Alan Zeman, who grew up wearing suits and ties, likens business to fashion, constantly changing and incorporating the latest trends.
“People’s tastes are always changing,” said the businessman and former Ocean Park chairman. “Hong Kong is in the fashion business and we have to keep thinking of new things.”
Keeping Zeman’s 40-year-old business, Lan Kwai Fong, fresh is the key to fun. From the nightlife precinct festivities associated with big events like the Hong Kong Sevens, to the newly introduced karaoke TV room where anyone can imagine being the next pop star.
When Zeman first encountered Lan Kwai Fong Street, he remembered the beautiful flower shops lining the hill and the bar named 1997, which had a lot of potential. “I don’t look at things as they are, but how they could be,” he said.
Alain Zeman presents his collection.
As Hong Kong continues to be the crossroads where East meets West, Zeman reaffirmed Hong Kong’s safety and role as the world’s third-largest financial center, noting that mainland companies see Hong Kong as a stepping stone for expansion. He said 540 initial public offerings (IPOs) are being prepared this year.
However, the number of restaurant closures is increasing. Last year, the Hong Kong Bar Association reported that 120 bars had closed, accounting for 10% of Hong Kong’s total. For Zeman, the first step to overcoming such challenges is identifying the problem and working through the situation. “You have to keep trying, keep coming up with ideas, and figure out what is the best way to do it.”
There are no failures in his vocabulary. Zeman is embracing Gen Z culture and artificial intelligence as he seeks to build his business into a fun company. Understanding what Gen Z thinks, what they like, and what they want makes Zeman a part of the generation and a valuable leader for them.
“I want to show them what they can do and give them confidence… [and] “And whenever I do that, I’m never serious,” he said. Business is fun. ”
Zeman believes that AI can also make multitasking easier. “Today, you just ask AI what you want to design, and suddenly a beautiful design appears in front of you in three minutes,” he said. “Any question you ask, you get an answer right away without having to research everything.”
Zeman acknowledges that advanced technology could both enhance human activity and take away many jobs, but believes that “we all need to be aware of AI because it will rapidly change the world.”
“Accept it, but don’t resist it.”
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