China & Canada
EXCHANGE
HONG KONG
Younsgionals Profes
Vol.10 May 2013
Editio
n
MBA
Is An Right for You?
Planning Your Career: Tips from An Expert Expat Advantages:
Learning Mandarin
Advantages of Working in
Hong Kong A Publication of The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
Vol.10 MAY 2013
Contents
08
14
02 President’s Message 03 Editor’s Message 04 Interviews 04 Todd Handcock 05 Jennifer Chua 06 Robert Cook
08 Options for Future
34
08 Is an MBA Right for you? 10 The Great Wall of Language 12 Plan Your Career 14 What I am Telling my Students These Days
16 In Motion
16 From Backpack to Briefcase 18 On Good Ground 20 Drawn to the Harbour 22 Finding a Good Situation
24 Young Professionals
24 Young Faces of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong 25 Inside the Industries 26 What is an Alumni? 27 Beginnings of a Young Professional in Toronto & Montreal with the Hong KongCanada Business Association
29 Out & About 29 What’s Happening 32 Restaurants/Bars 34 Sports
37 Fashion Jointly Published by Speedflex Medianet Ltd and The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong 1/F, Hua Qin International Building 340 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong Tel: 2542 2780 Fax: 2542 3733 Email: info@speedflex.com.hk
Published by Editorial Board Cherie Tong Jean-Baptiste Roy Madeleine Behan Neil Warrington Sam Powney Sarah Leslie
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Advertising charles@speedflex.com.hk
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2
Message
s ’ t n e d i Pretse No Robert Cook President of The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
The term “young professional” means different things to different people. Our Chamber defines the term as those who are 30 and under. However, perhaps young professionals can be defined as a mindset, as there is no real agreement on when young professionals are no longer young. We see young professionals as a group of people who are interested in improving themselves and the future of their community. They work hard, they like to socialise, they are technologically savy, and most importantly, they make the change that they want to see in their lives, their businesses, and their community. It is our belief that a community influenced by young professionals is one that attracts and retains them. As they are the next generation in business, we want to get young professionals together so they not only grow in their career, but also grow within our community. Our Chamber’s Young Professionals Committee has been established to do exactly that. The core of their mandate is the belief that the more informed, involved, and networked young professionals are, the more influence they will have. Young professionals are tomorrow’s decision-makers and we understand that the key to their success lies in broadening networks, constant personal development, and finding the right mentors for guidance. It makes sense to start cultivating these relationships with young professionals now. This issue allows us to showcase numerous young professionals from diverse backgrounds, who are eager to bring a new approach to organisations, and striving to make the most out of our business community in Hong Kong. It communicates the stories, lessons, and support we have within our Chamber. Always remember: this is your Chamber. Whatever the future may bring for Hong Kong, Canada, and your business, the Chamber will be here to make sure you are ready as well.
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Message 3
Views
from a Young Professional in Hong Kong
Earning a good living is important, but the best and brightest are looking for more than just a paycheck. Young professionals seek a place to live with great quality of life and the culture and amenities to support it. They are the most mobile segment of the labour force and are often more willing to relocate for both economic reasons and for a standard of living. With that said, Hong Kong is the ideal place for young professionals. Free-market policies and low corporate taxes, as well as the gateway to the world’s most populous nation, make Hong Kong one of the best places to do business. Whilst here, young professionals quickly fall in love with Hong Kong’s vibrancy, convenience and attitude. Hong Kong welcomes people from overseas with open arms and thus boasts one of the largest Canadian communities abroad. This community, along with some 500,000 people of Hong Kong descent in Canada, plays a dynamic role in building vibrant bilateral relations which include longstanding and comprehensive political, commercial, and people-to-people ties. The two nations maintain a close relationship economically and in education. For instance, one in five students from Hong Kong prefers to stay and study in Canada according to certain records. Many students from Canada also study in Hong Kong, as evidenced by the large number of Canadian international schools that operate in Hong Kong, as well as, the large number of Canadian exchange students. Canada’s presence in Hong Kong is also reflected by the presence of Hong Kong-Canadian associations, such as our Chamber and the Canadian University Association (CUA), which now acts as an umbrella group for some twenty Canadian university alumni associations active in Hong Kong today. However, it is important to emphasise that it is not always a generous paycheck that keeps the young workforce in one place. Experience can be just as important, if not more so, as it can help to fast track their career path. The best thing young professionals can gain is information. Ideally, Hong Kong is an interconnected city, an accelerator of knowledge. It is a great place for young professionals to develop their network and learn from a wide variety of people and cultures. As Hong Kong is a fast changing environment, it is important for young professionals to understand how the city is evolving and how we can adapt by constantly improving our hard and soft skills. For this issue, our publication has changed to match young professionals’ needs within their working and living environment. Knowing about the community is vital for our growth and we have condensed what you need to know about what is happening, and explain how it relates to your career and personal life here. The contributions by our members and friends in this issue will help any young professional become more knowledgeable, more competitive, and better connected to each other. The stories and experiences shared are information I wish I had had upon arriving in Hong Kong five years ago. Many continue to find Hong Kong to be an excellent place to build a life in the globalised world. A majority are successful entrepreneurs and executives that have built up deep connections in the local community through participation in government, business, associations, and community groups. Scores of alumni associations, multiple sports leagues and a thriving business community and social scene make this one of the most exciting cities in the world, and perhaps the most exciting Canadian city outside of Canada. In short, Hong Kong has all the ingredients to foster creativity and entrepreneurship – an idyllic place for any young professional. Enjoy this issue.
Jean-Baptiste Roy
s ’ r o t i Ed te No
Director of The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong Chair of the Young Professionals Committee
Vol.10 MAY 2013
4
INTERVIEWs
Todd Handcock was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Executive Board for Williams Lea Asia Pacific as well as the CEO for Tag: Hong Kong in September 2012. Todd has over 20 years of experience living and working in the Asia Pacific region. He thrives in the fast paced, multi-cultural business environment of Hong Kong and enjoys the continual challenges that arise when working in such a fast growing market. While many would still consider Todd to be working abroad, he now calls Hong Kong home. When did you arrive in Hong Kong? Which country(s) were you working in prior to moving here? I moved to Hong Kong 12 years ago. I first arrived in Asia in 1993 and worked in Indonesia for 5 years. Since then I’ve moved around the region, working in Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong as well as back in Canada for a period. Did you ever dream of working in Hong Kong previously, when you were in Canada?
Which other countries have you worked in before coming to Hong Kong? How does Hong Kong compare to these places? As I mentioned, I’ve worked in Indonesia, Singapore, Japan and Canada. Hong Kong has the best of both worlds; it has the same dynamism as the rest of the region, but is a much easier place to live, especially if you have a family. Singapore is a more laid back city, they’ve done great things over the last ten years, bringing in green space and the arts – it’s really a wonderful place to live now. Japan on the other hand was tough, people would refuse to speak in English even if they spoke English; it wasn’t very foreigner friendly when I was there in ‘97, but that’s since changed. What would you like to see Hong Kong do more of/differently as your “home”/ “ideal city”? Three things. First and foremost, the pollution. The air quality today is much worse than when I arrived twelve years ago. Secondly, the schooling situation. Trying to get your kids into primary school is almost impossible. I know several families that have had to leave Hong Kong, because they couldn’t get their kids into school. Thirdly, the waterfront is a missed opportunity for the city – it’s a global jewel but has the potential to be an attractive area to walk along and enjoy, but instead it’s being left as an inaccessible eyesore.
No, not initially. I took the Post-graduate Diploma in Asia Pacific Management at Capliano College in Vancouver, obviously with some intentions of coming to Asia, but never in a million years would I have expected I’d end up in Hong Kong. Over the years, the pieces just kind of fell together. What do you see as the benefits of living and working in Hong Kong? Which aspects of Hong Kong do you enjoy the most? As a company there’s the obvious physical benefit, Hong Kong is in an excellent location with good coverage over the entire region. It’s also a dynamic city, and an incredibly close business community. If I want to make contact with another company, getting the appropriate contact is two phone calls away, and to get a personal introduction is usually just another two calls. I thrive in the pace of Hong Kong; it’s a high-stimulus city, and I’m a high-stimulus individual. I’m constantly being challenged as a business person, there’s always something different going on including the culture dynamic; people are very hard working, ambitious and tend to work long hours – all these things contribute to this unique business environment. What were some of the challenges when you arrived/returned? How did you overcome them? When I first arrived in Indonesia in 1993 I had full-on culture shock. I remember being the only foreigner on overcrowded local buses on my way to work, getting my pockets picked was a fairly regular occurrence, it was challenging at times – but you got used to it. When I arrived in Hong Kong it felt easy in comparison.
EXCHANGE
Adventures of Working Abroad in Hong Kong
Todd Handcock Interview with
Adventures of Working Abroad in Hong Kong
INTERVIEWs 5
Jennifer Chua Interview with
Born in Hong Kong, Jennifer Chua studied Economics and Management at the University of Hong Kong before moving to work internationally. Jennifer is the Managing Director and Vice President for the Bank of Montreal, Hong Kong Branch and occupies a special niche within the company, she says “I’m trilingual; I speak Cantonese, Mandarin and English, and I know the local culture. BMO needed to send someone to Hong Kong, I was the obvious choice.” She knows Hong Kong well, but recognises that a lot of things have changed over the past 20 years – including her perspective of the city. How long have you lived in Hong Kong? Which country(s) were you working in before coming here? I was born in Hong Kong and lived here for several years before moving to Toronto. I lived and worked in Toronto for 20 years and then returned back to Hong Kong in 2009. Did you ever dream of working in Hong Kong previously, when you were in Canada? If you asked me that question 5 or 6 years ago, the answer would have been no; I had no plans of returning to work in Hong Kong. I was very comfortable in Toronto and had a well established life. My family was very happy there, it was a big change for both me and my family to move back. What do you see as the benefits of living and working in Hong Kong? Which aspects of Hong Kong do you enjoy the most?
It’s very metropolitan and very international. I also like that everyone has this CAN DO attitude, for example, if I go to speak
with someone at 5:30 PM they won’t ask me to go away. In Canada, you can’t organise a meeting at 4 PM. In Hong Kong, people are more flexible and willing to help you. What were some of the challenges when you arrived/returned? How did you overcome them? Re-establishing my network of contacts and building new ones, having to be proactive to build meaningful relationships with people so you can do business and move on to something bigger and better. Also the working hours; in Toronto I’d be in the office before 8 AM and finished by 5 PM. When I first arrived back in Hong Kong, we were getting a lot of the infrastructure and support from Toronto and it wasn’t unusual to have evening or night calls. It was almost like getting off work at 6 PM and then going to start my second shift! It’s definitely a challenge to balance my work and family life; there isn’t a clear dividing line between the two here. Which other countries have you worked in before coming to Hong Kong? How does Hong Kong compare to these places? I worked in Belgium for a year. It’s very different from Hong Kong as the pace is a lot slower. Toronto is a lovely city, just as Hong Kong is, but each has its own attractiveness. It all just depends on what lifecycle you’re in and what you would like to achieve. What would you like to see Hong Kong do more of? Improve the air quality. But that will take time, and it’s not going to happen overnight. In general, Hong Kong could improve on its sports facilities. Also, there just isn’t enough open space; I think we could do a better job of planning the city. Vol.10 MAY 2013
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INTERVIEWs
Adventures of Working Abroad in Hong Kong
Robert Cook
Interview with Robert Cook is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Manulife Financial Asia Limited. He has been with Manulife for over 35 years working primarily in North America before bringing his expertise and experience to Hong Kong. The fast paced business environment of this city caters well to his driven and hard-working personality; since making the move in 2007, he hasn’t looked back. Mr. Cook is also the President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. When did you arrive in Hong Kong? Which country(s) were you working in prior to moving here? I arrived 7 years ago, in 2007. I moved here from Boston, where I was living for the previous 7 years. Did you ever dream of working in Hong Kong previously, when you were in Canada? Not exactly, but I did have some aspirations to work in Asia. I made my first trip to Asia in 1985 for a vacation, visiting the usual tourist spots and I loved it – the people, the culture, the food. At that point, I made it known to the company that I was interested in working in Asia. Whenever a job opportunity opened up in the Asia Pacific region, I made sure to raise my hand, and eventually they decided I was the fit for the position here in Hong Kong. What do you see as the benefits of living and working in Hong Kong? Which aspects of Hong Kong do you enjoy the most? It’s an exciting place to live and work, the whole city is very dynamic in and out of the office. The city’s location is ideal for the financial hub of Asia – the longest flight I need to take is 4 hours. The airports in this region are all brand new and the infrastructure is state of the art – it makes travelling unbelievably easy. The diversity of my job here in Asia is one the most exciting things; there is something new going on every day. I have dealings in 11 different countries that keep coming up with new challenges and/ or issues which need solving every day. And that’s not a bad thing. What were some of the challenges when you arrived/returned? How did you overcome them? Whenever you move to a new place, there are always going to be some hurdles. Most of them are kind of personal in nature. When EXCHANGE
you make a move, you have to think about “where do I get my dry-cleaning done, where do I get my haircut, where do I buy my groceries?”. It’s the little things that, once you have a routine established, you don’t even think about, but when that routine is disrupted by a big move, it can be quite stressful because you aren’t used to having to invest any time into those things. If you attempt to duplicate your old lifestyle you will get pretty frustrated. However, if you just try and fit into the flow of the culture and do as the locals do, you’ll find you can adapt quite quickly. If you’re going to move to Hong Kong, you better learn how to use chopsticks pretty quickly. Which other countries have you worked in before coming to Hong Kong? How does Hong Kong compare to these places? I’ve worked in Canada, the United States, and the UK. Hong Kong is a very vibrant and energetic place to live and work. When I was working in Toronto we used to go to New York a few times a year just feel the energy of the city; in Hong Kong I just step out of the door. Aside from the atmosphere, Hong Kong has the convenience factor - everything is easily accessible and provides for a small community feel. Also the business hours tend to be longer and the work ethic of people here is second to none. As your “home”/ “ideal city”, what would you like to see Hong Kong do more of/differently? If there is something I could change about Hong Kong it would be the air quality. You do get used to it over time, but it’s not getting any better. I wish we could collectively do something about it. In addition, the city needs to be reminded to keep the infrastructure up to date. The highlights, like the airport express, are already a decade old. We still celebrate them as great achievements, but what’s new on the horizon?
8
Options for future
Is an
MBA Right for You?
Vince is a Yale MBA alumna with 10+ years’ first-hand experience as an MBA admissions interviewer for Yale University and a successful finance career with bluechip companies. She is a Founder and Managing Consultant of AlphaPowerMBA.com. By Vince Chan
I
n 2010, Harvard Business School professors Srikant Datar and David Garvin along with research associate Patrick Cullen published a book called “Rethinking the MBA: Business Education at a Crossroads”. The goal of the book is twofold: to examine the current state of business education on an international level, and to identify future MBA trends, both in the near and distant future.
But will that be enough to preserve the MBA program as we know it? Will a few reforms suffice to retain the status of the program as one of the most sought after degree programs for undergraduates? Or, maybe the most important question from the viewpoints of prospective MBA candidates: is it still worthwhile attaining an MBA degree despite these trends?
In particular, they examined three broad movements shaping business education: the shift away from traditional programs to more diverse offerings, the increased questioning by employers of the value of MBA degrees, and the resulting shifts in enrollment patterns. The global economic crisis has further intensified the pressure to change and reassert the relevance of MBA programs. At the end of their book, the Harvard professors concluded that business schools “have identified some of the sources of dissatisfaction with the status quo and responded with creative courses and curricular reforms.”
Something that needs to be said of these trends is that they are simply one part of the bigger picture. The numbers tell a completely different story, one in which MBA enrollment is rising at a steady rate across Asia and Europe. This is good news for MBA programs worldwide; but then, if enrollment is increasing, why are Datar, Garvin and Cullen considering reforms? If the status quo shifts, where does that leave prospective MBA students? There is much to consider, but certainly these questions call for increased introspection on the part of the applicants about whether an MBA degree is right for them.
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Options for future 9
And here is the critical point of the matter. Like I always say to MBA applicants, going to business schools is no different from such life decisions as getting married or raising a family. It is a highly individualistic decision, requiring proper planning, genuine commitment and most importantly, a personal situational assessment. Some students currently enrolled in MBA programs are there because they don’t know what else to do. The job market collapsed in 2007 and 2008 in many parts of the world, and the resulting employment gap was especially dire for young professionals. For many young people, the only thing left to do was to go back to school. Not only was it popular, it was a way to avoid the stagnant job market. As an MBA veteran and Yale graduate, I have interacted with tons of applicants in MBA admissions interviews, witnessing firsthand how uninformed and unprepared MBA applicants wasted their effort and money in the stressful application process. These applicants did not have their heart set on achieving an MBA, and now more than ever this is absolutely necessary before one considers enrolling in such program. The truth is that an MBA degree is a high-level, practical management career training program as opposed to a subjectfocused Master’s degree (such as a Masters in finance, accounting or marketing) where acquisition of concentrated theoretical knowledge is the centerpiece of the academic experience. The decision to pursue which degree goes beyond pure rational analysis such as return on investment (ROI). An MBA degree needs to be a good fit on a personal level; it also needs to meet one’s life and career goals. Otherwise it is just not worth getting. So what do you need to look for before you even start writing your admissions essays?
1. Take the time to fully understand your goals in life • Invest the time and energy to define your goals for an MBA education and beyond. • Look inward to discover what you enjoy and where you excel. Then, look outward to consider potential professional paths that will maximise your strengths and your chances for professional fulfillment. • Distinguish between short-term and long-term goals. Determine how you will map your course from where you have been to where you want to go.
2. Do your homework and research your school choices thoroughly • Use MBA rankings to determine the particular preferences and values of a school, but be aware that the differing criteria used in each ranking system make for wildly different results. • Investigate the available career services at your desired schools and research recruiting and hiring data. Make sure that schools you apply to send graduates in the direction you want to go.
• Research both in-class and extra-curricular activities. If possible, interview current students and alumni. These individuals can give you insights into their own acceptance as well as help you identify ways to be accepted as well.
3. Evaluate your profile critically • The numbers do not always tell the whole story but they still matter. Check graduate school websites to see if your GMAT score is competitive. • Illustrate your contributions and impact at work and in other organisations where you have taken an active role. • Be prepared to display key character traits in your essays and interviews, including past leadership roles, examples of teamwork and initiative, analytical ability, organisational capacity and communication skills.
4. Choose the school(s) that best fit you • Separate professional goals from educational means in determining whether a program supports your goals. • Graph the interaction of the schools you want to attend and the schools that are equally interested in having you as an alumnus. • Focus on one application at a time for maximum effectiveness and apply as early as possible, provided you are not compromising the quality of your application.
Last piece of advice: Applying for business school is an exercise in marketing. It requires you to be able to sell the value you will offer to an MBA program. Successful applicants present a profile that is distinct from others with similar backgrounds. This personal brand requires significant introspection, a make or break element in the application process. The trick is to identify your brand, build upon it, and communicate it well. Vol.10 MAY 2013
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Options for future
The Great Wall of
Language By Alexandre Lanoie
I
started to learn Mandarin for two main reasons. In one sense, I felt that I had to follow my dreams and take advantage of the opportunities available, and in another sense it was simply out of desperation. While pursuing my undergraduate degree in Finance at McGill University, in Montreal, I had the chance to go on exchange for two semesters and Hong Kong was my first choice. This was my first experience in Asia and I was far from knowing that it would have such a huge impact on my life. Back from Hong Kong, during my senior year, like many of classmates I started to look for a job in the financial industry. However, when you graduate in 2009 in the depth of the financial crisis, with no end in sight, the opportunities for fresh graduates are rather
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scarce. I therefore started daydreaming about working in Hong Kong and remembered what an amazing financial center and vibrant city it was. Within a few weeks my decision was taken; I had to go back to China’s first special administrative region. At this point, I knew that for my dream to become a reality I had to have a solid plan and learning Mandarin was the first step. As we often hear, Hong Kong is an open city where East meets West. However it is also a city now in the top five of the rankings of the most competitive cities next to places like New York and London. I figured out that to be able to differentiate myself, as a Westerner wanting to work in
Hong Kong and a recent graduate with no experience, Mandarin would be a valuable asset and it would allow me to represent, in a way, the “East meets West” idea. Learning a language is rarely the end goal. It is a long-term tool that will require a lot of time, energy, and perseverance before it can be mastered, especially in the case of a language like Mandarin. I was about to discover all of its significance. So, what is the best way to learn such a challenging language starting from zero? In my case, I was fortunate enough to be the recipient of a Québec-China scholarship and I therefore decided to immerse myself for more than a year in Beijing and Guangzhou, studying Mandarin full time at two different universities.
Options for future 11
This experience eventually helped me to land my first job in the investment banking world in Hong Kong. Last year alone, the Hong Kong’s immigration department issued 28,625 visas under the General Employment Policy – and this is excluding the visas issued under schemes catering for mainland residents. The competition for expatriates is definitely high. It is especially competitive now that people expatriate themselves to Hong Kong by choice and, as was recently highlighted in the South China Morning Post, more and more people try to find a way to stay in the region when their contract comes to an end. The days of huge expatriate packages are numbered. Learning either Cantonese or Mandarin is therefore a great way to stand out from the rest and it is even a must for several positions. It is even more important considering that local talents are becoming extremely sophisticated, well travelled and have strong academic backgrounds.
months and months of looking for a job in Hong Kong, many need to pack their bags and go back home. Some have a more entrepreneurial spirit than others, however further studies in the region or learning the language are usually good starting points.
This leads us to the well debated question of the necessity to learn Cantonese and/or Mandarin to work in Greater China, especially for young professionals considering a career in this part of the world. There is no simple answer to this question, however it all comes down to one thing: the relative value you can offer employers, clients and the economy in general. For some positions and sectors, it is still possible for a young professional to bring value communicating only in English. However, these opportunities are certainly not increasing in numbers. I often meet or am contacted by young people wanting to make the big move and work in the region and I believe that it is absolutely necessary for anyone considering moving here to seriously think about it and have a clear plan (A, B,… and C) of what they want to accomplish and how to realistically succeed. Otherwise, after
HSBC’s famous recent slogan – The world’s local bank – emphasises the importance of understanding the local market you live in, while being able to compete at an international level. Even though learning the local language doesn’t necessarily mean that you understand the culture of the country you live in, it will often be a good step forward which can facilitate this process. In business, it would be very hard to succeed internationally without having any knowledge of the specificities of the markets you are involved with. Another advantage of knowing the local language is the respect it will bring you. Even if you are not perfectly fluent, people will normally recognise the effort you have made to learn their mother tongue. I am always surprised when I go to a restaurant in mainland China and, simply by my orderering in Mandarin, people are impressed enough to start a conversation. This openness makes the experience a lot more enjoyable and the satisfaction of being able to call a client and communicate with him using a language he is comfortable with pushes me to continue spending several hours a week studying and practicing, and I can’t see this coming to an end any time soon!
Vol.10 MAY 2013
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Options for future
Plan your
Career
Asia’s changing, the world has already changed. You need to change the way you plan your career.
By Robert Grandy, Regional Market Leader, Asia Pacific Financial HK (Korn/Ferry International HK)
A
sia used to be the world’s factory, producing goods for the West and competing through lower costs. The key to success was to take your skills and use them to produce goods more efficiently for an established customer base. You had to be technically proficient, you had to be hands-on and you had to be detail-oriented. You had to be an expert in what you did and you had to do it over and over again until you did it better than anyone else. You had to have the right schooling and the right technical skills. Today it’s no longer just as case of “Made in Asia”, it’s also “Made for Asia”. This change is caused by reduced western spending, emerging consumerism in Asia, R&D shifting into the region, Asia’s need to move up the value chain and the desire of Asian companies to seek growth by globalising. Business is focusing on responding to the new growth opportunities and the new consumerism in the various Asian markets. The right schooling and the right technical skills are no longer enough. You also have to have the ability to tailor your execution to the needs of many potential markets. You need the creative skills to drive multiple propositions. You need the innovative skills to enable the development of strategies which generate new growth. And you need to do all of this in a new global economic environment where growth has slowed to the 1-3% range for developed economies and to the 2-6% range for emerging/developing economies. Moreover, growth is expected to stay slow through to the end of this decade. From 1996-2007, the world was in an easy growth period where there was enough demand for companies to grow just by being in the game. Now, we’re in a ‘new normal’ which we characterise as a smart growth era. In
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Options for future 13
your learning agility. We’re looking for mental agility; can you operate across domains, are you interested in unrelated areas and can you connect the dots to solve problems? Do you have people agility? Do you read people well, adapt to diverse groups and show astute personal judgment? Do you have change agility – the ability to challenge the status quo, to tinker constantly and to introduce and follow through on change? We’re also looking for results agility – the ability to get outcomes in diverse challenges and achieve goals in good and bad situations. Finally, are you self-aware? Are you reflective about yourself and open to feedback, with a genuine interest in learning about and developing yourself. Robert Grandy, a panelist at an event titled,“Is Taking an MBA or an Executive MBA Right forYou?”, presented by theYoung Professionals Committee of CanChamHK. this new normal, pricing power is with the buyers, supply is outstripping demand, customers are cutting spending and investment, employee morale is low, talent is freely available, and regulatory pressure has increased. There will only be enough growth for the one or two market leaders in each sector or geography to be successful. Others will fall by the wayside. To meet the challenges, the leaders will have to transform their businesses or grow new businesses from scratch, they’ll have to create new markets through innovation, they’ll have to handle a high degree of complexity and they’ll have to react quickly to disruptive change. Businesses as a whole will have to do this; and managers will have to do this. You will have to have the experience and the agility to do this. The top search firms are already changing their approach to recruitment to reflect this. Gone are the days when we focused primarily on a candidate’s résumé: looking for educational background, related experience, technical competence and track record. We now have to focus on whether executive candidates have the maturity – the ability to operate effectively at the appropriate level of complexity, ambiguity and scale, and the agility – the ability to operate effectively at the appropriate level of disruption, speed and volatility, to be successful in the smart growth period.
The best thing you can do to satisfy us in these regards is to ensure that you have a broad rather than a narrow range of jobs and experiences. Do different things and don’t worry about whether you succeed or fail. Just make sure you learn from your mistakes. Show us that you’re a lateral thinker. Show us that you're curious. Show us that you can compete successfully in a smart growth environment by being creative and innovative. You’ll need to have a convincing résumé and a compelling interview presence, but you may also be asked to complete psychometric assessments. At Korn/Ferry, we test our short list candidates by asking them to take a Decision Styles assessment on-line to assess their leadership characteristics (how one presents oneself to others) and their thinking style (how you actually make decisions behind closed doors). This basically measures maturity. We also ask short-list candidates to complete a self-administered ViaEdge assessment which measures for learning agility. It’s very difficult to game these tests, so the very best way to prepare is to follow the recommendation above. Be curious and make sure that, if you want a leadership role in the new Asia, you take on a broad array of challenges. Plan your career around having a breadth of experience rather than deep experience in only one or a limited number of areas. Do this and we’ll come knocking.
We do still look at your résumé, but now we’re looking to see whether you have a range of enough different experiences to give you the organisational maturity to work and navigate through an organisation and its stakeholders. To give you the cognitive maturity to have the ability to sense and respond to trends, information, data and insights. To give you the emotional maturity to have the ability to stay in the most effective emotional state to get the best out of yourself and others. We still pay attention to our interviews with you, but we’re looking for more than track record. We’re looking for signs of Vol.10 MAY 2013
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Options for future
t a h WI am telling my students these days By Veronique A. Lafon-Vinais, Associate Director, Center for Asian Financial Markets and Adjunct Associate Professor of Finance, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
S
tudents in my classes are encouraged to ask lots of questions – this is my first rule. As I tell them, there are no stupid questions, but unfortunately no-one has all the answers! It is hard sometimes for students, especially my local students who are not used to questioning their teachers, to find the courage to raise their hands. It is hard for them to understand that sometimes their professor doesn’t know the answer! But I strongly believe that is vital that they do ask questions, as there can be so many misunderstandings Particularly when people believe they all speak the same language – but they don’t, because we now all speak English, but not the same English; and because each profession has its own jargon. EXCHANGE
So that’s my second rule: pay attention to definitions, clarify the jargon, and bring it down to plain English. How many times in my banking career have I heard people using the same word but with very different meanings, potentially causing costly misunderstandings. Before LIBOR became a scandal, how many people even questioned what it meant? Why use complicated terminology if you don’t know what it really mean, in practice? There is after all a reason why so many regulators around the word require documents to be written in “plain English”. It is important to make sure you understand what you are talking about, and that the person you are talking to understands it too.
My third rule has to do with healthy skepticism: never take anything for granted, always question the validity and limits of assumptions. Had this rule been enforced, hopefully fewer mistakes would have been made by inputting weak assumptions into inappropriate models generating tainted results. Often we take things for granted without pondering for a minute where they are coming from. And we never ask the fundamental questions: why? And: what if? What if…the US debt rating was downgraded? What if…we forced a separation between investment banking and commercial banking? What if…we took away the tax advantage of debt, for example by making dividends tax
Options for future 15
deductible? What if…we had to live with a prolonged period of negative real interest rates? Besides these three fundamental rules of my classes, I strongly believe that in order to understand where we are, and where we are going, we need to understand where we come from and how we got here. It is not possible, for example, to understand geopolitical issues without learning history and looking at maps. Trying to understand financial markets and financial systems without looking back is navigating blind. There is a reason why things ended up the way they are. So in all my classes, I try to highlight a few things: first, technology changes everything. As I tell my students, when I started working at Crédit Agricole in 1980, we had fixed line phones, telex, mail and typewriters. When I left Standard Chartered in 2001, we had internet, email, faxes, PCs and mobile phones. Now we also have mobile internet and other mobile technology, nanotechnology, drones and nascent A.I. What does it mean? It means we do more things faster; we are connected all the time; and we are becoming addicted to all these devices. When the underwater cable near Taiwan got damaged a few years before the financial crisis, investment bankers went crazy because their Blackberries were no longer working and they had become completely dependent on them. The earth was flat and J.I.T. was key; now, it’s about reliability. We take technology for granted; we don’t think about what it means. When Treasury Secretary Nicholas Brady faced the Latin American debt crisis in the early ‘80s, which threatened the stability of the US financial system because all major US banks had huge sovereign debt exposure, he had time to think, because in those days we were not connected 24/24 and 7/7 and were not expected to act immediately. Faced with a similar catastrophic potential collapse of the system due to the Sub Prime
Crisis, Hank Paulson had no time to rest. Everyone expected him and Tim Geithner to be responding immediately. So what happens? Hasty decisions, unintended consequences. There is something to be said for taking the time for some deep thinking, undisturbed by pinging devices. I believe we are beginning to realise this, finally. Technology also translates into the accessibility of information, which has enormous consequences which we are only beginning to understand. As I tell my students, when I was their age (which may appear to them like Medieval times), my biggest problem was finding information. I could only get it in books, at the library. And if the library didn’t have the book, well that was a huge problem. My students, on the other hand, have the opposite problem: too much information! How do we deal with it? What are the consequences? We already see how, of necessity, we use filters and RSS feeds and such, to focus on what we believe to be relevant and useful to our purposes. But what are we missing? We are becoming so specialised, and we are losing the ability to think laterally – which is key for creativity and innovation. On the regulatory front, we are inundating regulators and investors with more information in the name of transparency – and yet, any good investigator knows the best place to hide is in plain sight. As Malcom Gladwell writes, all the information about Enron was disclosed. But who knew how to read and interpret it? This is a very critical issue, and we don’t know how to deal with it. Quantity undermines quality.
rightly raises questions about ownership of data collected by repositories; who controls it, how it is used, who has the right to use it. We are beginning to scratch this issue when we ponder the giants like Facebook and Google and wonder what they are doing with all this information they are collecting about us. And so we should, because it poses some very fundamental questions about privacy and ultimately freedom. The wars of tomorrow will be fought with data and technology. And sometimes it is also important to get back down to earth, and understand that for it all to work, we need some basic ingredients that here in Hong Kong we often take for granted: infrastructure (including, yes, technology, but also electricity and water!), the rule of law (and enforceability), and well educated people. Of course, that means my great students.
Another important issue related to information, is: who controls it, who owns it and who uses it? Because technology has changed so much, business is no longer about money, it’s really about data. The financial system these days is no longer about money, but information and data – as highlighted by some recent reports by Oliver Wyman and McKinsey. The move from OTC markets to exchanges Vol.10 MAY 2013
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in motion
“From Backpack to Briefcase” “The journey of a young Canadian graduate to being a successful business professional in a corporate company in Hong Kong.” By Nathan Ho
I
f I were to describe my short journey from Canada to Hong Kong thus far, I’d use the saying: It’s not what you know but who you know. I’m sure you’ve heard it all before, and why? Because it is so true. If it weren’t for a friendly email to a connection in Hong Kong, I wouldn’t be here 4.5 years later. My story begins with a moment during my graduation from Western University in London, Ontario, Canada in 2008. Standing in the line of Kinesiology students, watching our parents and loved ones, faces filled with pride, and in a ceremonious occasion happily graduating after a hard earned degree in Health Sciences, it finally settles in: SCHOOL’S OUT FOREVER! Thank you for my piece of paper but NOW WHAT?
This daunting question came upon me but quickly dissipated after the celebration ensued that evening with my fellow Class of 2008 graduates and now alumni. My summer recommenced back home in Toronto and life went back to normal EXCHANGE
– beach, patios, summer festivals, and an easy-going summer job. Fast forward to September and the daunting question crept back into my life – NOW WHAT?
backyard, free parking everywhere, what’s not to like? This is why so many people were so interested to hear my story and my decision to move back to Hong Kong.
With some soul searching, brainstorming, and a few international emails to friends and family, it had been decided to take my next step in life – away from the comforts of Canada. One of the questions I most often get asked till this day is: Why Hong Kong? If you asked me four years ago, my answer would be given with an unnerving smile and a shaky voice, but now, many years later, the answer is clear: Why NOT Hong Kong?
My reasoning for the move: 1) Travel & Adventure – discovering a new place and being immersed in totally new sights and sounds was something I knew I wanted to experience.
Reading this far, you now may actually want to know the reasons why I decided to make a “backwards” move. I am of Hong Kong Chinese decent, as both my parents were born in Hong Kong. In generations past and in my parents’ cases, they were urged to “Head West!” People sought the opportunities for a better life to fly out and away from their homeland in Hong Kong and China to find prosperity in Europe, Australia, and United States and Canada. From this, I was born and raised in Canada. Having lived in a ‘Westernised’ culture, many to this day still view this as a privileged upbringing - a ‘step up’ in life so to speak. The benefits can be seen from those who have a degree from an overseas university or respected Ivy League school. Living in countries where the focus is on a healthy work-life balance, having spacious living, the affordability, the multiculturalism, the beautiful nature, your front lawn and
in motion 17
feel uncomfortable in this tight fitting suit, feels so formal, so out of the ordinary, so grown up. I said to myself: “The moment I start to feel comfortable in wearing a suit everyday, I will have truly become an adult.” I was curiously disoriented to begin with – I felt as if was in an infinitely expanded version of China Town back on Spadina Street in Toronto. It was bizarre yet strangely familiar.
2) Learning the Language – being a “Banana Boy” or, to be more politically correct: “Canadian Born Chinese”, my mother tongue was English, followed by French and then Cantonese Chinese. This lack of knowledge and tradition in my life spills over into my last reason. 3) Reconnecting with Roots – the relationships I had with relatives were as distant as being halfway across the world from our motherland: Hong Kong. My parents were both born and raised in HK but started their lives early (just after high school graduation) in Canada. This lack of a relationship with aunts, uncles, and my grandfather in particular bothered me and I needed to fix it. So there it was, the move to Hong Kong was decided. For a lack of a better metaphor, as Hong Kong is a harbour: the boat had been built by parts from a lucky connection nailed together to an up and coming coffee company in Hong Kong, steered by careful planning with my family and other distant family friends in Hong Kong, but most importantly, propelled by my strength of will to accomplish my goals. October of 2008, a few days after celebrating my birthday in Toronto with my closest friends and family. The next morning, I had to leave them all and go solo. I was determined, I was psyched up, I was scared to death. Fast forward 3 months, I’m walking down the steps of my traditional Chinese walk up apartment on a chilly yet crisp January morning. On the way to work in Sheung Wan, the smell is somehow different, the streets already full of people: Locals, expats, antique shop owners, bankers, and me. I
Pacific Coffee Company: While I was a little disappointed that my desk wasn’t a coffee table and my seat wasn’t a big comfortable red leather couch, nevertheless I was greeted by my fellow colleagues with warm smiles – partly, no doubt, because my Cantonese was so bad that they would rather just smile and be nice to save me embarrassment. Working in the Business Development department, I was responsible for assisting with the opening of retail coffeehouses all over Hong Kong. In just a matter of months, my learning of Cantonese, the Hong Kong culture, and the daily work grind had vastly improved and had become clockwork (I did of course start out as a “Banana Boy”). I finally felt settled here in this new world and I would definitely attribute 100% of the reason to working at PCC. My colleagues all spoke Cantonese, and therefore I had to muster up the confidence to break out of my shell and practice speaking every day. I was in a new working environment, I had to find a balance between being a chameleon and blending in seamlessly, and at the same time not losing myself. The cultural differences were the most difficult aspect: hand gestures, use of words and tones of voice, formalities in dining out at dimsum restaurants, group-oriented thinking, lengthy working hours being the norm: these were all new challenges for me working in a traditional corporate organisation in Hong Kong. Before long though, I was able to fit in and to shine. PCC gave me the opportunity to grow, and to being the adult they saw in me even when I was green. I was soon hosting my own coffee appreciation classes, making appointments with top executives for coffee, undertaking large-scale projects and really contributing to our company’s
development: I was FINALLY comfortable in my suit and tie. The challenges are still there – but this is life: if it weren’t challenging, it wouldn’t be worth doing. So, after spending my full working career to date in a corporate environment in Hong Kong, what has this taught me? Here is a small list of 5 take away tips for making it in HK:
“The right communication is key: it’s what you say AND how you say it – both count.” “The importance of being humble and patient: don’t get too swept up in the fast pace of Hong Kong – ground yourself and make a plan, the rest will fall into place.” “Be respectful and admit your faults. No excuses or explanations, just rise above your mistakes and learn from them.” “Jump at your social gathering opportunities; get to know your colleagues in a more relaxed hot pot or karaoke environment but be sure to keep your composure.” “Hong Kongers have a knack for spotting fakes – relax and be yourself.” I’ve now been here for over 4 years and can truly say that I’m comfortable and see Hong Kong as my second home. I’ve finally settled into the hustle and bustle of city life, the demanding corporate work-life and have managed to find a good balance between work and personal well-being and development. It takes a certain mix of individual determination combined with dynamic thirst for an unknown and challenging adventure. It’s much more than I had thought it would be and am completely satisfied with my career choices thus far. I can confidently say that my decision to move to Hong Kong was the best I’ve made in my life and I am happy to continue working to develop myself from that lost university graduate to now a successful young professional, working in one of Asia’s fastest growing companies in the city that we all love: Hong Kong. CHEERS! Vol.10 MAY 2013
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in motion
On Good
d n u o Gr
By Cherie Tong
M
ichael Nardella arrived in Hong Kong seven years ago from Montreal, Canada, realizing quickly that Hong Kong was where he wanted to be. At the time however, Michael was only in Hong Kong for a short visit. Upon visiting his friend Dan, an intern at our Chamber, Michael was offered an internship position as well. From that moment, Michael has not looked back and has made Hong Kong the birthplace of his career.
EXCHANGE
Following his internship, Michael was hired as our Chamber’s Membership Manager. Two years on, his professional relationships have lead him to his current position at Colliers International. However, he still maintains an active role within our Chamber as a Director and member of our Executive Committee, as well as being the Chair of our Property Committee.
cards. Others see networking as the opportunity to get in front of people and personal prospects for business. For Michael, networking is a philosophy. . “Relationships are not built over one coffee. It takes time, it takes effort. It does not happen overnight. Whether it is a personal relationship or professional one, it is always based on trust.”
For some, networking is about compiling a database of names by collecting business
Michael develops steady, growing, and authentic relationships with the people he
in motion 19
feels are important to include in his network and life. What develops are steady back-and-forth interactions that benefit both sides. Everyone involved is rewarded. Why? Because the time taken to really get to know people enough to forge a relationship means that when it comes time to make a business referral, it’s much easier to call upon them. “You have to have relationships beyond a purely professional one; you want to be at the top of someone’s mind so they will call on you, or on the other hand, if you call on them they will be more than happy to help. You should understand that helping others is a way of growing yourself. The people you help are more willing to help you or connect you to people they know. You also have to be willing to give – if it is only one-sided, the relationship won’t last.” Networking is time-consuming but it can be done anywhere. So why does Michael emphasize the Canadian Chamber? “I can
see the direct benefits of relationships I made through my time with the Chamber, both personally and professionally– the two can go hand in hand. I have met some very dedicated people, members and staff, through the Chamber. Some people I’ve met at the Chamber are real inspirations to me. In large part because of the people I met through the Chamber, plus a lot of hard work, I was able to develop a career in the commercial property industry.”
be active and invest the time. Then you will get what you put into it; have fun with it and you will benefit personally and professionally.” In a city where life runs at full throttle, it is unique that relationships can be built faster here than anywhere else. The refreshing thing about Michael is his very organic attitude towards relationships, putting human bonds first and watching business grow out of those relations in a natural way.
It is important for a young professional to be active in any community. No matter what organization you are a part of, you won’t reap the real benefits unless you are willing to go the extra mile and put in the time and effort. “Get maximum benefit from the Chamber by actively involving yourself above and beyond attending events. Join a committee that is relevant to your industry, something you are interested in,
Vol.10 MAY 2013
20
in motion
Drawn to the
Harbour
By Macy Lau
Once upon a time, I was being interviewed...
But that was my previous life?
‘Do you like accounting?’
I wanted more challenges and I wanted to be an entrepreneur. Where would be the best possible place? Hong Kong seemed like the most obvious choice.
‘No’ This answer left my interviewer with a quick gasp and a laugh. ‘Why are you here then?’ ‘I don’t like accounting but I do like auditing. I want this job because it’s a stepping stone to the business world. I don’t know what I like, and this job offers me the best position in the world. I’m paid to sneak into people’s books? I’m paid to interview cleaners to the top CEOs to understand why their business is successful and if they lied in saying they’re successful.’ I was hired and it was a Big 4 accounting firm. They loved my straight-forwardness and my audacity. I stood out from the other interviewees because nine out of ten people told them the model answer – ‘I love accounting’. I ended up working there for six years and earned my Chartered Accountancy designation in lovely Vancouver, Canada, the place where I had grown up and lived all my life. EXCHANGE
Simply put, it was a life that I was not content with.
Hong Kong houses the largest number of entrepreneurs in the world. From micro businesses, to SMEs, to large corporations, I knew this city held the biggest opportunity for me.
Here now I’ve been in Hong Kong for nearly 13 years now. What do I do now? I joke around and tell my friends I’m the youngest retired Chartered Accountant in Hong Kong. Being the conservative accountant that I am, I started off working for a multinational company in HK doing internal auditing. Ironically, I wasn’t here most of the time. I travelled three weeks out of the month and lived out of my suitcase. I worked with a group of locals and experienced my first culture shock. People from Hong Kong can pull all-nighters for work and work seven days out of the week. I had never pulled all-nighters for school or work in
in motion 21
Vancouver, so it was a total shock. There was absolutely no work life balance here.
Misconceptions, challenges and achievements
I wasn’t alone. Most of my friends worked late into the night and hardly saw their friends and family.
In the years since we’ve started our business, the biggest difficulty has been introducing TLC’s staff loyalty programs to companies of various sizes.
After a few years, I couldn’t hack it anymore. I quit my job and started working for my relatives, while at the same time discovering what business opportunities were out there.
Getting back to what I do I wear many hats now. I’m a proud mother of a 4-year old daughter and a 3-month old son. I’m also the Simon Fraser University Alumni Association Representative, Canadian University Association Honorary Secretary and an active member of the Entrepreneur and Small Business Committee in CanCham HK. How do I balance all these? I have my own business. The company is called Total Loyalty Company (TLC). To start a business usually requires lots of guts and the perfect opportunity. I was presented with both. I met my current partner and friend, Sam Lau, during an event I held to raise money for a local charity. Sam told me all about TLC, how he started it 17 years ago in Australia and how it now had about one million members. At the time, Sam wanted to bring his company to Asia. Hong Kong seemed like the perfect place to kick things off. Basically, TLC helps run staff loyalty programs for companies. Many companies want to tackle work-life balance and better engage with their staff but may not have the resources or staff numbers to access great benefits or different events. TLC does this by coming up with fun staff events, corporate perks, health and well-being programs, and delivers it on a web platform that is customised for each company. We even have a branded membership card with the company logo, so many staff are not even aware of our existence. To return to the story, I jumped at the opportunity to become partners with Sam and help him introduce TLC to the Hong Kong market. The rest, as they say, is history.
A common misconception about large corporations is that their Human Resources (HR) departments are capable of introducing work-life balance initiatives to their staff and organise events for them. Often, they will have a dedicated team member to do this on a full time basis. With TLC, our solution costs less than a cup of coffee per month per employee. Besides the added benefit of not having to employ a full time staff to do this, we’re able to bargain better collectively for all of the companies we represent, rather than on an individual basis. Also, we’re experienced in conducting internal surveys within the company to better understand employees’ needs and provide custom-made solutions. This leads to the second misconception. Small companies, such as SMEs, are often worried that the cost is too high or that we wouldn’t be interested in helping them out. Being an SME ourselves in Hong Kong, we understand that often there is no HR, so having an HR solution such as the TLC program will help retain employees and provide them with a program offering them the same benefit as if they were working for a large corporation. Our program has been credited with helping many SMEs reduce employee turnover as a result. I’m very proud that since we’ve started TLC, we’ve had great support from the local government. We’ve been awarded the “Caring Company” logo for our work-life balance client solutions and we received a Hong Kong Government Entrepreneur Centre grant to help us grow our business. Thanks HKSAR! TLC is also named as a finalist for the Marketing Agency of the Year award for 2013. Considering that we’ve been going for under two years, we’re pleased to think that we’re starting to make our mark in Hong Kong.
Advice to Young Professionals Join CanCham and join your alumni, or a recognised club. It provides you the opportunity to meet more experienced entrepreneurs with whom you can network and who can provide you with a multitude of advice and people with whom you can brainstorm. You never know who you may meet and who may end up helping you one day. Vol.10 MAY 2013
22
in motion
Finding A
Good Situation
By Gareth Hayes
B
eing a young entrepreneur has really been about learning from mistakes, and I’ve had a few. My story begins in Sydney, Australia. Towards the end of my time in high school, I needed a new battery for my phone but was shocked at how expensive they were. I got in touch with a Chinese manufacturer and ended up spending everything I had on a whole box of batteries. I sold them and spent the profits on larger shipments, eventually supplying phone shops themselves. A year after completing high school I left Sydney and ventured over to Wuhan, China to start
a new business. The concept was not to actually trade but to actively facilitate trade. I chose the interior of China, because it was less developed, yet would inevitably replace the south and east as wages increased. Wuhan emerged as an ideal base as it had a shipping port on the Yangtze river, and it had the highest concentration of unemployed university graduates in China. However, I made a bad choice of business partner – as soon as the business became profitable, his entire extended family worked together on a hostile takeover. By hostile, I mean changing locks on the office,
removing me from the company bank accounts and business registration documents, and then having a relative in the police force frame me for criminal activity. I was quite concerned as the death penalty can be imposed for the crimes being alleged. While quite a stressful experience, it was also profoundly educational. It ended with the police officer in question serving a twenty year jail sentence, while I became friends with many of the city’s officials and the mayor, which in China is rarely a bad thing. The business I had started however, was toast.
Wuhan skyline, 2006. Taken by Gareth Hayes.
EXCHANGE
in motion 23
Nevertheless, I remained in Wuhan and used what capital was left to start a translation business, salvaging and refining one of the many services offered in the previous business. It became clear early on that a generalist approach was futile as we were simply competing on prices. I wanted to focus on one niche and do it really well, an approach that was unheard of and untested in the industry at the time. I chose the mining sector, because it was clear that China’s demand for resources was on the rise, and it would need Western money and expertise to expand the industry. As most of the mining deals were being done in Hong Kong, I spent most of the time based in the ‘back office’ in Wuhan running the day to day aspects of the business, but travelling to Hong Kong fairly often to build the sales side of the business. On one of these trips, I stupidly lost my passport and was stranded in Hong Kong waiting for a new one. I made a whimsical decision to rent an apartment and base myself in Hong Kong instead of Wuhan, and simply head up to Wuhan every so often to check on things. I figured that the operations in Wuhan wouldn’t fall apart if I profit-shared with the staff. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This was a huge mistake. The business all but collapsed within a few months. I gave it another shot though, after spending six months refining the operational procedures and management practices, and creating an IT system that allowed us to increase the number of freelance staff, while maintaining editorial consistency. This time it worked, and I started living more permanently in Hong Kong. This was a critical move that I made for the wrong reasons. I just wanted to get out of Wuhan and live in Hong Kong, but as it happened the environment that Hong Kong provided allowed the business to grow from thirty staff to seventy. It also forced me to separate myself from the operations, which is necessary to grow any business. I have been fortunate that a turbulent economy creates more work in the mining services sector. When prices go
down, a group of people buy in, and translation is always needed through the negotiation and due diligence process. When prices go up, they sell it to someone else, and thus there is more due diligence and more negotiations. There are, of course, companies that decide they want to spend as little on translation (and due diligence) as possible. When you read about foreign companies losing millions in China, it’s always because they did the business equivalent of crossing the street without looking. Our best clients are always those who understand the consequences of poor translation and insufficient due diligence out of their own experiences rather than just being told about it. One of our most loyal clients came to us after a particularly expensive mistake that delayed their client’s IPO. They had used a relatively cheap generalist translation company for their IPO material and everything was riddled with mistakes. Consequently, the Hong Kong Exchange rejected the prospectus and questioned the reliability of the Independent Technical Review as it was written based on material translated by the same agency. In Hong Kong, the most important aspect for myself and my business has always been our involvement with the local business community. Attending networking events to meet potential clients and staff, as well as helping
others connect - it’s a two way street. Cancham has been a crucial part of this for me, providing a platform for individuals to engage with the community by facilitating events and community-specific groups. The single most important thing that a young professional can do to further their career, at least in my opinion, is to become involved in the community and get to know people. Although the importance of qualifications and experience is not debatable, no one can be successful in a vacuum. As well as this, I think there’s significant educational value in taking risks (though not of the blind variety) and making mistakes, and according to conventional wisdom the best time for that is when you’re young. I’ve now come full circle, and my business is currently being acquired. The business itself will surely reach far greater heights, but having built a solid launching pad and been at the command post for almost ten years, I feel the need for someone new to take the reins. This will also free me to take on a new challenge, be it starting up a new venture, or learning and working with those more experienced than myself. That old adage, “you learn something new every day”, has, and continues to be, how I view my life, especially my time as a young professional. Vol.10 MAY 2013
24
young professionals
Young Faces
of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
Jean-Baptiste Roy Associate Director Censere Group
Aaron Miao Communications Associate PrivĂŠ Group
Gigi Liu Communications Director The Executive Centre
Alexandre Lanoie Executive - Corporate Finance Quam Capital Limited
Karen Cheung Business Development Manager Orangefield ICS Limited
Soniya Monga Regional Account Director LinkedIn North Asia
Kristine Stewart Director Hong Kong Institute of Etiquette
Edmon Moren Entrepreneur Web Technologies
Yamilette M.Cano Account Director-Partner Maya Consultants Limited
Natalie Yau
Claudia Bolanos Business Development Manager Orangefield ICS
Nathan Ho Assistant Sales Manager, Coffee Solutions Pacific Coffee Company Limited
Shu Yi Chu Environmental Specialist CLP Holdings
EXCHANGE
Alex Staniloff Operations and Business Systems Coordinator Walton International Group Ltd.
Industries
young professionals 25
Inside the
A sneak peak at some of Hong Kong’s young professionals and their jobs. We interviewed three of the cities hardworking front men(and women) to get a better understanding of what it’s like to work in the property, finance, and hospitality industry. Property
Finance
Hospitality
Daniel Gradel
Paula Wong
Rush Limbu
CBRE Limited Valuer
Vision Investment Management Vice President Business Development
Il Milione Bar Manager
How long have you been in your current position? Nearly 2 years. I started in May 2011. What are the main skills of your job? Data analysis, problem solving, communication and quality control. I often tell people that valuing a property is like doing a puzzle. What do you do really well? What does your company do really well? I take a lot of pride in my work, quality control is my best attribute. If I am submitting something to my boss, I first make sure I completely understand it and checked it thoroughly. CBRE is a leading property consultancy services company, in terms of consultancy, brokerage and valuation and advisory services. Knowledge sharing is key within the company and allows people to learn from each other. What’s something most people don’t know about your job or your company? It takes time to do a valuation. You can’t just look at a building and determine the value. You need the comparables, knowledge of the location, the parameters etc. in order to provide an accurate valuation. CBRE operates all around the world. It has affiliates in the areas where we don’t have offices. Where we don’t have anything, someone goes and does a valuation there. What would attract a young professional to join your industry? The property market is unique in terms of investment, and unlike many other areas in the financial sector, its tangible. You can touch it, you can feel it, and you can understand it. The market value may go up and down, but the building will still endure. What’s your favourite place to go on the weekend? I like to go to the outlying islands around Hong Kong with my wife. That’s the benefit of living in Hong Kong, you can live in the centre and it doesn’t take long to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. What’s your favourite place to eat lunch? Depends. Either one of the three kosher restaurants in HK or out with my colleagues at one of the nearby establishments.
How long have you been in your current position? 2 years in business development. I have 10 years of experience in the finance industry in operations, trading, and hedge funds’ due diligence prior to this role. What are the main skills of your job? Building relationships and developing client trust. I also need to have a thorough understanding of the ever-changing market and our products. Initiating new projects whenever new business opportunities arise. What do you do really well? What does your company do really well? I’m very much a people person. I enjoy networking/meeting people, I think that’s why I was recruited for this position. In my experience, Vision Investment thrives because of its 12 year track record in Asia; its high level of communication between departments and its ability to function as a team. In the office we all work together and help each out. What’s something most people don’t know about your job or your company? I spend a lot of time reading news; politics, market trends, regulations change and even market gossip. A deep understanding and extensive research of clients’ company profiles and culture is also crucial to my role. What would attract a young professional to join your industry? It’s competitive. If you’re driven and hard working you will be recognised and rewarded, if you’re not it will show pretty quickly. What’s your favourite place to go on the weekend? I go hiking in the winter and on boat trips, wakeboarding and sailing in the summer. I’m out on a boat almost every weekend. What’s your favourite place to eat lunch? I go for yoga at lunch time everyday if there are no meetings. To make time I usually just grab something afterwards to eat on the go.
How long have you been in your current position? 2 months. Since Il Milione opened. What are the main skills of your job? Making cocktails, having an extensive knowledge of our spirits, and building client relationships. I also spend part of my time in the office. What do you do really well? What does your company do really well? I have quite a bit of experience in the hospitality industry; I’ve got pretty good at reading people’s moods and knowing how to cater to what they want. Il Milione specialises in serving premium vintage cocktails and fine Italian cuisine. Taking a classic [drink], putting our signature twist on it and then producing it with the finest ingredients - this is what sets us apart from other establishments. What’s something most people don’t know about your job or your company? In my experience, most people aren’t aware of the hours in the restaurant. The lunch customers don’t realise that if they see me in the afternoon, I will also be there in the evening. If people see me there at night, I have probably been there since the morning. Il Milione is an Italian restaurant focused specifically offering Umbrian cuisine. We work hard to create a smooth flow from bar to restaurant. It’s not just about the cocktails, nor the dining, it’s about the entire experience. What would attract a young professional to join your industry? It’s interactive, fast paced and full-on. Every day I get to meet new people – it’s a very sociable job. What’s your favourite place to go on the weekend? On weekends I play football. Anything related to football, I’m there. I also like to go to the beach to get my eyes off the buildings. What’s your favourite place to eat lunch? I love to go for sushi, or I just grab something quick from a coffee shop when I’m not on shift.
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young professionals
What is an
Alumni?
Who are alumni? Better yet, what are alumni relations? To put it in its simplest form, an alumnus/alumna (masculine and feminine singular of alumni) is anyone who graduates from a school, college or university. Alumni relations is usually closely connected to an alumni association that operates as the hub for past graduates to stay in contact with one another and as a channel for the university to reach out to its alumni. The associations’ organise social events, publish newsletters and raise funds for the school or university. Once upon a time, an alumni association was considered to be an ‘old boys’ society, but today they consist of graduates of all ages and from all demographics.
Top 6 Reasons to Join Your Alumni Association 1. Networking – meeting new people, building new relationship and enhancing old ones. The alumni association is an ideal building block for developing your professional and personal relationships. 2. Alumni Recognition – receive recognition for achievements and strong support within the community. Tell your story and make yourself known to the community. 3. Career Services – most associations give their members access to the universities career services centre including access to job boards, CV assistance and interview training 4. Social Involvement – mentoring a student and giving back to your old university provides a strong sense of community. 5. Alumni Events – alumni associations host a wide range of events every year from social cocktails to presentations from inspirational guest speakers. 6. Member Benefits and Saving – many alumni associations offer exclusive discounts to members on a variety of services including banking, insurance, car rentals and much more... Check out some of the Canadian alumni working in Hong Kong...
Andrew Willis
Jaime Leung
Jasmine Yuen
Shuo Zhang
Bishops University
University of British Columbia
University of Toronto
University of Western Ontario
Where are you from? Toronto, Canada Which University(s) did you study at? At Bishop’s University and the University of Hong Kong What was your major? A BBA-International Business and a Master of Journalism (professional communications) When did you graduate? 2010 & 2011 When did you arrive in Hong Kong? In 2008. At that time I was an undergraduate exchange student Who do you currently work for? I currently work for Euromoney Institutional Investor (a large financial publication) and formerly with Thomson Reuters. What is your current position? Conference Manager, Asia Pacific. I create large finance industry events throughout the Asia Pacific region.
Where are you from? Vancouver, Canada Which University(s) did you study at? The University of British Columbia (UBC). What was your major? I majored in Psychology and minored in Commerce. When did you graduate? I graduated in May 2009. When did you arrive in Hong Kong? I came back to Hong Kong in 2009 after graduating. Who do you currently work for? Savills (Hong Kong) Limited. I have been with the company for over 3 years, since my graduation in 2009. What is your current position? My current position is Assistant Manager in the Investment Department of Savills.
Where are you from? Hong Kong Which University(s) did you study at? I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto City and my Masters at the University of Hong Kong. What was your major? At the University of Toronto, I majored in Human Biology and Linguistics. When did you graduate? I graduated in Toronto in 2007 When did you arrive in Hong Kong? I moved back to Hong Kong as soon as I graduated and have been here since. Who do you currently work for? I work for the British Council in Hong Kong. What is your current position? I manage marketing and communications for the British Council’s English mobile learning projects, for example working with educational smartphone apps.
Where are you from? Vancouver, Canada Which University(s) did you study at? The University of Western Ontario What was your major? Finance When did you graduate? The summer of 2010 When did you arrive in Hong Kong? January 2010, on an exchange program to HKUST Who do you currently work for? Gerson Lehrman Group What is your current position? Research Manager
EXCHANGE
young professionals 27
s g n i n n i g Be
of a Young Professional in Toronto & Montreal with the Hong KongCanada Business Association By Adrian Cheng & Vivian Tang
Adrian: I started getting involved with the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (HKCBA) in 2008 when I joined the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) at the Toronto Office. I soon learned that my full time job role with HKTDC had extremely close ties with HKCBA in working together to promote Hong Kong businesses here in Canada and foster the business relationships between Hong Kong and Canada. It was through HKCBA that I learned about the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and realised just how big and fast growing the Canadian professional network was in Hong Kong. I first got involved with HKCBA volunteering and helping our executive director, Robert Brown with the section’s signature events such as golf tourneys and the Chinese New Year Ball Gala. I found many of the HKCBA members and staff to be strongly passionate about Hong Kong business and its members were looking for like-minded business contacts in the association, including myself. The special thing about HKCBA is that all the directors are volunteers and it showed me that the team really cares about the Hong Kong-Canada relationship and wants to do business with Hong Kong for the long run. Through my growing experience as a manager of trade missions to Hong Kong with HKTDC, I became president of HKCBA NexToronto or Junior HKCBA Toronto in 2011 with the support of my long time mentors and directors, Andrew Yui and Robert Brown, as well as approval from the section president, Peter Lawler and the board of directors. We agreed that it was time to
really get the young professionals involved again in order to grow the association and evolve with the digital age. Since being given the honour and responsibility of leading a new group of young professionals at JHKCBA, we have taken large strides in development, with a growing and energetic young executive team that has created a very noticeable social media presence on Facebook, inspiring and educational workshops focused on our young demographic interest and contributing to the mission of HKCBA. One of our most recent projects was arranging for 4 JHKCBA directors and leaders to attend the Hong Kong Forum in December 2012 to network and meet senior business leaders with the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations Worldwide, all HKCBA section presidents, the members of CanCham YPC team, and other respected organisational leaders from around the world. Vivian: I joined JHKCBA in 2011 and took on the president role the next year. The mission of this junior division is to foster the growth and education of young professional leaders early. As a young leader myself, I greatly value diverse business opportunities where I get the chance to network, make good friends across industries and better understand Hong Kong’s cultures. Although the Montreal chapter is based at McGill University, we work closely with other renowned universities to benefit all students across the region. We want to expose the financial and legal benefits of Hong Kong to them. There is a large demand for a platform that connects these leaders of tomorrow to Hong Vol.10 MAY 2013
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young professionals
Kong businesses in Canada. We also envision involving MBA students in our association in the coming years to expand our chapter to broader audiences.
The benefits of being apart of the Canada/ HK business network. JHKCBA: 2012 saw JHKCBA’s first visit of the Hong Kong Forum. The benefits of becoming involved in the association became more apparent when our team became one of the first to hear about the latest Hong Kong business trends and met some of the most successful leaders involved with business associations relating to Hong Kong and international business. The main benefit is exactly the
same as what many business associations primarily offer; it is the networking opportunities! You could meet your next big client, business partner, spark up a new business idea or make a new best friend in Hong Kong. Our JHKCBA team definitely made a lot of new business contacts and friends by attending the 2012 Hong Kong Forum. We attended a reception at the Consul General of Canada’s residence for drinks, met with the CanCham YPC group for dinner at Red Bar on top of the IFC Mall, and developed stronger connections with other HKCBA sections throughout Canada. We really hope more JHKCBA directors will be joining us from around Canada and will attend the HK Forum in the future so they can enjoy the tremendous opportunities and learning experiences that we enjoyed.
Relationship between the Junior Hong Kong-Canada Business Association and CanCham YPC. Adrian: In the past few years, I have noticed that CanCham YPC has continuously provided intriguing workshops and valuable business opportunities and platforms for the many Canadians living in Hong Kong similar to the way in which HKCBA has worked to provide opportunities for Canadian professionals living in our neighbourhood (Greater Toronto Area). Since our members and directors would likely be travelling to Hong Kong, it seems fitting that JHKCBA and CanCham YPC will be coordinating more closely by potentially co-organising events together and share information and resources. JHKCBA is excited to work with CanCham YPC because we can learn so much from each other. JHKCBA wants to know what is going on in our demographic in Hong Kong and we can share our advice or observations from here in Canada. There is no doubt that it is a win-win relationship, especially for young Canadians getting into business through Hong Kong, living temporarily there or just dropping by! Vivian: I am sure there will be abundant cooperation opportunities between JHKCBA and CanCham YPC. CanCham YPC’s share of information and upcoming events can definitely provide JHKCBA’s members with additional values. Many of our members wish to establish themselves in Hong Kong for their career or their own businesses. Thus, by leveraging both platforms, we can make these students and young leaders cross-national members. This way, they can benefit from both Canadian and Hong Kong industry knowledge as well as enlarge their connection network easily. We are looking forward to creating a better platform for our leaders of tomorrow to learn, train and network beyond the borders of our country.
EXCHANGE
s ’ t g a n h i W Happen
out & about 29
CLP Tour December 8
Joint Business Community Luncheon with The Honourable Leung Chun-Ying Chief Executive of the HKSAR January 23 @ HKCEC
52nd InterCham YP Cocktail February 6 @ Beijing Club
Vol.10 MAY 2013
30
out & about
CIHL Playoff Hockey Night in Hong Kong February 23 @ Mega Ice
China’s Leadership Transition and Its Effect on the Property Market February 28
EXCHANGE
Waste Management in Hong Kong, presented by Christine Loh, Under Secretary for the Environment HKSAR Government February 26 @ Club Lusitano
out & about 31
Young Professionals Committee Networking Cocktail March 7 @ Hard Rock Cafe
Mining & Resources Investment Forum 2013 March 18 @ Harbour Grand Hong Kong
Vol.10 MAY 2013
32
RESTAURANTS/BARS
Out & About
Hong Kong is often described as a vibrant place when it comes to business, but much of that can be attributed to the energetic nightlife and the vast array of exquisite dining opportunities available. Whether you are looking for a romantic dinner for two or after work cocktails, Hong Kong has something to satisfy every pallet. Check out some of these fine establishments!
Bloop Located in the epicentre of Hong Kong’s nightlife, Bloop is a brand new shisha lounge. Perched on the 21/F of the Ho Lee Commercial Building in Lan Kwai Fong, above the well-known hotspots of Volar and o Insomnia, you can enjoy over 3,000 sq. ft of luxurious, prime real estate and a breathtaking 360 view that extends out over most of Central and Sheung Wan from one of the largest set of outdoor terraces in LKF. The interior of Bloop is just as, if not even more impressive; a dominating 8-metre long aquarium filled with blacktip reef sharks astounds all who visit, and a very select few VIPs will even be allowed the opportunity to feed these majestic predators of the deep blue sea!
Hard Rock Café
HAVANA
BAR
Seeping with Caribbean cool, the tipple of choice at Havana Bar – Hong Kong’s newest and hippest bar – is rum, naturally, and lots of it. Havana’s mixologists have come up with a cocktail list of both the dark and light stuff that, combined with the hottest Latino music, will transport you to a balmy night in Cuba. Tucked away on the 4th Floor of The Plaza, Lan Kwai Fong, Havana Bar is a heavenly hideaway where you can grab a good, solid drink and chill out on its cushioned outdoor terrace. Its retro feel of reclaimed and salvaged doors and shutters imported directly from the Caribbean isles and moody lighting is a spot to relax and hang out with friends.
EXCHANGE
Perfectly situated in the centre of Lan Kwai Fong, the restaurant is an instant hit with both tourists and locals. Hard Rock Cafe Hong Kong opened its doors April 2011, inviting all music and food lovers to enjoy their fun and exciting dining and live music experience.
The Hard Rock Cafe Hong Kong may be known for live shows and classic music memorabilia, but you cannot top the food! The Hard Rock Cafe serves millions of people worldwide, and the quality is as outstanding here in Hong Kong as everywhere else. Try their spicy and delicious Hickory Smoked Chicken Wings before you move on to a legendary burger or steak for your main course. Finally, let’s not forget the wide range of refreshing cocktails and cold beers featured on tap.
LEVELS LEVELS is a new 8,000 square foot partying space in Central that provides the largest dance floor in Hong Kong. The space was acquired by one of Hong Kong’s premium entertainment groups – Privé Group. LEVELS is designed to represent the next level of the night life industry, as this will be Privé Group’s largest night club to date. The club, which features two bars, 37 VIP tables and an enclosed VIP private room, is one of our clubbing favourites.
RESTAURANTS/BARS 33
Hot on the success of Chicha, Concept Creations introduces The Roger Room, directly across the street from its lively Peruvian venue, giving diners and drinkers alike a new watering hole to explore.
PACIFIC COFFEE
Emporium
Exploring the new Pacific Coffee Emporium is the ultimate coffee adventure that will stimulate your senses as well as provide you with a unique and leisurely lifestyle experience. Not only is it ultra-modern, its minimalistic interior design and layout provide plenty of “organic” breathing space for you to savour the finer things in life, such as a good cup of coffee and more privacy and time, in a completely tranquil environment – a rarity in the hustle and bustle of Causeway Bay.
The place is a perfect afternoon hangout with friends or family and a good place to stop on the way over to Chicha for dinner. There are plenty of snacks on Chicha’s menu, including a selection of chicharones, the now-infamous pan con chicharones (Aji amarillo sliders with pork, sweet potato and salsa criolla), and the delicious tacos along with a selection of Peruvian-inspired cocktails. Expect a hearty good time for everyone.
LUX Located in the heart of the bustling Lan Kwai Fong, LUX Bistro & Bar boasts European cuisine and a never-ending drinks list in the ultimate place to ‘see and be seen’. Whether it’s an intimate dinner in their private dining floor or a big party downstairs, you can have it all while lounging comfortably by the giant windows overlooking the excitement & energy of Lan Kwai Fong.
Note to coffee lovers: Bean Roasting Corner is something you cannot possibly miss because the enticing aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans is highly irresistible. You can also enjoy premium black coffee prepared by different brewing methods at their specialty coffee counter.
Roundhouse Not suggesting you should tell a lie... but telling your wife or girlfriend you are at “The Roundhouse” is probably not the best idea. With over 70 types of imported beers from around the World (many of them new to Hong Kong), great food, live music, exciting sports actions and friendly staff, chances are you are not making your way back home just yet... Located at the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui, “The Roundhouse Kitchen + Beer” is a non-theme, upscale, casual restaurant offering European food for groups or loners. Also serving carefully selected quality beers from big name Czeh beer to Scottish micro-breweries – you can drink them here or take them away with you. So why quality beers? Because you want to spend your dollars (and quota!) wisely. The big name beers give you what they want to sell, but not what you want to drink, and chances are the money that you spend will go towards their marketing budget, not to the quality of the beers! So instead of drinking beers that you make you try to think you are a generic model sitting on a beach, get real and find your own beer with your own character. So what’s your beer?
Vol.10 MAY 2013
34
SPORTS
, e v i t c A Get alanced B t e G
Football
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the daily routine of: wake up, work, eat, sleep. Repeat. Your personal life is suffering and you are feeling overwhelmed by skyscrapers and the constant sea of people in Hong Kong. The solution, Get Active! Hong Kong offers endless options to join organized clubs and sports for athletes of all ages and abilities. Find something that interests you and give it a try. Sports not only are a great way to stay in shape, but also an excellent way to socialize and make long lasting friendships. So put down your pint and pick up your running shoes, or whatever you are into.
By Dimitri Lamarlere
The Azzurri soccer team has been a member of the Yau Yee league since 1994. The league is by far the biggest amateurs’ league in Hong Kong, with close to 1,500 players registered in 50 teams competing in 4 divisions. The league organises a championship, a cup, a six-a-side tournament and a 9-a-side international charity tournament every year during a very intense schedule lasting from September to May. For Division 2 and above, most of the games are played at King’s Park Sports Ground in Jordan on three brand new astroturf pitches and occasionally at different locations through Hong Kong and the New Territories. Weekly championship results are published on Tuesdays in the South China Morning Post. During a brief spell in Division 3, Azzurri won the title in 2010 and currently competes in Division 2. Very much like Hong Kong as a whole, Team Azzurri is a mix of about 10 different nationalities with players from Hong Kong, England, France, Portugal, Spain and of course Canada, to name a few. It is registered in all of the Yau Yee league’s competitions and occasionally enters regional tournaments around Asia. Diversity, team spirit, commitment and intensity of individual efforts at practice and during the games are the cornerstones of Azzurri’s identity. In addition to soccer skills, the aforementioned factors are the basis of yearly pre-season selections in August. Last but not least, the team has a very active social life and prides itself on holding dinners and drinks at exclusive venues through its sponsors Blue Butcher and Play Club in Central.
Basketball For many of us, going to the gym is more of a task than a pleasure. Very much like going to the dentist, you need to do it, but you are not very happy about it. To steer clear of this quandary, I set about joining a sports team when I arrived in Hong Kong in 2011. Though I play many sports I decided to play basketball because of the intense workout and teamwork that every game requires. Finding a team in Hong Kong is surprisingly easy; I simply emailed the league who directed me to a few teams that were in need of players. The team I joined was Maccabi Hong Kong in the AICBL, one of Hong Kong’s premier amateur basketball leagues. Joining a sports club is not merely about exercise but networking, teamwork and friendship. Since I began playing I have been able to form close friendships and bonds with all of my teammates. The great thing about basketball is that the team work required to achieve success on court creates lasting bonds and friendships with people who are not necessarily in your industry. I recommend any one who enjoys basketball to join the AICB. The league has four divisions, giving any skill level a place to play. EXCHANGE
By Evan Wilcox
SPORTS 35
Dragon Boat
By Luigi La Tona
Many people recognise dragon boating as the one crazy day of the year when over 8,000 spectators pile onto Stanley Beach in colourful wigs and corporate jerseys. In fact it is quite a bit more than that. The local, club, and international dragon boating cultures which participate in Hong Kong are quite a sight to see and experience. While watching is fun, paddling is pure pleasure and an adrenaline rush you can’t beat. This is on top of working out with 70 of your closest friends. Buzz Dragon Boating Society was founded in 2001. Members include men and women, who are sporty locals and expats, from different ethnic and professional backgrounds. Many have Master’s level degrees or higher, are multilingual speakers, and work for local, international or self-established companies Of those 12 + races a year, Buzz Dragon participates in over 8 locally sanctioned ones, all in different locations – everywhere from Po Toi in April, to Tai Po, Aberdeen, Chai Wan Sha Tin, Tai Tam, and more. Unlike most other expat dragon boat teams, we are the only non-local team to be invited to local fishermen races, a testament to our status in the dragon boat community. The main Dragon Boat festival takes place every year on Tuen Ng, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, and combines traditional elements of a religious occasion with the passion, drama and glory of a sporting event. Teams of 20-22 paddlers power long, narrow boats with expertly carved dragon heads and tails. Paddlers sit two by two, with a drummer motivating paddlers from the front and a helmsman at the rear. Buzz and other organisers recruit for the 2013 team before the Lunar New Year, when five months of training will start, three times a week. Pre-season starts in September with a few light workouts, and Buzz always welcome strong and dedicated people to the team. Hope to see you on the water!
Russian Martial Arts
By Janik Litalien
Coming from eastern Quebec, I got my first martial arts experience in my youth by attending karate classes, but Systema didn’t become a large part of my life until after a 10 year martial arts hiatus. When someone suggested Systema, I knew I had found my calling. Derived from 1000-year-old Cossack fighting techniques, systema was designed for the Red Army. Systema does not have stances, fancy uniforms or belts. The training methods are very different from traditional martial arts. From the start, you learn real defensive situations; you will be able to protect yourself after three months. After a year you become the equivalent of a karate black belt. As your confidence grows, training will spread into many areas. You not only acquire greater power as a fighter, but also as a person. It is a sport that is not only open to all, but also fun, positive, and safe. Systema classes are held in the centre in Tai Kok Tsui and the HKFC. You can also see demos at the American Club and soon in other private clubs as well.
Trail Walker
By Mati Pouliot
Hong Kong plays host to a historic race started over 30 years ago by the Gurkhas, a Nepalese detachment of the British army. This extraordinary challenge of 100km over the peaks of the New Territories of Hong Kong has become, over the years, a mythical race that only the bravest would dare to undertake…or the craziest, depending on your point of view. It has always engendered awe in the eyes of those who come to watch the participants, for the sheer difficulty involved in getting to the finish line. I have been contemplating doing the race since I first visited Hong Kong in 1992. 20 years later, I was contacted by a like-minded group of friends keen for the challenge, and I was up for it too. Looking back, it takes a good dose of humility to prep for this race – and a good deal of water. Thanks to good training and the wisdom of experienced runners, it is both possible and fun. On race day, it is all about managing body and mind, supporting team mates and always keeping in mind that the only way to finish 100km is one step at a time, never mind the heat, the darkness, the rain, the wind or the monsoon. Best of all, you are supporting Oxfam by channelling donations to critical projects. Vol.10 MAY 2013
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SPORTS
Ice Hockey
By Sean Ellison
Hong Kong may be one of the last places that you’d expect to find a burgeoning ice hockey league. And yet, despite an absolute absence of snow and only one full-sized ice rink in one of most densely populated cities in the world, the China Ice Hockey League, or CIHL, Hong Kong’s first ‘semi-professional’ hockey league, has managed to thrive. Moving from Exeter, Ontario to Hong Kong in April 2011, I was looking for a way to get involved in my new city. By October 2011, I had become involved with the CIHL, looking forward to taking part in a more professional, organised and higher quality league. The CIHL was born out of the recognition that hockey has exploded in popularity in Hong Kong and needed an elite league to showcase both the sport and the high level of talent in Hong Kong and the south China region. The league has enjoyed remarkable popularity since its inaugural season in 2011-2012. Games are played in Hong Kong’s only full-sized rink, Mega Ice, located in Kowloon Bay. The League itself is comprised of four teams, each representing their own areas of south China: Hong Kong Tycoons, Kowloon Warriors, Macau Aces, and South China Sharks. Rosters are carried year to year, with new players in the league eligible to be drafted after attending a prospect camp and being evaluated by the general manager of each team. The players in the league are a mix of expatriates and locals in Hong Kong; the CIHL can boast as having one of the most diverse populations in the world, with players coming from across North America, Europe, and Asia. As there are only four teams the league is comprised of the top talent in Hong Kong, it includes players who have played at the professional, collegiate, and major junior levels, as well as numerous members of the Hong Kong National Team. The 2012-2013 season also saw a new development with two players being brought over from Canada after they finished their collegiate careers through the CIHL internship program. This program sees high calibre players brought from overseas after they finish their university careers to play in the league and subsequently receive internships to gain professional experience in their relevant fields. This program has been hugely successful, and looks to expand by bringing more talent in from North America and Europe. However it finishes, it is tough to find a better way to spend a Saturday night. Other than the game itself, my favourite part is the team atmosphere. Hope to see you at the rink.
EXCHANGE
fashion 37
Building Your othiers
ner of Maxwell’s Cl
Andy Mahtani, Ow
Wardrobe
By Neil Warrington
A
s a young professional, it can be difficult to know what to wear and how to dress appropriately for the different events that occur throughout the week: client meetings, interviews or networking cocktails. It’s even more challenging to start building your professional wardrobe, such as choosing a suit that’s conservative enough for daily office use, but has the potential to be dressed up with a bright shirt or a pocket puff for that evening cocktail with friends. For both men and women, your starter wardrobe should contain at least one (if not two) conservative suits that are solid navy blue or grey in color. This is a must, and will provide the base for a wide variety of outfits. If you’re looking to expand into your third or fourth suit, look into purchasing one in a lighter shade of grey, the increasingly popular chocolate brown, or try one with pinstripes. If you’re on a tight budget, stick to the basics and purchase a wider selection of shirt colors and patterns to create more unique styles without having to splurge on another suit. The days of football shoulder pads are behind us and getting a tailor-made suit is affordable and as easy as picking one off
the shelf. We’re seeing a growing number of young professionals wearing trim-fitting custom made suits right out of university. One can walk down the sidewalk at lunchtime and see slim, form-fitting suits, pants without pleats and signs of traditional British style tailoring at every corner. In addition, neck ties are being reserved for job interviews and formal occasions as bankers and businessmen dress down to match their clientele. This allows for bolder shirt combinations such as checkered patterned shirts and a wide variety of collar options to fit anyone’s taste or style. The trick to building a functional wardrobe is to know what you want, what you want it for and how to make it work with the clothes you already have. As always, before you go shopping or to visit your local tailor take a mental inventory of what’s in your closet (colours, styles, etc), know what needs replacing and what new pieces you want to add. Get involved with your clothing and you’ll never feel unsuitably dressed again…
Fashion advice and information provided by Maxwell’s Clothiers. Vol.10 MAY 2013