Affable and talented, Bruce K.S. Lam was merely 36 when he was promoted to General Manager of Nokia (Hong Kong) Limited, Markets Hong Kong & Macau.

In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with China Daily, he spoke eloquently about Nokia's business development, his own success story and Buddhism, among a wealth of absorbing topics. He even leveled criticism at some members of the post-80s generation, pointing out their shortcoming of not putting their thoughts into action.

The road to success - from clerk to manager

Successful people around the world always say that, winners will equip themselves well and seek opportunity on their own initiative, whereas losers will just whine and let opportunity pass by them. Lam's success story originates in his proactive character. It has been over 10 years since Nokia first set foot in the cell phone market and established its regional headquarters in Hong Kong. "Though I was then a small clerk, I happened to attend my company's celebratory feast held in Macao. As the sales director was a foreigner, I offered to show him around the city and visited a casino with him. I remember he gave me a lucky chip after he won, but sadly I have lost that chip after so many years," Lam recalled, presumably appreciating the irony in being unlucky enough to lose a lucky chip.

At twenty-nine

"The next day the sales director asked me if I would be interested in being a salesman," Lam said, adding, "I nodded at once, since that position was the dream of many people in those days. The sales director then asked about my age. As strange as it seemed, I told him I was twenty-nine. He said a person at twenty-nine was fit to be a manager."

So, Lam met his first "good judge of talents" and came to take up the position as sales manager that day.

The secret of success - do not cling to gains and losses

Through his wit and hard work, he earns high praise from his superiors. Lam has this motto: "Neither arguing nor complaining is a prerequisite for success." He believes that "if you want to maintain your success, you do need to work wholeheartedly, regardless of your personal gain or loss. Your boss will know how much you have done and will appreciate your efforts."

Once a customer, now a staff member

Lam commented on the work attitude of some of the "post-80s", many of whom are as old, or young, as he was when he got his start and break. "It's not their fault that they have unrestrained, unfocused thoughts. But ideas won't work if you don't turn them into action. They neglect the very importance of turning thoughts into action". As a decision-maker at Nokia, Lam admits it is sometimes a headache to choose a prospective job applicant for the company. "I give particular attention to the preparation done by the candidates at the interviews, in addition to their qualifications and experience. I have a deep and lasting impression of one candidate, who proved his passion to join us by purchasing a Nokia cell phone and studying its functions".

Strong team spirit - work together as one

As a manager, Lam possesses good management skills. "Coaching is an integral part of Nokia. Nokia plays the role of a coach. Our employees will have access to training activities whenever there is a new rollout. We maintain open and effective communication among different divisions to enable our staff to work together as one. That's the one thing I ask of them," he said.

Attractive employee benefits

Nokia, as a well-run establishment, attaches great importance to the welfare of the employees. Fringe benefits can be another driving force for employees in addition to monetary remuneration and leaves. Commenting on these benefits, Lam said, "Our office offers a breathtaking sea view. The amenties we offer include over ten types of coffee in our pantry, free snacks, fitness facilities, alongside regular cooking classes, Qi Gong classes and Chinese medicine consultation. These are really attractive benefits and employees are proud of being a member of such a great company. It is a strong driver behind their enthusiasm and commitment to Nokia, " Lam observed.

Spectacles in Sai Yeung Choi Street

Under Lam's leadership, Nokia has had one triumph after another. Take 5800 XpressMusic as an example: When it was officially launched in Hong Kong in 2008, Nokia's authorized stores in Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mong Kok stayed open until midnight to take the lead selling the 5800XM. As for the long-awaited N97, it attracted queues of over 200 waiting outside different retail locations before the official selling time. People still take delight in talking about these achievements.

Fearlessly facing Apple and Google

How will Nokia maintain its leading position amid such fierce competition from Apple and Google? This still remains to be seen. Bruce has managed to ensure Nokia mobiles' appeal by keeping abreast of technological developments. He claims that "the biggest advantage of Nokia is that we fully understand and cater to the specific needs of Hong Kong customers. For example, customers are also able to practice feng shui at home through our innovative idea of installing a digital compass in their hand phones. Now you can see that we are not facing challenges but creating our future!" This demonstrates that his business concepts comport well with his proactive character.

Playing golf - mental relaxation

For a workaholic like Lam, sports are not for leisure, but for mind cultivation. He philosophizes and says, "Golf is a special kind of sport. With the many rules in golf, the more impatient you are, the more you will lose. The same theory can be applied to my work. As the proverb says, 'haste makes waste' and I learn to be patient through and throughout the game."

Religious belief - Esoteric Buddhism

Lam's commitment to Esoteric Buddhism is somewhat special. "Perhaps I don't have sufficient wisdom or perception to realize the ultimate truth of Zen. Esoteric Buddhism is quite the opposite. The actual performance of ritual practices, such as chanting incantations, helps me to free myself from the fetters of this world and prepare myself for the next world", he maintains.

A feng shui fanatic - apprentice of eight feng shui masters

Being proactive, he took the initiative to search for his own religious belief. He believes firmly in feng shui and describes himself as a feng shui fanatic who is currently apprenticed to eight masters. About a decade ago, he became a follower of Esoteric Buddhism under the influence of one of his masters. One result of these ruminations, experiences and practices is that he is grateful to be born a human being and treasures his life.

HKIM

(HK Edition 04/29/2010 page2)