Cream of the Crop This is the final article in a 10-part series acknowledging the achievements of Hong Kong's most esteemed female entrepreneurs Eclecticism key to professional achievement Many accomplished entrepreneurs have experience in many professional fields, and it is this diverse exposure that gives Scarlett Pong an extraordinary life, Sophie Leung writes Scarlett Pong has learnt many life lessons but her first remains the most prominent to this date. "In a world that is full of uncertainties, the value of money is only peripheral," Ms Pong recalls her mother saying. "However, the wisdom you acquire remains with you for as long as you live." Ms Pong, who is currently chairman of Realchamp Asset Management Ltd and Health Quotient HQ International Institute Ltd, internalised her mother's sagacious words which have in turn helped her become the reputable leader she is today. Recipient of the "China Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs award" which acknowledges particularly her expertise in healthcare and community support, Ms Pong refuses to rest on her laurels. "I insist on continuous learning. In fact, I am currently taking a doctoral degree programme in health and business despite my busy work schedule," she adds. People focus With a fruitful career spanning more than two decades, Ms Pong's roles have been multifaceted and fascinating. She is a registered pharmacist, author of almost 20 books, a radio and TV host and currently the elected district counsellor for Sha Tin District Council. Oustanding Young Person Award kick-starts a decade of professional achievements Supplementary photos: Courtesy of Scarlett Pong The key to her various achievements lies in her fundamental desire to support others. She says, "Despite major differences, every industry remains people-centric. I am happy to help others in an array of ways and I am grateful to my mother, who is always ready to assist people and act as a role model for me and society at large." True to her goal of improving others' lives, Ms Pong undertakes many community projects, and chairs the Action Committee Against Narcotics, working on preventive education and publicity. Having a finger in so many different pies, Ms Pong has the luxury of a panoptic outlook on industry. Her advice to young people is succinct: "When seeking a direction in life, always listen to and follow your heart." She remarks people are a rich source of knowledge and discloses she is particularly grateful to the teaching of leadership guru John Kotter, whom she met during her studies at Harvard Business School. "Professor Kotter distils leadership into the simple notions that true leaders develop others' potential and encourage them to perform at their best while simultaneously remaining unthreatened by the successes and achievements of team mates," Ms Pong notes. With her son during an anti-smoking campaign: combining community work with early education and family life Life experience Motivated by Professor Kotter's vision, Ms Pong launched her career in pharmacy. She finds this particular experience invaluable when hosting her early morning radio show and writing books on women's health. "Many people came to the counter to ask health related questions and it gave my communication skills a great boost," she remarks. During her years as a pharmacist in Hong Kong and Canada, Ms Pong also found that many people were knowledgeable about physical health but not necessarily financially savvy. This led her to advise young people on financial management in education seminars. She says, "The ability to manage money is crucial to success." Referring to her current role as district counsellor, Mr Pong emphasises that putting herself in the shoes of others help her to better understand and find ways to improve the day-to-day lives of many people. With her son during an anti-smoking campaign: combining community work with early education and family life It may seem that Ms Pong is constantly on the right course, but it has not been plain sailing all the way. In 2000, Ms Pong and her cohorts decided to start an online health portal using a new business model. During the negotiation stage with corporate investors, the dotcom bubble burst, along with her business dream. "I have learned to assess my options thoroughly since then," she stresses. In the same year, Ms Pong was involved in a car accident. Though unharmed, she was shocked by the vulnerability of life and began to see things from a new angle, deciding to maximise her existence by leading a more meaningful and balanced life. She says, "My definition of success lies not only in my career, but also in family life and community involvement." To balance work, family and community commitments, Ms Pong relies on her innovative spirit to fulfil different duties. For example, she asked her young son to accompany her to distribute leaflets for an anti-smoking campaign a few years ago. By blending community work with educational activities she feels her son witnessed his mother's true commitment and beliefs at an early age. Taken from Career Times 3 October 2008, p. A16 Your comments are welcome at [email protected]