紐英崙玉山科協講座談生醫科技界不斷裁員真正原因

紐英崙玉山科技協會會長凌秀美（前左三起）與講者莫升元，前會長許翠玲，波士頓經文處經濟組組長石大玲（後左三）等人會後合影。（周菊子攝）

（Boston Orange 周菊子劍橋市報導）儘管美國經濟近來有復甦跡象，生物醫藥、科技界仍不斷傳出大幅度裁員消息，紐英崙玉山科技協會（MJNE）9月10日中午，特地在劍橋市微軟研發中心舉辦講座，邀請聯合健康集團策略及創新總監莫升元博士，以“大幅裁員及資深主管薪資過高？要怪波士頓諮詢顧問公司及麥肯錫顧問公司？”為題，解析原由及因應之道。

紐英崙玉山科協辦講座，波士頓華僑文教中心主任歐宏偉（中）出席打

氣，玉山科協會長凌秀美（左），曾任會長的康麗雪（右）接待。

（周菊子攝）

莫升元指出，近年來，產業界陸續傳出思科將裁員5,500，英代爾砍掉12,000個職位，國際商業機器公司（IBM）繼續裁員，刪減總數可能高達14,000，百奧健（Biogen）重組，刪減人力11%等等消息，讓人不禁好奇，美國企業到底是怎麼做出這些決定的，聘用波士頓諮詢集團或麥肯錫顧問公司，真能解決問題嗎？

聯合健康集團的策略及創新總監莫升元主講。（周菊子攝）

曾經在波士頓諮詢顧問（BCG）公司工作，其後轉進聯合健康集團任職，高升至策略及創新總監的莫升元指出，美國公司經常藉重整組織，裁員，來達到提高盈利率的目的。2015年資料顯示，在美就業者平均一生要換七個雇主，預計到2030年時，這數據將更新為平均一生要換十個雇主。他希望這講座能讓大家知道，在美國裁員是很普通的事，各人要保持平常心，做好自己可能被裁的心裡準備。

莫升元在分析時指出，一家公司成長到一定程度，多半呈菱形，做決策時上下溝通要經過太多層，效率差，因此會以裁員，重整組織結構來把公司變成越扁越好的三角形。再者，公司高階主管薪資，多半靠股權來攀高，公司股票的每股盈利（EPS）往往成為他們是否決定整頓公司的指標。

聯合健康集團的策略及創新總監莫升元博士。（周菊子攝）

由於裁員涉及情面，公司內部政治等多種因素，為免尷尬，大公司多半都從外面聘請顧問公司執行。波士頓諮詢，麥肯錫，貝恩等，是業內最知名的三家公司。他們和公司的資深副總裁或執行長之類的高階主管攜手，根據公司想要節省多少錢，打算裁多少人，有沒有新的投資等條件，來制定裁員計劃。

在講座中，莫升元還帶出席者玩了一個組織重整遊戲，讓出席者思考作為公司主管，要如何理順公司營運，如何促使不同部門合作得更融洽，以及一旦併購其他公司後，要如何藉由一輪重新面試，審閱履歷表，啟動一輪新裁員，來達到整頓公司的效果等等。

            紐英崙玉山科協理事長凌美秀表示，該會每月都舉辦活動，這天的講題對本地生化業者來說，非常貼切實用。十月一日，該會將舉辦本年度年會，主題是“創意及創新-以影響帶動改變（Creativity and Innovation – Leading Change with Impact）“。

麻州長宣佈九月是麻州蘋果月

Governor Baker Declares September as Massachusetts Apple Month

BOSTON – September 12, 2016 – Governor Charlie Baker today declared September as “Massachusetts Apple Month” to support Massachusetts apple growers, especially during the current drought conditions. The declaration was followed by a visit to Wojick Orchard in Blackstone by Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner John Lebeaux.

“Massachusetts Apple Month’ is an opportunity to recognize the hard work local apple growers do to produce delicious and healthy fruit from Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “I encourage everyone to support Massachusetts’ farmers this month by purchasing locally grown apples and other produce.”

“Despite a very challenging growing season, farmers have been working very hard to bring quality products to farm stands and farmers’ markets, and they have succeeded in doing so,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton.  “Apple growers also help support our local and regional economies and participate in a wide variety of conservation efforts and renewable energy projects that advance the protection of the environment.”

Massachusetts boasts more than 140 varieties of apples grown in the state, including local favorites such as McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun, Gala and Honeycrisp. According to the United States Apple Association, apples contain no fat, cholesterol or sodium and are excellent sources of fiber, natural plant-based anti-oxidants and the mineral boron – which promotes healthy bones.

“The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources encourages consumers to visit their local farmers’ markets, farmstands and pick-your-own operations.  There’s plenty of healthy, high-quality, locally-grown product there that will taste delicious in meals and snacks,” said MDAR Commissioner Lebeaux.  “There’s no denying our farmers have had a lot of challenges thrown their way this season; we can greatly help them by purchasing and enjoying their nutritious harvest.”

With approximately 340 apple orchards in Massachusetts on over 4,000 acres of land, the Commonwealth yielded over 28 million pounds of apples worth $20 million in 2012.

Visit MDAR’s farm finder to find information on Massachusetts apple orchards, pick-your-own apple farms, farmers' markets, and roadside produce stands.

Boston Arts Academy receives national 'Schools of Opportunity' Silver Recognition

BAA student, Duke Atkinson, participates in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) programming (Credit: Michael Blanchard) Boston Arts Academy receives national 'Schools of Opportunity' Silver Recognition

Boston, MA - Monday, September 12, 2016 - Boston Arts Academy is one of only 20 schools from across the country to receive recognition as a "School of Opportunity," a coveted national designation honoring excellent public high schools that engage in practices that build on students' strengths and create supported learning opportunities for all students. "This honor is evidence of how public education can serve our students," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "We're continuing to strive in our work to close opportunity and achievement gaps and meet the diverse needs of every student. Congratulations to the students and staff of the Boston Arts Academy." The National Education Policy Center (NEPC), based at the University of Colorado Boulder, sponsors the Schools of Opportunity project, which identifies excellent public high schools that actively strive to close opportunity gaps - the differences in opportunities and resources that drive the well-known achievement gaps. "On behalf of the School Committee, I would like to extend congratulations to the students and educators at BAA," said Boston School Committee Chairperson Michael O'Neill. "This institution has demonstrated a creative and unique method for supporting students. We're extremely proud of this accomplishment." Applications went through four levels of screening by review teams comprised of researchers, teachers, policy makers and administrators, who looked at school practices that fell into categories, such as create and maintain healthy school culture;broaden and enrich school curriculum; use a variety of assessments designed to respond to student needs; and support teachers as professionals. "Our goal at BPS is to transform the lives of each and every single child for the better through education," said Superintendent Tommy Chang. "Being part of 'Schools of Opportunity' is a great honor. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the BAA community has focused its efforts on building up every student through the arts, as well as through building a supportive and nurturing environment. We are extremely excited for them as they are recognized for this work." With a large economically disadvantaged population, Boston Arts Academy enrolls student who had limited access to arts education prior to enrollment. The school leverages interest in the arts to provide a strong academic program that builds self-confidence along with talent. Unlike many public schools for the arts, the academy does not use test scores, grades or attendance to determine admittance and it deliberately builds diversity. "Boston Arts Academy's innovative approach to curriculum and student support particularly stood out to the national team of reviewers," said Carol Burris, School of Opportunity project co-director. As part of a lengthened school day, students attend academic classes and 2.5 hours of daily arts classes. "Schools play a key role in a student's life and learning, and we should hold up excellent schools as exemplars," explains Kevin Welner NEPC director and project co-director. "Students' learning arises from more than just what happens in school. Research suggests that about one-third of variance among students' test scores can be attributed to schools, with the remainder likely due to poverty-related factors. Because schools play this important but not controlling role in measured learning, the Schools of Opportunity project rejects the idea that test scores identify the nation's best schools." "We instead offer an alternative way of assessing school quality-one that focuses on the day-to-day practices that schools choose to use," said Welner. "We call attention to research-based practices to support all students and their teachers, thereby creating engaged and successful learning environments." For more information about the Schools of Opportunity project, including descriptions of all recognized schools, visit opportunitygap.org. "The arts have the power to transform lives," says Headmaster Anne R. Clark. "For many students, including students who struggle academically or suffer from social/emotional issues, the arts are a pathway to success. The arts develop creativity, critical thinking skills, self-discipline, perseverance, and the ability to work collaboratively. At Boston Arts Academy, we push students to take creative risks and to use the arts to advocate for causes they believe in."

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $2.4 Million in Workforce Training Grants

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $2.4 Million in Workforce Training Grants

BOSTON, MA, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 – The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded more than $2.4 million in workforce training fund grants to 25 companies to train current or newly hired workers. This round of grant funding will help train 2,162 workers, and is expected to create 263 new jobs.

“We have made workforce development a priority for Massachusetts residents to get the skills they need to prosper and for companies to have a talented pool of workers to expand,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The training and career-building skills provided by these investments will help bolster economic prosperity and success throughout the Commonwealth.”

The Workforce Training Fund assists Massachusetts businesses in becoming more competitive by investing in the skills of their workers. The Workforce Training Fund is also a key resource to thousands of Massachusetts workers who wish to advance their skills to achieve promotional opportunities and higher wages. It also acts as a catalyst for job creation.

 “The Workforce Training Fund is a vital tool for many companies to upgrade employees’ skills and increase productivity,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said. “The training helps both the workers and the companies compete in a global environment.”

The Workforce Training Fund provides grants of up to $250,000 to companies in Massachusetts, to pay for workforce training over a two-year period. Grants are awarded to projects that will upgrade workers’ skills, increase productivity, and enhance the competitiveness of Massachusetts businesses. Grants are matched dollar-for-dollar by the award recipients.

The Workforce Training Fund is a program of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and administered by Commonwealth Corporation, a quasi-public state agency that fosters partnerships between industry, education and workforce organizations to strengthen skills for youth and adults in order to help them thrive in the state’s economy.

“With these grants, companies are making a commitment to enhance the skills of their workers, which not only helps businesses be more competitive, it boosts the state’s overall economy when more people are better trained,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II said.

“We are extremely grateful for the support of the Baker-Polito administration and the Workforce Training Fund grant, which will allow us to grow in Massachusetts,” said Curtis Schmidt, senior manager of radar industrialization at Autoliv Incorporated. “Autoliv is committed to saving more lives and to providing world class automotive safety through training our employees to be more knowledgeable, efficient, and to help them be exceptional leaders.”

“For almost 20 years, companies have benefitted from the Workforce Training Fund, enabling them to give their employees the most up-to-date skills, while positioning their business for growth,” Nancy Snyder, president and chief executive officer of Commonwealth Corporation said. “Many business owners tell us they would not be able to make this type of investment in their workforce without these grants.”

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and Commonwealth Corporation hope to encourage businesses to address workforce training needs through the Workforce Training Fund. The fund awards more than $1 million each month, on a rolling basis throughout the year. Interested parties are encouraged to visit WorkforceTrainingFund.org to learn more.

The following is a complete list of the grant recipients awarded Workforce Training Fund Grants today (listed by community):

台灣經濟部將訪波 9/26辦攬才洽談會

臺灣經濟部籌組攬才團訪問波士頓並舉行

攬才洽談會(Job Fair)，歡迎僑胞及留學生登記參加

為協助臺灣廠商及科研機構延攬人才，提升臺灣的競爭力及科技研發能量，臺灣經濟部之投資業務處與外貿協會合作籌組的「2016年美國攬才團」將在9月25日來訪波士頓，並於次日(9/26)舉行與本地人才及留學生的面試洽談會，歡迎僑胞及留學生等專才參加。

根據駐波士頓臺北經文處提供之訊息，參加本次洽談會的廠商共有14家，包括臺灣的鴻海精密、廣達電腦、信邦電子、益邦製藥、台新金控、工業技術研究院及資訊工業策進會等，俱為一時之選。其中有3家是在美投資的臺商共襄盛舉，參與攬才，包括麻州的北美祥茂企業(醫療器材)、E-Ink Corp.(電子書、電子顯示科技)及紐約的金石娛樂。以上廠商中將有7家派員在現場與求職之專才進行面談，其餘則委託外貿協會隨團人員蒐集本地人才之履歷資料，攜回轉給未能派員前來的廠商參考，由廠商在事後另與求職之人才接洽。至目前為止，以上徵才廠商開出的職缺多達100餘個，除研發職類外，還包括主管職、行銷、管理及財務等，工作的地點除臺灣外，還包括美國本土及東南亞等。

本次洽談會之時間、地點：9月26日(週一)中午12時至晩間8時，Hunsaker Ballroom, Le Meridien Hotel Cambridge-MIT, 20 Sidney St., Cambridge, MA 02139(最近之T捷運站為紅線的Central Square)。據駐處表示，本地僑胞、留學生及各類專才參與洽談會的方式有三：(一)線上預約面試：先至臺灣政府之攬才入口網(ContactTaiwan，中文http://www.contacttaiwan.tw/main/index.aspx，英文http://www.contacttaiwan.tw/main/index.aspx?lang=2)登記成為會員，然後前往Event網頁，勾選國外活動/overseas：2016臺灣赴美攬才訪問團，瀏覽廠商開出之職缺、所需人才條件並登記選擇擬洽談時段，每家廠商與每人面試洽談為20分鐘，每人可預約多家業者；(二)現場安排面試：準備個人履歷(最好備中、英文)攜至現場，由工作人員安排與廠商面談；及(三)至現場投遞個人履歷，由工作人員轉給未派員前來之廠商參考。

對以上洽談會有任何詢問，可電洽臺北經文處經濟組石組長大玲(Peter Shih)或商務助理黃姵蓉(Patti Huang)，電話：617-259-1370。

CITY PASSES 10,000 MARK FOR NEW HOUSING UNITS COMPLETED

CITY PASSES 10,000 MARK FOR NEW HOUSING UNITS COMPLETED

As new stock becomes occupied, rental market in some high-growth neighborhoods beginning to moderate; more than 20 percent new units are affordable

BOSTON - Monday, September 12, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that the City of Boston has completed more than 10,000 units under the administration's housing plan Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030. In order to accommodate the growth of the city, the plan calls for the creation of 53,000 new units of housing to be created by the year 2030.   Along with the 10,486 units completed, 7,242 housing units are currently under construction, another 17,285 are currently in the development review process, and 4,167 are in the pipeline. This brings the total number of units towards the housing plan to just over 39,120 - enough housing for 67,600 new residents.   In addition, the administration announced that trends are beginning to show potential stabilization in select high-growth rental markets.   "Boston is growing faster than at any time in the last 50 years, and we need to make sure that anyone who wants to help make our city better can afford to live here," said Mayor Walsh. "In today's strong housing market, that means we have to create housing at all levels - from luxury units to housing for seniors and formerly homeless people.  I am so pleased that we have reached this milestone, and we are not going to rest until we have reached our goals."   Boston leads the nation in percentage of its housing stock set aside as deed-restricted affordable units. The current round of completions maintains that status, with twenty percent of new units set aside as affordable housing. Of those units, 60 percent are affordable to families making less than 60 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) - a combined household income of $53,000 or below for a family of three.  The remaining 40 percent are affordable to middle-income residents - those families with household incomes between $60,000 - $125,000. A fundamental principle of the City's housing plan is that as new housing stock comes on line, it will relieve pressure on the City's existing stock.  As people who wish to upgrade do so, the result will be higher vacancy rates in existing stock and diminished pressure on rents.     Based on a new City analysis of rental trends, this stabilization appears to be underway in several of the neighborhoods that saw the highest growth. For example, Central Boston saw 3,030 units completed - a 25 percent rate of growth. Rents in older units in this neighborhood have now declined by just over one percent.     In the Fenway, which grew by six percent, rents in older units declined by .4 percent.  And in the South End, which grew by nearly ten percent, rents in older units only rose .3 percent.     To better understand the forces behind rental trends, the City also analyzed job growth in Boston's neighborhoods to understand whether rental prices correlated with significant job growth. Early results point toward this trend bearing out.   For example, the neighborhood of South Boston, which includes the Seaport District, grew its housing stock by more than 26 percent, yet still posted a 6 percent increase in rents; however, the neighborhood also added enough floorspace to accommodate more than 8,000 new workers, which suggests that supply has not yet caught up with demand.  The City will continue to closely monitor these trends on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis.   The City hopes that increased production in the neighborhoods will also begin to moderate rents outside of the downtown core.  Of the 10,000 completed units, 67 percent were downtown, while 33 percent were in the outer neighborhoods; however, current trends in permits show a reversal of this trend.  Sixty-nine percent of the permit applications in 2016 have been in the outer neighborhoods, with 31 percent in the downtown core.     Nearly one-quarter of the completed units represent homeownership opportunities, with that trend continuing to grow as the City sees a shift in permits pulled from rental to condominium.  For example, in 2013, 82 percent of permits pulled were for rental property; in 2016, that number has decreased to 43 percent.   The numbers also demonstrated an almost even split between smaller units and family size units: 52 percent were one bedroom or smaller; while 48 percent were two-bedroom units or higher.   To begin to identify the remaining units, the City will this week begin convening department heads across agencies to identify even more new strategies for development.