Adrian Lai is helping SMEs work smarter whilst juggling fatherhood in Hong Kong.
What’s your story?
I’m an ex-banking finance guy that jumped off the hamster wheel and left the cage. I started up a small advisory firm serving SMEs looking for smarter, more efficient ways to do business. I am now juggling all this with being a new dad, just to add a little more variety.
What excites you most about your industry?
If anything needs an enema (read revamp), it’s the accounting, compliance and commercial banking sector in Hong Kong. These three are just ripe for disruption with new technology and redefinition of client servicing.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I was born in Hong Kong but grew up in Australia. I visited every summer holidays in my youth and it just feels like my second home.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Hong Kong – the clash of “old school meets new school” makes people stop and ask, “Why am I still doing things the same way?” This to me, is the perfect petri-dish for cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Find the thing(s) that you fear the most and you have found your master.
Who inspires you?
My fellow startups and business owners.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
My 13 month old daughter just learnt how to sign please and thank you.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
Nothing – it’s all good.
How do you unwind?
Relaxed drinks, banter and cooking my own version of tapas – all with friends.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
I just went to Da Nang and it’s my new favourite. Good food, friendly people and a nice mix of resort and big city feel that caters for any mood.
Everyone in business should read this book:
The Art of War.
Shameless plug for your business:
Cornerstone HK is a trusted business partner for SMEs in Hong Kong specialising in B2C+B2B cloud solutions for retail, e-commerce and inventory/order management. Accounting/Advisory + Xero add-ons + Web Design/E-comm We leverage best-in-class Xero add-ons to streamline your operations and make running your business both fun and compliant. Focus on your business – we’ll take care of the rest.
How can people connect with you?
Find me on [email protected]
Twitter handle?
@cornerstonehk
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This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:
Callum Laing invests and buys small businesses in a range of industries around Asia. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is the founder & owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 12 countries. He is a Director of, amongst others, Key Person of Influence. A 40 week training program for business owners and executives.
Take the ‘Key Person of Influence’ scorecard <http://www.keypersonofinfluence.com/scorecard/>
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