Drones, which have been widely applied in various industries in recent years, play an important role in construction and property management. The Construction Department has proactively introduced innovative technology applications and was the first team in the company to apply drones in their operations. In the latest session in the Learn@Lunch Series, the Group Training Section invited Mr Pele Lai, from the Construction Department, to introduce basic skills and safety precautions for operating drones and gliders and to share his personal experience. This was a fruitful sharing session for interested participants and colleagues who need to operate drones and gliders in the workplace. 

To keep abreast of the latest trends, the company often organizes new and interesting activities for our colleagues, such as the recent fluid art bear DIY workshop. Without the need of a paint brush, fluid art provides infinite artistic surprises while the participants pour colourful, free-flowing paint on the surface of the bears. Under the guidance of a professional instructor, colleagues and their children slowly covered the white bears with vibrant hues in various ways to make their own unique fluid art bear. All the participants enjoyed creating contemporary art creations in this special, fun family activity. 

Many SHKPers are basketball enthusiasts. Joe Kan, who has played basketball for over 40 years, has changed his role from a powerful 200-pound centre blocking offensive shots near the basket, to a reliable coach of the Sanfield basketball team, encouraging his team from the sidelines. The only thing that remains unchanged is his passion for basketball.

Taking every game seriously

Many Sanfield colleagues love playing basketball, and they have regular gatherings and play matches during their leisure time. When they heard that the Construction Industry Council had launched a basketball league, they decided to take the game more seriously. In 2017, they formed the Sanfield basketball team. Persisting with regular training and participating in various competitions, the team delivered quality performances and often secured a top-three finish in the Construction Industry Basketball League. This year, the team seized the league championship for the second time. In addition to the awards, Joe reckoned that team spirit is the most precious thing nurtured from the competitions and training. "I always believe that playing basketball is the best way to create team spirit," he said. "Our team develop trust and close relationships when they support each other on the court, and this team spirit leads to smooth teamwork in the workplace as well."

The joy of being a coach

Joe says he was a passionate basketball player when he was young, always fighting for every point when he stepped on the court. As time passed, he changed his role from player to coach, and he experienced the joy of coaching as well. 

"Standing on the sidelines, you can observe the performance of the players and the strategies and tactics adopted by your opponents to provide more comprehensive advice to your players." Although he enjoys being a normal spectator, when he focuses on the matches of his team, he finds it hard to refrain from shouting at his players to give them reminders. His passion makes him the best coach for the team.

While his team strengthen their skills and physical fitness through regular training, Joe took a basketball coaching course and received basketball coach accreditation late last year. Even though playing basketball is just a leisure activity, Joe tries his best to play and coach professionally and has become a passionate, dependable leader of the team.

Passing on valuable experience

Joe passed his passion for basketball down to his son, who sometimes appears at the Sanfield basketball team's training sessions and joins competitions with his father. Joe said his son would rather follow other people’s instructions than listening to him. "I took the basketball coaching course to help my son enhance his basketball skills, but he doesn't want to listen to me, even though I am a qualified coach!" he laughed. However, Joe believes that his efforts were not in vain, as he can give good advice to his team on the court and help them achieve outstanding results from another position. 

Joe said that some of the team members attended the A or B Division matches of Hong Kong Basketball League and have professional skills, but they need support from a team coach. "Even though they are skilful, they need an outsider to remind them of certain things and give advice to help them adjust their tactics when they make mistakes during a game." He said that he has a management role in the workplace, which is similar to being the coach on the basketball court. Both roles require you to observe your team members' performance and give suggestions at critical moments. He is happy to take on this role, as it helps create valuable team spirit.

The company recently organized a cooking class for colleagues and their children, providing them with a warm, sweet summer vacation memory. Under the instruction of a professional instructor, the participants followed simple recipes to make several adorable, delicious dishes with basic ingredients, including yellow rice balls in the shape of a cartoon duck, and a sweet corn chicken burger with broccoli cream sauce and caramel pudding. The participants enjoyed tasting their dishes and had a wonderful time of cooking together.

Colourful, odourless and elastic whipped-cream glue is a popular decoration material, which can give phone cases and other handicrafts a glittering coating with vibrant hues. Recently, the company organized several DIY workshop sessions for colleagues to learn how to make whipped-cream glue phone cases. Under the guidance of a professional instructor, our colleagues created unique phone cases with their favourite decorations. Take a look at their cute, appealing cases! 

Sanfield recently clinched the championship in the Construction Industry Basketball League 2023, organized by the Construction Industry Council, after engaging in a series of thrilling competitions. This year, the number of participating teams increased from 20 to 24, which allowed more basketball teams from the construction industry to take part in the exciting tournaments. With its strong, effective teamwork, Sanfield reached the finals in the Construction Industry Council Cup and seized the championship by defeating its opponents 50-31 in the final. 

To celebrate the upcoming Father's Day, the company organized a Father's Day DIY cake workshop for colleagues to make a handmade cake to show their heartfelt gratitude to the fathers in their families. Under the instruction of a professional cooking instructor, the participants focused on making their own unique, appetizing cakes to express the love and sweetness to their beloved dads.

To encourage our colleagues to exchange interests and knowledge and learn from each other during lunchtime, the Group Training Section launched Learn@Lunch, an online learning platform. In the latest session, Brownie Yu, of Kai Shing, the Group's property management subsidiary, shared his interest in making Japanese home meals with our colleagues. 

Brownie has extensive knowledge of Japanese cuisine. In the webinar, he introduced the difference and use of various Japanese seasonings and demonstrated how to make an appetizing 'tonkatsu' (pork chop cutlet) meal set.

The company values sustainable development and promotes the importance of nature conservation among colleagues. Recently, the company provided colleagues and their families with an opportunity to join a World Wide Fund for Nature ecological tour in the Mai Po Nature Reserve and Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre, with a quota of 25 participants per tour. Under the tutelage of professional nature interpreters, the participants learned interesting facts about nature, as well as sustainable living and environmental conservation. 

Hoi Ha Wan marine education tour – The marine park in Hoi Ha Wan provides a habitat for over 60 coral and 120 fish species. Guided by conservation staff, the participants collected specimens of microorganisms in Hoi Ha Wan and took a glass-bottom boat ride to explore the coastal environment and ecology of the marine park. The tour introduced a variety of marine organisms, broadening the participants' horizons.

Mai Po Nature Reserve mangrove boardwalk tour – Established in 1984, the Mai Po Nature Reserve covers over 380 hectares. Led by a nature interpreter, the participants walked along the floating boardwalk as they learned about and enjoyed the view of a wonderful diversity of mangroves and organisms. They also explored the unique mudflat ecology from a birdwatching hide.