April 27, 2023 • 30 mins
Craig shares his career journey and his learnings. He offers advice on embracing diversity and creating alignment based on his experience working in multiple countries. We discuss strategic agility and finding inspiration for innovation. He shares the best advice he has received and we discuss work life balance. He offers parting advice on personal empowerment.
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Episode Transcript
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David Kong (00:03):
Greeting I am David Kong, the founder and principal
of D E I advisors today.
We're delighted the welcomeCraig Bond, the managing
director of La Vie HotelsResorts to our show.
Craig is a industry veteran andhe has been in the AsiaPac
Pacific region for many years.
It's a great delight to welcomeyou, Craig.
Craig Bong (00:24):
David, thank you so much and for this great
opportunity and it's wonderfulto see you and it's a real
pleasure to have you interviewme today.
David Kong (00:31):
Wonderful.
It's great to have you.
Craig.
Let's start with your careerjourney.
You've had a very excitingcareer journey.
Can you share with us some ofthe in inflection points and the
factors that drove your success?
Craig Bong (00:46):
Sure, I'd love to, I guess it all, I can share with
you how it all started in thebeginning and I grew up in
Newcastle, which is about anhour and a half north of Sydney,
and I always wanted to be in thehospitality business.
My parents were in thehospitality business across many
different sectors withinhospitality.
So I walked into a door, Of ahundred key property that was on
(01:06):
the beach.
And I asked to speak to themanager and I was only 17 years
of age.
And I asked for a job and theysaid to me, what experience do
you have?
And I said really only fromseeing my mum and dad and how
they've worked in industry.
And she goes, you know what?
I really like you, but you don'thave any experience in food and
beverage.
And she says I like you, I'mgonna give you an opportunity,
but what you're gonna do is that50% of the hotel faces the
(01:28):
ocean.
So every day I'd like you tocome in and you're gonna go into
every room under the balcony andclean the salt air off the glass
every day.
And that's how I got my first,opportunity into the hospitality
business.
And Once that I, I guess Idemonstrate I turn up to work on
time.
I was conscientious.
And eventually then she gave methe manager who was the owner.
(01:49):
It was an owner operated hotelput me into banquets and moved
me into weddings.
And taught me how to carry threeplates and how to do just
general banquet service.
So that was my entry intohospitality many years ago.
So it was it was quite, excitingfor a young guy to to get a job
and someone that that took achance on me and that really
resonates with how I am as a asa leader today.
David Kong (02:12):
That's the best way to start from the bottom and
certainly your work ethic shinedthrough even, in those early
days, but thinking back yourjourney, what are some of the
factors that drove your success?
Craig Bong (02:26):
Look, I think it's really about putting yourself
out there and taking a risk.
I think in life if you don'ttake a risk, you, if you they
can be certainly calculated inmany ways, but sometimes to
navigate those risks is verydifficult.
And I also remember I was 23years of age and I got the
opportunity for my first generalmanager position.
(02:46):
And I was pretty young at 23 and23.
You think you know it all, butlooking back at it, my gosh, I
was very green.
But you have confidence in whatyou believe that and and you do
something that scares you.
I remember that.
At that stage of my life thisopportunity was for a 30 key
resort in North Queensland, butit was going into receivership.
So I went through the interviewprocess with a, with the
(03:08):
recruitment company.
And then they said it's actuallyjust gone into receivership.
And I went what do you do?
Do I take the opportunity?
So I did, but I had to pay formy own airfare to get there.
It was about an hour and a halfsouth of Cairns, which is in
North Queens.
I had to pay for my own transferto get there.
I took the risk, I paid formyself to get there.
(03:28):
We were running on the oldWhitney system back in the day,
so there was no pc.
And I run the hotel out of apetty cash tin because it was
going to receivership.
Long story short I, because Idid what I did and I believed in
that I could make a difference,is that the resort ended up
getting sold.
It got sold to a very prominenthotel.
You had retired.
(03:48):
We doubled the size of theresort.
I got taught opera.
I got a wonderful mentor leaderto work with who believed in me
because when he come to look tobuy the resort he, I checked him
in.
I served him breakfast.
I brought his bags down becausethat's what you had to do.
So that was a really greatmoment in my career on doing
(04:10):
something that that scares you alot, that puts yourself out
there, that takes that risk.
And that's, and something that Icontinue to do today.
David Kong (04:18):
That's a great story, and that's certainly a
common theme that we've foundthroughout our many interviews.
Successful leaders take risks.
They have a belief inthemselves.
And certainly, in your case, Youbelieve in yourself and whatever
you didn't know, you knew thatyou could figure it out, and you
are not afraid to put yourselfout there, that's why you've
(04:38):
become so successful.
Congratulations to you.
Thanks for sharing that story.
Yeah, thank you David.
You spent many years in theAsia-Pacific region and we know
the region is far fromhomogenous.
It's comprised of many differentcountries, each with its own
culture, language and howbusiness is done also varies
greatly from country to country.
(05:00):
To be successful, you have toembrace diversity and inclusion,
and you've assimilated yourselfvery well into the region.
Can you share some of thelessons that you've learned and
provide some tips on how one canembrace diversity and inclusion?
Craig Bong (05:15):
Yeah, look, great question.
And inclusion and diversityacross multiple countries is
something that I that I stillchallenge in many different ways
today.
Not only with myself, butbecause I'm now based back in
Australia.
I've worked across, I think 13different countries across Asia.
But now I've, I'm working with ateam that have not had that
(05:35):
exposure.
So I have what I've learned now,I'm actually now bringing back
to my workplace to actually helpmy team along to actually
understand the culturaldifferences.
But first of all from myperspective, I've always been a
great believer in.
In reading people's regardlessif the language barrier there,
but you can read people's faces,you can see in people's eyes
(05:59):
that Yes does not necessarilymean Yes reaffirming in their,
in, in a certain way and toconfirm what you've just said.
So there is an understanding.
I think for me it's aboutbringing people together.
By bringing people together, youthen create a level of
confidence, comfort, trustespecially when you're working
in different countries andyou're in their country.
(06:21):
So I'm a big believer that foodbrings people together in most
countries.
And and embracing local cuisineand culinary delights and
especially from.
Different regions throughoutwhere they live.
So for me, it's about bringingpeople together by food because
it doesn't matter which countryare you in.
It works.
I think also it's about I'vetried to learn, I'm not very
good at being multilingual, butunder learning those, the
(06:45):
basics, it really goes a longway.
It's like when you get in a taxiand you can.
You can speak some basiclanguage.
The taxi driver automaticallygoes, okay, you're not a
tourist, and people's perceptionof you changes.
So I think learn the basics.
And it doesn't have to be a lot,but you really are respected by
that.
The other thing I really is veryimportant is understanding the
(07:05):
cultural celebrations of an, ofa country.
The religious ceremonies,understanding them, being
involved in them, asking thequestions, what it's about.
I think it's about being veryrespectful.
As I said before, when you maygive a direction to one of your
team and they go like this andyou can see in their eyes.
They'd have got no idea what youare talking about.
So it's about no problem askingthe question or help getting
(07:29):
someone to help you that mayknow the mo the language better
depending on what level they'reat.
And I really enjoy it.
I think it's I don't see as achallenge.
I really see that embracingdifferent cultures.
It is such a wonderful gift tobe able to have in my life and
now for me to be able to sharethat with my team and I really
love.
That's a great story.
(07:49):
I have my group director ofsales and revenue, and she's
grew up in Australia, has a veryyoung family.
Her husband's in the military,so he traveled a lot.
She didn't, she brought up thefamily and that when I employed
her, our company was quite smalland we've just grown so quick,
and so I've just picked her upand put her in.
She's been to Thailand, she'sbeen to Sri Lanka, she's been to
Bangladesh.
She's been to the Maldives andher eyes have just gone like
(08:12):
this and to see.
To see and watch and be part ofher journey and really putting
her into multiculturalenvironments has just been
wonderful.
And and the more that I cancontinue to do that I will
continue to do thanks
David Kong (08:23):
for sharing experience.
You had a lot of very importantlessons and what you just said,
and I really like what youmentioned about bringing people
together, especially through ameal.
One thing that's universal inAsia is everyone likes to eat.
Craig Bong (08:39):
Do I, that's why sometimes the pants get a bit
tight when you travel so much.
Everyone, let's eat.
And unfortunately I love food somuch, so I love it.
But it can be dangerous.
David Kong (08:49):
Yeah.
In Asian culture, we do believein bringing people together
through a meal.
It's the best way to connect andagreed.
I appreciate sharing thosestories.
Thank you.
And the other thing that you.
have not mentioned, but I'm sureis implied is your being
comfortable with diversity.
Some people are just notcomfortable in a foreign country
(09:09):
and it's hard to assimilateyourself when you are
uncomfortable.
So the fact that you werecomfortable with that, Means
that you can embrace adversityso much
Craig Bong (09:18):
easier.
Yeah, a very good point, Dave.
You need to be comfortable, butsometimes you may not be
comfortable.
But you have to put yourself outthere.
And sometimes, it can be alittle bit scary.
And I have this saying thatI've, that I learned many years
ago.
Just do something at least onceevery day that scares you.
That just puts outta yourcomfort zone.
And I try to bring that messageto everyone that I work with.
(09:38):
It's okay.
Like people will say to me,Craig, you get up on stage, you
speak and you just look socomfortable.
I said, believe me, I am sonervous every time I get up on
that stage.
And I said, being nervous isokay.
It's nervous.
Energy is great.
Yeah.
David Kong (09:52):
Nervous, I believe.
And that also the no, thatenergy actually gives you the
excitement and passion.
It's a good thing.
Yes.
Agree.
But talk about alignment becauseyou.
In the Asia-Pacific region, youhave a diverse team and your
team members are located not in,only in Australia, but
(10:12):
throughout the region.
How do you create alignment?
Craig Bong (10:15):
Yeah, it's creating alignment is one thing, but also
creating alignment.
Across the different countriesoperate sometimes when people
have not even been to thatcountry before and may not even
understand the culture.
Or sometimes I've got an expatsitting in that country that's
working with another countrythat in another country that's
not an expat.
So first of all, I like peopleto meet.
(10:38):
As much as I can.
Working cross countries and comeout of Covid.
Of course, it's been a lot ofzoom, which I still think is
great.
But again, bringing peopletogether to meet, feel the pulse
of the of the people within theorganization.
I always say that, or if youcannot do that, please pick up
the phone.
I, I was saying to my teamyesterday is that, We spend too
(10:58):
many too many emails, right?
And emails are there for apurpose.
They're important.
But if you pick up the phone orhave a zoom like we are doing
today, where can see peopleeven, might be able to feel the
pulse, but you can still, readone's face, read one's the smile
and their facial expressions.
So for me, it's about bringingpeople together in the first
instance.
So I try at least to say, go andmeet.
(11:20):
Once you meet someone and youbuild that relationship, it
makes it much easier when youhave to talk about the tough
things.
It's great when you can alsocelebrate.
But just being able to meet.
So that's one thing that Ireally am big on is bringing
people together.
For example, we've just employeda brand new regional general
manager into Sri Lanka.
We operate three radisonproperties in Sri Lanka and
(11:42):
before, and he's currently basedin Singapore.
So before he goes into thatrole, I bring him into our
corporate office into Sydney.
He can meet the team, we cantake him through the
organization, we'll take him fora meal.
We'll then send him through toour Bangkok regional office,
meet the team in Thailand aswell before then he goes off.
So it's about setting people upfor success.
But back to the question,connect, speak more, feel the
(12:06):
pulse of people.
And again, it comes back tounderstanding the culture as
well, because once youunderstand the culture and
there's a level of respect andunderstanding, that goes a long
way once you meet people aswell.
David Kong (12:17):
Yeah, very well said.
I agree with everything that youjust said.
It's about connecting, forming arelationship and helping people
understand the various culture.
It's just everything that yousaid is very sound
Craig Bong (12:31):
and we're in the people business.
David, we're in the peoplebusiness.
David Kong (12:34):
That's true.
That's why we in the travelbusiness because there's nothing
like traveling to a destinationand meeting people.
Craig Bong (12:42):
We're so lucky.
So lucky.
David Kong (12:44):
Yes.
You have been known in industryas an innovator.
And sometimes I find itdifficult to find inspiration.
How do you find inspiration todrive innovation
Craig Bong (12:57):
again?
A number of things.
You put yourself out there.
I like to educate others as muchas I like to be educated.
By doing that is that I spend alot of time meeting people,
speaking to people, attendingconferences because it's not
it's not just about learningwhat's happening now, but learn
from the past.
It's, we have such rich historyin this business, and there is
(13:19):
some amazing leaders just likeyourself.
You're an amazing leader, David,and what you've done, what
you've done for the industry.
Could we learn.
From what you have brought tothe business because we don't
have to change everything justfor the sake of change.
So history for me is veryimportant.
So connecting with people and alot of the time it's connecting
with some CEOs like, you such asyourself, it's these conferences
(13:39):
that you have the opportunity tobe able to connect with leaders
that you aspire to.
So for me, again, travel connectGo to other people's businesses,
sometimes learn from outside ofour business because what we do
in the hospitality business wecan learn from other businesses
well, does not necessarily haveto come from within our
organization.
And I think sometimes,innovation from outside only
(14:01):
makes us better, is what we dotoday.
So for me it's connect, travel,learn, listen walk up to those
people that you know.
He's David Kong.
You may not have met before andintroduce yourself.
Because I always say that whathappens when we go to a cocktail
party in general, we walk in theroom, we look to say, who do we
know?
And you go straight to thatcrowd of people that you know,
and I say to my team, go to thepeople you don't know.
(14:24):
And that's how you findinspiration.
Because sometimes when you dothat and you put yourself out
there, you go, wow, I wasn'texpecting to get that outta
that.
David Kong (14:32):
I love that.
I totally agree with you.
Craig Bong (14:35):
True.
We're all guilty of itsometimes, I love that.
David Kong (14:40):
Let's ask your related question, which is about
strategic agility.
We live in a very fast changingworld, and certainly technology
and internet of things arefastly changing the way that we
do business.
And there's so many disruptorsthat enter our business and they
redefine the rules of the game.
And to be strategic, the agileis really important.
(15:04):
As a leaders, how do you becomemore agile strategically?
Craig Bong (15:11):
Wow.
It's a big question.
You talk about, the internet andtechnology and we know in our
business that we're not alwaysthe innovators when it comes to
technology.
And to being agile.
I, I think it's about longevity.
Technology moves so quickly andIn our business, we just don't
have the luxury to be able tocan keep up with it.
So I think for me to be agileand for our business to be more
(15:34):
agile, it's like we need to doour homework.
Yeah.
Because there is so muchopportunity, there's so many
people selling you things,there's so much new technology
coming out there, but you haveto just choose what is right for
you.
And what is right for yourbusiness, where your business is
at right now.
And it could come down tobudgetary constraints, it could
be to manpower, being able toroll it out.
(15:54):
So for me it's about the agilityof our business is being able to
do what we do.
Stretch ourselves, yes.
But just make sure what we do itwell, and we actually complete
the task from A to z.
Because I find as a growingbusiness, we wanna do everything
now, we wanna do everythingquick.
The manpower may not be there.
So the execution is not where wewant it to be.
So for us to be more agile, it'sabout staying in our lane, doing
(16:16):
what we do.
Try to make the right decisionsby research and as I said,
stretch ourselves, but just makesure the stretch is achievable,
stretch.
Otherwise, I find that the teamcan become as I said, I don't
mind pushing the team, but it'sabout Having some clear goals
and winning those goals.
And achieving those goals andcelebrating, because I think as
part of being agile, there'salso being able to celebrate as
(16:38):
well.
David Kong (16:39):
Yeah.
You're right.
We have the set stretch goals inorder to be more agile
strategically.
Yeah.
But also wanna make sure that wedon't set people up to fail.
Cuz then it becomesdisheartening and people Yes.
Will survive.
Yeah.
So well said.
We all had our fair share ofsetbacks and disappointments.
I know you've had them.
(17:00):
How do you overcome them and usethem as learning opportunities
and eventually
Craig Bong (17:06):
prevail?
Sure.
I have a great example and manyof us went through it and I
really don't like talking aboutCovid, cuz I like to say Covid
is no longer here.
But yeah, I was, during Covid, Iwas made redundant.
Yeah, I was in, in in Thailandand I was the number two of a
very large hospitality company.
We had about 55 properties in 10countries and I was made
redundant and I went, oh mygosh, I've never been out of
(17:28):
work in my life.
It was like, first of all, itjust, I knew it was, I knew it
was going to happen, but what itactually did happen, wow.
This just went, this is really,this is failure.
And I, my wife says to me, andshe'd been back to Australia cuz
her mum wasn't well, and I wasstill living in Bangkok and she
goes, this is okay.
She goes, you've worked so hardover your career, why don't you
(17:49):
take one year off and justreally enjoy yourself and think
about what you want to do.
And I went, that's just the bestadvice ever because I wasn't
even thinking like that.
I'm thinking, what's the nextjob?
Networking, getting on thephone, talking to people and I'm
straight into that survival modeand doing what you do.
And I went, wow, this isactually, I've never been in
this position where I.
(18:09):
Telling myself to stop.
So it was a really wonderfulexperience because that's
exactly what I did.
And my wife said, why don't yougo and sit on a beach for a year
because you, there's no one onthe beach.
It's empty, it's covid.
And so it, that really made mestop, made me think what
mattered.
And gave me that opportunity toreset and that I've never done
(18:30):
before.
And which brought me to the jobthat I'm in today, where, I met
the owner of the founder of thecompany and we had a really nice
journey of about six monthsgetting to know each other and
it's a startup business, right?
Again, so I'd just been throughredundancy, scared me, went a
little break, think about what Iwant to do.
Met Jerry.
Moved back to Australia to getto know him over six months,
(18:52):
just a couple of days a week.
Because I thought whatever Iwant to do, I'm in because I'm
very dedicated leader and once Imake a decision, I'm in and we
got to know each other.
And now I head up this startupcompany and again, working for a
startup company, we had, ahandful of people, couple of
small properties, and I'mthinking, oh my gosh, this is
gonna go, this could either gothis way or this way.
(19:14):
And again, Put myself out therescared the hell outta me, what
the hell I'm gonna do?
Moved into the franchisebusiness, which is not even in
Australia.
It's big in your part of theworld and thinking, oh my God,
what are we gonna do?
Let's go.
And so something that scared me.
Put me outta my comfort zone.
And and brought to me, broughtme where I am today by something
(19:35):
that happened to me that itended up creating opportunity.
And I guess that's the, again, agreat message is, and I always
try to tell myself everythinghappens for a reason.
And rather than looking at achallenge, I try to look at what
is the opportunity here?
Because everything is about whatis the opportunity and And so
being made redundant, I saw itas an opportunity and brought to
me to where I am today in mycurrent role.
David Kong (19:57):
I love that story, and again I agree with you very
much.
Every disappointment, everychallenge is actually an
opportunity also.
And I'm so glad that you wereable to use that time on the
beach to reset yourself and havea fresh start.
That's actually a good thing.
Absolutely.
Like you said, everythinghappens for a reason.
Craig Bong (20:18):
I gotta tell myself that and I tell my team that
because at the time it can seemvery daunting and but it's okay.
We always get through it.
Yeah.
David Kong (20:26):
Let's talk about the mentors and sponsors in your
life.
You've had some very good onesthat no doubt had and parted in
you some very good advice.
Would you mind to share some ofthose advice that you have
received?
Craig Bong (20:40):
Sure.
Look, I've had some you're rightDavid.
I have amazing mentors that, Istill my mentors today.
And I remember some from thatwhen I took on that first resort
that I told you about as myfirst GM role.
And I remember Ziggy said to me,Craig, it's okay not to know
everything.
Being a young guy, you're likeyes, I know everything.
(21:01):
And I, and sometimes you can'tbe told, and he said, it's okay.
It's okay not to knoweverything.
It's okay to say, I don't know.
So as a young guy coming upthrough the business where you
always wanna impress and do theright thing.
So great career advice is, it'sokay if you don't know.
Put your hand up and say, Idon't know.
Can you teach me?
Can you tell me more?
It's okay to ask the question.
(21:21):
Asked the question and he saidto me, you know what, Craig?
I would rather someone ask me 10questions and ask nothing and
fail, right?
But he said, But don't continueto ask me the same question.
That said, good advice, so thatwas great advice for me and I
take that with me right now.
Another, the great career advicethat I had I remember I was
working Patrick in Bardelliwho's a great hotel here, you
(21:44):
would know, and at Pam PacificHotel Group.
And he always say, Craig, beyourself.
I always say to everyone becausePatrick is himself.
Patrick is Patrick.
But he always would say to me,Craig, when you have that time
with people, whether it's fiveminutes or two minutes, give
them, that's their time.
That's their time.
So if it's two minutes, don'tlook at your phone cuz we are
(22:04):
terrible at it.
Just give people that time.
And Patrick was so good at itwhen you had one minute with
him, you knew you had him forthat one minute he says.
So make sure you give peoplethat time.
Wow.
David Kong (22:17):
That.
That's really fantastic advice.
I'd really like that.
So many times we talk to oursuperiors and they're looking at
their watch.
They're checking their email.
What?
They're talking to you.
Yes.
How do we feel, right?
Craig Bong (22:32):
Yes.
I look, I'll be honest, I'mstill guilty of it.
Every now and then, I still haveto remember that every now and
then.
David Kong (22:40):
That's wonderful advice.
Thanks for sharing that, but.
We all know that having goodmentors and advocates in our
career is so important to oursuccess.
How does one go about findingmentors and advocates?
Craig Bong (22:55):
Sim what I said earlier is about putting
yourself out there.
You have to build your ownbrand, build your what of who
you are with regards to, andI've been doing it for a long
time, even when I was a generalmanager, I would.
Go to the conf, the hospitalityconferences.
I would say I'd get to know theorganizer of the conference.
And I know there's a bigconference in Australia called
(23:16):
Ahe.
And James Wilkinson started thisconference, oh, maybe 13, 14
years ago.
And I got to know James cause healso had a hospitality
newsletter that come out everymonth.
Got to know him and I got on thepanel on his first conference,
and back then it was like, Ithink maybe 80 people at the
conference.
Now it's one of Australia'sbiggest conferences, so now over
(23:36):
four countries, over a thousandpeople next week in Adelaide.
And it's about putting yourselfout there.
Sitting on that panel, and thenyou get to meet people that,
you're sitting next to CEOs, I'mjust this little guy from,
running this hotel in Melbourneand on a panel with some great
leaders.
And then you get to meet peopleand you get your name out there
and then people show interestand you give your card and then
(23:58):
you go and sit at the conferencelunch and a table with people
don't know.
Speak to people, put yourselfout there.
Do something that that makes youfeel uncomfortable and just
continue to do that.
You just ha pe the opportunitiesare not going to come to you and
find a mentor.
Mentors don't knock on yourdoor.
You need to knock on their door.
And if, for those who think thatit's gonna come to them, just
because you're, for whateverreason it doesn't come to you,
(24:20):
you have to make it
David Kong (24:20):
happen.
And you just talked about thetwo-part equation, which is.
You've got to have a goodpersonal brand.
People have got to want to helpyou first.
Why would they want to help you?
You've got That's right.
Prove yourself that you'resincere, you are genuine.
You have integrity and honestyand all those good things, and
(24:41):
you are good performer.
That's how people would want tohelp you.
That's right.
And then you have to putyourself out there and you're
gonna ask for help.
Yeah.
Craig Bong (24:48):
Cause if you don't, people, how do people know you?
As one of my colleagues said tome the other day, Craig, but you
don't need to go on that panelcause everyone knows you.
And I said, but I want everyoneto know you.
I said, because I don't need togo on the panel for people to
know I do it.
Cause I'd love it and I'd loveto give back to the business.
But you need to get out there.
So people go, I want I'llcontact you to get on that
(25:08):
panel.
Otherwise, no one's gonnacontact you if they don't know
you.
You have to put yourself
David Kong (25:13):
that.
That's right.
That's right.
Very well said.
Let's talk about work-lifeharmony.
You've always had a hecticschedule and you've got great
demands at home too.
How do you balance the two?
How do you achieve harmony?
Craig Bong (25:27):
David?
I'm not good at it, to be honestwith you.
I was I was I'm actually.
Pre Covid very bad at it becauseI travel so much and COVID reset
me, and now I'm, now that,business normality is back and
travel is full on again, is thatit's something that I need to be
very mindful of because I.
In hospitality.
I guess in any business, whenyou love what you do so much,
(25:50):
you have to remember that thereis love in your work and there
is love in your own personallife, and you have to try and
find that balance.
But in our business, we are sogood at saying yes, we are so
good at wanting to pleasepeople, go the extra mile to
help people out.
Or you know what, I'll fly inone day earlier to come and see
you at yeah, it's something thatwe continue to, that I continue
(26:11):
to work on.
I'm not great at it.
I love what I do professionallyand sometimes that does take
center stage.
So it's something that that Iwork on and try to get better
at.
And I'm not getting any younger.
So some of it is with me and I'mnot sure I can change it, but
you just have to be mindful.
Is that part of yourprofessional journey?
(26:31):
Is because of your family andthe people that your loved ones
around you and you can't leavethem behind.
That's right.
David Kong (26:38):
I always say that the way that I survived Covid
was because of my supportnetwork, and that is comprised
mainly of the family as well asthe team that I had.
But the family is such animportant part to my support
network.
Yes.
I have to pay attention to it.
All right.
Thinking back to the days whenyou were a general manager for
(27:00):
the first time you were that guythat knew everything.
Craig Bong (27:05):
I thought I did,
David Kong (27:09):
but what's the advice you give to your youngest
self at that time?
Craig Bong (27:14):
The advice that I'd give myself.
Wow.
Listen a little bit more.
If I if I could give advice tomyself back then, just listen
more.
Slow down a little bit, it's it,that doesn't need to be a
sprint.
It can be a jog.
You'll get still to the end.
Yeah.
And and probably just maybe takethe time out to enjoy it a
little bit more because it's sofocused on the job at hand, is
(27:37):
that I worked in some amazingplace.
I think, wow.
I wish I would've experiencedsome of those places a little
bit more rather than being inthe hotel and doing everything
that come with my job.
So I think I had, I've had agreat time and a great journey,
but I would've loved to maybejust experienced it a little bit
more outside of the four wallsof or the fence of the resort.
And slow down because you'llstill get to the end.
(27:59):
But you you may experience alittle bit more locally in and
outside of that box.
David Kong (28:04):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I wish I had slowed down alittle bit too when I was
starting off in my career, butat that time, you are working
hard and yes, you are strivingto move ahead and, Yes.
So true.
Required to work very hard.
Yep.
And don't pay enough attentionto ourselves or the loved ones
(28:24):
around ourselves.
Yes.
We have to
Craig Bong (28:26):
now all bit.
Yeah.
And it happened.
Look at us now.
We still, we still do it.
I'm about to travel from nextweek and I think I'm doing plus
I'm taking the holiday with mywife, which would be great.
But I'm doing 17 flight fromthis 11th May.
And we go across maybe fivecountries, six countries.
So call me crazy,
David Kong (28:44):
okay.
We are coming to the end of theshow, but before I let you go,
can you share one more piece ofadvice and it's on
self-empowerment because ourshow is about self-empowerment.
Craig Bong (28:56):
Sure.
Yeah.
Look, believe in oneself.
Yep.
If no, if you don't believe inyourself you have to start from
there.
So for me, it's about believingin yourself.
Failure is part of the journey.
It's okay.
It's okay.
And I think that's how you learnby your failures.
And failure is part of thejourney.
And and I look at the businessI'm in now is that being a
(29:17):
startup, it's okay.
It's part of the journey.
You have to trust your instinct.
If you if you trust yourself,that's where it starts.
It starts from here.
So trust yourself, think big.
It's okay.
I love people that think big.
Think outside of the box.
Think a little bit crazy.
You don't have to think.
Be conventional.
And finally just love what youdo.
(29:37):
When you love what you do, therest comes naturally.
It really does.
And if it doesn't get you upoutta bed every day, you go find
something that does.
Yeah.
David Kong (29:47):
I love it.
Love it.
And I especially like what yousaid the first thing that you
said, which is to believe inyourself.
Because if you don't believe inyourself, why would anyone
believe in you?
Correct.
So true.
So it's really important that webelieve in ourselves.
Yes.
And a failures, but with that,believe in ourselves, we will
eventually prevail.
(30:08):
Yes.
Thanks so much for sharing yourwisdom.
It's been delightful.
I appreciate your sharing.
Your stories and your wisdomwith us.
Thank you.
Craig Bong (30:16):
Thank you, David.
It's been a real pleasure and Iappreciate your time so much.
And again thank you and wish youall the best and hope to see you
at one of these conferences, ofwhich I'm sure I'll very soon
David Kong (30:26):
one of these conferences.
And to the audience, if youenjoy a show, I hope you would
join us on our website.
D e I advises You'll see plentyother interviews of this nature.
It's great having you, Craig,and thanks to the audience for
joining us.
Craig Bong (30:41):
Thanks to the audience and thanks to you
again, David.
Have a great afternoon.
Bye-bye.
Bye.
Greeting I am David Kong, the founder and principal
of D E I advisors today.
We're delighted the welcomeCraig Bond, the managing
director of La Vie HotelsResorts to our show.
Craig is a industry veteran andhe has been in the AsiaPac
Pacific region for many years.
It's a great delight to welcomeyou, Craig.
Craig Bong (00:24):
David, thank you so much and for this great
opportunity and it's wonderfulto see you and it's a real
pleasure to have you interviewme today.
David Kong (00:31):
Wonderful.
It's great to have you.
Craig.
Let's start with your careerjourney.
You've had a very excitingcareer journey.
Can you share with us some ofthe in inflection points and the
factors that drove your success?
Craig Bong (00:46):
Sure, I'd love to, I guess it all, I can share with
you how it all started in thebeginning and I grew up in
Newcastle, which is about anhour and a half north of Sydney,
and I always wanted to be in thehospitality business.
My parents were in thehospitality business across many
different sectors withinhospitality.
So I walked into a door, Of ahundred key property that was on
(01:06):
the beach.
And I asked to speak to themanager and I was only 17 years
of age.
And I asked for a job and theysaid to me, what experience do
you have?
And I said really only fromseeing my mum and dad and how
they've worked in industry.
And she goes, you know what?
I really like you, but you don'thave any experience in food and
beverage.
And she says I like you, I'mgonna give you an opportunity,
but what you're gonna do is that50% of the hotel faces the
(01:28):
ocean.
So every day I'd like you tocome in and you're gonna go into
every room under the balcony andclean the salt air off the glass
every day.
And that's how I got my first,opportunity into the hospitality
business.
And Once that I, I guess Idemonstrate I turn up to work on
time.
I was conscientious.
And eventually then she gave methe manager who was the owner.
(01:49):
It was an owner operated hotelput me into banquets and moved
me into weddings.
And taught me how to carry threeplates and how to do just
general banquet service.
So that was my entry intohospitality many years ago.
So it was it was quite, excitingfor a young guy to to get a job
and someone that that took achance on me and that really
resonates with how I am as a asa leader today.
David Kong (02:12):
That's the best way to start from the bottom and
certainly your work ethic shinedthrough even, in those early
days, but thinking back yourjourney, what are some of the
factors that drove your success?
Craig Bong (02:26):
Look, I think it's really about putting yourself
out there and taking a risk.
I think in life if you don'ttake a risk, you, if you they
can be certainly calculated inmany ways, but sometimes to
navigate those risks is verydifficult.
And I also remember I was 23years of age and I got the
opportunity for my first generalmanager position.
(02:46):
And I was pretty young at 23 and23.
You think you know it all, butlooking back at it, my gosh, I
was very green.
But you have confidence in whatyou believe that and and you do
something that scares you.
I remember that.
At that stage of my life thisopportunity was for a 30 key
resort in North Queensland, butit was going into receivership.
So I went through the interviewprocess with a, with the
(03:08):
recruitment company.
And then they said it's actuallyjust gone into receivership.
And I went what do you do?
Do I take the opportunity?
So I did, but I had to pay formy own airfare to get there.
It was about an hour and a halfsouth of Cairns, which is in
North Queens.
I had to pay for my own transferto get there.
I took the risk, I paid formyself to get there.
(03:28):
We were running on the oldWhitney system back in the day,
so there was no pc.
And I run the hotel out of apetty cash tin because it was
going to receivership.
Long story short I, because Idid what I did and I believed in
that I could make a difference,is that the resort ended up
getting sold.
It got sold to a very prominenthotel.
You had retired.
(03:48):
We doubled the size of theresort.
I got taught opera.
I got a wonderful mentor leaderto work with who believed in me
because when he come to look tobuy the resort he, I checked him
in.
I served him breakfast.
I brought his bags down becausethat's what you had to do.
So that was a really greatmoment in my career on doing
(04:10):
something that that scares you alot, that puts yourself out
there, that takes that risk.
And that's, and something that Icontinue to do today.
David Kong (04:18):
That's a great story, and that's certainly a
common theme that we've foundthroughout our many interviews.
Successful leaders take risks.
They have a belief inthemselves.
And certainly, in your case, Youbelieve in yourself and whatever
you didn't know, you knew thatyou could figure it out, and you
are not afraid to put yourselfout there, that's why you've
(04:38):
become so successful.
Congratulations to you.
Thanks for sharing that story.
Yeah, thank you David.
You spent many years in theAsia-Pacific region and we know
the region is far fromhomogenous.
It's comprised of many differentcountries, each with its own
culture, language and howbusiness is done also varies
greatly from country to country.
(05:00):
To be successful, you have toembrace diversity and inclusion,
and you've assimilated yourselfvery well into the region.
Can you share some of thelessons that you've learned and
provide some tips on how one canembrace diversity and inclusion?
Craig Bong (05:15):
Yeah, look, great question.
And inclusion and diversityacross multiple countries is
something that I that I stillchallenge in many different ways
today.
Not only with myself, butbecause I'm now based back in
Australia.
I've worked across, I think 13different countries across Asia.
But now I've, I'm working with ateam that have not had that
(05:35):
exposure.
So I have what I've learned now,I'm actually now bringing back
to my workplace to actually helpmy team along to actually
understand the culturaldifferences.
But first of all from myperspective, I've always been a
great believer in.
In reading people's regardlessif the language barrier there,
but you can read people's faces,you can see in people's eyes
(05:59):
that Yes does not necessarilymean Yes reaffirming in their,
in, in a certain way and toconfirm what you've just said.
So there is an understanding.
I think for me it's aboutbringing people together.
By bringing people together, youthen create a level of
confidence, comfort, trustespecially when you're working
in different countries andyou're in their country.
(06:21):
So I'm a big believer that foodbrings people together in most
countries.
And and embracing local cuisineand culinary delights and
especially from.
Different regions throughoutwhere they live.
So for me, it's about bringingpeople together by food because
it doesn't matter which countryare you in.
It works.
I think also it's about I'vetried to learn, I'm not very
good at being multilingual, butunder learning those, the
(06:45):
basics, it really goes a longway.
It's like when you get in a taxiand you can.
You can speak some basiclanguage.
The taxi driver automaticallygoes, okay, you're not a
tourist, and people's perceptionof you changes.
So I think learn the basics.
And it doesn't have to be a lot,but you really are respected by
that.
The other thing I really is veryimportant is understanding the
(07:05):
cultural celebrations of an, ofa country.
The religious ceremonies,understanding them, being
involved in them, asking thequestions, what it's about.
I think it's about being veryrespectful.
As I said before, when you maygive a direction to one of your
team and they go like this andyou can see in their eyes.
They'd have got no idea what youare talking about.
So it's about no problem askingthe question or help getting
(07:29):
someone to help you that mayknow the mo the language better
depending on what level they'reat.
And I really enjoy it.
I think it's I don't see as achallenge.
I really see that embracingdifferent cultures.
It is such a wonderful gift tobe able to have in my life and
now for me to be able to sharethat with my team and I really
love.
That's a great story.
(07:49):
I have my group director ofsales and revenue, and she's
grew up in Australia, has a veryyoung family.
Her husband's in the military,so he traveled a lot.
She didn't, she brought up thefamily and that when I employed
her, our company was quite smalland we've just grown so quick,
and so I've just picked her upand put her in.
She's been to Thailand, she'sbeen to Sri Lanka, she's been to
Bangladesh.
She's been to the Maldives andher eyes have just gone like
(08:12):
this and to see.
To see and watch and be part ofher journey and really putting
her into multiculturalenvironments has just been
wonderful.
And and the more that I cancontinue to do that I will
continue to do thanks
David Kong (08:23):
for sharing experience.
You had a lot of very importantlessons and what you just said,
and I really like what youmentioned about bringing people
together, especially through ameal.
One thing that's universal inAsia is everyone likes to eat.
Craig Bong (08:39):
Do I, that's why sometimes the pants get a bit
tight when you travel so much.
Everyone, let's eat.
And unfortunately I love food somuch, so I love it.
But it can be dangerous.
David Kong (08:49):
Yeah.
In Asian culture, we do believein bringing people together
through a meal.
It's the best way to connect andagreed.
I appreciate sharing thosestories.
Thank you.
And the other thing that you.
have not mentioned, but I'm sureis implied is your being
comfortable with diversity.
Some people are just notcomfortable in a foreign country
(09:09):
and it's hard to assimilateyourself when you are
uncomfortable.
So the fact that you werecomfortable with that, Means
that you can embrace adversityso much
Craig Bong (09:18):
easier.
Yeah, a very good point, Dave.
You need to be comfortable, butsometimes you may not be
comfortable.
But you have to put yourself outthere.
And sometimes, it can be alittle bit scary.
And I have this saying thatI've, that I learned many years
ago.
Just do something at least onceevery day that scares you.
That just puts outta yourcomfort zone.
And I try to bring that messageto everyone that I work with.
(09:38):
It's okay.
Like people will say to me,Craig, you get up on stage, you
speak and you just look socomfortable.
I said, believe me, I am sonervous every time I get up on
that stage.
And I said, being nervous isokay.
It's nervous.
Energy is great.
Yeah.
David Kong (09:52):
Nervous, I believe.
And that also the no, thatenergy actually gives you the
excitement and passion.
It's a good thing.
Yes.
Agree.
But talk about alignment becauseyou.
In the Asia-Pacific region, youhave a diverse team and your
team members are located not in,only in Australia, but
(10:12):
throughout the region.
How do you create alignment?
Craig Bong (10:15):
Yeah, it's creating alignment is one thing, but also
creating alignment.
Across the different countriesoperate sometimes when people
have not even been to thatcountry before and may not even
understand the culture.
Or sometimes I've got an expatsitting in that country that's
working with another countrythat in another country that's
not an expat.
So first of all, I like peopleto meet.
(10:38):
As much as I can.
Working cross countries and comeout of Covid.
Of course, it's been a lot ofzoom, which I still think is
great.
But again, bringing peopletogether to meet, feel the pulse
of the of the people within theorganization.
I always say that, or if youcannot do that, please pick up
the phone.
I, I was saying to my teamyesterday is that, We spend too
(10:58):
many too many emails, right?
And emails are there for apurpose.
They're important.
But if you pick up the phone orhave a zoom like we are doing
today, where can see peopleeven, might be able to feel the
pulse, but you can still, readone's face, read one's the smile
and their facial expressions.
So for me, it's about bringingpeople together in the first
instance.
So I try at least to say, go andmeet.
(11:20):
Once you meet someone and youbuild that relationship, it
makes it much easier when youhave to talk about the tough
things.
It's great when you can alsocelebrate.
But just being able to meet.
So that's one thing that Ireally am big on is bringing
people together.
For example, we've just employeda brand new regional general
manager into Sri Lanka.
We operate three radisonproperties in Sri Lanka and
(11:42):
before, and he's currently basedin Singapore.
So before he goes into thatrole, I bring him into our
corporate office into Sydney.
He can meet the team, we cantake him through the
organization, we'll take him fora meal.
We'll then send him through toour Bangkok regional office,
meet the team in Thailand aswell before then he goes off.
So it's about setting people upfor success.
But back to the question,connect, speak more, feel the
(12:06):
pulse of people.
And again, it comes back tounderstanding the culture as
well, because once youunderstand the culture and
there's a level of respect andunderstanding, that goes a long
way once you meet people aswell.
David Kong (12:17):
Yeah, very well said.
I agree with everything that youjust said.
It's about connecting, forming arelationship and helping people
understand the various culture.
It's just everything that yousaid is very sound
Craig Bong (12:31):
and we're in the people business.
David, we're in the peoplebusiness.
David Kong (12:34):
That's true.
That's why we in the travelbusiness because there's nothing
like traveling to a destinationand meeting people.
Craig Bong (12:42):
We're so lucky.
So lucky.
David Kong (12:44):
Yes.
You have been known in industryas an innovator.
And sometimes I find itdifficult to find inspiration.
How do you find inspiration todrive innovation
Craig Bong (12:57):
again?
A number of things.
You put yourself out there.
I like to educate others as muchas I like to be educated.
By doing that is that I spend alot of time meeting people,
speaking to people, attendingconferences because it's not
it's not just about learningwhat's happening now, but learn
from the past.
It's, we have such rich historyin this business, and there is
(13:19):
some amazing leaders just likeyourself.
You're an amazing leader, David,and what you've done, what
you've done for the industry.
Could we learn.
From what you have brought tothe business because we don't
have to change everything justfor the sake of change.
So history for me is veryimportant.
So connecting with people and alot of the time it's connecting
with some CEOs like, you such asyourself, it's these conferences
(13:39):
that you have the opportunity tobe able to connect with leaders
that you aspire to.
So for me, again, travel connectGo to other people's businesses,
sometimes learn from outside ofour business because what we do
in the hospitality business wecan learn from other businesses
well, does not necessarily haveto come from within our
organization.
And I think sometimes,innovation from outside only
(14:01):
makes us better, is what we dotoday.
So for me it's connect, travel,learn, listen walk up to those
people that you know.
He's David Kong.
You may not have met before andintroduce yourself.
Because I always say that whathappens when we go to a cocktail
party in general, we walk in theroom, we look to say, who do we
know?
And you go straight to thatcrowd of people that you know,
and I say to my team, go to thepeople you don't know.
(14:24):
And that's how you findinspiration.
Because sometimes when you dothat and you put yourself out
there, you go, wow, I wasn'texpecting to get that outta
that.
David Kong (14:32):
I love that.
I totally agree with you.
Craig Bong (14:35):
True.
We're all guilty of itsometimes, I love that.
David Kong (14:40):
Let's ask your related question, which is about
strategic agility.
We live in a very fast changingworld, and certainly technology
and internet of things arefastly changing the way that we
do business.
And there's so many disruptorsthat enter our business and they
redefine the rules of the game.
And to be strategic, the agileis really important.
(15:04):
As a leaders, how do you becomemore agile strategically?
Craig Bong (15:11):
Wow.
It's a big question.
You talk about, the internet andtechnology and we know in our
business that we're not alwaysthe innovators when it comes to
technology.
And to being agile.
I, I think it's about longevity.
Technology moves so quickly andIn our business, we just don't
have the luxury to be able tocan keep up with it.
So I think for me to be agileand for our business to be more
(15:34):
agile, it's like we need to doour homework.
Yeah.
Because there is so muchopportunity, there's so many
people selling you things,there's so much new technology
coming out there, but you haveto just choose what is right for
you.
And what is right for yourbusiness, where your business is
at right now.
And it could come down tobudgetary constraints, it could
be to manpower, being able toroll it out.
(15:54):
So for me it's about the agilityof our business is being able to
do what we do.
Stretch ourselves, yes.
But just make sure what we do itwell, and we actually complete
the task from A to z.
Because I find as a growingbusiness, we wanna do everything
now, we wanna do everythingquick.
The manpower may not be there.
So the execution is not where wewant it to be.
So for us to be more agile, it'sabout staying in our lane, doing
(16:16):
what we do.
Try to make the right decisionsby research and as I said,
stretch ourselves, but just makesure the stretch is achievable,
stretch.
Otherwise, I find that the teamcan become as I said, I don't
mind pushing the team, but it'sabout Having some clear goals
and winning those goals.
And achieving those goals andcelebrating, because I think as
part of being agile, there'salso being able to celebrate as
(16:38):
well.
David Kong (16:39):
Yeah.
You're right.
We have the set stretch goals inorder to be more agile
strategically.
Yeah.
But also wanna make sure that wedon't set people up to fail.
Cuz then it becomesdisheartening and people Yes.
Will survive.
Yeah.
So well said.
We all had our fair share ofsetbacks and disappointments.
I know you've had them.
(17:00):
How do you overcome them and usethem as learning opportunities
and eventually
Craig Bong (17:06):
prevail?
Sure.
I have a great example and manyof us went through it and I
really don't like talking aboutCovid, cuz I like to say Covid
is no longer here.
But yeah, I was, during Covid, Iwas made redundant.
Yeah, I was in, in in Thailandand I was the number two of a
very large hospitality company.
We had about 55 properties in 10countries and I was made
redundant and I went, oh mygosh, I've never been out of
(17:28):
work in my life.
It was like, first of all, itjust, I knew it was, I knew it
was going to happen, but what itactually did happen, wow.
This just went, this is really,this is failure.
And I, my wife says to me, andshe'd been back to Australia cuz
her mum wasn't well, and I wasstill living in Bangkok and she
goes, this is okay.
She goes, you've worked so hardover your career, why don't you
(17:49):
take one year off and justreally enjoy yourself and think
about what you want to do.
And I went, that's just the bestadvice ever because I wasn't
even thinking like that.
I'm thinking, what's the nextjob?
Networking, getting on thephone, talking to people and I'm
straight into that survival modeand doing what you do.
And I went, wow, this isactually, I've never been in
this position where I.
(18:09):
Telling myself to stop.
So it was a really wonderfulexperience because that's
exactly what I did.
And my wife said, why don't yougo and sit on a beach for a year
because you, there's no one onthe beach.
It's empty, it's covid.
And so it, that really made mestop, made me think what
mattered.
And gave me that opportunity toreset and that I've never done
(18:30):
before.
And which brought me to the jobthat I'm in today, where, I met
the owner of the founder of thecompany and we had a really nice
journey of about six monthsgetting to know each other and
it's a startup business, right?
Again, so I'd just been throughredundancy, scared me, went a
little break, think about what Iwant to do.
Met Jerry.
Moved back to Australia to getto know him over six months,
(18:52):
just a couple of days a week.
Because I thought whatever Iwant to do, I'm in because I'm
very dedicated leader and once Imake a decision, I'm in and we
got to know each other.
And now I head up this startupcompany and again, working for a
startup company, we had, ahandful of people, couple of
small properties, and I'mthinking, oh my gosh, this is
gonna go, this could either gothis way or this way.
(19:14):
And again, Put myself out therescared the hell outta me, what
the hell I'm gonna do?
Moved into the franchisebusiness, which is not even in
Australia.
It's big in your part of theworld and thinking, oh my God,
what are we gonna do?
Let's go.
And so something that scared me.
Put me outta my comfort zone.
And and brought to me, broughtme where I am today by something
(19:35):
that happened to me that itended up creating opportunity.
And I guess that's the, again, agreat message is, and I always
try to tell myself everythinghappens for a reason.
And rather than looking at achallenge, I try to look at what
is the opportunity here?
Because everything is about whatis the opportunity and And so
being made redundant, I saw itas an opportunity and brought to
me to where I am today in mycurrent role.
David Kong (19:57):
I love that story, and again I agree with you very
much.
Every disappointment, everychallenge is actually an
opportunity also.
And I'm so glad that you wereable to use that time on the
beach to reset yourself and havea fresh start.
That's actually a good thing.
Absolutely.
Like you said, everythinghappens for a reason.
Craig Bong (20:18):
I gotta tell myself that and I tell my team that
because at the time it can seemvery daunting and but it's okay.
We always get through it.
Yeah.
David Kong (20:26):
Let's talk about the mentors and sponsors in your
life.
You've had some very good onesthat no doubt had and parted in
you some very good advice.
Would you mind to share some ofthose advice that you have
received?
Craig Bong (20:40):
Sure.
Look, I've had some you're rightDavid.
I have amazing mentors that, Istill my mentors today.
And I remember some from thatwhen I took on that first resort
that I told you about as myfirst GM role.
And I remember Ziggy said to me,Craig, it's okay not to know
everything.
Being a young guy, you're likeyes, I know everything.
(21:01):
And I, and sometimes you can'tbe told, and he said, it's okay.
It's okay not to knoweverything.
It's okay to say, I don't know.
So as a young guy coming upthrough the business where you
always wanna impress and do theright thing.
So great career advice is, it'sokay if you don't know.
Put your hand up and say, Idon't know.
Can you teach me?
Can you tell me more?
It's okay to ask the question.
(21:21):
Asked the question and he saidto me, you know what, Craig?
I would rather someone ask me 10questions and ask nothing and
fail, right?
But he said, But don't continueto ask me the same question.
That said, good advice, so thatwas great advice for me and I
take that with me right now.
Another, the great career advicethat I had I remember I was
working Patrick in Bardelliwho's a great hotel here, you
(21:44):
would know, and at Pam PacificHotel Group.
And he always say, Craig, beyourself.
I always say to everyone becausePatrick is himself.
Patrick is Patrick.
But he always would say to me,Craig, when you have that time
with people, whether it's fiveminutes or two minutes, give
them, that's their time.
That's their time.
So if it's two minutes, don'tlook at your phone cuz we are
(22:04):
terrible at it.
Just give people that time.
And Patrick was so good at itwhen you had one minute with
him, you knew you had him forthat one minute he says.
So make sure you give peoplethat time.
Wow.
David Kong (22:17):
That.
That's really fantastic advice.
I'd really like that.
So many times we talk to oursuperiors and they're looking at
their watch.
They're checking their email.
What?
They're talking to you.
Yes.
How do we feel, right?
Craig Bong (22:32):
Yes.
I look, I'll be honest, I'mstill guilty of it.
Every now and then, I still haveto remember that every now and
then.
David Kong (22:40):
That's wonderful advice.
Thanks for sharing that, but.
We all know that having goodmentors and advocates in our
career is so important to oursuccess.
How does one go about findingmentors and advocates?
Craig Bong (22:55):
Sim what I said earlier is about putting
yourself out there.
You have to build your ownbrand, build your what of who
you are with regards to, andI've been doing it for a long
time, even when I was a generalmanager, I would.
Go to the conf, the hospitalityconferences.
I would say I'd get to know theorganizer of the conference.
And I know there's a bigconference in Australia called
(23:16):
Ahe.
And James Wilkinson started thisconference, oh, maybe 13, 14
years ago.
And I got to know James cause healso had a hospitality
newsletter that come out everymonth.
Got to know him and I got on thepanel on his first conference,
and back then it was like, Ithink maybe 80 people at the
conference.
Now it's one of Australia'sbiggest conferences, so now over
(23:36):
four countries, over a thousandpeople next week in Adelaide.
And it's about putting yourselfout there.
Sitting on that panel, and thenyou get to meet people that,
you're sitting next to CEOs, I'mjust this little guy from,
running this hotel in Melbourneand on a panel with some great
leaders.
And then you get to meet peopleand you get your name out there
and then people show interestand you give your card and then
(23:58):
you go and sit at the conferencelunch and a table with people
don't know.
Speak to people, put yourselfout there.
Do something that that makes youfeel uncomfortable and just
continue to do that.
You just ha pe the opportunitiesare not going to come to you and
find a mentor.
Mentors don't knock on yourdoor.
You need to knock on their door.
And if, for those who think thatit's gonna come to them, just
because you're, for whateverreason it doesn't come to you,
(24:20):
you have to make it
David Kong (24:20):
happen.
And you just talked about thetwo-part equation, which is.
You've got to have a goodpersonal brand.
People have got to want to helpyou first.
Why would they want to help you?
You've got That's right.
Prove yourself that you'resincere, you are genuine.
You have integrity and honestyand all those good things, and
(24:41):
you are good performer.
That's how people would want tohelp you.
That's right.
And then you have to putyourself out there and you're
gonna ask for help.
Yeah.
Craig Bong (24:48):
Cause if you don't, people, how do people know you?
As one of my colleagues said tome the other day, Craig, but you
don't need to go on that panelcause everyone knows you.
And I said, but I want everyoneto know you.
I said, because I don't need togo on the panel for people to
know I do it.
Cause I'd love it and I'd loveto give back to the business.
But you need to get out there.
So people go, I want I'llcontact you to get on that
(25:08):
panel.
Otherwise, no one's gonnacontact you if they don't know
you.
You have to put yourself
David Kong (25:13):
that.
That's right.
That's right.
Very well said.
Let's talk about work-lifeharmony.
You've always had a hecticschedule and you've got great
demands at home too.
How do you balance the two?
How do you achieve harmony?
Craig Bong (25:27):
David?
I'm not good at it, to be honestwith you.
I was I was I'm actually.
Pre Covid very bad at it becauseI travel so much and COVID reset
me, and now I'm, now that,business normality is back and
travel is full on again, is thatit's something that I need to be
very mindful of because I.
In hospitality.
I guess in any business, whenyou love what you do so much,
(25:50):
you have to remember that thereis love in your work and there
is love in your own personallife, and you have to try and
find that balance.
But in our business, we are sogood at saying yes, we are so
good at wanting to pleasepeople, go the extra mile to
help people out.
Or you know what, I'll fly inone day earlier to come and see
you at yeah, it's something thatwe continue to, that I continue
(26:11):
to work on.
I'm not great at it.
I love what I do professionallyand sometimes that does take
center stage.
So it's something that that Iwork on and try to get better
at.
And I'm not getting any younger.
So some of it is with me and I'mnot sure I can change it, but
you just have to be mindful.
Is that part of yourprofessional journey?
(26:31):
Is because of your family andthe people that your loved ones
around you and you can't leavethem behind.
That's right.
David Kong (26:38):
I always say that the way that I survived Covid
was because of my supportnetwork, and that is comprised
mainly of the family as well asthe team that I had.
But the family is such animportant part to my support
network.
Yes.
I have to pay attention to it.
All right.
Thinking back to the days whenyou were a general manager for
(27:00):
the first time you were that guythat knew everything.
Craig Bong (27:05):
I thought I did,
David Kong (27:09):
but what's the advice you give to your youngest
self at that time?
Craig Bong (27:14):
The advice that I'd give myself.
Wow.
Listen a little bit more.
If I if I could give advice tomyself back then, just listen
more.
Slow down a little bit, it's it,that doesn't need to be a
sprint.
It can be a jog.
You'll get still to the end.
Yeah.
And and probably just maybe takethe time out to enjoy it a
little bit more because it's sofocused on the job at hand, is
(27:37):
that I worked in some amazingplace.
I think, wow.
I wish I would've experiencedsome of those places a little
bit more rather than being inthe hotel and doing everything
that come with my job.
So I think I had, I've had agreat time and a great journey,
but I would've loved to maybejust experienced it a little bit
more outside of the four wallsof or the fence of the resort.
And slow down because you'llstill get to the end.
(27:59):
But you you may experience alittle bit more locally in and
outside of that box.
David Kong (28:04):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I wish I had slowed down alittle bit too when I was
starting off in my career, butat that time, you are working
hard and yes, you are strivingto move ahead and, Yes.
So true.
Required to work very hard.
Yep.
And don't pay enough attentionto ourselves or the loved ones
(28:24):
around ourselves.
Yes.
We have to
Craig Bong (28:26):
now all bit.
Yeah.
And it happened.
Look at us now.
We still, we still do it.
I'm about to travel from nextweek and I think I'm doing plus
I'm taking the holiday with mywife, which would be great.
But I'm doing 17 flight fromthis 11th May.
And we go across maybe fivecountries, six countries.
So call me crazy,
David Kong (28:44):
okay.
We are coming to the end of theshow, but before I let you go,
can you share one more piece ofadvice and it's on
self-empowerment because ourshow is about self-empowerment.
Craig Bong (28:56):
Sure.
Yeah.
Look, believe in oneself.
Yep.
If no, if you don't believe inyourself you have to start from
there.
So for me, it's about believingin yourself.
Failure is part of the journey.
It's okay.
It's okay.
And I think that's how you learnby your failures.
And failure is part of thejourney.
And and I look at the businessI'm in now is that being a
(29:17):
startup, it's okay.
It's part of the journey.
You have to trust your instinct.
If you if you trust yourself,that's where it starts.
It starts from here.
So trust yourself, think big.
It's okay.
I love people that think big.
Think outside of the box.
Think a little bit crazy.
You don't have to think.
Be conventional.
And finally just love what youdo.
(29:37):
When you love what you do, therest comes naturally.
It really does.
And if it doesn't get you upoutta bed every day, you go find
something that does.
Yeah.
David Kong (29:47):
I love it.
Love it.
And I especially like what yousaid the first thing that you
said, which is to believe inyourself.
Because if you don't believe inyourself, why would anyone
believe in you?
Correct.
So true.
So it's really important that webelieve in ourselves.
Yes.
And a failures, but with that,believe in ourselves, we will
eventually prevail.
(30:08):
Yes.
Thanks so much for sharing yourwisdom.
It's been delightful.
I appreciate your sharing.
Your stories and your wisdomwith us.
Thank you.
Craig Bong (30:16):
Thank you, David.
It's been a real pleasure and Iappreciate your time so much.
And again thank you and wish youall the best and hope to see you
at one of these conferences, ofwhich I'm sure I'll very soon
David Kong (30:26):
one of these conferences.
And to the audience, if youenjoy a show, I hope you would
join us on our website.
D e I advises You'll see plentyother interviews of this nature.
It's great having you, Craig,and thanks to the audience for
joining us.
Craig Bong (30:41):
Thanks to the audience and thanks to you
again, David.
Have a great afternoon.
Bye-bye.
Bye.
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