is also fueling its progress.
Five years ago, technology was the dominant impetus. But since then an ever stronger momentum has been generated by such players as wealth, stocks, and Internet, which are more than technology. Indeed, they stem from the spirit of innovation and initiative.
Therefore, while technology remains the propelling force for new economy, it is innovation plus initiative that has kept it thriving. New economy is not merely an economy of technology.
The spirit of innovation, in particular, may well become the leader among a host of emerging values.
Talks about innovation have long been commonplace among technology professionals in the US, but they just form a slice of American society. It is in the past few years that new economy has made the spirit of innovation a mainstream virtue.
Nowadays, it is no shame to suffer failure in striving for something new, but it is shame to stay in a rut. All the role models in new economy are people who never stop pushing for innovations.
The second much-prized value represents an about-turn away from an old-time virtue, namely, from conformity to individuality.
Decades ago, Americans in the business world would wear gray suits, one looking like another. Individuality was a sin that was booed in the mainstream society.
But today everybody tries to be a different self. I may wear jeans at work, while the guy beside me may wear a pyjama-like suit.
Third, loyalty to one's company is gone and lost, but people are more devoted to their professions.
There was a time when, at a cocktail party, you asked a guest about his job and he told you he was working with ABC Company in the position of XYZ.
But today the answer will be different. Your new acquaintance will probably tell you he is, say, a creative artist. It is unlikely that he tells you he belongs to a certain company.
Fourth, saving is no more a virtue. In fact, a certain economist conducted a study years ago and concluded that saving was far from being the key to wealth. That is why, in recent years, people are earning more but their savings have dropped.
Fifth, one's past experience is devalued while the ability to keep on learning is treasured. In a sense, one's past experience has become a liability rather than an asset.
Success stories in new economy are mostly inexperienced people. What they find is that many experienced people are handicapped by their past.
In this connection, renumeration in terms of basic pay is not welcome. Attractive salaries are those linked with the company's shares. The bulk of your pay package is shares, not the basic monthly salary.
Sixth, secure jobs are no longer sought after, but those requiring energy and drive are preferred. You will not choose a company just because it promises your a life-long care in return for your conscientious service.
Instead, you prefer another company that offers you the opportunity to become a millionaire within a few years provided you do your best, despite the risks involved.
Seventh, prompt reaction rather than thoughtful consideration is emphasised. Ten years ago, books I read mostly advised me to pause and ponder for at least one year before deciding to quit if I felt unhappy on my job. This is no longer a popular approach today－waiting for one year is too much.
Eighth, talent is highly valued whereas capital funds are less important, though the pursuit for personal richness is all the more intense than in the old economy.
But a redeeming tendency is emerging, too. People are more generous nowadays in giving to the public by means of donations to charity, religious bodies, or educational institutions. They are more liberal with their money than before.
（The author is chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. The Chinese original, of which this is an abridgement, was published in Common Wealth Monthly. Translated by Allen Zhuang）
創(chuàng)新是的贏家
張忠謀
在1996年,要為“新經(jīng)濟”作一個定義,那就是新經(jīng)濟是以科技技術(shù)為動力的經(jīng)濟。五年以后,新現(xiàn)象產(chǎn)生,新經(jīng)濟的定義,也要改了。它還是以技術(shù)為動力,加上一句,應(yīng)該創(chuàng)新與進取精神蓬勃發(fā)展。
因為五年前是科技技術(shù)。這五年當(dāng)中,財富、股票、互聯(lián)網(wǎng),并不只是技術(shù),這是創(chuàng)新與進取精神。
所以新經(jīng)濟是,技術(shù)為動力,創(chuàng)新與進取精神使得它蓬勃發(fā)展。新經(jīng)濟不是科技經(jīng)濟。
社會價值觀的轉(zhuǎn)變,有幾個重大的改變,的贏家可能是創(chuàng)新。
雖然在美國科技界,常常聽到創(chuàng)新,可是科技界在美國只是局部的社會。這幾年當(dāng)中,新經(jīng)濟使得創(chuàng)新精神變成主流價值。
創(chuàng)新失敗已經(jīng)不是恥辱,不創(chuàng)新才是恥辱。因為新經(jīng)濟的成功典范,都是不斷的創(chuàng)新。
第二個價值觀的轉(zhuǎn)變,那是180度的轉(zhuǎn)變。從眾到不從眾,幾十年以前在美國,在企業(yè)界做事的就是穿灰色西裝,每個人看起來都一樣,那個時代,不從眾是標新立異,不為主流所接受。
現(xiàn)在每個人都要有不一樣,我今天穿jeans（牛仔褲）上班,他今天穿有點像睡衣的樣子上班。
第三點,對公司的忠誠,可說是蕩然無存；但是對職業(yè)的忠誠,反而增加。假如你在美國雞尾酒舞會,遇到一個陌生人,問他你做什么事？以前的答案通常是：我在某某公司當(dāng)什么職務(wù)。
現(xiàn)在問一個陌生人,答案不會是某某公司,他說他是creative artist,很少說我在某某公司作。
第四點,儲蓄已經(jīng)不是美德。這是幾年以前經(jīng)濟學(xué)家講的。他所調(diào)查的致富之道,決不是儲蓄。在美國,最近幾年的新經(jīng)濟,就是大家的收入都增加,可是儲蓄率反而減低了。
第五點,經(jīng)驗被貶值,繼續(xù)學(xué)習(xí)的能力被重視,經(jīng)驗反而是個負擔(dān)。在新經(jīng)濟中成功的人,都是沒有什么經(jīng)驗的,他們看到很多有經(jīng)驗的人帶了很多包袱。而且底薪為主的待遇,絕對不受歡迎。
可被接受的待遇,是跟公司股票有關(guān),你的待遇主要是股票,而不是以底薪為主。
第六點,穩(wěn)定的工作已經(jīng)不被批準,快速活力的工作被追求。假如你去一個公司,它說你好好做,我們一生都照顧你,這也不受歡迎。
但假如一個公司說,你好好做、努力的做,幾年當(dāng)中,你可能變成百萬富翁、千萬富翁。這種當(dāng)然有風(fēng)險,但卻變成大家歡迎的。
第七點,快速反應(yīng),而不是仔細考慮、深思熟慮的態(tài)度,是主流價值。十年前,我看的書大部分都建議,在公司不快樂、工作不再有挑戰(zhàn),也許是因為人事不太融洽,至少應(yīng)該想一年,才決定離開。這現(xiàn)在不是主流價值,這個太慢了。
第八點,人才的價值一直向上升,資本的價值一直向下跌。財富的追求,我相信比舊經(jīng)濟時代要厲害。有一個比較能彌補的因素,就是財富的捐出、對社會的回饋,無論是對慈善事業(yè)也好、對宗教也好、對教育事業(yè)也好,倒可能比過去要看得開。
It is true that new economy is driven by technology, but that is not all. A spirit of innovation and initiative is also fueling its progress.
Five years ago, technology was the dominant impetus. But since then an ever stronger momentum has been generated by such players as wealth, stocks, and Internet, which are more than technology. Indeed, they stem from the spirit of innovation and initiative.
Therefore, while technology remains the propelling force for new economy, it is innovation plus initiative that has kept it thriving. New economy is not merely an economy of technology.
The spirit of innovation, in particular, may well become the leader among a host of emerging values.
Talks about innovation have long been commonplace among technology professionals in the US, but they just form a slice of American society. It is in the past few years that new economy has made the spirit of innovation a mainstream virtue.
Nowadays, it is no shame to suffer failure in striving for something new, but it is shame to stay in a rut. All the role models in new economy are people who never stop pushing for innovations.
The second much-prized value represents an about-turn away from an old-time virtue, namely, from conformity to individuality.
Decades ago, Americans in the business world would wear gray suits, one looking like another. Individuality was a sin that was booed in the mainstream society.
But today everybody tries to be a different self. I may wear jeans at work, while the guy beside me may wear a pyjama-like suit.
Third, loyalty to one's company is gone and lost, but people are more devoted to their professions.
There was a time when, at a cocktail party, you asked a guest about his job and he told you he was working with ABC Company in the position of XYZ.
But today the answer will be different. Your new acquaintance will probably tell you he is, say, a creative artist. It is unlikely that he tells you he belongs to a certain company.
Fourth, saving is no more a virtue. In fact, a certain economist conducted a study years ago and concluded that saving was far from being the key to wealth. That is why, in recent years, people are earning more but their savings have dropped.
Fifth, one's past experience is devalued while the ability to keep on learning is treasured. In a sense, one's past experience has become a liability rather than an asset.
Success stories in new economy are mostly inexperienced people. What they find is that many experienced people are handicapped by their past.
In this connection, renumeration in terms of basic pay is not welcome. Attractive salaries are those linked with the company's shares. The bulk of your pay package is shares, not the basic monthly salary.
Sixth, secure jobs are no longer sought after, but those requiring energy and drive are preferred. You will not choose a company just because it promises your a life-long care in return for your conscientious service.
Instead, you prefer another company that offers you the opportunity to become a millionaire within a few years provided you do your best, despite the risks involved.
Seventh, prompt reaction rather than thoughtful consideration is emphasised. Ten years ago, books I read mostly advised me to pause and ponder for at least one year before deciding to quit if I felt unhappy on my job. This is no longer a popular approach today－waiting for one year is too much.
Eighth, talent is highly valued whereas capital funds are less important, though the pursuit for personal richness is all the more intense than in the old economy.
But a redeeming tendency is emerging, too. People are more generous nowadays in giving to the public by means of donations to charity, religious bodies, or educational institutions. They are more liberal with their money than before.
（The author is chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. The Chinese original, of which this is an abridgement, was published in Common Wealth Monthly. Translated by Allen Zhuang）
創(chuàng)新是的贏家
張忠謀
在1996年,要為“新經(jīng)濟”作一個定義,那就是新經(jīng)濟是以科技技術(shù)為動力的經(jīng)濟。五年以后,新現(xiàn)象產(chǎn)生,新經(jīng)濟的定義,也要改了。它還是以技術(shù)為動力,加上一句,應(yīng)該創(chuàng)新與進取精神蓬勃發(fā)展。
因為五年前是科技技術(shù)。這五年當(dāng)中,財富、股票、互聯(lián)網(wǎng),并不只是技術(shù),這是創(chuàng)新與進取精神。
所以新經(jīng)濟是,技術(shù)為動力,創(chuàng)新與進取精神使得它蓬勃發(fā)展。新經(jīng)濟不是科技經(jīng)濟。
社會價值觀的轉(zhuǎn)變,有幾個重大的改變,的贏家可能是創(chuàng)新。
雖然在美國科技界,常常聽到創(chuàng)新,可是科技界在美國只是局部的社會。這幾年當(dāng)中,新經(jīng)濟使得創(chuàng)新精神變成主流價值。
創(chuàng)新失敗已經(jīng)不是恥辱,不創(chuàng)新才是恥辱。因為新經(jīng)濟的成功典范,都是不斷的創(chuàng)新。
第二個價值觀的轉(zhuǎn)變,那是180度的轉(zhuǎn)變。從眾到不從眾,幾十年以前在美國,在企業(yè)界做事的就是穿灰色西裝,每個人看起來都一樣,那個時代,不從眾是標新立異,不為主流所接受。
現(xiàn)在每個人都要有不一樣,我今天穿jeans（牛仔褲）上班,他今天穿有點像睡衣的樣子上班。
第三點,對公司的忠誠,可說是蕩然無存；但是對職業(yè)的忠誠,反而增加。假如你在美國雞尾酒舞會,遇到一個陌生人,問他你做什么事？以前的答案通常是：我在某某公司當(dāng)什么職務(wù)。
現(xiàn)在問一個陌生人,答案不會是某某公司,他說他是creative artist,很少說我在某某公司作。
第四點,儲蓄已經(jīng)不是美德。這是幾年以前經(jīng)濟學(xué)家講的。他所調(diào)查的致富之道,決不是儲蓄。在美國,最近幾年的新經(jīng)濟,就是大家的收入都增加,可是儲蓄率反而減低了。
第五點,經(jīng)驗被貶值,繼續(xù)學(xué)習(xí)的能力被重視,經(jīng)驗反而是個負擔(dān)。在新經(jīng)濟中成功的人,都是沒有什么經(jīng)驗的,他們看到很多有經(jīng)驗的人帶了很多包袱。而且底薪為主的待遇,絕對不受歡迎。
可被接受的待遇,是跟公司股票有關(guān),你的待遇主要是股票,而不是以底薪為主。
第六點,穩(wěn)定的工作已經(jīng)不被批準,快速活力的工作被追求。假如你去一個公司,它說你好好做,我們一生都照顧你,這也不受歡迎。
但假如一個公司說,你好好做、努力的做,幾年當(dāng)中,你可能變成百萬富翁、千萬富翁。這種當(dāng)然有風(fēng)險,但卻變成大家歡迎的。
第七點,快速反應(yīng),而不是仔細考慮、深思熟慮的態(tài)度,是主流價值。十年前,我看的書大部分都建議,在公司不快樂、工作不再有挑戰(zhàn),也許是因為人事不太融洽,至少應(yīng)該想一年,才決定離開。這現(xiàn)在不是主流價值,這個太慢了。
第八點,人才的價值一直向上升,資本的價值一直向下跌。財富的追求,我相信比舊經(jīng)濟時代要厲害。有一個比較能彌補的因素,就是財富的捐出、對社會的回饋,無論是對慈善事業(yè)也好、對宗教也好、對教育事業(yè)也好,倒可能比過去要看得開。