Background

A thin line separates fame and recognition.
It's called the Asia Business Leaders Awards.

Steel-like resolve, 360 vision and a committed desire to stay on top of the competition. This is the profile of a true business leader. One, who sees the dynamic business climate as an opportunity to build an organization that re-defines the rules of the business landscape.

And there's only one world-class event in Asia that recognizes and rewards these outstanding and inspiring business leaders.

Centered on the theme "Defining Success through Leadership", the Asia Business Leader Awards 2004 is a unique opportunity for Asia's sharpest minds to prove their mettle.

The pinnacle of successful leadership, this year's event will be held in the world's fastest growing business centre - Shanghai, from May 25 to 26.

The best corporate personalities of Asia will gather there to congratulate their peers and debate the issues that affect business today. Are you amongst them?

Messages

Alexander Brown
President & CEO, CNBC Asia Pacific

"CNBC's reputation has been built on providing in-depth and up-to-the-minute business analysis and information that help industry leaders in the region make critical business decisions every day. The Asia Business Leader Awards seeks to acknowledge those individuals who have been able to successfully navigate their companies through an extremely diverse and challenging business environment in the region.

Since its inception in 2001, the Asia Business Leader Awards has grown rapidly in terms of entries, scale and recognition as the region's premier business leadership awards. Given China's rapidly growing importance on the world economic stage, we are particularly pleased to be bringing the Awards to Shanghai in 2004."

Ken McCall
CEO, TNT Asia, Middle East and Africa

"TNT's mission is to meet the changing needs of our customers, employees and shareholders with unrelenting commitment. As the leading global business logistics company that has partnered other leading companies in Asia for the past 50 years, TNT understands the challenges that a rapidly changing world brings to business leaders in Asia. At TNT, we salute the Asia Business Leader Awards winners of Y2001 and Y2002 for their ability to lead their companies to sustainable growth with clear vision, great courage and unrelenting commitment. We are confident that Asia will showcase even more heroes in this changing business world through the Y2004 Asia Business Leader Awards."

Li Ruigang
President, SMG & Board Chairman, CBN

"China Business Network (CBN), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Shanghai Media Group (SMG), the flagship media conglomerate in Shanghai. CBN is dedicated to delivering the latest, most in-depth and authoritative reports for professionals and investors.

As the only multi-channel and cross-region business information provider in China, we are very pleased to be associated with the 2004 Asia Business Leader Awards. As Asia grows in importance in the global economic arena, there has never been a better time to recognize, reward and promote outstanding corporate leadership and organizational excellence. We believe that ABLA is perfectly in tune with CBN's strategy of bringing invaluable business insight to the country's growing numbers of influential entrepreneurs, professionals, families and senior corporate executives."

Theme

Defining Success through Leadership

Leadership of a successful business in any environment requires vision, foresight and unwavering commitment. Leaders who personify these characteristics reaped rewards. Taking calculated risks, these leaders have managed their businesses successfully across the region and have pro-actively shaped the future. They have created value through innovation while strictly adhering to the rules of corporate governance.

ABLA 2004 recognises these individuals for their ability to lead and succeed in today's ever-changing business landscape and lay the foundations for their organisations in the years to come. Through their ability to seize new opportunities in the midst of risk, constantly adapt to new challenges, and create forward -thinking organisations, these individuals have redefined success through true leadership.

The Award Categories

As Asia's premier business leadership Awards, ABLA brings together some of the best-known personalities in business today. Asia's top business people vies for the coveted Asia Business Leader of the Year, Innovator of the Year, Corporate Citizen of the Year, China CEO of the Year and CEOs' Choice of the Year Awards.

The Winners

Congratulations to the proud and deserving winners of the Asia Business Leader Awards 2004!

Asia Business Leader of the Year and CEOs' Choice of the Year
Mr. Gerardo Ablaza, Jr.
Globe Telecom Inc.
Philippines

Corporate Citizen of the Year
Mr. Nandan M. Nilekani
Infosys Technologies Ltd
India

Innovator of the Year
Mr. Steve Chang
Trend Micro Incorporated
Founded in California; Headquarters in Japan

China CEO of the Year
Mr. Zhai Ruo Yu
Beijing Datang Power Generation Ltd

The Judging Process

The theme for this year's Award is: "ABLA - Defining Success through Leadership." The business climate in Asia presents a set of opportunities that reward exceptional business leaders who distinguished themselves with their vision, foresight and unwavering commitment.
The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (Chicago GSB), one of the leading business schools in the world, is the ABLA 2004's Knowledge Partner. Professor Mark Zmijewski, Leon Caroll Marshall Professor of Accounting and Dean of the Singapore Campus, together with Mr. William Kooser, Associate Dean for Part-Time MBA programs from the GSB, lead the panel of judges in selecting four of Asia's successful business leaders for the 2004 Awards.

Development Dimensions International (DDI), one of the world's leading human resource consulting and leadership development firms, is ABLA 2004's Research Partner. They work closely with Chicago GSB for ABLA 2004 in the initial rounds of the judging process.
The Chicago GSB and DDI manage the initial steps in the three-phase judging process. In the first phase, a dedicated team from Chicago GSB goes through the database of companies in Asia and derives a performance score for each company basis a mathematical equation that takes into account numerous factors that have affected the company and the business climate for the year. The CEO's of the short listed companies are interviewed face to face by DDI in phase two. There is a further short-listing after these personal interviews. In the final phase, members of the regional judging panel are given the necessary data to evaluate the finalists.

Members of the regional Judging Panel ABLA 2004

The judging panel led by Professor Mark E. Zmijewski of the University of Chicago, GSB comprise editorial journalists, retired business leaders/CEOs or professionals with Asia experience, Asian corporate strategists, respected academics and international management thinkers.

The judging panel comprises the following members:

Events

Our City of Choice - Shanghai

Shanghai, the pulse of China's economy.

CEO Golf Challenge

An Ideal Opportunity for top CEOs and business leaders to mix and mingle with their peers, and more importantly away from the boardroom. This popular event takes place at Tianma Golf and Country Club on 25th May 2004.

Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony

ABLA is more than just an Awards show; it is a celebration of individual achievement. The formal gala dinner on 25th May 2004 brings together eminent industry leaders from Asia to award outstanding individuals for their exemplary leadership in their respective fields. The who's who from Asia gathers at this event to bestow due recognition to their peers for their excellent leadership qualities and honour their significant contributions to the business community.

Asia Business Leader Summit

The Asia Business Leader Summit brings together the best of Asia's leading business and economic thinkers. On 26th May 2004, this elite circle will share their informed views on leadership, management and the future business opportunities in Asia for 2004 and beyond. An event not to be missed, this is the perfect platform for the business community to discuss and exchange ideas on trends and challenges faced in the volatile economies in Asia. As this event grows in stature each year, ABLA 2004 provides the perfect backdrop for the multinational companies to engage in various forms of trade and investment, to seek new opportunities in Asia and to facilitate efforts to build strategic alliances.