A ‘family doctor’ that can make all the difference
Alfred Chan Wing-kin, managing director of the Hong Kong and China Gas Co Ltd and chairman of Towngas China Co Ltd, has been with the company for a quarter of a century, overseeing its thrust into the Chinese mainland by launching a number of city piped gas joint ventures and developing energy infrastructure projects.
He joined Towngas in 1992 and was put in charge of marketing and customer services as the company expanded. He rose through the ranks to become general manager for marketing and customer services by the time China resumed exercising sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997.
Talking about his management experience, Chan sees his role as being that of a “family doctor” in the company.
His aim is to play an active part at the heart of the organization’s structure, seeing the company grow, motivating staff and helping himself to become a good employer in a higher position. He’s very happy to see many junior employees embarking on a sound career path and achieving something for themselves while enjoying their work.
There’s no short cut to success for the younger generation, Chan stresses. They’ve to work hard and learn more through different projects.
“If you’ve opportunities that are away from home, go for it,” he suggests, “because you won’t have that many chances once you’re tied up with a family or whatever. You may have limited exposure, not impossible, but limited.”
“Another thing is to look afar,” he says. Money doesn’t necessarily have to come first. “Only when you can enjoy your work, you can develop your career well.”