A Passion for Leadership
20 May 2006

Dr. Saimond Ip boasts an exceptionally brilliant academic background in business. Supported by numerous scholarships, he received his Bachelors in Engineering and PhD in Management Information Systems from Cambridge University in the UK. After graduation, he was recruited by top global management consulting firm McKinsey & Co. to serve as a consultant. Afterward he also founded his own companies. Now Mr. Ip is the Chief Executive Officer of OnePort Limited.

Learning has always been a lifetime endeavor for Dr. Ip. During the four years he studied for his PhD degree, he also took courses in accounting and religious studies. Sharing his insights on self enhancement, Ip says: "To truly enhance one's abilities, it is important to develop interests outside of work. In particular, I think it is important to pursue those activities that contribute to the community or serve the underprivileged people." A true role model for Hong Kong, Ip has also written books and provided strategic consulting services for many church-related organizations.

In fact, his life philosophy was inspired by business management guru Peter Drucker who popularized the notion of developing "a heart to serve." According to Ip - "Drucker taught me the theory that the ultimate common mission of all organizations in the world, whether a commercial business, non-profit group or even a government, is to serve people." Emphasizing that this is the essential training and way of thinking towards the process of self-enhancement, Ip believes that people should work not only to satisfy themselves, but to also do so for the betterment of society as a whole.

Dr. Ip believes in a positive linkage between teaching and learning. For this reason, he was invited by the University of Hong Kong to teach in the newly established "Centre for Asian Entrepreneurship and Business Values" aimed at the young generation. In fact, an entrepreneur takes on the role of business leader, walking side by side with the company.

To be an excellent leader, Dr. Ip says certain important criteria are necessary. "A leader should have in-borne characteristics, including a passion for life, strong leadership tendencies, a good IQ & EQ, as well as concentration and focus. In another aspect, a leader should follow the Confucian heritage of benevolence, righteousness, harmony, wisdom and integrity," Ip says. "No leader can be perfect, however, being a successful entrepreneur is possible with a sincere and trustworthy image."