Q+A: Chris Birdsong

Q: How do you spend your weekends amid your busy schedule?

A: When I can spend my weekend in Hong Kong. I like to do some sports to relax my mind and reflect. For example I like hiking and Hong Kong has many hiking trails that I enjoy.

What is the saying that you like the most?

Success has many fathers while failure is an orphan.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

I get a lot of satisfaction from my work and I enjoy living a colorful life too. A good work-life balance is perfect happiness for me.

What do you value the most in your friends?

Honesty.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

I enjoy working with young people who are adventurous, enthusiastic and eager to learn.

Being the mentor, giving guidance and, more importantly, opportunities to younger people to develop their career and see their success is the greatest achievement for me.

What are your most treasured possessions?

Life itself is my most treasured possession.

What kind of "green" lifestyle do you have?

I don't have a car and when I go out I use public transportation a lot. Hong Kong has a great public transportation system.

So does the UK, where I lived for almost 20 years before moving to Hong Kong. And recycling, which I do both in the office and at home.

Name places in China that impressed you most.

Xi'an.

What's the best way to break the ice with a Chinese businessman you've met for the first time?

It's the same for meeting any other businessmen in all countries. Be genuine, be myself and be cheerful.

Give a few words to describe your impression of Chinese businessmen.

Just like me, possessing a can-do attitude.

What kind of experience has shaped your thoughts the most?

I have learnt by my failures and those of others. That's why my favorite saying is: "Success has many fathers while failure is an orphan."