AsiaWorld-Expo has won the Excellent Cultural Change Award under the Strategic HR category of the HR Excellence Awards 2012. Mr Paul Tang (second from right), Secretary for the Civil Service of the HKSAR Government, presented the award to Mr Allen Ha (second from left), Chief Executive Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited.
	AsiaWorld-Expo was chosen for the Excellent Cultural Change Award based on its success in implementing cultural change and enabling new business growth. In recent years, the venue has achieved much in terms of innovation, change, and breakthroughs. In particular, its revolutionary new EXPOtainment concept and its use of social media have enabled it to expand its fan base to the younger generation.

Award given by the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resources Management in recognition of AsiaWorld-Expo’s pioneering HR strategy towards innovation and business success

Organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resources Management (HKIHRM), which is Hong Kong’s leading HR professional body, the HR Excellence Awards are an important event for the local HR industry.? This year’s esteemed judging panel was led by Mr Paul Tang, Secretary for the Civil Service of the HKSAR Government, and comprised Mr Francis Mok, President, HKIHRM; Ms Caroline Mak, Regional Director, North Asia, The Dairy Farm Group; Professor Randy Chiu, Director, Centre for HR Strategy & Development, Hong Kong Baptist University, and Mr William Chan, Member, Executive Council, HKIHRM.? This influential panel of judges unanimously selected AsiaWorld-Expo for the Excellent Cultural Change Award in recognition of “its clearly defined HR objectives and the flawless execution of its HR strategy, which is an excellent example of outstanding HR best practices contributing to business success”, said Mr Mok.

“We are thrilled to receive this award,” remarked Mr Allen Ha, Chief Executive Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited.? “This high-profile industry recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at AsiaWorld-Expo.? In recent years, AsiaWorld-Expo has committed itself to a ground-breaking programme of change in order to sharpen its competitive edge, diversify into new business areas, continually enhance the visitor experience, and build new brand value.? We are pleased that our efforts are not only yielding strong business growth and excellent visitor feedback, but are also being recognised with awards such as this.”

AsiaWorld-Expo was chosen for the Excellent Cultural Change Award based on its success in implementing cultural change and enabling new business growth.? In recent years, the venue has achieved much in terms of innovation, change, and breakthroughs.? In particular, its revolutionary new EXPOtainment concept and its use of social media have enabled it to expand its fan base to the younger generation.  AsiaWorld-Expo’s status as a professional, hip, young venue is reflected in the extraordinary success of recent and upcoming shows, including the world’s largest and record-breaking September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair (19-23 September 2012), K-pop Big Bang concerts (8-10 December 2012) which sold out in a matter of hours, and the arrival of global superstars such as Jennifer Lopez (28 November 2012).?

In light of these changes and the many other substantive new initiatives launched by AsiaWorld-Expo in recent years, the venue began a strategic HR programme in March 2011 to help employees at every level fully align with the company’s vision and goals.? This landmark cultural programme sought to promote open communications, nurture mutual trust and respect among all team members, cultivate a harmonious working environment, and enhance both transparency and accountability in day-to-day operations.? Ultimately, it aimed to engage all employees and inspire them to embrace the five attributes of Trust, Honesty, Care, Open-mindedness and Respect.

Comprising a wide range of activities and workshops, this breakthrough programme encompassed both leadership behaviour at the directorate level and employee behaviour at all other levels, helping reorient the entire team from an operational paradigm to a service-oriented paradigm.? It also laid the foundation for a culture of continuous improvement, thus ensuring sustainable change in the long-term.

This award-winning process of cultural change has already proven to be of great value. ?In the 2011/12 financial year, AsiaWorld-Expo enjoyed double-digit growth, and is projected to continue achieving double-digit growth in the year ahead.? Looking to the future, the venue will continue to work hand in hand with all employees to embrace change, meet new challenges and seize exciting new opportunities for business growth.