Editor s note: The Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) Awards is a program created by Ernst & Young to identify, salute and reward outstanding Chinese entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to the economic growth and prosperity of China.
Ernst & Young announced the winners for 2008 on November 21, including those in consumer products, real estate, service, industry, technology and energy.
China Daily is the exclusive English-language media partner of this program. We are pleased to publish interviews with the 12 winners and their profiles:
Pan Shiyi, chairman of Soho China Ltd
As chairman of Soho China, Pan Shiyi is a leading real estate developer in the country. With a bold vision and ambition in the construction industry, Pan s company has built some of the most dynamic and modern landmarks on Beijing s emerging skyline.
Soho China is the biggest commercial landlord in Beijing s central business district, delivering high-quality, innovative buildings in prime locations that cater to high net worth individuals and urban professionals.
Its completed development projects include Soho New Town, Jianwai Soho Shangdu and Chaowai Soho in central Beijing. Its turnover was 7 billion yuan in 2007, a 300 percent increase from 2006. Soho China was listed in Hong Kong in October 2007 in the largest IPO from China s private sector and the largest for an Asian commercial real estate developer.
Its achievements have been marked with numerous business awards in recent years.
Q: Could you please share with us what you learned from running your own business?
A: The most valuable experience, also the greatest gain I have achieved, is growing up along with my company.
Q: What has impressed you the most in leading your company?
A: Without China s reform and opening-up, Soho would never be what it is today. Its development in China has a close relationship with the dramatic changes taking place in the country as it shifted from a planned to a market economy. Under the planned economy, no entrepreneurs could be imagined, let alone successful business leaders.
Q: What drives your company s rapid growth?
A: Over the past 13 years, making prosperity for the society, our company and ourselves are the driving forces. But in the future, we will not only create more physical wealth but also spiritual wealth. In the pursuit, we will follow such principles as honesty, unity and innovation.
Q: What has your career success brought to you? What is the key to being a successful entrepreneur?
A: The success in my career has given me a broader vision, enabling me to have a better understanding of the industry and the field I am interested in.
To be a successful entrepreneur requires sense of responsibility and innovative spirit, which are important, especially nowadays.
: What is your future plan?
A: Withstanding some tough tests, including the current worldwide financial crisis, will determine the future of Soho China.
A company can gain further development provided it can stand such tests. An unhealthy company can merely grow in good time while a healthy one can manage to go through the financial tsunami.
Q: Do you have any advice for those who decide to start up businesses?
A: I think China has the best environment for starting one s own business fast growth and an enormous market, which provide entrepreneurs a huge platform. I think youngsters who want to start their own businesses have to be confident, innovative and responsible.
