Douglas Eu, JF Asset Management (Hong Kong) managing director

MY BRIEFCASE IS really a hiking-and-mountaineering pack that I carry strapped to my hips and back. So it does not look very professional.

Basically, I am more concerned about comfort, the long-term effect on my posture and what I do with the contents of my briefcase than about how it looks.

I carry the usual electronic toys and gadgets such as a BlackBerry and an iPod, which is my constant companion. Also, I am never without a couple of notebooks.

I use my large notebook for keeping a diary. I write an account of daily happenings and keep track of important family dates and anything that might grab my interest, such as when someone mentions a particular book, a movie or a CD. A notebook is also a good way of writing down things that I find puzzling, odd or amusing.

I also carry a smaller 'to do' notebook, which is work-related. I use this to jot down thoughts that I might later refer to in a meeting or develop into themes.

Over the years, I have found that carrying notebooks is handy and training myself to use them has meant it is possible to record those details that could otherwise be forgotten.