bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporter

Two senior executives talk about how  knowledge changed their careers  and family lives. They also share their secrets of time management
Building confidence
Richard Kwan Kit-yuen, director, Proficiency Net
Qualifications Higher certificate in mechanical engineering, (the then Hong Kong Polytechnic); EMBA Kellogg-HKUST; master of science in global finance, HKUST (yet to graduate)
Short courses at HKUST Graduate diploma in management, executive diploma in e-commerce, money investment, advanced wealth and asset management: value investing
When I was young I studied mechanical engineering, which was good enough for my job but not to manage my company. My business was hit by the financial crisis between 1998 and 2003 when I almost lost everything. After struggling for a while, I decided to study and enrich my management skills.
I took many programmes run by the HKUST Business School. I joined the GDM (now known as executive diploma in management, EDM) and executive diploma in e-commerce in 2000 and 2001 respectively.
I also participated in many short executive-programmes, including those for finance and leadership skills. I realised a master's programme would give me comprehensive training in managing a company, acquiring communication skills and running my business. The day I graduated my eyes were filled with tears. I felt so proud of what I had achieved.
What I learned from the school afforded me much insight in business and the skills to deal with competitive peers. In finance, I knew the importance of cash flow, how to fight a price war and manage a company during recession. Applying what I have learned in human resources and leadership, I am now a good friend of my son.  Role models are so important for the next generation.
Time management is  important when you  need to achieve two things  at once. I try to avoid going out with clients for dinner, and make use of the weekends for my study. I read books almost every evening for one to two hours before going to bed. I receive some complaints from my partner at home, but it is manageable.
The skills I learned from the school have made me more confident in making decisions. The business world is very competitive, you need knowledge to analyse problems. That is the winning strategy in life.
Don't ever stop learning
Oonagh Chan Wong Ching-man, head of broadcasting services, Hong Kong Jockey Club
Qualifications Bachelor's degree in communication and media study, University of Newcastle; International MBA, University of South Australia; master of science in multimedia and entertainment technology, Polytechnic University; doctorate of business administration, Macquarie University of Sydney (yet to graduate)
Courses attended at HKUST Branding and communication, building and managing brand equity, negotiation strategies, and skills and managerial decision making and leadership
I enjoy studying and continue absorbing new knowledge. Even chatting with new acquaintances can help me improve. By attending courses I learn from the lecturers and from my classmates.
For formal education, I have been able to extend my own area of interest, mainly film/television and multimedia to disciplines related to the management in multimedia conglomerates. My area of interest at the moment is business administration.
Time management is my major problem. Apart from studying, I teach and do volunteer work for the Society for Motion Picture and Television Engineers - Hong Kong section. I spend little time with my son, but we are very close. I attend as many of his school functions and parent gatherings as possible, and accompany him on overseas trips during his school holidays.
He is very supportive of my studies and we share the same passion for reading. I guess it all boils down to how our time together is being spent.
My husband is also very supportive. When he does not travel, he drives me to work so that I can take a nap - that means more than 40 minutes from my Sha Tin home to Happy Valley.
For daily time management, I try to avoid as many lunch appointments as possible so that I can make use of the time to review notes and have a nap to revive for the long day to come, especially when I have evening lectures.
I am also lucky to work in an organisation that encourages and supports continuing development of employees. Our staff are offered suitable courses and allowed to study during work time. Corporates should also be educated to understand the value generated from the continuing development of staff because they are the most valuable assets.
Management principles and execution strategies change consistently and the internet has changed many things in our workplace and at home. So there is no excuse for failing to keep up with continuing education. I've encouraged my team to go back to school to study part-time.
Continuing education is crucial for career advancement, even to sustain your compatibility in daily life, such as computer literacy and simply to understanding how your AV system at home works. We must never stop learning.



Lifelong lessons prove fruitful