Zhang Lan answers

Q: How do you perceive entrepreneurial spirit?

A: An entrepreneur should have strong mind and indomitable spirit. Doing business is like surfing. The greater the waves are, the more excited and passionate you should be.

Q: What is your biggest challenge now?

A: Talent shortage. China's economy grows so fast that there is too much temptation for young people who are not mature enough to cope with this. For example, our employees at LAN Club are all college graduates and we give them a half-year closed-door intensive training. But when they start working, they become targets of new hotels in China. Each of them, on average, receives 10 to 20 business cards of human resource directors from leading hotels.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: Swimming, visiting art galleries.

Q: Do you cook?

A: I love cooking and have introduced lots of new dishes to South Beauty.

(China Daily 02/18/2008 page12)