Do one thing well in a lifetime

Author: Lü Shuchun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: Opportunity lies in seizing the moment. God is fair, bestowing equal opportunities upon everyone. Those who grasp them rise to prominence, while those who let them slip away remain mediocre. Opportunity lies in seizing it. Those with agile minds will always seize opportunities when they arise, never allowing them to slip away from their grasp.
Lu Zhaotian and his wife immigrated from mainland China to Hong Kong in the 1960s. Unlike second-generation entrepreneurs who benefited from their fathers' established social connections, or local entrepreneurs who had accumulated years of experience in the business world, they had to forge their own path, facing hardships and challenges as they carved out a success story from scratch.
When Lu Zhaotian first arrived in Hong Kong, his mainland China qualifications were not recognized, so he was forced to sell his labor and engage in small businesses. Later, he accumulated some capital from a razor order and finally established Lu's Industrial Company. The company's first major breakthrough came in 1976. At that time, electronic calculators were just beginning to emerge, and many large manufacturers saw this new product but were hesitant to act, wanting to wait and see before committing. However, Lu Zhaotian's small company had fewer reservations. He recognized this as a favorable opportunity to enter the electronic calculator market and devoted himself fully to producing liquid crystal display calculators. Because he acted promptly and seized the opportunity, facing fewer competitors, he dominated the market and achieved success. By the time others followed suit and the market became saturated, Lu's had already reaped the rewards,, laying a new foundation for the company's next phase of growth.
Opportunity came again when mainland China implemented its reform and opening-up policies. Thanks to his life experience from mainland China, Lu Zhaotian recognized the immense potential of the mainland market and the favorable timing for collaboration. He saw the low labor costs in mainland China, the proximity of Shenzhen's Shekou Port, and the advantageous conditions for foreign investment, and immediately began collaborating with mainland enterprises.
Lu Zhaotian foresaw that televisions were an urgent need for mainland Chinese households, with a vast demand market. He pioneered the production of black-and-white televisions and heavily invested in the mainland market, achieving great success. As mainland Chinese living standards improved, he promptly shifted to producing color televisions. Leveraging the strong relationships he had established in mainland China, the company's revenue grew steadily, and its products gained a broad, stable, and reliable market. Eighty-five percent of the company's revenue came from mainland China. Annual production increased to 800,000 units, and the number of mainland manufacturers assembling television kits grew from 7 to 12. That year, the company's net profit reached 34.3 million yuan, demonstrating its outstanding performance.
At the same time, he continuously innovated in design, introducing features like square bodies, flat screens with right angles, and stereophonic sound to attract customers. He became one of the early Hong Kong electronics pioneers to establish strong cooperative relationships with mainland China, receiving robust support. His achievements proved his sharp insight and quick action.
Some say that Hong Kong is easy to make money in, leading to a rush of investors and entrepreneurs flocking to the city. Others argue that Hong Kong's economic and commercial prosperity over the past two decades has allowed talented individuals to rise to prominence, with heroes occupying key positions in every industry. It seems that every field has been "exploited" to its fullest, leaving no room for newcomers.
These perspectives each have their own merits, but they are not without flaws. Therefore