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Quality design and materials to fuel long-term success

Innovative interior design is all about pushing boundaries and elevating standards. Whilst there’s no lack of design firms in Hong Kong using innovation as a unique selling proposition, very few of them manage to stay on top of the game as long as Archikris Design, which has secured the Interior Design award for 14 consecutive years.

For more than two decades, Archikris Design – the mother company of residential practice Zchron Design and commercial arm Krisveman Design – has been synonymous with exquisite craftsmanship and well-thought-out details, displayed in a range of luxurious residential and commercial projects for the likes of Escada, Carlsberg, Max Mara and Leica. The firm is also the creative mind behind projects by property developers in town such as Cheung Kong Real Estate Ltd, Hysan Development, and Henderson Land Development.

Helmed by Nison Chan, Archikris focuses on high-end residential projects and large-sized commercial and retail spaces, with returning clients and referrals making up the bulk of its business. The accomplished firm takes pride in its strong bond with clients who keeps coming back time and again, among them Hysan Development, Cheung Kong Real Estate, and Escada.

“The Asian head of Escada and I have become dear friends for some 20 long years,” notes Chan. “Given our joyful experiences working together, he has given us many referral businesses, which I’m deeply thankful for.”

Another long-term client is a renowned businessman in the electronics industry, who was hugely impressed by the firm’s acute attention to detail and ability to deliver on time. He first entrusted the firm with the design of his office premise and later also his Yau Yat Chuen and Beacon Hill residences.

“Punctuality plays a pivotal role in our service,” Chan reiterates. “It’s not unusual to see homeowners in Hong Kong suffer inexcusable project delays and poor project performances. We are here to address the problem with professionalism, integrity and punctuality with tight budgetary control to ensure user goals are met.”

With predominant focus on high-end houses and condominiums, Archikris has completed more than 100 luxury residential and commercial projects from across Asia over the past three years, ranging from 1,500 to 20,000 square feet. Among them are two artfully crafted residentials in the Southern District (pictured), which boast 4,500 and 3,000 square feet respectively.

“Large-scale projects as such cannot be done without our experienced team of architects and engineers.”

At the centre of the firm’s design philosophy is the “Design and Build” model, which allows the architects and designers to work closely with the engineers at an early stage in order

PHILOSOPHY

An interior design consultancy with integrity, quality and punctuality at its core.

FAST FACTS

• Archikris Design Group predominantly focuses on sizeable luxury residences with an average size of more than 2,000 square feet. Its work signifies the essence of opulence. • The practice adheres to its core values of integrity, punctuality and budgetary control which contribute to keeping its list of heavyweight clients coming back. • The Archikris team is straight with using high-quality materials from around the globe whilst maintaining price transparency.

Opposite Page: Penthouse This page: Residential Projects in Asia

to avoid project delays and budget overruns. The firm combines the expertise of its creative department with the know-how of its in-house construction team for the best possible design solution. Each project undertaken by Archikris is unique resulting from the surroundings, client’s needs, budgets and other factors to create a solution that blends form and function.

Whilst sustainability matters now more than ever for clients, Chan says the firm seeks to lighten its environmental footprint by using eco-friendly building materials that combine beauty with sustainability, such as low formaldehyde finishes and solar panel system. “We’ve been sourcing the latest eco-friendly materials and up-to-date technologies from around the world to create spaces that promote health and wellbeing.”

To achieve that, the company spares no effort in equipping employees with necessary skills to bolster efficiency and improve work performance. For example, staff get to visit construction vendors on a regular basis to gain knowledge and know-how required to transform design ideas into reality.

Looking ahead, the company will continue to deliver premium design services that achieve a balance between aesthetic and functionality. “Quality, integrity and punctuality are deeply woven into the fabric of our company culture,” he concludes, “and we will continue to approach every project with the utmost enthusiasm and professionalism.”

Wilson Tang Chief Executive of BOC Life

LOGO

THROUGH GOOD AND BAD TIMES —BOC LIFE IS YOUR LIFE PARTNER

To navigate the chaotic business environment of the past year in Hong Kong takes leadership skills backed by experience and expertise to guide the creation and implementation of an innovative strategy. A strategy that fulfils the corporate vision. Wilson Tang, Chief Executive of BOC Group Life Assurance Company Limited (BOC Life) is leading the growth of BOC Life through these troubled times to surpass its current position as the top three in the Hong Kong market.

The push to ascend further requires one who knows the business inside and out. Wilson who has over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry and a former Chief Actuary with a strong background in the insurance business, has a vision to rapid implementation of benefits focused on technology and is the best person to lead BOC Life. Wilson’s passion for discovering trends leads to new opportunities benefiting customers, employees, and shareholders. And whilst others may choose to hold back, Wilson is leading the team at BOC Life forward.

“Of course everyone knows the Bank of China, but surprisingly many are unaware of BOC Life - its uniqueness and growing value to customers,” said Tang. “Two of BOC Life’s major strengths are innovation and digital platforms, as well as the industry’s most diverse distribution channels.”

“Planning for the future in the current market and health situation is uncertain - fraught with risk. Interest rates are low. We strive to create innovative new strategies for products and services that better protect our customers during this time and onwards with new value propositions for their investment, protection, and retirement planning,” he added.

His brand building strategy, focusing on innovation and digitalisation with on-going diversification of distribution supported by prominent media campaigns and product roll outs have paid off.

Whilst the current COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the industry in 2020, BOC Life’s third quarter results show them outperforming the industry with around HK$9b in new business annualised premium. BOC Life is number 1 in digital sales, booking over HK$1b in annualised life premiums with 10% of that coming from new business. They also ranked as the top firm in RMB denominated policies with HK$3b sales accounting for more than 60% of market share in a niche area where customers are looking at long term currency positions.

BOC Life’s diversified distribution channels include Bancassurance through the Bank of China’s banking platform, with nearly 1,000 tied agencies, brokers, direct sales, and e-channels. BOC Life products and services are available to over 1 million established customers. The company’s 24/7 availability is also attracting new customers from the younger generation who are more active on the digital platform. A mutual benefit, as the industry knows, the earlier one starts, the higher the long-term yield with customers seeing the convenient advantage for BOC Life products when distributed via the bancassurance network.

Around 95% of BOC Life’s current sales are made through this channel.

Further, customers can also self-educate to determine savings objectives, planned retirement funding, wealth protection, endowment, and critical illness protection gaps with the digital delivery of products. The new norm caused by the current social distancing restrictions combined with local customers hesitant to discuss financial matters with others are factors contributing to BOC Life’s digital success. There is growing synergy amongst BOC Life’s six channels of distribution that will see the growth of services through other channels. Tang foresees BOC Life to continue to expand their distribution channels to include offering their products through other banks.

Digital product delivery

QDAP, a Qualifying Deferred Annuity Policy with tax concession was introduced with support by the Hong Kong SAR Government to supplement individual’s retirement savings. Since inception, BOC Life’s QDAP has a leading market share with over 40K policies. Complementing the QDAP on-line offering are products for short term endowment, annuity, critical illness and healthcare protection. A Critical Illness Policy for COVID-19 continues to be a protection product whose sales are growing as customers become more aware of the strain the pandemic has placed on public and private hospitals with their related costs.

Guided by BOC Life’s Vision statement “To be the life partner of our customers, a valued business of our shareholders, and a preferred employer to our staff members”, Tang and his teams are in motion today -adapting to the “new normal” by adopting innovations in digital to overcoming the current hurdles.

“We strive to be ‘end to end’ in our products and services”, summarises Tang, “In the pandemic era, whether the increased life expectancy comes with sickness or healthiness has become one of the key concerns. In the future, life insurance coverage, including annuities, plans of critical illnesses and legacy protection, should provide customers with self-care health management, elevating the insurance function from its traditional postevent claims to illness prevention.”

This concept springs the innovative and proactive strategy of expansion for BOC Life. That is for BOC Life to be a major player in the wellness ecosystem. On the 23rd of November 2020, BOC Life entered a joint collaboration with one of the largest private medical services providers in Hong Kong, Quality HealthCare Medical Services Limited (QHMS) resulting in the establishment of the BOC Life 24-hour “QHMS Wellness Online Shop”. Over one hundred types of medical and healthcare products and services that will include: body checks, vaccinations, COVID-19 tests, and TCM healthcare that can be purchased at membership prices or redeemed by Wellness Dollars by all BOC Life customers.

BOC Life strengthened its digital presence by launching the official website and Facebook page of the Health Research Institute. The Institute serves as a platform for the dissemination of QHMS verified information regarding preventive measures for COVID-19 and other health information while promoting and giving away Wellness Dollars for use in the online shop. Additionally, BOC Life plans to incentivise existing insurance customers whose lifestyle changes, contributing to the medical examination indexes that have reached specified targets with premium discounts or increased insurance coverage.

BOC Life also seeks to gradually introduce more health and wellness partners to further expand this wellness ecosystem. By promoting this new concept of preventive healthcare with innovative technology and personalised products, BOC Life helps to fill a person’s health protection gap by raising customers’ awareness to develop healthy habits. Strategic alliances can increase primary health care protection, promoting prevention is better than cure concept.

“We are currently in discussion with the leading global smart watch

PHILOSOPHY

To be the life partner of our customers, a valued business of our shareholders, and a preferred employer to our staff members.

FAST FACTS

• BOC Life has been serving the Hong

Kong community with innovative and quality services and products since its inception in 1998. • Ranked the top-three in the

“Outstanding Customer Service” at the “Hong Kong Insurance Awards 2020”. • Won the “Outstanding Customer

Services Award” in the GBA Insurance

Award organised by Metro Finance for 2 consecutive years. • Received the Financial Institution

Awards for 6 consecutive years by the Bloomberg Businessweek, recognizing the company’s excellence in annuity products and cutting-edge online platforms. • Recognized by the Job Market in the

“Employer of Choice Award” for 5 consecutive years since 2015. • Presented with the Caring Company logo by the Hong Kong Council of

Social Service for 10 consecutive years, in recognition of BOC Life’s CSR efforts and its contribution to the community.

This page: 1) BOC Life brings love and care to the needy in our community by donating anti-pandemic supplies hand made by the company’s corporate volunteers. 2) As the title sponsor of the Hong Kong Premier League, BOC Life supports Hong Kong’s football development by promoting football activities and nurturing local football players.

brand, Garmin, and the French reinsurance group, SCOR, with a view to fostering a strategic partnership. With reference to the successful international experience by insurance companies, we aim to partner with technology companies and other companies of diverse healthcare industries. Hopefully, this year, we could bring a brand-new self-care health management experience to customers in Hong Kong,” states Wilson.

“Our strategies will also create opportunities for our employees to be trained, developed and promoted from within. We are more Hong Kong than our name leads people to believe, with 98% of our staff being Hong Kong people. We have 400 staff members now and the number is growing. Our emphasis has always been on a work life balance, especially now with the COVID restrictions, we want everyone to be safe and protected,” adds Wilson.

BOC Life’s life partner mission expands from customers, employees, and shareholders to include society as a whole with their partnership activities in support of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council’s “Health Engineer” program and Hong Kong Family Welfare Society’s “Kids Our Love” program. BOC Life is also the title sponsor for Hong Kong’s Premier League. Mr. Tang expressed BOC Life’s CSR program will bring in diverse elements such as innovation and creativity in supporting and nurturing primary and secondary school students in the future.

BOC Life, a life partner that is there with you, each step of the way, through the bad times and the good. BOC Life, winner of the 2020 Hong Kong Business Magazine High Flyers Award for 2020.

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