Hong Kong HR Manager of the Year

China Staff, Oct 2003

Name: EVAN CHAN

Company: Dah Sing Bank

Position: General Manager, Head of Human Resources

What have been your significant achievements in 2003?

Last July, my team facilitated Dah Sing Bank's first ever Strategic Planning Workshop, during which the management team articulated the Group's core values of "Services Excellence, Teamwork, Efficient and Performance Driven". One of my key objectives for 2003 was to breathe life to the 4 core values starting from Services Excellence (SE).

In addition to SE, my team's other key objectives for 2003 include strengthening the Dah Sing Employer Brand and preparing grounds for the coming major initiatives to improve the 3Cs (Commitment, Competence, Culture) on Performance Driven and Teamwork (e.g. we are in the process of organising Dah Sing's first ever offsite residential top management teambuilding workshop).

My team has played a critical role in leading the whole organisation to safely sail through the uncharted waters of SARS. The situation was stressful and chaotic but we managed to help the team to settle down and the operations to stay intact through a lot of physical and psychological support and effective contingency planning.

What are your goals for 2004?

At the Group level, we'll continue our momentum on SE and implement strategies laid down by the Service Excellence Roadmap. We'll also spend time on developing a "One Bank One Team" culture. We plan to work on ways to strengthen the Dah Sing Employer Brand by treating the Dah Sing "employment experience" as a product, and applying the 4 Ps (price, place, product, promotion) marketing concepts to it.

At a business level, we'll work closely with our businesses counterparts to implement our China and Wholesale Banking strategies. In the Personal Banking side, focus will be on how to improve the team's sales and sales management capability with special emphases on wealth management.

What others have said about you:

"If Dah Sing Bank were an individual, Evan would be one of her best friends and wise counsels. Evan has facilitated major cultural changes in the bank and created a lot of 'firsts' in the organisation."

Name: PHIL HIDALGO

Company. Bank of Bermuda

Position: Head of Human Resources

What have been your significant achievements in 2003?

* Established key partnerships with global consultants and professionals who provide high-quality, cost-effective HR services to management and staff.

* Implemented policies and procedures to create a safe work environment which is free of discrimination and harassment.

* Introduced a work-life balance learning programme.

* Partnered with a local e-HR consultant to create a career transition/outplacement programme.

What are your goals for 2004?

* Continue developing HR's internal consultative role.

* Introduce e-HR solutions to improve efficiency and service levels.

* Drive management ownership of talent management and employee retention.

What others have said about you:

"Phil is an excellent HR professional, who has successfully facilitated a mindset change in his organisation."

Editor's note:

There are only two nominees in the category of Hong Kong HR Manager of the Year. The third shortlisted nominee, who wishes not to be named, has decided to withdraw from the running for this award. This HR Manager commented: "I'm sure there must be other HR talents who deserve it more than myself."

While the China STAFF editorial team considers this particular HR Manager to be a worthy nominee for this award, China STAFF respects this individual's decision to withdraw.