Benny appreciated Peter Drucker greatly and understood his thoughts thoroughly. After digesting thoughts of him and other authors, Benny generated and advocated his own management thoughts and models--making a living/career while making a life, restful work, life asset management, MeInc, Free Agent, brand image building, marketplace discipleship, ‘David Star’ Model, Capital Investment Spiral Model--to name a few .
In his private life, Benny was my Christian brother and friend as we joined social functions and trail-walked together. He was my host when I visited his home where he made some tea for me, after which he became my student when I started to teach him some reflexology skills.
The more our friendship grew, the more I knew that he had touched and added value to lives of so many people, from all walks of life, from young to old, from his own children to students he had taught decades earlier. This explains why in his last journey on earth, so many had expressed their concern and love. To them, Benny must be a very special and valuable person.
As I am expressing my respect, admiration and love for Benny, my heart feels comfort, for he has beautifully fulfilled verses “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness..” (2 Timothy 4 : 7-8). To thank what Benny have made impact on me, I will try my best to live out verses that he often mentioned, such as John 10: 10 (on living an abundant life), 2 Timothy 2: 2 (on disciple making), John 4 : 13-14 (on searching for water). I will increase efforts to enrich the story telling-based REST ministry that he created.
I first met Benny in March 2003, in a talk he gave on life management skills organized by The Oaks. Since then, we had a few hundred hours of communications and working together, including numerous Canada-Hong Kong calls. I know that most people call him Uncle Benny or ‘Dou Suk’ , but he wanted me to call him ‘Benny’.
In this part of my life, he has played many roles and I have enjoyed every one of them.
Benny was my life coach in giving me guidance and correcting my mistakes. I became his disciple in forming a story-telling based REST (renewal, empowerment, support network, transformation) Group which is still running today. He was my mentor when I received his spiritual advice and encouragement to form my unique ministry; also my teacher when I took courses that he led at HKPES.
Benny was my colleague when we taught a ‘Learn to learn’ course together at Christian Times. We were learning partners when we explored and sometimes debated about management thoughts. I was also his business partner in the promotion of his book published in October 2006.
Whole-heartedly I have admired Benny’s passion and talents in writing his blog messages and mind-maps, practicing life long learning so wonderfully. He could scan worldwide changes quickly, and sensitively detect and absorb information most relevant to specific organizational and personal needs. Benny was therefore a genuine ‘action learner’ who could successfully link theory with practice.
..........(to be continued)..........
