Mr Lan Kwai Fong

Allan Zeman Chairman, Lan Kwai Fong Holdings Ltd

Allan Zeman launched his career in Hong Kong 36 years ago exporting fashion apparel. He then built an empire consisting of real estate, food and beverage, film, gaming and theme parks. In his most recent endeavor as Chairman of Ocean Park, he has launched a bold new plan to rebuild the park. He spoke to the Richard Ivey School of Business on leadership, creativity and how he became known as Mr Lan Kwai Fong.

On leadership

“A leader is someone who has a vision and is able to assemble a team to make that vision come true. A leader must also be very quick thinking and able to solve daily problems as they happen. Every business will experience bumps along the way and leadership will help to steer the company through them. Companies can prosper only if leaders clearly know where they want to take them, and if staff respect and believe in
their leaders.”

On what it takes to be a leader

“A leader must be a visionary, a calculated risk taker and someone who is very confident in himself. He must be open-minded and willing to listen to other people. He must always look for ways to protect against the downside. He must be a ‘can do’ type of individual that always strives to be the best and look for ways to add value to his product.”

On creativity

“I would define myself as a very creative businessman. Most of my life has been involved with creative industries, and I enjoy every industry that I am involved in. Most creative people are not good business people, but I am lucky as I seem to have both.”

On transitioning between sectors

“Although I have worked in many different sectors, they have all had one thing in common: each had a product, an overhead and a bottom line to protect. Basic business principles are the same across sectors. The most important thing is to be creative and arrive at a good bottom line. You must also surround yourself with key operators in each industry and work with them to create a vision.”

On how he became known as Mr Lan Kwai Fong

“When I started Lan Kwai Fong about 26 years ago, I felt that Hong Kong was an international city that needed an area like this. Over the years I was able to buy up a large amount of real estate and create several food and beverage establishments. I was also able to attract other operators, turning this area into one of Hong Kong’s most famous icons.”

On managing an empire

“The most important thing in leading a diverse set of companies is to surround yourself with very experienced and creative people. You must always be thinking of the future and not worrying about the past. Every problem is man-made so every problem is usually solvable. You must also be able to stay ahead of the curve. Most importantly, you must always be very, very positive.”

On what would you do differently

“I don’t think I would do too much differently if I had it all to do over again. I am quite happy with the goals that I have achieved in my life and I am definitely not finished yet. I enjoy challenges and building new businesses. There is something special about watching a new business grow.”

Advice for someone wanting to switch careers

“Never be afraid to switch careers. Obviously if you want to switch careers, it means you are not happy at your present job. To be good at your job, you must love what you do. Analyze yourself and determine the kind of work you like to do. You must be positive and try to find a career which fits your character. Don’t be afraid as the basic business principles will always be the same.”

Top Leadership: Taking the Inner Journey

Before leaders can be developed they need to become self-aware and that means taking the road to inner growth. By recognizing their own unique capabilities and passions they can respond more effectively to the call for leadership.

Click on www.ivey.com.hk/iveybusinessjournal.html to learn what Rick Lash, national expertise director, Management Development at Haygroup, has to say on top leadership and taking the inner journey.

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