Conversation with
My Mentor

Mark Edleson,
Founder of Alila Hotels & Resorts

Leadership

Conversation with My Mentor – Jaelle Ang and Mark Edleson

In this inaugural session, Jaelle Ang, CEO and Co-Founder of The Great Room chats with Mark Edleson. A legend in the hospitality industry, Mark has been associated with a number of successful brands in his multiple roles: as a founding partner of hotel management company GHM Indonesia and leading global operator of resort spas Mandara Spa Asia, and founder of Alila Hotels & Resorts, which was acquired by the Hyatt group in 2018. Here, we sift out the shining nuggets of wisdom:

Productivity, Research

Go Deep: How Focused Work can Set You up for Success

Forget multi-tasking. Deep work is the key to boosting productivity and performance. Here’s how to do it. Last year, a McKinsey Global Institute survey, “The social economy: Unlocking value and productivity through social technologies”, found that most professionals spent an average of 28% of their work-week reading and answering emails. Your inbox is probably just…

Leadership, Productivity

5 Tips for Leading Through Adversity

Helping corporate captains steer their ships through troubled waters happens to be what Paul Harvey has built his career on. From The Great Room at Centennial Tower, Harvey applies his extensive experience with executive coaching and leadership development programmes to his role as partner at organisational design consultancy Synthesis. Here are his leadership strategies for guiding a team through crisis.

Leadership, Research

Fighting an Invisible Enemy: CEOs against the COVID-19 Slump

Does the viral crisis call for wartime CEO mentality? Make no mistake, this is war. Yet it is a war like no other, for the opponent is not a competition after market share or trying to outdo you in a tech race. It is an insidious virus that hijacks the lives of the man of…

Productivity

Personal Kanban: How This Organising System can Boost your Productivity

While many productivity tools focus on achieving more and ticking the boxes, Personal Kanban emphasises working and living better, boosting your overall productivity. Here’s how it works, and how you can make it work for you.

Leadership

International Women’s Day: Weighing in on Gender Equality and Female Empowerment

The working woman should be lauded for her contributions to modern society, and this International Women’s Day, The Great Room had the privilege of sitting down with four such ambitious and highly capable women for their insights, experiences and advice. Walaimas JerdmethawutSales Manager, Upfield ProfessionalThe Great Room Gaysorn Tower, Bangkok As Sales Manager at the world’s largest plant-based…

Research

Hong Kong’s Decentralization of Business Districts: Why Major Brands are Moving to Quarry Bay

Central is no longer the only core business district in Hong Kong. High Rental Prices Driving companies to look outside of Central Thanks to Hong Kong’s continued growth as Asia’s leading financial hub, the demand for Grade A office space in Hong Kong continues to grow with vacancy rates in the traditional CBD area of Central, hitting…

Productivity

Live in the Moment and Be Great at What You Do

Zi En, Co-founder of HASIKO, is a former banker turned serial entrepreneur and a qualified Pilates instructor. HASIKO was founded to empower people to lead their best lives by forging strong connections with their mind, body and self.

Productivity

Home & Away: Leaving Home for a Hot Desk

Journalist, editor and brand content consultant Christian Barker explains why he ‘left home’ for a desk at The Great Room. Working where you sleep does have its downsides — as I discovered during a year freelancing from a home office. It was terrific having the ability to send my kids off to school in the…