Ep 147: "I landed the dream job because my dog was sick!" | Arthur Kiong (CEO, Far East Hospitality)

When Arthur Kiong, CEO of Far East Hospitality, failed his A
Levels, he thought his life was pretty much over.


His dad even told him, "I’m sorry, you had your shot but you
missed it" and in Arthur's own words, "I was lost and I was
discouraged and I was in a great deal of pain and despair."


Arthur ended up selling slimming products on the streets because
it was the only job he could find before applying to Mediocorp to
become a stage technician.


Things took a turn when he was asked to take a voice test and he
ended up with a celebrity radio DJ because he could pronounce
"Thursday the Thirteenth”! 


Overnight, Arthur found himself rubbing shoulders with the who's
who and celebrities of the world and you would’ve thought that
this was where Arthur’s career was on a rapid trajectory upwards
save that he gave it all up to work to become a greeter at
Prego. 


People were astonished. 


Why would he take on such a 'demeaning' job?!


But Arthur was adamant.


And Prego signalled the first step that Arthur took into the
world of hospitality, where you'll find that he's had more than
his share of incredible luck, ingenuity and adventures.


Including:


Being 'saved' by a war and lauded as a genius

Landing his dream job (at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong)
because his dog, Silky, fell sick!

Launching a successful marketing campaign straight after 9/11
(despite being in the thick of a fight between the head office
& owner!)






To find out more, you’ll just have to listen to this STIMY Ep 147
with Arthur Kiong.


Highlights:


2:49 Adrian Tan

3:52 You have to be on the right escalator

6:18 Being in despair

6:53 Selling Japanese slimming starch

7:04 Becoming a celebrity radio DJ because he could pronounce
‘Thursday the Thirteenth’

9:01 Giving it all up

10:36 No future?

12:17 Becoming a waiter at Prego

12:55 Oh Lord, what have I done?!

15:00 Sales wasn’t easy!

15:26 First big breakthrough in hospitality

16:33 Interesting initiatives

19:39 Being saved by a war

22:35 I found nothing!

23:58 That scares me… I like being in control!

25:21 The difference between knowing and knowing

26:35 Landing the dream job at The Mandarin Oriental Hong
Kong because of my sick dog!

28:09 It was a spooky experience

30:42 Returning to Singapore

31:18 The significant career break that allowed him to get
into the Ritz

33:42 Superman in New York

36:21 When the cucumber turns green, it means the time is
ripe

37:43 If things go south, will the corporate body defend
me? 

39:37 I wanted to architect my resume

41:10 Why Singapore?

42:11 Building a Singaporean Hotel Brand

45:18 Living by Christian Values

49:05 Challenges of a CEO (that most don’t see)

50:23 Do you believe in God?

51:32 The Second Act in your career?

53:00 Biggest career advice

54:23 Do you feel like you’ve found your why?

55:18 What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?

55:37 What are the most important qualities of a successful
person?



 


Special thanks to Limpeh Studios for making this in-person
interview possible!





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Show notes: https://www.sothisismywhy.com/147


YouTube: https://youtu.be/lJkY_8igcxQ 


Download 5 Stones & a Sling:
https://www.fareasthospitality.com/-/media/StayFarEast/Five-Stones-and-a-Sling


 Weekly STIMY Newsletter on the art of storytelling +
building your personal brand (+snippets of STIMY
behind-the-scenes): https://sothisismywhy.ck.page/acd5bd1062


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Official Biography


Arthur Kiong is the Chief Executive Officer of Far East
Hospitality, which is part of Far East Orchard Limited, a listed
company under Far East Organization. 


Since Arthur joined the organisation in July 2012, he has been
instrumental in growing the company’s hospitality management
business through joint-ventures and acquisitions. Over the last
nine years, Far East Hospitality's portfolio grew from 18
properties in Singapore to 105 hotels and serviced residences in
nine countries – Austria, Australia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary,
Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore, with more in its
development pipeline.


In more than 35 years of his career in the hospitality industry,
Arthur has worked at prominent international hospitality brands
including Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton
(Singapore and New York), Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (Hong
Kong), Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Westin Hotels &
Resort. 


Arthur also plays an active role in championing change in the
hospitality industry, and currently serves as First Vice
President of the Singapore Hotel Association. In 2020, he was
appointed as the hospitality representative in the National Jobs
Council – a task force set up to establish jobs and upskilling
opportunities during the Covid-19 pandemic. 


In Nov 2022, Arthur received the Executive of the Year –
Hospitality & Leisure award from the Singapore Business
Review Management Excellence Awards for initiating transformative
changes to FEH’s operations and steered the group’s expansion in
recent years despite the pandemic. 


Arthur was a recipient of the Special Recognition Award from
Singapore Tourism Board in 2016 for having played a key role in
rallying support for driving productivity and manpower
development initiatives in the hotel industry.