TL;DR: The world hasn't just paused; it's fundamentally changed. Waiting for a return to the "old normal" is a failing strategy. Businesses that thrived amidst recent disruptions did so by accepting reality, focusing on core strengths, choosing the right partners, adopting a global mindset, and leveraging technology for transformation. COVID wasn't just a crisis; it was a catalyst for rebuilding. Adapt or be left behind.
It feels like we've all been holding our breath for the past few years, doesn't it? Waiting for the moment when things finally snap back to how they were before. But I'm here today to share a perspective that has been brewing for a while, one that crystallized for me and my team long before the recent turbulence fully hit.
Even 18 months ago, the signs pointed towards significant economic shifts. While the speed and suddenness caught many off guard, the underlying trend wasn't entirely unexpected. As leaders, foresight is crucial. We began adjusting our sails, reallocating resources, and preparing for choppier waters. Yet, even with preparation, the pace of change felt relentless.
Embracing the Deep End: Founding Mercury Amidst Uncertainty
In April 2020, right in the thick of unprecedented global shifts, we made a bold move: establishing Mercury Technology Solution here in Hong Kong. Many questioned the timing, the location, the sheer audacity of launching a new venture then. But we saw an opportunity, not just to survive, but to innovate.
Unlike many tech firms that focus primarily on agency models, sales, or marketing existing solutions, we poured everything into creation. Our core mission was, and remains, to build our own proprietary systems, to innovate from the ground up. Was it a gamble? Absolutely. Looking back, it required immense dedication, particularly from my partners who tolerated my relentless pursuit of perfection. We invested triple the effort over the past year to ensure our platform and products weren't just good, but exceptional.
Business, at its heart, is about execution. Starting from zero just over a year and a half ago, we're now projecting annual revenues close to HK$33 million, with a market valuation hitting HK$200 million. This isn't just about numbers; it's a validation of our core philosophy and our commitment to building real, tangible value through technology.
The Myth of "Returning to Normal"
I want to share a conversation I had back in May 2020 with my UK partner, Martin. His industry, like many others (retail, F&B, travel), was hit incredibly hard. He said something profound that stuck with me:
"It's time to adjust our mindset. We've been hoping for an end date, for restrictions to lift, for everything to go back to normal – travel without masks, business as usual. As if none of this ever happened. But it's becoming clear that's unlikely in the near future. Soon, we might even forget what it was like not to wear masks."
At that time, their UK F&B operations had plummeted by 99.7%. His words were a stark reminder. We kept hoping for an "end," a return to the status quo. But with new variants and shifting restrictions, that clear finish line remains elusive.
The hard truth? The "end" we were waiting for probably isn't coming. At least not in the way many envisioned. For globally intertwined industries, returning to pre-COVID operational levels seems increasingly improbable. We need to logically and rationally face the reality of co-existing with these new dynamics. What does our world, our business, look like in this new reality?
Strategic Adaptation: The Blueprint for Resilience
Based on this acceptance, back in June 2020, we mapped out our strategy using these core principles:
- Choose the Right Industry: Focus on sectors resilient to or accelerated by the ongoing changes. For us, technology and digital transformation were clear winners.
- Know Your Strengths: Double down on what your company does best. Our strength was innovation and system development.
- Select the Right Partners: Collaborate with those who share your vision and adaptability.
- Think Global from Day One: Position your company not just locally, but as a global entity ready to operate in a digitally connected world.
Knowing this is one thing; executing it is another. It took nearly a year of constant dialogue with clients to truly grasp the shifting market landscape. We saw businesses that recognized the paradigm shift, adjusted their strategies dramatically, and achieved growth (some even 20% this year!). Conversely, we saw others cling to the old ways, waiting for a return that never came, and ultimately, they didn't survive.
The World Has Changed. Have You?
There's a saying, "The world is ending and I’m late for work." It highlights absurdity in clinging to routine when facing monumental change. The sentiment "回不去就是回不去了" (What's gone is gone / You can't go back) resonates deeply.
For Mercury Technology Solution, and for me personally, this period hasn't just been a challenge; it's been an opportunity to rebuild. When the old structures crumble, you don't worry about being late for the old job; you start building the new one. Technology is the cornerstone of that rebuilding process.
Below is the original piece that sparked some of these reflections.
BossMind x James Huang專欄
崩塌與重建｜請接受現實 疫情是沒有盡頭
18個月前已預期經濟會反覆向下，只是想不到事情會來得這麼突然及急促，雖然已安排好資產配置但是仍有很多事情沒好好完成。
2020年4月毅然決定離開舒適區，在港建商業軟件公司，有別於其他公司做代理、銷售及市場推廣，我將全副心機投入於創造、創新能力，建立一套自家研發系統。回想起來仍然是一個大膽決定，慶幸夥伴們體諒我的「完美主義」，過去一年用上三倍的力量把平台及產品做好。做生意，從來都講求執行力，年半時間，由零起步，到今日預計全年收入近3300萬元，市值亦已衝上2億元，多少亦對我營商理念得以肯定，未來我希望透過BossMind專欄，把過去一年的經驗，向各位總結及分享。
「其之一：恢復正常生活」
疫情爆發至今，我們一直希望全球疫情會有終結一日，隔離令解除，受創產業得以復甦。疫情間所有受到重創的產業，例如零售、餐飲或旅遊業，也許有個信念：「只要撐得夠久，就能恢復正常，像以前一樣」。
回想2020年5月，我與英國夥伴Martin通話，當時他說了這一番話：「現在是需要開始調整心態的時候了。去年，我們大多希望全球疫情會有一個結束日，限制將被取消，一切恢復正常，我們可以搭飛機旅行，不必戴著口罩旅遊玩樂。就好像，全球疫情從未發生。但越來越清楚的是，這在未來幾年內不太可能發生。很快地，我們甚至可能忘記可以不戴著口罩的美好時光。」當時我們在英國的餐飲業務下跌了99.7%.。
經過18個月，變種病毒株接連出現，原本已放寬的防疫措施再次收緊，我們期盼的「盡頭」遲遲未到。事實上，我真的認為「疫情盡頭」不會發生，至少對於上述行業，其國際業務一定不會回到COVID前的水平。
作為BossMind讀者，我們需要理性、有邏輯地面對這個很可能出現的「現實」：若要與COVID共存，新的世界會是什麼模樣？
我在2020年6月是用以上的假設去把公司的未來規劃了一下。
- 選擇「對」的行業
- 清楚自己公司的強項
- 選擇「對」的合作夥伴
- 把公司定位為一家全球企業
知易行難，用了差不多一年時間，與客戶不停交流，才把真實市道看得更透徹。有部份企業，知道世界已經變了，策略上馬上大幅度調整，在今年業務還有20%增長。不過，有企業選擇死守，結果守不住，就直接死了。
「回不去就是回不去了」The world is ending and I’m late for work。
對我來說：COVID 是一個重建的機會，世界崩塌的時候，你不會對我說：「我上班遲到了吧？」
The future belongs to those who adapt. Let's embrace the change and build something better.
Stay innovative
