music industry

Date: September 20, 2014

Name:TCCS – Music Business Table Talk

Presenter: Ken Hsieh

Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Society (TCCS) is a registered nonprofit charitable organization that promotes cultural harmony between Taiwanese and Canadian cultures. TCCS invites Ken Hsieh, the award winning Canadian conductor from Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, to present his view of business in the world of music industry. His experience includes conducting Hyogo Performing Art Center Orchestra and Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra will inspire and motivate many entrepreneurs who are in the music industry.

Ken believes as a music conductor, the main objective is to conduct everyone in the team to one idea. This is very similar to business where CEO has an idea and tries to incorporate the idea to the organization.

In every music masterpiece, there is a fantasy. Ken emphasizes the goal is to create the fantasy using sound that carry through the audience’s emotions. In business, mission statement is like the fantasy in music masterpiece.

During the early years, Ken’s father’s has a traditional mindset that wants Ken to follow the footstep of Doctor or Lawyer. Ken refuses to continue education due to a lack of interest and decides to pursue his dream of music career.

“What makes you wake up before the alarm clock goes off?”

After transfer to University of British Columbia and complete the education, he pursues his dream in Japan by following his mentor to learn the conductor fundamental. Within 2 and half years, his mentor disciplines Ken and ensure Ken is mentored under many great famous conductors. He continues his further training in Europe to experience life. He returns to Vancouver and Join Vancouver Symphony Orchestra to assist conductor.

“How to speak to people who are more experience in orchestra?”

In the music business, Ken learns it is impossible to please everybody. When he receives bad review, it is important to have a positive mindset to learn from the feedback. There must be mutual respect in any business to retain long term business relationship.

As a conductor, Ken considers the person who promotes others in orchestra. Ken believes in any business, networking is important. Entrepreneurs should always go out and explore new opportunities and become proactive. In Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, Ken establishes a platform to promote other talented musician in their music career. Moreover, Ken believes if people come together and share idea, they will benefit each other by gaining professional relationship for the future.

“You never know who can promote you”

Due to the advance from technology, the attention span is getting weaker. This put music in danger because the average attention span in this generation is roughly 4 to 5 minutes. The source of entertainment is different and it has more variety. Conductors need to conduct the same piece differently. Ken is looking for new ways to enjoy the career and inspire music to audience.

There are 5 types of people Ken dislike in any business career:

1. People who uses “I am tired” as excuse
2. People who never try and always say “I cannot do it”
3. People who are selfish towards everything in life
4. People who have strong ego
5. People who have no self-respect for themselves

Ken indicates people who are selfish usually good at saying no to others. People with strong ego usually have no confidence and use ego to hide his weakness as defense mechanism. People who have no self-respect for themselves usually use certain ways to gain quick advantage for themselves.

Ken suggests every entrepreneur to give 120% in everything they do. Entrepreneurs need to know what excite them, and create passion for career. Ken defines leadership as “How to Lead” and “How to inspire people to play your music”.

Wake up Call

Ken emphasizes health is more important than anything in life. A couple of years ago, Ken almost diagnoses with cancer. He realizes without health, everything in life is meaningless. He recommends entrepreneurs to pursue leadership, but do not abuse health. Therefore, life balance is critical.

“What is the point if your career is going but not your health?”

Ken recommends entrepreneurs to be open and receptive. They need to be surrounded by good people. Learn from each other and learn from different fields. It is important to not limit social connection with certain people. Expand is the key to success.

Entrepreneurs need to remember no matter how successful they become, they should give back to the community. People must respect others, must be humble, and must give back to society. Ken suggests all entrepreneurs to think about their vision in 30 years and pursue with passion and desire.

“Life is not linear, it always have ups and downs”

“When bamboo grows taller, it bends more”