Don’t over-give or under-give. For long-term success, apply “just the right” amount of service: Over-giving will make people feel entitled and ruin them. Under-giving will demoralize people, and you may lose them.
As a part of our series about “Big Ideas That Might Change The World In The Next Few Years” we had the pleasure of interviewing Bernard Chong.
Bernard Chong is a passionate angel investor who uses his experience in business to extend opportunities to causes he believes will create a better future and fuel success for others to achieve their business dreams. He started off in the manufacturing business creating one of the most popular Filipino-owned sports apparels in the Philippines. As an investor in many start-ups around the globe, Chong is world-renowned for founding the Bren Esports organization in 2017. Bren’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang achieved a historic win as the first Philippine team to win the M-series World Championship title. In addition, Chong’s diversified portfolio has stakes in several industries such as animation (ASI Studios), communications (Energy FM), food and beverage (Tim Hortons/Kko Kko), entertainment (RKB Productions), and information technology (Thirty-One Digital/Beepbeep.ph). His newest ventures include Mendo Coffee Company, a Panamanian Housing Development, development of a new mobile application and a U.S.-based capital investment fund.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you please tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
I grew up with my family doing business, producing and selling footwear. I was able to train in all departments, like production, warehouse, in-store operations, and sales. I find sales interesting because I get to meet a lot of people that need footwear (Everybody needs footwear!)
I have a bachelor’s degree in electronic communication engineering. I still feel that sales is my career path since I like meeting and learning from different people.
When doing sales, you get to talk with different people, learn from them, and teach what you know. My father told me, “Read and keep yourself updated so people will learn something from you; they may appreciate you and teach you a thing or two.” From then on, I fell in love with growth, learning, and teaching. My path was sales. I plant start-up businesses, learn, and be patient — for growth takes time. Then, I replant again; just like a farmer.
Can you please share with us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
There are so many interesting career stories I can share. I have more than 20 years of career experience as an angel investor. I will share this one:
I invested in a start-up that had a 10-month runway, with two years ROI with proper protocols and reports in place. I know that theoretical operations are way different from actual operations. After two years, there was no ROI to be given. I continued to be patient and supportive with this business unit. The everyday practice of patience and continued support is much harder than it sounds. Every day — 365 days a year — when you give your trust, never doubt. When you doubt, then you never trust. In the third year of operation, ROI was given. Even now, that is one of the best business units that I have. I am very proud of that team!
Which principles or philosophies have guided your life? Your career?
Principles are guiding foundations when I am in unfamiliar territory or experiences. A few principles that guide me are to:
- Ask people who have done the same thing that you are doing.
- Seek professional advice.
- Always learn.
- Always teach.
- Follow and work on your dream.
- Have a great team!
One philosophy that I always keep in mind: “You can survive being alone, but you cannot thrive being alone.” So I always want to meet people and see if we can work together.
Another principle I live by is: “We remain young and growing when our ambitions and dreams are more important than our memories.”
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now move to the main focus of our interview. From your perspective, can you tell us about one “Big Idea That Might Change The World”?
The big idea: The application of artificial intelligence in all industries, and developing and enhancing robotics technology will change the world.
How do you think this will change the world?
People will live longer and smarter. We have abundant human resources that will apply the latest technologies, and this will accelerate progress. Farming, shopping, transportation, connectivity, and education will all improve.
Keeping “Black Mirror” and the “Law of Unintended Consequences” in mind, can you see any potential drawbacks about this idea that people should think more deeply about?
We are constantly inventing and creating new things and concepts. Unintended consequences are always a possibility. We should think more deeply about human survival. Life is the most precious thing we have, and as long as we have life, we have a future.
Was there a “tipping point” that led you to this idea? Can you tell us that story?
All tipping points are formed by our actual experiences and the information that we process. My learnings come from my life’s journey, which would be a long story!
What do you need to lead this idea to widespread adoption?
Shared experiences within people and communities lead any idea to widespread adoption.
What are “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
- There is no limit to the amount of good that you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit: When I was starting out, I was doing everything myself. I would tell clients and customers that I did everything myself (feeling proud for them to feel special). It worked until wiser, more caring clients and customers came along. They told me to delegate, and the fulfillment celebrated by your team is more meaningful. You learn together as a group, and you grow stronger as a group.
- Focus on Who, instead of How: There are specialists out there — people who have invested so much more time and have mastered their craft. Rather than burning the same amount of time to learn what they already know, reach out to them and partner with them. Their specialty is that they already know “how” to execute what you want. The examples are self-explanatory.
- To fulfill your dream, you must have your dream team who constantly communicate with one another: This is extremely important because there are good relationships (business partners) that have pursued their own objectives because of a lack of communication.
- Don’t over-give or under-give. For long-term success, apply “just the right” amount of service: Over-giving will make people feel entitled and ruin them. Under-giving will demoralize people, and you may lose them.
- Be an explorer and pursue bigger projects: Our world is big, and it’s easy to stay in our comfort zone or habitat. But growth happens by challenging ourselves with bigger projects. Traveling and exploring opens our minds eye to the world and deepens our knowledge and understanding of so many things.
Can you share with some of our readers what you think are the most important “success habits” or “success mindsets”?
Everything starts with the mindset. Then, habits make the mindset a reality. As leaders, we must have both, along with a focus on team building and solid ethics.
Some very well known VCs read this column. If you had 60 seconds to make a pitch to a VC, what would you say? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
I’m an Angel Investor myself, so I know it’s never 60 seconds! But, I’ll say if the opportunity to pitch a VC presents itself, let them know that your focus is only on this project and that you have a great team. Tell them why this will improve our world and how communities will adopt the project. That is a good start.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
Thank you for the opportunity to share insights here. Your readers can follow me on Instagram @iambrenchong. Be sure to follow my educational non-profit organization, BrenSEED Foundation at @brenseedfoundation or visit our website (coming soon) at www.brenseedfoundation.org
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational.
Angel Investor and Esports Mogul Bernard Chong’s Big Idea That Might Change The World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.