Networking platform makes a perfect match (hktdc.com)


	Scoll Methods' Founding Director Martyn Hedges (left) and Managing Director Geoffrey Rose have found the right Hong Kong partner to move their business forward

A UK-based company specialising in delivering best practice training in project management has started a joint venture with a Hong Kong partner three months after a successful meeting at a networking luncheon organised by a trade promotion body.

Geoffrey Rose, Managing Director of Scoll Methods Ltd, met Rose Chu, Vice President-Program of the Project Management Institute (PMI) Hong Kong Chapter and committee member of the Hong Kong & Mainland Software Industry Cooperation Association (HMSICA) in late spring 2005. The UK Trade & Investment and British Consulate-General Hong Kong had organised a four-day business programme with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) under a HK-UK Partnership initiative for the information, communication and technology sectors (ICT).

Its objective was to introduce and familiarise UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with Hong Kong's IT landscape and to meet with potential SME partners.

Mr Rose explained: "If not for TDC, Scoll Methods HK Ltd would not have been founded. It was the matching service that made the trade visit to Hong Kong attractive in the first place and it was the informality of the buffet lunch that led to a meeting with Rose. The other contributory factor is the cultural willingness of Hong Kong professionals to search for partners and collaborate."

Working together


	Rose Chu of the Project Management Institute says Hong Kong is the best place in Asia to grow the consultancy business

The Hong Kong office is the first partner company where the UK office has a joint equity stake. "Hong Kong is an extremely vibrant society with a lot of help made available to companies wanting to operate within Hong Kong and expand into the Chinese mainland. I was very impressed by the level of networking within the professional classes and the willingness of companies and individuals to work together and facilitate growth for everyone," added Mr Rose.

According to Mr Rose, Ms Chu had all the skills required for the setting up of a Hong Kong based operation. "As an experienced programme and project manager and lecturer with strong entrepreneurial skills, an established network of business contacts and experience of the Chinese market, we have certainly made the right contact through the opportunity afforded by TDC."

Ms Chu agreed that Hong Kong is the Asian hub to grow this best practice project management training and project/programme management office (PMO) consultancy.

"I am the first trainer in Hong Kong and China who is accredited in the UK as an Approved Trainer in the Prince2 project management method. My main aim is to set up an umbrella organisation to provide end-to-end training in English, Cantonese and Mandarin and to deliver consultancy support for effective implementation of project/programme management offices (PMO) in companies with international connections and aspirations.

Base for growth

"Hong Kong is a good base to grow our management practice to the mainland and Asia-Pacific. In order for the next generation to survive and thrive, we must have best practices and with the Prince 2 method even a 6th grade student can understand the components of risk management."

Ms Chu has her sights firmly set on the mainland starting with a partner in Shanghai and localising the teaching material in Cantonese and Mandarin. Both Mr Rose and Ms Chu agreed that their vision for Scoll Methods HK Ltd is to grow the project management training and consultancy company throughout the rapidly developing economies in this part of the world.