The latest iteration of the bi-annual Classified Post Shadow a CEO Programme offered a unique proposition to students as each of the three companies taking part are currently undergoing major transformation. Students shadowed leaders from the South China Morning Post, low-cost carrier HK Express and Stan Group, which has four operating divisions: property, hospitality, communications and finance services. The three firms invited eight outstanding students to witness big change over the three-day programme conducted in May and June.
Each of the three companies organised for the shadows to attend high-profile events, including a bid meeting from a potential supplier at HK Express, a press conference and media launch at Stan Group and the monthly town hall meeting at the South China Morning Post, where CEO Gary Liu announced new projects and the company’s recent achievements.
Liu found the shadows to be particularly forthcoming on posing solutions to potential problems as the Post makes the transition from print to digital. By attending the monthly town hall meetings, they got to witness the CEO’s oratory skills and relaxed management approach. “By seeing a senior executive communicate with the entire corporation, they were also able to understand our company strategy,” he says.
Stan Tang, CEO at Stan Group, appreciated the chance to gain a greater understanding of how the younger generation think, and hoped they learned something about what makes for great leadership during their three days at the firm.
Director of corporate culture & talent development department Mary Suen was impressed by the initiative shown by all three shadows. “They consistently demonstrated a proactive nature and showed an openness and eagerness to learn from others, as well as being open to new ways of doing things,” she says.
Clara Mak, chief operating officer (corporate management), says the company offered a strong mentorship network throughout the programme to provide support to students. The programme was mutually beneficial to shadows and management, she adds.
Stanley Yau, director of human resources and administration at HK Express, says shadows experienced how top decisions are made by attending meetings with external vendors. “The shadow at the commercial department acted as one of the key stakeholders for the decision making process,” Yau says.
No matter how much students have learned about the industry and company, they can’t imagine how textbook strategy can realistically be managed, taking into account timelines and so on, he says.
“By attending the programme, senior management were able to share their thoughts on maximising value with limited resources to get the utmost gain for the business,” adds Yau.
For Jonathan Hutt, director of commercial at HK Express, communicating the financial implications of working in such a cost-intensive industry was key. He was impressed by his shadow’s ability to field relevant questions and show lateral thinking.
Open to students and recent graduates, the Shadow a CEO Programme is held biannually. Candidates for this edition were required to compose a short essay outlining why they should be selected for the programme, with the best essay writers put forward for interviews by the three host companies.
The next Shadow a CEO Programme will take place in autumn this year.
