Executive Interview
Executive Interviews
An Interview with
Kevin Cheung
Senior Client Partner
FranklinCovey Hong Kong
FranklinCovey is a global company specializing in performance improvement. We help organizations achieve results that require a change in human behavior. We have seven areas of expertise: Leadership, Execution, Productivity, Trust, Sales Performance, Customer Loyalty and Education. Franklin Covey clients have included 90 percent of the Fortune 100, more than 75 percent of the Fortune 500, thousands of small and mid-sized businesses, as well as numerous government entities and educational institutions. We operate in 150 countries and our content and solutions have been translated / localised to 30 different languages.
Publish Date:
7 January 2021
Tell us about your background, and what are you most passionate about?
I am an experienced Management Consultant, Company Director and Board Advisor. Born in HK, I migrated to Sydney Australia when I was a teenager. I graduated with a Bachelor of Aviation degree from UNSW and commence my professional career as an Aviation Analyst. Fascinated about consulting and advisory work, I continued my career development with Accenture and also gained my corporate experience with QBE Insurance. Over the last 20 years, I have consulted many global clients in Australia, Singapore, UK and Hong Kong.
Alongside with my professional & corporate experience, I was also an Entrepreneur and Investor. I founded and ran my own company for 8 years in Sourcing (Import/Export), Consulting and Investment.
On a professional perspective, I am most passionate about solving my clients challenges and pain points using my expertise and experience. On a personal front, I am passionate about helping people in need and like to offer my time and resources in voluntary work.
Describe a time you had to make a tough decision (e.g. budget cuts, organizational restructuring, market withdrawal, etc.). What did you do and what was the result?
One of the toughest decision in any professional settings would be redundancy due to organisational restructure. I recalled due to a change in market condition and the revised company strategy, I have to let go 2 of my team members.
I took some time to plan out the communication, clearly articulating the "Why" and "What" the impact was. I then offer a number of options (the "How") to minimise the impact to these team members. Once they understand that it was a business decision and I have offered to help them transition, they were very grateful of the transparency given in this situation.
How would others define your communication style? Do you prefer to be close to your employees or maintain a healthy distance, and why?
People who works with me closely or who knows me well would describe my communication style as inclusive and non-confrontational. While I may not be the most talkative in the group or may come across as slow in responding, it is my personality to first observe, listen to what others are saying, reflect and decide what is most appropriate before I provide a response.
I prefer to build personal relationship regardless of whether they are my employees, colleagues or clients. I would always endeavour to get to know someone on a personal perspective as long as he/she feels comfortable. I guess that's close yet a healthy distance between us.
How has the industry been changing in recent years? What do you think are the biggest challenges your industry will face in the next 5 years?
The Leadership and Management Development industry has changed significantly in recent years. The amount of new skills and the ability to process a vast amount of information required by leaders are increasing year or year.
I believe the biggest challenge my industry (and my clients) will face is how do we deliver more (revenue, output) with less (investment, resources). At FranklinCovey, we ground ourselves with strong principles, values and habits that have and will withstand the test of time.
What personality traits make a good leader?
I believe a good leader should exhibits the following traits:
1) Trustworthy
2) Visionary
3) Strategic
4) Motivating
5) Transparent
What does the future hold for your company?
I am extremely optimistic and confident that FranklinCovey will have a bright future because a company's greatness asset will always be its talent / people regardless of how the world will change or improve by technology.