American Chris Gentry founded Asiaworks in Hong Kong in 1993, basing it on other Large Group Awareness Training (LGAT) programs such as Erhard Seminar Training, Landmark Education, and Lifespring. Gentry’s aim was to adapt the LGAT model for the Asian market, with increased focus on societal status, reputation, and education.
Asiaworks is presented as a breakthrough educational seminar, focusing on self-improvement and the achievement of individual objectives. The core of Asiaworks’ program involves intensive training sessions that are designed to develop the participant’s mental capacity. The training sessions include techniques such as prolonged eye contact and the sharing of personal secrets. While Asiaworks says that these methods accelerate personal transformation, critics call them emotionally manipulative.
Critics also highlight Asiaworks’ focus on the recruiting of new members. The recruitment process often begins with individuals being invited by existing members. These members are frequently encouraged to bring in friends and family under the guise of sharing a transformative opportunity, contributing to a personal network-based recruitment strategy. Current students are often given specific recruitment goals and paired with a “buddy” to help ensure these targets are met.
The Asiaworks program structure typically involves a sequential progression through different courses. The Basic Training serves as the entry-level program, focusing on awareness through an experiential learning format. Following the Basic Training is the Advanced course, which is considered the “core” of the program. This course is described as more intensive and aims to address perceived flaws in participants’ interpersonal skills, integrity, and commitment levels.
The final stage is the Leadership course, a three-month program. This stage focuses on integrating the tools and concepts learned in previous courses into daily life, often through specific projects and continued engagement. The overall cost of completing the full program can be substantial.
Beyond public workshops, Asiaworks also offers customized training and consulting services. These are provided to businesses, government entities, and other organizations through its corporate partnerships.
Cult awareness organizations and individuals contend that Asiaworks’ operational tactics share significant similarities with those of cults, leading to ongoing debate about the nature and ethical implications of its programs.
Key Sources:
Cult Education Institute (2002, July 25). In my opinion Asiaworks is an evil ‘cult-like’ group.
Mathewson, R. (1994, September 18). Yuppies happy to pay for vision of new life. South China Morning Post.
Sinha, K. (2007, May 18). Asiaworks and Large group awareness training. The Indian Enlightenment.
Tedjasukmana, J. (2000, August 21). Looking for a new path. Time.
Encyclopedia of Cults, Sects, and New Religious Movements 