GOING FUTURE PROOF
MSY Holdings President and CEO MARTIN YEUNG shares how he leads a meaningful life as a leader and as a family man
Back in 2002, fresh from graduation, Martin Yeung was immediately assigned to work for the family business. No, he was not handed a directorship right off the bat. Instead, he was put at a rankand-file position, which tested him greatly. “My father–a self-made man, who started with nothing but 10 cents in his pocket to becoming the man he is today, had gone through all the trials and tribulations one can expect,” Martin tells. “So, as you can imagine, nothing was ever handed to me on a silver spoon; he made sure I had to work for it—to see if I was worthy of his respect and of the existing workforce in the company.” Needless to say, Martin is the President and CEO of MSY Holdings, an experience he would describe to be a very long and extremely difficult journey, but ultimately, an extremely rewarding accomplishment.
“Everything began with our 50-year-old Diamond business industry in Hong Kong,” Martin recalls. Before settling down in the Philippines, his family was running a successful international diamond trade that his father had built from the ground up. With his father’s keen eye for business prospects, they jumped into the country’s business landscape, giving birth to MSY Holdings in 2008.
At a young age, Martin had an open mind regarding the possibilities of his future. His parents nurtured him with a balance of love and austerity, and through them, he grew to the man he is today. “God blessed me with such amazing parents, albeit strict, but full of love and compassion. My father was my mentor in life and business, constantly bestowing me with knowledge and intelligence, whilst my mother was my pillar of strength that taught me the meaning of love and family. It was a perfect combination.”
An only son, Martin had been heavily groomed to prepare for his future role in the family business—but this has not closed all doors for him. “My parents always gave us a choice to choose our own path. Fortunately, everything worked out in the end.” Through the years, Martin harnessed all the lessons he has learned from his parents into becoming the son, the husband, the father, and the leader that he is. “One of the most significant lessons imparted to me was learning
how to embrace failure, and swallow my pride,” he adds. “My parents made me realize that when you learn how to accept humility and learn from your mistakes, you allow yourself to thrive in life with unlimited potential.” The company is a testament to this statement, as MSY Holdings continues to flourish in the property development sector.
For the most part, Martin has been leading the company to greater heights by creating and improving old processes and introducing new technologies and methodologies to the organization, and by the application of the effective business formula his father had passed on to him through many years of unceasing growth. “My father clearly devised a working formula for the company but it is extremely important to ensure that it remains sustainable and that old traditions enter the modern age.”
With the company’s stature, it’s easy for anyone to be complacent with the work being done but Martin strives for unrelenting improvement that applies to him, the company and everyone he works with. “I would consider my management style as transformational. I am a firm believer in a highly motivated and skilled workforce that can institute enhanced innovation and create change that will help shape and benefit the company in every aspect.” This is made possible because each team that comprises the organization has a unified vision to uphold quality, credibility, responsibility, and integrity with their work. “My responsibility for continuity is extremely important, to always go the extra mile to ensure that all of our products go through rigorous market research, constant innovation, upgrading of technologies, design and methodologies, meticulous quality control, and lastly ensuring that our products remain environmentally responsible, sustainable and future proof.”
Yet with the many successes that MSY Holdings has added in their roster, a lot of people might think that property development may be the easiest way to gain money. “A lot of people fail to realize the amount of work, effort, management, control, and knowledge that is necessary in order to make a development project be successful. Any setback in planning, design, construction, labor, and management, no matter how great or small will cost you. It can be a very expensive lesson.” This greatly affects not only MSY Holdings but a lot of companies in the same field. To Martin, cutting corners to make an extra buck only pulls down the company’s beliefs, thus creating an unnecessary rift in the organization.
For the most part, Martin has been leading the company successfully, pushing boundaries and raising the bar along the way. The CEO continues to engage in projects that are sustainable and proactive, if not futureproof. But beyond the four corners of his office, Martin is just like any other man could be. He enjoys a cold serving of draft lager on his off days or spending time with his wife and 3-year-old child. As he continues to lead a meaningful life, the young Yeung continues to place his bets on things he loves doing the most. “Life’s too short,” he says. “I will continue to do what I love to do, and always have fun doing it.”