Monday, March 23, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
奏响新加坡品牌最强音-----ENPORIS GREENZ 主席 王金发博士
2008-12-01 15:16:48
天气: 晴朗 心情: 高兴
新潮的时装，飘逸的头发，加上一张看不出岁月痕迹的面孔。你必须提醒自己，这是知识经济时代新加坡企业家的典型面孔，才不会被眼前所见迷惑，没有什么寒暄，直接切入主题，交谈十分钟，你确信眼前的企业家对品牌有自己独特的见解；一个小时后，你确信这是一位企业家；再交谈下去，你确信他是行业的引领者；到最后，你会感叹他远不是用一个简单的词语可以总结的。他是很多人眼中的全才----厨艺一流，文思敏捷，妙语如珠，创意十足，歌声曼妙，他也是很多人不得不服气的怪人---在事业的顶峰， 卸下上市公司总裁的职务，以为会享受人生，他却不按理出牌收购中国公司，再次在新的领域打拼……
前新加坡挂牌企业适新企业集团执行主席兼总裁王金发博士，就是这样一位让人佩服的企业家，他曾把一家几乎快垮掉的变压厂，打造成新加坡本地硬盘驱动器头盖和音圈助推器磁最大的供应商，业务遍及新、马、泰、中国、美国、印尼等，2003年、2005年被福布斯杂志评为除美国外，世界杰出的200家中小型企业。
如今，他想和他带领的新加坡精工及模具协会旗下的600多企业，一起打造新加坡品牌，奏响制造业品牌最强音。他也想把自己刚刚确定的新事业----进军中国日化市场的新品牌，刻上品牌经营和管理的烙印，最终成为畅销中国乃至世界的品牌。
这个把品牌挂在嘴上，把品牌贯穿在事业链中的企业家，是如何度过品牌人生？
适新的发展就是走品牌的路
虽然已经把适新集团的股份全部脱售，但没有人可以否定王金发对适新在短短27年成为行业的金字招牌付出的努力。从当年亏损几十万，到年营业额达2亿多，利润超过2000万，员工达到2600人，王金发和他的管理团队，就是靠着诚信、务实的精神，创造了很多令人惊叹的奇迹，在精工及磨模具行业树起了新加坡品牌的大旗。
适新集团的成功，最主要的有两个要素，一是诚信，二是创新。这两条都是创建品牌的基础。
回想刚刚接手适新企业时， 可谓四面楚歌， 王金发凭着诚信，靠着自己和同仁的努力，还清欠款，并实现成功的转型。从五金制模、金属零件和电器配件为主转型为科技含金量高的电脑配件和典型配件，产品也供应给著名的跨国企业，再到生产磁盘驱动器，王金发坚持走品牌管理的道路。他首先解决人才储备和使用的问题。他在行业开先河聘请13个大学生，以应付科技的发展，“很多人认为我的做法是高射炮打蚊子，我却笑到最后，如今这13个当年的精英11个还在公司，都担任要职。”人才是打品牌的基础，没有人才，品牌从何而建。有了人才，才可以搞好管理， 才可以通过管理要效益，通过细节求发展。王金发说这个世界上不是所有的人都往钱的方向在看，做老板必须明白为什么手下会跟着你打天下，然后赏罚分明，激励潜能。 -S6x wv_'zp+@/_Guest
一个管理人是优是劣，是看你怎么用。优秀的人才用错地方就如同庸才；读书不多、资质普通的人若能够发挥所长，也能创造极大的效益。 pAV}hB 适新集团的创新意识是贯穿适新的整个发展壮大的过程，这种创新除了企业方向，思路的调整，还表现在其营销模式和公关宣传上。面对两次金融风暴、沙斯、911事件，王金发和他的企业当机立断改变工作时间，减少企业亏损，和员工共同扛起企业面临的困难。当企业销售成绩良好的时候，又不忘回馈员工，共同形成一股力量。
王金发承认自己就是一个完美者， 面对企业的品牌宣传和公关活动，他总是不忘标新立异。他能演善说，天生就是演说家， 他能文能舞，不但亲自撰写公司日历上的至理名言，亲自设计公司装修方案，还策划并于公司常年晚宴上粉墨登场，还出版歌碟纪录人生。
可以毫不夸张的说，适新的品牌就是王金发的品牌。他在企业的品牌建设中，注入了自己全部的智慧和闪光点。
打造行业协会品牌 推动行业迈向高峰
新加坡精工及模具协会是王金发的另一个“宝宝”，作为一个已连续担任5届会长的德高望重的企业家，王金发正带领旗下600个会员，行走在创建新加坡行业品牌的大路上。
有王金发担任会长这5年的新加坡精工及模具协会，比过去充满了活力。王金发坦言，随着社会的发展，科技含金量高的企业显现出勃勃生机，一些比较传统的行业就开始走下坡路，精工及模具协会属下就有很多非常传统的企业， 他们面临着激烈的竞争，加上一些老板文化程度不高，苦守着传统模式， 所以协会在协助商家走创新之路的过程中，付出了很多努力。行业中做得比较好的企业，不但自掏腰包参加各种会展，在媒体投放宣传，还积极以自身的变革，带动协会其他会员。
“在现代商战中，商家的成败不在于你拥有多少种产品，而在于你拥有多少或是否拥有名牌。名牌是品牌的延伸，名牌是商战最有利的武器，名牌比一般品牌更有价值且有名牌效应，然而名牌又是一项长期艰巨的系统工程。协会的责任就是要积极配合政府，生产出高附加值的产品，以先进的技术抢占市场，提高协会会员开发新产品的能力，打响新加坡精工及模具品牌.”
王金发说，协会多年来，积极组织会员参加国际性的会展，开拓海外市场，还设立特别的奖学金，吸引优秀的人才，还走出去和欧洲精密企业交流。这些做法，都给新加坡精密与模具品牌注入了活力。目前承办的常年贸易展销会，医疗技术展览，就是值得推广的方式之一。
此外，协会将花力气，协助企业完成把全方位塑造品牌形象的专业化品牌经营，从八大操作板块：创立品牌、规划品牌识别系统、设计品牌符号结构、驾驭品牌传播、积累品牌资产、谨慎开展品牌延伸、建设品牌系统、实现品牌全球化理想，把新加坡精密与模具企业打造成响当当的金字品牌。
在新的领域继续走品牌的道路
品牌是企业的战旗，插到哪里，哪里就是你的版图。 品牌是公开的承诺，是永久的签约。 专一，持久，千锤百炼让“上帝”永远满意，才能塑造品牌。
王金发现在有了新的头衔，那时他刚刚收购了一家中国快速消费品的公司，即将在中国的市场开始事业的第二次飞跃。
王金发说， 每个企业家要像对待你的妻儿一样爱你的品牌，永远不做对不起他们的事。 像对待你的父亲一样尊重你的品牌，你的每个承诺都要兑现。那是因为品牌生存在一个特有的品牌生态环境中； 品牌自身总是处于变化状态； 品牌建立的时间不会再需要很多年； 品牌不仅是一个营销概念，它还是一个金融概念，是股东衡量企业价值的重要标准。
对于未来，王金发充满了信心， 他认为，一个企业无论新旧， 只要朝着品牌的方向发展，就一定可以走出不一样的天。
品牌人生没有遗憾
企业是一个品牌，在王金发看来， 企业家也是一个品牌。有人说， 王金发是个魔术师， 搞企业时，把亏钱的公司做到上市公司； 出售上市公司股份后， 退而不休， 义务帮助投资者做好适新的发展；做精密与模具公会会长5年，会员企业人数倍增。“在我的字典里，没有不可能办到的事情，无论做什么， 我都争取做得最好。个人品牌也是活招牌。有人说我“好练”， 其实“好练”不是什么坏事。”
王金发是个企业家，这么多年的企业管理，他有自己的感悟，他坚持认为，在这一行要成功，做事时必须专注、以人为本，并相信团体的力量。一个人不可能把所有的事务都扛下来自己做，需要的是团体的合作和努力。不论是当年担任总裁，或是之后担任协会的会长，他都认为最需要的是意志力和永不放弃的决心，这是非常重要的。
“我今年６２岁，再奋斗１0年应该不会太过分吧？我不是那种可以停下来休息的人，事业是男人的生命。我曾经说过，我喜欢舞台的感觉，就是喜欢明星的那种感觉，作企业也要做成名牌，这样才可以永续！”
“竞争不是靠去打败对手，没有一个企业和品牌能够依靠打败别人来取得成长，我不在乎别人做得怎么样，我只在乎我们自己要如何在产品、质量、服务上改进。我们同自己竞争，那才是真正的成长。”
王金发现在还记得2001年为京华狮子会筹善款的那场超级巨星慈善活动，那场演出筹得大量善款帮助老人院的老人，还在短时间内将狮子会的名气提升。至于精密与模具协会25周年庆，适新企业常年晚宴，很多活动不但受到企业家们的踊跃参与，也得到了员工及其家属的称道。连煮得一手好菜，能包好吃的粽子，每年必推出的台历， 都成为王金发的金字招牌。
喜欢唱歌，还想写自己的自传，还在考虑如何把自己的人生过得更富有挑战，还在考虑如何继续为新加坡精密与模具发展出力的王金发，希望还可以在自己可以掌控的生活中，继续书写品牌神话。
Courtesy of 青青小草 http://www.sgwritings.com/1021
CEO turns daring Calendar Boy
-ST Thu, Jan 08, 2009The Straits Times
By John Lui
Come this time of the year, Mr Felix Ong's friends and business contacts look forward to putting his face on their desks.
The flamboyant multi-millionaire has taken his desk calendar - produced yearly since 2004 - to new heights.
Not only does he model in every photo, he also appears as a movie leading man in each one. He is a Formula One race driver in one shot and triad boss in another. He also plays a valiant soldier or cop.
In many shots, the 62-year-old father of two grown-up children is surrounded by pretty models one-third his age.
'I just came back from a holiday and there is a basket of letters asking for the calendar,' he says, sounding pleased.
The total cost of the 2009 edition is over $50,000, paid out of his pocket. It covered two days of location shooting, models, extras, props and crew. And just like in the movies, some effects, such as burning cars, were created digitally.
'It is exactly like shooting a movie,' he says. He had to behave as if he were acting out every scene.
It is all in good, self-deprecating fun, says the former CEO of Seksun Corporation, a precision metal parts firm. People are amused at the sight of an older man cavorting with young girls.
'They love it. It is fun. You cannot find that in other calendars,' he says.
Showbusiness is in his blood. The ex-Rediffusion Hokkien-language presenter, singer, emcee, playwright and part-time actor is just giving people what they want - humour, glamour and eye candy.
His face has graced every issue since the first edition in 2004. But he had good feedback when he used models for the first time last year, so he decided to use them again for this year's issue.
He printed 2,000 copies for the 2004 edition. For 2009, 3,500 copies have rolled off the presses to meet increased demand.
It is not just the photos that draw interest. His down-to-earth mottos, one for each month and written in Chinese and English, are the other trademark of a Felix Ong calendar.
September's words are: 'It is not the glory at the end of one's life that I relish, but the colourful life I have come by that I cherish.'
It is a response to those who think his behaviour is unbecoming of a man of his age and status as a captain of industry.
He has no time for people who take themselves seriously or who cannot take a joke. 'When you die, even if you are covered with the national flag, it is of no use,' he says.
He writes down the sayings in his spare moments. The 2009 batch was written in the first-class cabin of an airplane en route to Suzhou.
The sayings reflect his practical view of life. Many of them focus on money and sex, especially on male infidelity.
'Good men: Acting cool is not a crime. Having physical desires is not a sin. Just remember that at the end of the day, home is where you belong,' goes one motto.
Men will stray, says Mr Ong. Women should be realistic and deal with it, rather than hope for the impossible.
'Do not expect every man to be loyal. Maybe one out of a thousand will be,' he says.
'You cannot stop a man from doing what he wants when he travels out of Singapore. Put a box of condoms in his suitcase. Be safe. You cannot beat it, so follow it. If you keep on being jealous, you will spoil the relationship,' he cautions.
In turn, men owe a sacred debt to the women who have sacrificed so much for their happiness, he says. A man must have only one wife - no mistress or other wives in foreign lands - and must always come home to her.
He is not condoning or encouraging misbehaviour, he says. He is only telling it like it is.
'People feel shiok after reading the sayings. They say, 'This Felix Ong is very daring!' '
'Other calendars, you see the words of Jesus or Confucius. Mine is funnier.'
His intention, says Mr Ong, is to provoke and amuse. It comes from his experience as a writer of radio plays and articles for Chinese newspapers.
In a financial crisis, everyone loves to see money, he says. This is why in January, he is shown gleefully clutching bundles of cash.
There will be a glimmer of hope for businessmen in May, he predicts, but it will not last. June will be bad. In June, the words are: 'In a bull market, you strut around in a suit with a dog on a leash. In a bear market, you... will be dragged along by a dog.'
'What is the use of a handsome boyfriend? Can you use his face as a credit card?' goes the saying in May.
He speaks from 26 years of experience as the boss of Seksun Corporation. When he took over the company, it was a debt-ridden concern on the verge of collapse. When most of Seksun's assets were sold last year, he pocketed an eight-figure sum, he says.
His family has lived in the same Thomson Green bungalow for 20 years. He enjoys cooking - he specialises in bak chang (lotus leaf-wrapped rice-and-pork dumplings), bak kut teh and other dishes. And he enjoys karaoke.
He now heads Enporis Greenz, a Singapore Exchange-listed shell company with investments in various regional firms. He scouts for companies to buy into.
His wife of 31 years, Madam Shirley Soh, 54, declined to be interviewed. But she knows and accepts his pragmatic view of men-women relationships, he says. His thoughts on the matter of male urges and duties have been widely publicised in his calendars.
So popular is the calendar now that companies ask him if they can sponsor it, in return for advertising on its pages.
'No way,' says Mr Ong. 'This is very exclusive.'
This article was first published in The Straits Times on January 06, 2009.
By John Lui
Come this time of the year, Mr Felix Ong's friends and business contacts look forward to putting his face on their desks.
The flamboyant multi-millionaire has taken his desk calendar - produced yearly since 2004 - to new heights.
Not only does he model in every photo, he also appears as a movie leading man in each one. He is a Formula One race driver in one shot and triad boss in another. He also plays a valiant soldier or cop.
In many shots, the 62-year-old father of two grown-up children is surrounded by pretty models one-third his age.
'I just came back from a holiday and there is a basket of letters asking for the calendar,' he says, sounding pleased.
The total cost of the 2009 edition is over $50,000, paid out of his pocket. It covered two days of location shooting, models, extras, props and crew. And just like in the movies, some effects, such as burning cars, were created digitally.
'It is exactly like shooting a movie,' he says. He had to behave as if he were acting out every scene.
It is all in good, self-deprecating fun, says the former CEO of Seksun Corporation, a precision metal parts firm. People are amused at the sight of an older man cavorting with young girls.
'They love it. It is fun. You cannot find that in other calendars,' he says.
Showbusiness is in his blood. The ex-Rediffusion Hokkien-language presenter, singer, emcee, playwright and part-time actor is just giving people what they want - humour, glamour and eye candy.
His face has graced every issue since the first edition in 2004. But he had good feedback when he used models for the first time last year, so he decided to use them again for this year's issue.
He printed 2,000 copies for the 2004 edition. For 2009, 3,500 copies have rolled off the presses to meet increased demand.
It is not just the photos that draw interest. His down-to-earth mottos, one for each month and written in Chinese and English, are the other trademark of a Felix Ong calendar.
September's words are: 'It is not the glory at the end of one's life that I relish, but the colourful life I have come by that I cherish.'
It is a response to those who think his behaviour is unbecoming of a man of his age and status as a captain of industry.
He has no time for people who take themselves seriously or who cannot take a joke. 'When you die, even if you are covered with the national flag, it is of no use,' he says.
He writes down the sayings in his spare moments. The 2009 batch was written in the first-class cabin of an airplane en route to Suzhou.
The sayings reflect his practical view of life. Many of them focus on money and sex, especially on male infidelity.
'Good men: Acting cool is not a crime. Having physical desires is not a sin. Just remember that at the end of the day, home is where you belong,' goes one motto.
Men will stray, says Mr Ong. Women should be realistic and deal with it, rather than hope for the impossible.
'Do not expect every man to be loyal. Maybe one out of a thousand will be,' he says.
'You cannot stop a man from doing what he wants when he travels out of Singapore. Put a box of condoms in his suitcase. Be safe. You cannot beat it, so follow it. If you keep on being jealous, you will spoil the relationship,' he cautions.
In turn, men owe a sacred debt to the women who have sacrificed so much for their happiness, he says. A man must have only one wife - no mistress or other wives in foreign lands - and must always come home to her.
He is not condoning or encouraging misbehaviour, he says. He is only telling it like it is.
'People feel shiok after reading the sayings. They say, 'This Felix Ong is very daring!' '
'Other calendars, you see the words of Jesus or Confucius. Mine is funnier.'
His intention, says Mr Ong, is to provoke and amuse. It comes from his experience as a writer of radio plays and articles for Chinese newspapers.
In a financial crisis, everyone loves to see money, he says. This is why in January, he is shown gleefully clutching bundles of cash.
There will be a glimmer of hope for businessmen in May, he predicts, but it will not last. June will be bad. In June, the words are: 'In a bull market, you strut around in a suit with a dog on a leash. In a bear market, you... will be dragged along by a dog.'
'What is the use of a handsome boyfriend? Can you use his face as a credit card?' goes the saying in May.
He speaks from 26 years of experience as the boss of Seksun Corporation. When he took over the company, it was a debt-ridden concern on the verge of collapse. When most of Seksun's assets were sold last year, he pocketed an eight-figure sum, he says.
His family has lived in the same Thomson Green bungalow for 20 years. He enjoys cooking - he specialises in bak chang (lotus leaf-wrapped rice-and-pork dumplings), bak kut teh and other dishes. And he enjoys karaoke.
He now heads Enporis Greenz, a Singapore Exchange-listed shell company with investments in various regional firms. He scouts for companies to buy into.
His wife of 31 years, Madam Shirley Soh, 54, declined to be interviewed. But she knows and accepts his pragmatic view of men-women relationships, he says. His thoughts on the matter of male urges and duties have been widely publicised in his calendars.
So popular is the calendar now that companies ask him if they can sponsor it, in return for advertising on its pages.
'No way,' says Mr Ong. 'This is very exclusive.'
This article was first published in The Straits Times on January 06, 2009.
A millionaire with simple needs
-ST Tue, Mar 03, 2009The Straits Times
By Lorna Tan, Finance Correspondent
Mr Felix Ong was earning about $3,000 a month as head of human resources in a Taiwanese-owned plywood factory in Kranji.
He made an extra $2,000 on the side as a TV actor and compere at weddings and corporate events.
But his life took a turn in 1982, when he was asked by his sister and brother-in-law to take over a struggling electronics component company called Seksun. His brother-in-law had founded the firm a year earlier.
In just two decades, as chairman of the company, he turned it into a multimillion-dollar regional outfit. It was listed in 1994.
In January last year, Seksun sold all its assets and business undertakings for $295.1 million to Supernova (Cayman). Mr Ong, now 62, collected a substantial eight-figure sum from the sale.
One of the first things he did was to ensure that his wealth would be preserved, to be enjoyed by generations to come.
In March last year, he set up a trust which invests in a variety of instruments such as fixed deposits and bonds.
Mr Ong now heads Enporis Greenz, a Singapore Exchange-listed shell company, and he scouts for companies to buy into. This month, he is setting up a food catering business called Felix The Cook.
He is also a part-time actor in Mandarin TV shows and films, and is famous for producing company calendars which feature himself in various dramatic poses such as a Formula One driver and a triad boss.
He is married to human resource manager Shirley Soh, 54, and they have a son, Kelvin, 30, and a daughter, Lynn, 25.
Q: What are your money habits?
The importance of thrift was ingrained in me when I was young. There is no difference now just because I have received a big sum of money.
I don't believe in wasting money. I carry only at the most $1,000 in cash at any one time. I try to avoid expensive restaurants and karaoke bars.
Even though I love singing and good food, I prefer to do it at home and cook for customers, friends and staff.
Q: What financial planning have you done for yourself?
At my age, I have to be conservative. Currently, 30 per cent of my funds are in trust funds for my family. Another 15 per cent are in investment properties and 20 per cent are in fixed income which are mainly bonds issued by local banks and blue-chip companies.
Cash is king, so I have 25 per cent in cash.
I set aside 10 per cent of my funds as my 'play' money which I use for entertainment and charity- driven concerts.
I'm aiming for a minimum of $1million passive income per annum from my portfolio. I have five insurance policies which have a total sum assured of $3 million.
Q: What properties do you own?
I have six properties, including one each for my two children and three for my wife to collect rent.
Last year, I bought a 900 sq ft two-bedroom condo at The Sail for $1.9 million. It is being rented out for $5,000 a month.
Last year, I also bought a 1,800sq ft four-bedroom condo in River Valley Road for $3.2 million, and a three-bedroom 1,200 sq ft condo in Hougang for $1.2 million. Both condos are being built.
Two other condos in Yio Chu Kang, which I bought in 2006, are for my children.
The sixth property is my home.
Q: Moneywise, what were your growing-up years like?
I am the second eldest child in a family of 12. My father was a rubber factory storekeeper and my mother a housewife.
We lived in a house with a zinc roof in Plantation Avenue, now known as Serangoon Avenue. It housed my family and 11 relatives, including my grandparents.
Life was simple but there was enough to get by.
Sharing clothes and schoolbooks among siblings was common. There was no TV set. I learnt to treasure hard-earned money. Now that I have a better life, I appreciate what I have.
When I was 18 and studying at Thomson Pre-University, I started earning money by writing articles and short stories for newspapers like Ming Pau and women's magazines. I was paid $5 for every 1,000 words.
I started my career as a civil servant in the Ministry of Interior and Defence when I was 21. I joined the plywood factory in Kranji the following year, and stayed for 10 years till 1982.
Q: What is your retirement plan?
There is no retirement for me. I was financially free many years ago but remained active to bring Seksun to its full potential.
Looking back, it was tough in the initial years at Seksun. My wife, who was an account executive there, and I worked gruelling hours, sometimes from 7am to 2am, begging creditors to give Seksun more time to pay its debts. The stress took a toll on her.
She miscarried during her first pregnancy.
It took me three years to overhaul Seksun and secure several key customers, which helped set the firm on the path to recovery.
Now I am still active as I consider myself young at heart. I will continue to raise funds for charity by doing what I love most, which is singing and acting.
I believe that once you retire or keep away from work, you may die early.
Q: Home is now...?
It's a bungalow in the Thomson area. I bought it for less than $1 million 20 years ago. It has a land area of 7,000 sq ft and a built-up area of 4,500 sq ft. It's under renovation now.
Q: I drive...?
I have a total of six cars.
The car I'm chauffeured in is a green BMW L7 limousine. I have a white Mercedes SL 500 sports car. The family car is a white MPV Mitsubishi 2.4 and my wife drives a maroon Mercedes 300L. My son drives a black BMW 320 and my daughter-in-law uses a green Peugeot 126 convertible.
Q: Your worst investment is...
In recent months my portfolio, while conservative, was affected by the global downturn. I am down over $1 million even though I invested in good companies and blue chips.
Q: Your best investment is...
My family and my company.
My wife and children made sacrifices and provided emotional support through the years. This is more important than money.
My other best investment was in Seksun. In 1982, I pumped in an initial $100,000 as a loan to the company.
Three years later, I pumped in another $250,000 to buy out a few shareholders. Seksun was worth around $625,000 when I took over in 1982 but was valued at nearly $300 million when it was sold. In 22 years, the value of Seksun rose 472 times.
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
By Lorna Tan, Finance Correspondent
Mr Felix Ong was earning about $3,000 a month as head of human resources in a Taiwanese-owned plywood factory in Kranji.
He made an extra $2,000 on the side as a TV actor and compere at weddings and corporate events.
But his life took a turn in 1982, when he was asked by his sister and brother-in-law to take over a struggling electronics component company called Seksun. His brother-in-law had founded the firm a year earlier.
In just two decades, as chairman of the company, he turned it into a multimillion-dollar regional outfit. It was listed in 1994.
In January last year, Seksun sold all its assets and business undertakings for $295.1 million to Supernova (Cayman). Mr Ong, now 62, collected a substantial eight-figure sum from the sale.
One of the first things he did was to ensure that his wealth would be preserved, to be enjoyed by generations to come.
In March last year, he set up a trust which invests in a variety of instruments such as fixed deposits and bonds.
Mr Ong now heads Enporis Greenz, a Singapore Exchange-listed shell company, and he scouts for companies to buy into. This month, he is setting up a food catering business called Felix The Cook.
He is also a part-time actor in Mandarin TV shows and films, and is famous for producing company calendars which feature himself in various dramatic poses such as a Formula One driver and a triad boss.
He is married to human resource manager Shirley Soh, 54, and they have a son, Kelvin, 30, and a daughter, Lynn, 25.
Q: What are your money habits?
The importance of thrift was ingrained in me when I was young. There is no difference now just because I have received a big sum of money.
I don't believe in wasting money. I carry only at the most $1,000 in cash at any one time. I try to avoid expensive restaurants and karaoke bars.
Even though I love singing and good food, I prefer to do it at home and cook for customers, friends and staff.
Q: What financial planning have you done for yourself?
At my age, I have to be conservative. Currently, 30 per cent of my funds are in trust funds for my family. Another 15 per cent are in investment properties and 20 per cent are in fixed income which are mainly bonds issued by local banks and blue-chip companies.
Cash is king, so I have 25 per cent in cash.
I set aside 10 per cent of my funds as my 'play' money which I use for entertainment and charity- driven concerts.
I'm aiming for a minimum of $1million passive income per annum from my portfolio. I have five insurance policies which have a total sum assured of $3 million.
Q: What properties do you own?
I have six properties, including one each for my two children and three for my wife to collect rent.
Last year, I bought a 900 sq ft two-bedroom condo at The Sail for $1.9 million. It is being rented out for $5,000 a month.
Last year, I also bought a 1,800sq ft four-bedroom condo in River Valley Road for $3.2 million, and a three-bedroom 1,200 sq ft condo in Hougang for $1.2 million. Both condos are being built.
Two other condos in Yio Chu Kang, which I bought in 2006, are for my children.
The sixth property is my home.
Q: Moneywise, what were your growing-up years like?
I am the second eldest child in a family of 12. My father was a rubber factory storekeeper and my mother a housewife.
We lived in a house with a zinc roof in Plantation Avenue, now known as Serangoon Avenue. It housed my family and 11 relatives, including my grandparents.
Life was simple but there was enough to get by.
Sharing clothes and schoolbooks among siblings was common. There was no TV set. I learnt to treasure hard-earned money. Now that I have a better life, I appreciate what I have.
When I was 18 and studying at Thomson Pre-University, I started earning money by writing articles and short stories for newspapers like Ming Pau and women's magazines. I was paid $5 for every 1,000 words.
I started my career as a civil servant in the Ministry of Interior and Defence when I was 21. I joined the plywood factory in Kranji the following year, and stayed for 10 years till 1982.
Q: What is your retirement plan?
There is no retirement for me. I was financially free many years ago but remained active to bring Seksun to its full potential.
Looking back, it was tough in the initial years at Seksun. My wife, who was an account executive there, and I worked gruelling hours, sometimes from 7am to 2am, begging creditors to give Seksun more time to pay its debts. The stress took a toll on her.
She miscarried during her first pregnancy.
It took me three years to overhaul Seksun and secure several key customers, which helped set the firm on the path to recovery.
Now I am still active as I consider myself young at heart. I will continue to raise funds for charity by doing what I love most, which is singing and acting.
I believe that once you retire or keep away from work, you may die early.
Q: Home is now...?
It's a bungalow in the Thomson area. I bought it for less than $1 million 20 years ago. It has a land area of 7,000 sq ft and a built-up area of 4,500 sq ft. It's under renovation now.
Q: I drive...?
I have a total of six cars.
The car I'm chauffeured in is a green BMW L7 limousine. I have a white Mercedes SL 500 sports car. The family car is a white MPV Mitsubishi 2.4 and my wife drives a maroon Mercedes 300L. My son drives a black BMW 320 and my daughter-in-law uses a green Peugeot 126 convertible.
Q: Your worst investment is...
In recent months my portfolio, while conservative, was affected by the global downturn. I am down over $1 million even though I invested in good companies and blue chips.
Q: Your best investment is...
My family and my company.
My wife and children made sacrifices and provided emotional support through the years. This is more important than money.
My other best investment was in Seksun. In 1982, I pumped in an initial $100,000 as a loan to the company.
Three years later, I pumped in another $250,000 to buy out a few shareholders. Seksun was worth around $625,000 when I took over in 1982 but was valued at nearly $300 million when it was sold. In 22 years, the value of Seksun rose 472 times.
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
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