Henry Chu: BreadTalk CEO on a roll in CNBC interview

Appearing on television within a few days of the budget, BreadTalk CEO Henry Chu was obviously going to be asked about it during his CNBC TV interview last Friday. But he dealt very well with difficult questions about margins and growth - making him a worthwhile shortlisted candidate for Best Interview for TV in the Hong Bao Media Savvy Awards 2018.

Each week until April 30, 2018, we are shortlisting a local Senior Business Leader who has demonstrated excellence in a media appearance for the Hong Bao Media Savvy Awards 2018.

Chu has been CEO of the company behind brands such as Din Tai Fung, Food Republic, Toast Box and BreadTalk since July 1 last year, having been with the company for almost four years out of the past eight.

He came across as credible and confident, despite probing by my former co-anchor Bernie Lo and his co-host Akiko Fujita on Asia Squawk Box.

Here are my observations on Chu's performance:

_____________________________________________________________________________

We launched the Hong Bao Media Savvy Awards to recognise senior local leaders for their communications skills, and to showcase authentic and credible home-grown communicators. Here are our previous nominees:

Desmond Kuek: Will you resign?

Are you a demanding boss, Lee Lik Hsin?

Star Alliance CEO: Local business leader is a star media performer

These are shining examples for other local business leaders to follow, and to build a culture of excellence in communication, to maximise the potential of Asian companies in the Asian Century.

Each week until April 30, 2018, we are shortlisting a local corporate figure who has demonstrated excellence in a media appearance for the Hong Bao Media Savvy Awards 2018.

Click on the link below to enter yourself or another Senior Business Leader.

_____________________________________________________________________________

1. On-point, concise answers - Chu kept his responses short and punchy. That's imperative when you only have three questions in a three minute interview. He was asked about tight margins and budget initiatives, yet he managed to highlight improvements in earnings and expansion in London and Shanghai.
2. Good studio etiquette - Chu kept is hand firmly on the table and didn't swivel in his chair. His posture communicated his stature as CEO. He endured confidently the time lag between his answers and the questions, which are due to the satellite delay between Bernie and Akiko in Hong Kong and him in Singapore.

Like most live interviews, there are always moments you reflect on and wish to do better next time. But all up, Chu is a worthy nomination for the Hong Bao Media Savvy Awards 2018, and yet another counter-example to those who claim local business leaders can't present well.