I am the CEO of Yu Holdings, a multi-faceted investment company that seeks to invest in businesses that innovate within the worlds of fashion, art and technology. Our investments so far include the London-based designer Mary Katrantzou, and Didi and Tujia, the Chinese equivalents of Uber and Airbnb respectively.
Courtesy of Wendy Yu
When I first started the company, I faced some doubt from peers; however, my track record since then has proven my credibility. Solid financial results have exposed the true potential, both financially and strategically, of Yu Capital and I am extremely proud of how far we have come as a team. Here are my five golden rules for success…
1. Meditation goes a long way.
I make sure that I meditate at least once a day, usually in the morning before I start work. It keeps me calm, focused and strengthens my intuition. I’ve learned to meditate almost anywhere, even in the office or during a long-haul flight, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. It’s a great team-building exercise and promotes a healthy working environment, which is the key to a successful business. Even if you can only find 10 minutes a day for it, it makes a world of difference.
2. Visualise your goals…
By visualising what I want the outcome of a decision to be, I’m better able to determine the best method of execution. It also helps put my goals into perspective, allowing for a more balanced and objective view of where my life and business are headed. Sometimes it helps to translate my goals into a diagram, which creates a vivid mental image and allows me to stay motivated. Then I focus on envisioning each of the actions necessary to achieve the final outcome.
3. … then take the time to write them down.
I do this in both my personal and professional life: it helps keep me on track, especially when facing adversity. Anyone who writes lists will tell you how dramatically it can reduce their stress when under a lot of pressure; writing down your goals is the same premise. It makes them seem less overwhelming and enables you to view them as interlinked rather than isolated entities, which makes tackling them more achievable. I like to put my list where I can see it so that I am always reminded of what I need to achieve.
4. Don’t work alone.
Seeking advice encourages information exchange, learning and meaningful connections between friends, colleagues and mentors. It also allows you to be more efficient, successful, creative and is central to effective leadership and decision-making. In my case, Angelica Cheung and Andrew Bolton in particular have been invaluable in their advice and in their loyal friendship.
5. Build a team that reflects your goals.
One of the most important rules I live by is to build a strong, efficient team whose members understand your goals. It’s key to find people who share your passion, vision and values, and complement your weaknesses so that you can maximise your strengths. I have an incredible team of people whom I see not only as integral business partners but also as friends. When everyone on board shares the same vision, you have a workplace based on fellowship, trust and support.
I find that when I am building a team, whether it is for a single project or a longer-term endeavour, the first thing I look for is a personal connection. After that it is all about passion and drive.
From: Harper’s BAZAAR UK
