Entrepreneurs are builders who turn opportunities into reality, declares Icon of Creativity Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing who once again proved himself leader of leaders when he won the Malaysian Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2005 recently.

He joins such illustrious personalities as Tan Sri Francis Yeoh of YTL Corporation Bhd, Nadicorp Holdings’ Datuk Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, and Top Glove Corporation CEO Dato’ Dr Lim Wee-Chai, previous recipients who each went on to compete in Monte Carlo for the title of World Entrepreneur of the Year.

Thanking Ernst & Young for the recognition, Tan Sri Lim, who is president of Limkokwing University College of Creative Technology, said, “recognition is a useful motivator for entrepreneurs to go beyond expectations to excel”.

“And what entrepreneurs do will develop the culture for excellence,” he said, adding that being enterprising is about creating opportunities, not waiting for opportunities.

Creating opportunities to create business

“An entrepreneur will recognise an opportunity quickly and build on it. If opportunities do not show up, they will create them. Chances are because you are pioneering, you are moving into a market that is not yet mature. It’s the spirit of creating - creating opportunities knowing it will serve industry and will create business.”

An entrepreneur is also one most at home with the spirit of innovation, Tan Sri Lim said. “Innovation is very much part of leadership. You can take opportunity and make it better. It does not matter what field you are in.”

And a true entrepreneur, Tan Sri Lim would also tell you, is one who plays an effective leader. “Entrepreneurs or not, you are powerless if you are unable to tap into the energy of the people who work with you. Entrepreneurs are leaders and you are only as good as the people you lead.”

Leadership vital in the new economy

Tan Sri Lim, who recently was highlighted in the newspapers for his university’s role in the design of the Malayan Tiger theme for the new kit for national teams to international sports events, believes there has to be a new focus on leadership qualities.

“These qualities are vital in the new economy of the 21 st century. One must possess the leadership to shape and define business; the leadership to identify new businesses and enterprises, and the leadership to change the way we work and do business.”

The Ernst & Young achievement is without doubt a boost to Tan Sri Lim who, coincidentally, will relaunch the Limkokwing Executive Leadership College. He believes his industry experience should come into play prominently as he focuses on leadership in training business students.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Programme has become a global benchmark for entrepreneurship and leaders around the world use it to embrace the culture. The awards is seen as a way to honour local business leaders and create national role models.

It identifies and celebrates business leaders for their outstanding achievements in building and sustaining successful, growing and dynamic businesses.

The award salutes the entrepreneur who has made a sustained contribution to the success of one or more businesses over an extended period. Like a master who knows his craft, the individual must have garnered the ability to maintain management excellence over a sustained period of time, and has continued to generate original, imaginative or innovative business ideas.