Country Heights Holding Berhad have six different business units.The major one is our Property Development division, followed by our Hospitality division ( Palace of the Golden Horses ) , the Health division which carries the brand name of “Golden Horses Health Sanctuary”, Property Investment division (The Mines Wonderland) and lastly, the Education division as well.
When interview with 360celsius magazine She said : "During school holidays, I would always follow my dad around in his office as his PA. Sometimes, I would have to go through HR policies and Country Height’s SOP together with my dad. At that time, I thought that hospitality was quite interesting."
"During one of the semester breaks during my secondary school days, I came in through the back door of the hotel and stood in line with all the other casual laborers to apply for a housekeeping job. They didn’t know who I was because my identity wasn’t exposed. That was my first internship and it was with Palace of the Golden Horses as a housekeeper, and I did that for the entire school holiday. I was assigned to clean the guest rooms and staff toilets. It was the most interesting job ever! You’ll find “interesting” things while you are cleaning. "
Corporate Princess Get Bully
"Nobody knew who I was and I got bullied a little. While the others were cleaning 13 rooms, I had to clean 24 rooms. There was this point of time when my dad walked into one of the rooms and he forgot that I was doing under cover; and he greeted me. It was then that people got to know that I was his daughter and they started treating me very differently. From 24 rooms, I was only given 5 rooms to clean and I didn’t have to clean the staff toilet anymore."
"Then I came back for my second internship and I applied for an F&B job. I was waiting tables for government events and weddings. This internship built up my muscles; you would never imagine that trays could be so heavy! That’s how my first two internships went about with Country Heights when I was in my teens. "
Dianna Lee Cheng Wen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Finance and Organisational Management from the University of Southern California, United States. She also holds a Diploma in Advance Technology from University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
"I also did an internship with a non-profit organization that handled patients with cystic fibrosis. We did a lot of fund-raising and charity events for the organization. This was during my varsity life in Los Angeles and we did it for the Mexican community there. After that, when I thought that hospitality was not something that I wanted to do, I decided to pursue corporate finance. I was very lucky to have gotten an internship with Goldman Sachs in Singapore. "
Goldman Sachs
"At Goldman Sachs, because it’s an international firm, you are exposed to very professional and hightech procedurals; some of which that are absent in smaller firms. That’s something that has been very valuable to me. So it is where you learn your figures, ratios, risk management, code of conduct, and such. "
Disney
"After I graduated, I was offered a job at Disney; and at that time, I was working part-time with them. I was really keen and happy to pursue that; until my dad came for my graduation. He convinced me to come back and help out with the business and I thought that I should be a good daughter and help him out. So, serving my duties as a good daughter, I came back."
Learn Sales & pitching
"As for my first job after I came back, I was taking care of the sales department for one of the projects under Country Heights. With my involvement, I took over the entire sales team and we managed to reach the target set by the company, in fact we over achieved. And so, my job there was done. But, it was a difficult period for me because I was coming back to a different culture and it was not the same as in the US and Singapore. Adjusting to a different working culture is already something I’m struggling, worst off, I was given a sales position which I have absolutely no experience with. For sales, you always need to have a thicker face and bring yourself down. It wasn’t what I was used to at all.
At that time, I was having a tough time with my dad, I keep asking, “Why did you put me here? Why can’t I just do something where I don’t have to beg people?” But I learnt a lot that year. I closed one of my biggest deals and that was also the biggest deal for that year for Country Heights. I was around 24 at that time.
It was tough trying to close that deal. I learnt a lot about humility. I had to wait outside of someone’s office until they were willing to see me. I think through my determination, they finally noticed that, “Okay, maybe Tan Sri’s daughter can actually do real work.”
BACK TO HOSPITALITY
t that time, the hotel was going through some management change and they were looking for people. Since I have achieved my target in sales, they moved me to take care of the special projects that was on-going at the hotel then. It was the consultant that was working on the hotel improvement project that suggested to the board to get me to be the General Manager of the hotel.
"I was reluctant because I have decided not to do hospitality. It is an industry that requires experience that I have little of. You know, managing a hotel is not an easy job. I was only 24 years old and there were people over the age of 50 who were going to be working with me. I knew it was going to be a tough job and I was very unsure. But, my dad had a chat with me and told me to try it out.
"Being adventurous, I decided to see how far I could go and went on to become the General Manager of Palace of the Golden Horses. Our task was to transform the financial health of the entire hotel, and we did it within a year. As time went by, the health division was placed under my wing and eventually, I became the CEO for the Hospitality & Health division. That was also when we launched the new extension of Golden Horse Health Sanctuary. By then, I had two hotels and three health centres under my care, it became the second largest revenue contributor to the group after the Property Development division. "
Under her portfolio, the Hospitality and Health Division is the second major revenue contributor in Country Heights Holdings Berhad. In line with the company’s vision of “Ever Searching for Better Living”, she has also spearheaded the project to transform Mines Resort City to Mines Wellness City, an innovative enhancement on the group’s flagship project. In June 2011, she was re-designated to Group Chief Executive Officer of Country Heights Holdings Berhad.
"There was then a change in the top management for the entire Country Heights Holdings Berhad. With the positive turnovers in the Hospitality & Health division, along with a good portfolio, the board thought that I would be the next suitable successor to take over Country Heights Holdings Berhad."
In smaller companies, you can pick up a lot on the cultural values, the more heart to heart things. They’re more family orientated, where you work as a family and when they do business, they look at you as a sole individual. Sometimes when you’re a big organization, we do so many corporate deals that at an event of any transactions, we tend to lose that human touch.
"Now, that’s something that I’ve learnt from a smaller organization. I always remind myself that behind every number, there’s one person there; and that person has feelings. It’s something that you really need to take care of. "
THE DRAWBACKS of being young
Of course there will be this group of people who would think that they’re older and they’re more experienced, and wonder why they should listen to me. But I think that’s very common. It’s mostly based on your style of communicating with your people. Throughout my working experience here, I’ve never had anyone come up to me and tell me that I don’t know what I’m doing.
I had once had an older staff who came crying to me and telling me that his daughter is my age and she’s still sitting at home and playing video games. I scolded this guy earlier on for some mistake that he made before he came in to my room crying, so I was thinking that he was upset and was about to screw me up for that. To my surprise, he told me that I did the right thing by pointing out his mistake. I get more of “Thank you, Dianna”, rather than “Dianna, you’re not doing the right thing!” So I guess I must have done something right.
I think the main point here is that people see that I do things in the interest of the company; I don’t do anything for myself. They need to realize that if the company does well, they will do well too and if I do everything based on my personal interests, I dont think I would have gain the trust and support from them today.
CEO and Married in 2012
"In 2012, we improved by more than one thousand percent in terms of operations efficiency. This came as a bigger surprise because in 2012, I got married, I was pregnant and I was new to the Group CEO job. I’m thankful."
Being a MOTHER, (CONGRATULATIONS!) HOW DO JUGGLE AND BALANCE BETWEEN ALL RESPONSIBILITIES?
To be frank, I’m still trying to juggle it. These days, I wake up at 6 a.m. and then play with my daughter, feed her, shower her and get to work. After work at around 8 p.m. I have to shower her and cook. I wrap that up at around 11p.m. before spending some time with my husband, and basically the day is done. And when I’m at work, I think about my baby.
I’m still in the midst of juggling all these and make sense of how to utilize my time. Honestly, I have not found my sweet spot yet.
MOTHERHOOD and politic
I think before you’re married and before you even have a kid, you don’t take an interest in politics and public policies. Now, you look at things differently because this is where your children are going to grow up, within the frameworks set today.
I take more interest in the political news and the policies the country is applying because eventually, my daughter is going to be within this system and I want to make sure that this system is sustainable for her and she has equal chances of succeeding.
I keep an eye on the global environment now instead of just focusing on my small network of friends and the company. Because in order for someone to succeed, the family has to succeed; and in order for the family to succeed the nation has to succeed.
What is your vision as Group Chief Executive Officer, Country Heights Holdings Berhad?
Country Heights is a company with good fundamentals, financially and culturally. My goal is to continue the company's fundamental belief by "Ever Searching for Better Living". With Lakeview as a stepping stone for our new idea of a home that is good for your health, we would leverage on our group's 10 years' experience in preventative healthcare achieved in the Golden Horses Health Sanctuary. Combining both Health and Development is something we are working on to achieve.
What project are you currently working on that you're excited about?
Our Cyberjaya project on LakeView Residency is only the first few steps we're taking there. Watch this space for more exciting things coming!
Dianna Lee Cheng Wen have another younger sister Diani Lee , who is General manager of Corporate Communication in Country Heights.
Update : Most enterprising Corporate Princess
李静雯
李金友千金李静雯 出任绿野集团首席执行员
丹斯里李金友把锡矿地变黄金地的事迹，一直是企业佳话，近几年他在商界以低调姿态示人，但就在这名商场老将逐渐退居幕后之际，其接班人也悄然崛起。李静雯是在2008年7月7日加入该公司，成为集团董事经理兼创办人的特别助理；她成功考获工商管理－企业金融与组织管理大学文凭。
李静雯在她的大学生涯中，她曾经在新加坡高盛以及洛杉矶迪士尼消费产品担任过财务分析员；同时，她也曾在Familia Unida慈善机构担任过策略分析员。
当同龄女性还对未来处于懵懂阶段之际，次女李静雯却已在25岁的芳龄挑起大梁，成为绿野集团的首席执行官，也是大马企业界最年轻的掌舵人。
在南加州大学毕业后，曾在著名投资公司高盛实习，之后于2008年加入父亲的公司，在绿野白沙罗的销售部门，交出亮丽成绩单后，
2009年被委任为金马皇宫总经理，以短短18个月的时间扭转公司劣势，其非凡的才能令人侧目！ 2009年，她被委任为董事部执行董事一职，目前正积极发展赛城Lakeview Residency的发展计划，这项高10层楼的发展计划，预计会在2014年完工，成为大马另一产业标志。
据知，这项计划将结合绿野集团的两大专业–医疗与产业发展作为产业主题，李静雯也因此深信注入环保概念的发展计划，将令市场惊艳。
绿野集团（CHHB，5738，主板产业股）将在未来12个月内，推出发展总值达9亿3500万令吉的产业发展项目。
绿野集团总执行长李静雯表示，以往公司的焦点都是放在销售已建好的产业，但是随着公司成功减少产业库存，公司会把焦点转向推动更多发展计划。
她指出：“公司将在未来12个月内，陆续推出位于吉打、赛城、绿野休闲城（Mines Wellness City）的发展项目。”
绿野集团会在吉打推出Belleza Garden Homes的第二阶段发展，发展总值为6800万令吉。
此外，公司也会在赛城推出复式公寓（Duplex Condo），发展总值为5400万令吉。
至于绿野休闲城，公司将推出发展总值约8亿令吉的计划，这包括商业街、独立住宅单位，以及小型家庭办公室（SOHO）。
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她说：“我们会在推介礼上，宣布未来10年的发展计划，其中包括发展总值的约1亿5000万至2亿令吉的商业街。”
这项发展计划占地约800英亩，目前还有119英亩是用作未来发展。不过，目前仍有部分地皮不属于公司。
因此，他们要解决土地股权问题之后，才能公布整项发展计划的毛发展总值。
在股东常年大会结束后，李静雯出席记者会时发表谈话。
对于公司展望，她指出：“随着公司在产业发展的预算高于去年，以及越来越多发展项目已完工及脱售，如Belleza Garden Homes的第一项发展项目，所以，公司预计2013财年营业额及净利将高于上财年。”
针对国家银行出手抑制“发展商承担利息计划”（DIBS）的传言，李静雯回应，这项措施将可抑制投资活动，并使到产业承购及销售率放缓。
不过，由于绿野集团并无执行DIBS，所以，不会对公司带来影响。
发展焦点仍在半岛目前，绿野集团拥有接近6000英亩的地皮，其中接近5000英亩落在古晋的Borneo Highland，吉打则有约200英亩土地，而剩余的地皮则落在绿野休闲城、赛城、加影等。
她指出，古晋的市场需求不足以推动公司迅速发展公司持有的地皮，所以，发展焦点还是放在大马半岛。
同时，她预计，目前持有的地皮足以应付未来7至10年的发展计划。
虽然绿野集团拥有庞大的地皮，但是，未来公司还是会持续购地。
“由于我们计划发展有地住宅，所以，公司目标寻购的土地不能少过10英亩。”
小题：增加投资产业目前，绿野集团并无成立产托的计划，因为这需要很好的产业收益率才能做到。
“不过，公司肯定会在未来增加更多投资产业，以便提高公司的持续性收入。”
她指出，若未来要收购用作发展投资产业的土地，公司会把焦点放在业务版图之外的土地。
滿意女兒領導
“半隱退”的李金友對千金李靜雯的領導感到滿意，並指團隊方向正確促使公司品牌備受肯定。
“年輕人應獲更多機會，持續領導公司邁向前並取得更大進步空間。”
綠野正啟動的綜合醫療及健康的度假村，佔地1千英畝，將打造成一個集現代及輔助醫藥的一站式保健中心。
他說，公司致力於將全球各地優質的醫療服務引入保健度假村，確保營運能永續經營。
“保健業務有別於其他屬於週期性的領域發展，隨著人們的保健康意識逐漸提昇，相信此業務可攫取更大的成長契機。”
該公司曾提出各項重組建議，包括雄心勃勃欲將產業發展臂膀掛牌，放眼減債及籌措逾3億令吉，惟分拆上市計劃最終卻遭證券監督委員會駁回，引起市場的強烈沽售，導致股價創下歷史新低紀錄。
隨後提出設立產業投資信托（REITs）計劃，但最終卻不了了之，因此究竟能否突破重圍，極力向上游，則仍有待觀察。
勞碌了大半輩子的李金友，如今已逐步退位，而隨著其千金李靜雯加入綠野並接任首席執行員職位後，繼承父業的重大責任就在她的肩膀上。
勞碌了大半輩子的李金友，如今已逐步退位，而隨著其千金李靜雯加入綠野並接任首席執行員職位後，繼承父業的重大責任就在她的肩膀上。
自小接受父親薰陶的李靜雯，能否接過管理權後開創另一片天地，並引領綠野再創高峰，更是未來營運之路的關鍵所在，下一個“綠野王國”有待發掘。
长女李静霖
李金友的长女李静霖也曾在集团内帮忙，她在澳洲升学时，负责协助父亲监管澳洲的业务，并在学成归来之后，担任父亲的特别助理。不过，雄心万丈的李静霖，在2005年决定自行创业，选择不在父亲的荫庇下高飞，她和5个合作伙伴，创办了产业发展公司Clearwater Development私人有限公司。在大馬白沙羅高原發展首項產業。
她剛大學畢業就出任綠野集團的澳洲公司執行董事，還以23歲之齡雄心勃勃自行創業。
婚姻狀況：已婚
成長背景：澳洲墨爾本RMIT大學文科系（主修專業通訊與市場）畢業，當年她已出任綠野集團（澳洲）有限公司的執行董事。在最後兩年的學期休假時，她返回大馬擔任父親的特別助理，負責產業與酒店管理的投資計劃。
動態：自行創業，與4位朋友聯營一項總值估計達1億2000萬令吉的“Clearwater Residence”高級產業發展計劃，並由她出任董事經理，產業地點是在白沙羅嶺。此公司與綠野集團沒有關係，其中一位合伙人是新加坡著名繪測師。
耳濡目染
李靜霖有自己的產業夢
李靜霖有自己的產業夢
所謂“虎父無犬子”，綠野集團（CHHB，5738）董事經理丹斯里李金友在產業界享有盛名，他的女兒李靜霖承傳了他的基因，在夢想召喚下，也開始涉入產業界。
含著金湯匙出生的李靜霖，不因家境顯赫，而坐享其成，反而百般思索，希望從父親成功的歷程尋找暗示，舖展屬於自己的事業路。
人因夢想而偉大，李靜霖雖然可選擇在父親身邊，協助打理父親的業務，穩穩當當過生活。然而基於對產業的興趣和熱誠，加上對自己的期許，她毅然決定創業，把理想中的產業模型付諸於行動。
由於從小受父親的薰陶，她對經營產業並不全然陌生。李靜霖曾在綠野集團當任父親的特別助理長達2至3年，學習父親的處世方法，並開始累積產業界的經驗和人脈。
此外，她曾是Country Heights（澳洲）私人有限公司的執行董事，負責管理父親在澳洲的業務。
李靜霖在澳洲墨爾本RMIT大學取得傳播和行銷學位，卻始終難捨對產業的熱誠。在偶然的機會下，她萌起創業的念頭，於是開始籌畫成立自己首家產業公司－Clearwater發展私人有限公司。而長期耳濡目染下，她第一次創業就選擇產業，並不叫人驚訝。
她說：“經營自己的產業公司是我一直想做的事情，也是我所追求的夢想，我希望可以靠自己，創造自己的事業。而機會來到，我想何不嘗試看看。”
李金友汲汲營營搞好事業的專注精神，也讓她看在眼中，而今她也跟隨父親的腳步，選擇親身經營。
李靜霖指出：“我期望往後每年僅進行1至2項產業發展計劃，以確保公司的產業概念可以貫徹，我也要求自己親身管理、監督各項產業計劃的進展。”
沒錯，身懷六甲的她仍每天定時報到，確保一切進程皆在掌握之中。
和父親不同路線
李靜霖形容父親為朋友、老師，父親教導她如何做人處事，以及對金錢的價值觀。
她說：“父親從小都不特別溺寵孩子，也不隨便給我們錢花，他很講究5個子女的教育，他教導我們認識錢的價值，並訓練我們養成獨立。而這是為什麼我選擇出來創業的原因。”
當然，女兒有自己的理想和見地，身為父親的李金友也必然全力支持，除了精神上的支持，更不忘傳承多年的寶貴經驗。
儘管如此，李靜霖強調，Clearwater發展和父親的綠野集團是獨立運作的。
塑造別緻年輕化產業
相較於李金友的金馬皇宮、綠野仙蹤等大型“作品”，李靜霖有另一套想法，她希望為自己的作品塑造一個別緻、年輕化的形象。
她說：“我和父親走的路線不同，Clearwater走的是都市精品、年輕化、設計路線；父親則是以家庭、地方性為主。我們鎖定的客戶群也不盡相同。”
沒錯，只要步入位於白沙羅高原的Clearwater示範屋，就可以了解她的產業概念，講究設計和美感細緻，與她柔美的女性特質不謀而合。
雄心勃勃談未來
由於對白沙羅高原的鍾愛，李靜霖處女作品選擇在該地段，並命名為Clearwater。該計劃預期於今年杪動工，預定於2009年杪完成。
Clearwater發展總值達1億4000萬令吉，佔地1英畝，高聳的18層樓共有108個單位，目前已售出近75%，主要客戶除大馬人外，更有來自中國、香港和新加坡等國。
李靜霖透露：“此外，我們正洽談2至3項工程，其中2項座落在巴生河流域，另1項則在泰國，一旦敲定，預計將於明年推出。”
置產不可忽略投資回酬
當許多同齡的人還在摸索如何進行投資時，李靜霖對投資產業已擁有獨到的眼光。她認為購置資產時，除了喜好、環境外，投資回酬是置產不可忽略的重要因素。
她說：“我第一次購置的房產就落在白沙羅高原，我偏喜歡這地段，除了民生方便、交通方便、環境良好，當然更因為投資這裡的房地產，所帶來的回酬可觀。”
白沙羅高原目前已鮮少有高樓住宅，而李靜霖首個產業計劃─Clearwater是當地唯一尚在銷售的高樓住宅，因此雖未正式推介，卻已銷售近75%！
李靜霖說：“政府撤銷產業盈利稅（RPGT）後，已吸引外資集團投資本地產業。此外，馬幣升值也使得外資享受房產增值外，也從馬幣走強獲利。”
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