CEO Insights Magazine

Grace Lin

Director - Finance & Business Support

In the intricate world of finance, leaders play a pivotal role in steering companies towards prosperity. Grace Lin, Director of Finance & Business Support at Intercontinental Kaohsiung, embodies this ethos. With a background in mechanical engineering, Lin's journey into finance and hospitality is a testament to her unique blend of technical prowess and empathetic understanding. Over three decades, she has honed her expertise, particularly in financial management and operational optimization. Lin's leadership philosophy emphasizes brand integrity, visionary change management, and driving results. Her commitment to these principles shapes Intercontinental Kaohsiung's trajectory, ensuring sustained success in the hospitality industry. Let’s read on.

Can you guide us through the evolution of your professional journey and its growth?

My professional journey began with a departure from my mechanical engineering background into the hospitality industry, drawn by a blend of mathematical acumen and a passion for service. Despite lacking formal finance education, my technical mindset and service-oriented background provided a unique balance, fostering guest-centric thinking and facilitating entry-level positions in hotels. Over three decades, I navigated two prominent hotel groups, starting with the Taiwan-based Evergreen Hotels Group. Here, I honed financial understanding and contributed to technical advancements in hotel applications, fostering growth and enrichment.

Transitioning to Intercontinental Hotels Group, a global giant, expanded my horizon, exposing me to diverse financial perspectives and leadership styles from international General Managers. Celebrating 17 years with the group this May, I've embraced opportunities to refine financial management skills and support hotel operations across various nationalities. This journey epitomizes a fusion of technical prowess, empathy, and a relentless pursuit of growth in the dynamic landscape of hospitality finance.

In your role as Director of Finance & Business Support, what specific factors do you consider essential for consistently safeguarding the company's financial well-being?

In my role as Director of Finance & Business Support, I prioritize maintaining the company's financial health from the owner's perspective. This involves ensuring precise financial operations, optimizing revenue collection, and transparent expense management according to contract terms. I emphasize cost efficiency while maintaining quality, utilize automation to streamline tasks and reduce errors, and foster effective communication and collaboration with the management company to achieve mutual success in hotel operations and development. It's a comprehensive approach aimed at maximizing profitability and aligning with the owner's interests for sustained financial well-being.

How do you leverage your extensive professional expertise in this field to elevate the company's profile further?

I aim to enhance the company's reputation by adding extra value, earning trust from potential employees, suppliers, and partners. I intend to showcase my successes and implement best practices gleaned from my tenure at IHG, emphasizing how these strategies contributed to company growth, customer satisfaction, and industry recognition. Leveraging my networks from IHG, I plan to forge partnerships with industry leaders and influencers to bolster the company's visibility and reputation. Additionally, I'll establish myself and the company as industry experts by participating in speaking engagements, LinkedIn events, and consulting opportunities, sharing valuable insights and expertise garnered from my experience at IHG.

Which factors do you consider when assessing the profitability of an investment?

When considering reinvestment in established hotels, various factors beyond ROI merit attention to enhance overall value, long-term strategy, and customer satisfaction. Prioritizing customer satisfaction and loyalty over immediate ROI involves investing in service quality and amenities to foster repeat business and positive referrals. Additionally, reinvestment can elevate the hotel's brand image, attracting high-value clientele and potentially increasing room rates. Long-term value and strategic objectives may override short-term ROI considerations, emphasizing asset enhancement and operational stability. Furthermore, investments in customer experience and innovation aim not only for ROI but also for maintaining competitiveness and meeting evolving market demands, ensuring sustained success for the hotel.

Describe your approach to leadership. What principles or methods do you adhere to as a leader?

My leadership philosophy is deeply influenced by the six core competencies instilled within me during my time at Intercontinental Hotels Group. Firstly, I believe in being Brand Hearted, which entails a dedicated commitment to our brands, recognizing their centrality in our actions and mindset. Additionally, I prioritize the imperative to Think Ahead, understanding our unique strengths and the strategies required to excel in our industry. Championing Change is another key aspect, where I aim to inspire and lead teams through transitions, fostering a culture of adaptability and progress.

Moreover, I strongly emphasize the importance of Leading and Developing, both oneself and others, creating an environment conducive to growth and achievement. Driving Results is central to my approach, setting clear expectations, and motivating teams to exceed targets while tackling challenges decisively. Lastly, I prioritize Collaborative Work, fostering partnerships and knowledge-sharing both internally and externally to drive impactful business outcomes aligned with our vision. These competencies serve as guiding principles in my leadership journey, shaping my actions and decisions towards fostering success and excellence.

What are the new financial strategies/ advancements the organization is working on?

Implementing intelligent and digitized operational workflows in procurement not only enhances efficiency and accuracy but also frees up resources within the finance department for more strategic tasks. Additionally, extending these initiatives to routine audit operations aims to improve precision and reduce the occurrence of human errors. By digitizing and integrating these processes, the finance department can achieve higher operational efficiency, replacing traditional manual methods with smarter, automated approaches. This shift enables the finance team to focus on strategic initiatives, ultimately boosting the organization's overall effectiveness and competitiveness.

Grace Lin, Director - Finance & Business Support, Intercontinental Kaohsiung

Grace Lin, Director of Finance & Business Support at Intercontinental Kaohsiung, blends technical acumen with empathetic leadership. With a background in mechanical engineering, she brings over three decades of expertise in financial management and operational optimization to her role.