For transforming Eu Yan Sang into the TCM powerhouse it is today, group CEO Richard Eu is poised to represent Singapore at the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year awards in Monte Carlo this June. No matter the outcome, the forward-looking man tells us he’s not about to rest on his laurels. 

At Eu Yan Sang’s headquarters on South Bridge Road, Richard Eu is talking about China. The business is poised to open more stores in that giant marketplace and the boldness of the idea is captivating – a Singapore company selling Chinese medicine to the Chinese in the very birthplace of TCM itself. In other words, selling ice to the Eskimos.

Right now, the brand has a retail presence in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, but Eu – who travels to China six times a year – hopes to see Eu Yan Sang outlets spanning the whole of China, from Xinjiang to Heilongjiang. He notes: “Succeeding in China is about getting our business model right – we have to be able to replicate the stores at the right pace to manage the growth.”

For his work in revolutionising TCM, Eu will soon represent Singapore at the annual Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year award in Monte Carlo. And no, he is not feeling the pressure – even though Hyflux CEO Olivia Lum became the first woman and Singaporean to win the international distinction last year. “It is quite unlikely that the award will be presented to two Singaporeans in a row so I don’t expect to win,” he says. “But I am looking forward to the networking opportunities. Everyone around me is excited – they have been offering to carry my bags so they can go too.” His lips curl up in amusement.

“Within the family, they think I’m a bit of a cowboy with wild ideas,” Eu reveals in the book Path of the Righteous Crane: The Life and Legacy of Eu Tong Sen. He adds: “But if we don’t take risks, we’d never know where the boundaries are.” It’s clear in hindsight that most of the risks he’s taken have paid off. When Eu took over the reins at Eu Yan Sang, there was one retail outlet in Singapore, five in Malaysia and two in Hong Kong. Today, there are over 190 retail outlets and 23 clinics in China, Malaysia and Singapore, as well as two integrated medical centres (with  both Chinese and Western doctors under one roof) in Hong Kong.

When Eu decided to step into the family business in 1989 (after 18 years in merchant banking, stockbroking, computers and venture capitalism), it was unlikely he knew exactly what he was getting himself into. The company was entangled in a web of domestic strife and a year after he came on board, some of Eu’s extended family sold their shares to construction and property firm Lum Chang, effectively giving it control of the company.

Not to be deterred, Eu promptly responded by working with his cousins to buy out the company’s herbal medicine section and merge it with Eu Yan Sang Hong Kong in 1996. By 2000, Eu Yan Sang International – firmly in the hands of the fourth generation – was listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange. Once the company was safely back in family hands, Eu proceeded with his grand plans to bring Eu Yan Sang into a new age. He initiated a series of bold manoeuvres – changing the focus of the business from distribution to retail, adopting scientific methods in production and cleverly overhauling the image of the brand.

At the heart of it all was the keen sense that the company had to reinvent the very notion of what TCM was all about and appeal to a younger, more Westernised time-starved demographic. Out went the dusty medicinal halls, the geriatric sinsehs, the herbs wrapped in pink paper that had to be boiled for hours by a doting amah. In came English-speaking staff, glittering new stores, properly trained Chinese physicians and products that came in bottles, capsules and sachets for quick, fuss-free consumption. “Even our neighbourhood competitors have changed because we changed,” Eu notes with satisfaction.

Through a combination of luck and timing, Eu seems to have the ability to sense sea changes in the industry and capitalise upon them. TCM has been gradually gaining support, even in the West, because it’s less pharmaceutical and more holistic, going to the root of the problem instead of merely targeting symptoms. “There is a greater willingness to embrace this alternative approach, the turning to natural remedies,” observes Eu. The flag he’s waving right now, centred squarely on the idea of natural wellness, could not be better timed. Key to the idea is the emphasis on prevention. “We definitely want to concentrate on the ‘wellness’ aspect of our sector, helping people prevent diseases or chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease,” he says. This is done through a personalised focus on nutrition and herbal supplements. “To us, it does not make sense for everyone to pop the same vitamins,” he explains. “TCM takes a more customised approach, where your sinseh should find out what suits your body and health condition best.”
 
At 64, the issue of who will be taking on leadership roles in the company is never far from Eu’s mind. “There should always be some kind of a succession plan in place,” he mulls. “And it should be at a departmental level, where managers train managers.” On a macro level, Eu asserts that he is not looking for a clone. “As Eu Yan Sang expands, the future leader will need to have the right skills to run it like a multinational, whether or not he or she is from our family.”

The big question for everyone is whether Eu Yan Sang will remain a family-run business into the fifth generation. Eu clearly sees the advantages of keeping it so, since that will mean it remains more nimble than multinational companies. There’s also the fact that integrity is placed front and centre. “The longer the family has been in business, the more important reputation is to them. So the more likely they are to act in the proper way.” Of course, there is no expectation that Eu Yan Sang will remain in the family forever.

Eu is realistic about a possible scenario where it becomes necessary to separate family from business. Ultimately, whether or not the company remains in the clan is less important to him than how Eu San Yang affects people – both its employees and its customers. He speaks of the joy and satisfaction he feels when a customer tells him that their acupuncture treatment for infertility has been successful.

“Our employees have to lead better lives because they work for us; our customers have to experience a positive difference because of our products and services,” he declares. “Because in the end, it’s not just about making money, it’s about making an impact.”

This summer, London will host the Olympic Games in style for the third time. From the sexy Velodrome to the jaw-dropping Aquatics Centre, we give you the 101 on buildings so aesthetically pleasing, they might just steal the show.

Orbit Sculpture

Anish Kapoor

Set to become the biggest art structure in Great Britain, Orbit, by famed Mumbai-born artist Anish Kapoor, will welcome the hordes of Olympics and sports lovers. London mayor Boris Johnson is optimistic this will be the city’s answer to the Eiffel Tower and a major tourist attraction. Kapoor’s vast snaking structure will stand just outside the Stadium and those keen to take in the view can climb its 120m-high frame. Financed by steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, Orbit is constructed out of 14,000 tonnes of steel and cost a cool £19 million (S$40 million). “I wanted to redefine the idea of a tower,” says Kapoor. “I chose an orbital design as opposed to the more traditional linear one – to express a sense of reaching for the stars.” After the Games are over, Orbit will become a permanent feature in East London. “We hope it will attract about one million visitors each year and generate about £10 million in revenue,” confides Mayor Johnson.

Olympic Stadium

Populous

At the very heart of the London Games, the stadium, with its £1.1 billion price tag, will be in the spotlight more than any other building. This is where the highly anticipated opening and closing ceremonies will take place, as well as the track and field events.While this new edifice (with a capacity for 80,000 spectators will remain in place after the Olympics end, design firm Populous has ensured its versatility by cleverly creating a structure that can be downsized. “The lower, permanent section is built into the ground like a sunken bowl,” explains Megan Ashfield, one of the team of architects who worked on it. “The upper seating section can be dismantled, leaving a smaller venue for around 25,000.” Creating a low carbon footprint was also one of their priorities. “Due to the building techniques, which include the use of high-tension cables and surplus city gas pipes, we have managed to use one-third less steel than normally required,” says Ashfield.

Aquatics Centre

Zaha Hadid

Although London-based, Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid got her idea for the Aquatics Centre’s roof from a wave, the building has already become various things to many. Some liken it to a giant turtle; others to a flying saucer. But all agree that the £269 million structure is inspirational. The curvaceous wood and steel roof is positioned on the base structure at just three points and seems to float effortlessly above the swimming and diving pools. “I wanted to give a sense of buoyancy to the structure,” says Hadid, whose megastructures dot the globe. “The roof was the greatest challenge due to its engineering complexity.” Criticism – due to the budget, which doubled since building began – was constant during the construction period. “Nothing like this has ever been built before and calculating the costs was extremely difficult,” remarks Hadid. Inside, there is room for 17,500 spectators, who will witness popular Olympic events such as the 100m freestyle and high diving.

Olympic Park

LDA Design Hargreaves Associates

In true Cinderella style, the Olympic Park has been transformed from a grey, industrial wasteland into a verdant 100ha park, designed to provide a green backdrop to the Games. Tom Russell, group director for The Olympic Park Project at LDA, explains that it will be the core of the Olympics and its visible legacy. “Our master plan’s twofold: to create a beautiful place to showcase the Olympic structures and one which can be enjoyed long after the events have finished.” The inspiration came from Victorian pleasure and festival gardens. “There will be areas for strolling, markets with local produce, entertainment precincts, cafes and plenty of seating under the 2,000 large trees or along 3km of reclaimed river.” All events can be enjoyed on oversized screens placed around the park, while a mini Kew Gardens will trace the UK’s love of plant collecting. LDA’s work to date is endowed with a strong commitment to the environment and the park will become home to rare and endangered birds, otters, frogs and beetles. This is also the largest urban park created in Europe in the past 150 years.

Olympic Torch

Ed Barber & Jay Osgerby

It’s not often that artists want to watch their work go up in flames, but that’s exactly what the Olympic torch designers, Ed Barber and Jay Osgerby, are keen to see happen on May 18 when the Olympic flame arrives in Britain from Greece and the emblematic torch is lit. “Around 500 designers pitched for the job; 25 were shortlisted and only five got to present their designs,” explains Osgerby. The streamlined torch made of a bright gold aluminium alloy has met with mixed reactions. It’s been described as a “blingy beauty” while some have likened it to a cigarette holder or cheese grater. But Barber and Osgerby strongly defend the design from a practical standpoint. “It measures 800mm but weighs only 800g, meaning even young children will be able to carry it,” says Osgerby. That the runners were uppermost in their minds is clear from the 8,000 holes punched into the torch – each representing one of the relay runners who will carry the torch and the number of miles it will travel around Britain. The relay will come within 16km of 95 per cent of the population.

The Velodrome

Hopkins Architects

Sustainability was a key factor when Hopkins Architects began designing the Velodrome. For example, a natural ventilation system was set up using perforated western red cedar, so that the interiors could be cooled through convection. The structure is also designed to collect rainwater for later use, while built-in skylights allow the cycling track to be flooded with natural light during the day. But green concerns didn’t mean neglecting its aesthetics. In fact, the stunning structure was recognised as Building of the Year at the prestigious Architects’ Journal 100 awards in 2011, due to its “near perfect synthesis of form and function”, as described by jury member Patrik Schumacher of Zaha Hadid Architects. Most of its natural beauty come from its topper – a low-hung, cable-supported roof that weighs only 30kg per sq m and provides an amazing atmosphere for 6,000 spectators as they sit under its no-column span. “It was a racing bicycle’s lightweight frame and the shape of a traditional cycling track that provided the starting point for the design,” explains architect David Selby. “We are proud that it will remain after the Games for more people to enjoy,” he enthuses.

Combating the demands of a C-suite career might require more than massage and scented candles. Find out how the wellness industry is adding “oomph” to its “om”.

Get into shape with military-inspired boot camps, unwind by floating in a tank of warm saltwater, and rid your body of toxins by having a coffee enema. Wellness programmes in Singapore have certainly evolved beyond the regular massage, body scrub and hot tub soak.

Certainly, the clientele is also changing. With professional pressures arising from fast-paced careers, spas are starting to see more male executives seeking treatment. “There’s definitely a rising trend among men to unwind and distress with therapeutic deep-pressured massage treatments and body scrubs,” notes Ravi Chandran, senior vice-president and managing director of spa operations at Banyan Tree Spas.

And many are going beyond the feel-good factor, say industry practitioners here. People are now more concerned about “proactive and preventive health”, says Wendy Stephen, spa manager of Spa Botanica at The Sentosa. “Increasingly, spas are no longer just perceived as a place for relaxation and pampering, but also where one can go to for recuperation.” Some consumers may have specific concerns, be it a digestive issue or stress-induced ailment. Others may simply be looking to recharge and improve their overall well-being.

Either way, the demand for holistic programmes has mushroomed, prompting industry players to roll out more wellness retreats. About 10 per cent of the guests at Capella Singapore’s Auriga Spa opt for wellness packages – little wonder it is introducing more of such programmes starting this month.

The opening of a 23,000 sq ft wellness facility here in late 2010 has also kicked things up a few notches. Verita Advanced Wellness, located minutes from Orchard Road, is one of the largest integrated wellness centres within the Asia Pacific and houses the region’s first salt caves. To date, more than 3,000 people have passed through its doors here, says general manager John Dallaghan, adding that Verita is in the process of expanding to other markets in Asia. “We have had so many success stories this year; when people start feeling better, they want to feel even better, and seek out further treatments and therapies.”

For some, it’s all about a soothing massage amid tranquil settings. The success of Banyan Tree Spas, known for their “high-touch, low-tech” approach, says it all. Banyan Tree, which set up its first spa here at Marina Bay Sands Hotel six months ago, boasts 64 spas in 26 countries.

However, more are now choosing to incorporate other wellness elements into their spa days, including yoga, meditation and nutrition. An ageing population, chronic health conditions and the stress of Singapore’s urban lifestyle are some of the factors driving people to seek holistic treatments that “impact the mind, body and soul”, notes Alsu Abdulina, director of Auriga Spa. The spa regularly engages yoga teachers, tai chi masters and fitness trainers, and works closely with the hotel chefs to create nutritious meals, healthy drinks and desserts. Two of its most popular programmes have wellness components. “Stress Management” includes a tonic drink and private yoga and meditation session, while “Beauty Inside and Out” rounds up almost four hours of spa treatments with a wholesome four-course meal.

Holistic healing is also the foundation of Verita’s wellness programmes, designed by experts in medicine, naturopathy, nutrition and physics. In fact, it is so serious about addressing health and wellness issues that you won’t find a single scented candle here. Don’t expect to hear the soft strains of spa music either. Instead, it uses a combination of nutritional supplementation, lifestyle management and therapies. These range from therapeutic massages, yoga and Pilates, to more high-tech treatments such as cellular regeneration, which involves lying on a bed while your body is bathed in negative ions to neutralise and flush away toxins.

While some like to be pampered, others interpret “wellness” to mean powering up on their fitness levels. Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Singapore has been running boot camp-style workouts – complete with jumping jacks, push-ups, sprints and mini obstacle courses – since June 2009. The boot camps attract people in their mid-20s to early 40s, says its spa director Paola Perin. “The idea is that you are pushed to test the limits of your strength and endurance, and at the same time have fun.”

Others focus on the “inner peace” aspect, going for “detox retreats where all you do is exercise, eat right and participate in mind-wellness practices such as yoga or meditation”, says Perin. “These are popping up around the globe as people are eager to seek escape from their hectic lives and kick-start their health regimen.”

Newbies who want to start off slow can try something less intense such as Auriga Spa’s “Detox Day”, which includes a 75-minute breathing exercise to stimulate the body’s lymphatic system, followed by a lymphatic drainage massage, soothing bath with hydro jets and aromatherapy, and a healthy meal. The spa also has a 10-day Do-It-Yourself Detox kit, for those who want to take it a step further. This involves a strict regime designed by nutritionists, including a supply of herbs and supplements, instructions for breathing exercises, as well as daily menu plans ranging from sauteed mushrooms on rye toast and carrot soup, to smoothies and juices.

For some, wellness is more of a science than an art. More spas are now offering medically oriented services that zoom in on specific concerns. Colon hydrotherapy, for example, removes toxic waste lodged in the wall of the colon to improve digestion, boost metabolism and combat constipation.

Spaboutique, the first spa in Singapore to offer colon cleansing in 2004, says that customers were initially apprehensive. They were concerned about “the discomfort, dependence and dangers”, says spa manager Janice Ng. Today, colon cleansing is a widely accepted and popular treatment taken up by a quarter of their customers. The spa also offers coffee enemas, a popular means of liver and colon detoxification. Some may baulk at the idea of inserting organic coffee into the anus, but this therapy is offered by some medical practitioners as well.

At Verita, you can even get a three-dimensional analysis of your organ health, muscle mass and cardiac parameters with its advanced body scanning tools. It also has cutting-edge facilities, such as its salt cave – a 14 sq m chamber with negative-ionised salt particles – that helps to alleviate respiratory illnesses and skin allergies. Dallaghan believes that the next step in the wellness industry here is integrative medicine, where “both natural and conventional medicine work hand-in-hand to obtain better clinical results”.

In the meantime, wellness buffs such as Adele Hetherington, who has been to health farms in the Philippines and Thailand, are just happy that there are now more wellness programmes available here. “I was very excited when I found Verita, as it’s the closest thing here to a residential wellness centre,” says Hetherington, an artist
in her 40s. “It’s not just a spa or beauty salon. I love the holistic approach to wellness.”