Alumni details – 1st half
One aspect of the Kellogg-HKUST EMBA program graduates say they particularly value, is the ongoing links its alumni network provides, not only with their former classmates, but also with members of other cohorts.
The network offers the opportunity for horizon-broadening discussions and exchanges of information, across industries and national boundaries, and the building of relationships away from the pressure of closing the deal.
Tim Hewitt, Director, Sales and Commercial Affairs at Colt Technology Services Asia and a member of the EMBA Class of 2016, first met NiQ Lai, CEO of Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited (HKBN) when Lai made a presentation to Tim’s cohort. Lai had graduated from the program back in 2009.
Earlier this year, their companies agreed a joint venture in which HKBN will supply critical infrastructure for the roll-out of Colt’s B2B network expansion in Hong Kong.
“This is a highly complementary win-win, as it combines HKBN’s local network strength with Colt’s extensive international presence,” Lai says of the deal.
“With our partnership mindset, we look towards making money for each other rather than from each other – in other words, truly maximizing the total pie rather than fighting over the slice sizes.”
While contracts would most likely have been signed without the alumni connection, the fact Lai and Hewitt already had a bond not only eased that process, it has also opened the way to the development of broader ties between their companies.
Hewitt explains that, while Colt was a market disruptor 20 years ago, the business has since developed the inefficiences, and some of the bureaucracy, synonymous with many telco companies.
“Our current leadership is very much focused on returning us to our disruptive roots and engraining a challenger culture,” he explains.
So when he found out more about HKBN, the ways in which they engage their talent and about their co-ownership programme, Hewitt saw an opportunity to take action in support of his company’s goal. At a lunch to celebrate the closing of the deal, he jokingly suggested to Lai that he’d be a great speaker at one of Colt’s leadership events.
“NiQ said he’d be happy to speak and came to our event in March in London, and was a real hit.”
