This is the last of a three-part series featuring extracts and information from Faces Of Fortune, a new book that 'reads' the faces of 20 of Asia's most prominent tycoons.
UNDERSTANDING why we behave the way we do has never been more important in business than now. Time and again, behaviourists have pointed out that, in a given situation, people continuously react in the same way.
Success in investments does not correlate with IQ, What is needed is the ability to control the impulses that often get people into trouble in investing.
Why? Because the stock market, with its allure of easy money and fast action, impels people into senseless mismanagement of their hard-earned money.
So how does one decide which stock or company to bet on?
In Faces Of Fortune, author Tee Lin Say uses mian xiang (face reading) to pick out 20 of Asia's most prominent tycoons, and then explain why investors should place money on their companies over the next 10 years.
Tan Sri Francis Yeoh, YTL Group
He recently told Malaysians to say "Yes" to YTL Communication Sdn Bhd's 4G wireless broadband service.
Who hasn't heard of Tan Sri Francis Yeoh, head honcho of the YTL Group of companies, who has his hand in businesses involving power, utilities, cement, construction, real estate, information technology and leisure?
The group has grown multi-fold from just a construction firm founded by his father, Yeoh Tiong Lay, some five decades ago.
Although Yeoh senior built up the company to a respected level, it wasn't until Francis (as he is popularly known) - the eldest of his seven children - introduced power and utilities to the stable that it began to draw investor interest.
So, among his seven listed companies, which one should we pay close attention to?
If you knew face reading, the answer is simple enough - YTL Land Bhd.
When it comes to gauging how many properties a person can amass in his lifetime, we always look at his Property Palace (located between the eyebrow and eye), together with the Wealth Palace (the nose).
Can you see how wide Francis' Property Palace is? He also has an extremely favourable Wealth Palace - it is long and bulbous, and the nostrils are not visible from the front.
His nose wings are also wide, indication of a strong ability to generate plenty of income, and not just from core channels. He clearly has the makings of a successful property developer.
Francis also has what is called "chicken beak ears" (commonly associated with thinkers) - the top part is much larger than the bottom. These ears show that he thrives in fields that involve technical details.
He is very careful and may often ask "unnecessary" questions or be unduly anxious about his work. But, at the end of the day, the results he produces tend towards perfection.
Francis is now 57, or 58 in Chinese years. Over the next few years, his age points will move to his mouth, which looks favourable. The size of his mouth corresponds with the scope of his influence and success.
So it really isn't just talk. He is likely to succeed in turning Sentul in Kuala Lumpur into something akin to New York's SoHo district!
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, AirAsia Group
Last month, AirAsia Bhd ordered 200 new A320s worth some RM54.6bil - the largest airline order ever. An analyst says the move will help it become the second largest carrier in the world, after Southwest Airlines.
Are we surprised that AirAsia has inked this deal?
No! Based on the face of its flamboyant group chief executive officer, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, no one comes close to nudging him off his pole position.
Fernandes, who is also the founder of Tune Air Sdn Bhd, introduced the first no-frills airline to Malaysians using the tagline, "Now everyone can fly".
The former record company executive had to mortgage his house, dump in all his savings and rope in a few friends as investors, to set up AirAsia.
What is in his face that shows his enterprise?
First up, Fernandes' nose is long and broad, and his nose wings (which represent age point 49 and 50) are sturdy. This is assurance of stability in character and wealth.
A big nose denotes a person with a big ego, someone who is very sure of himself. Fernandes, who will be 48 in 2012, or 49 in Chinese years, is definitely ambitious and has an unwavering belief in his ideas - he had forged ahead with AirAsia even when everyone thought he would fail.
Character-wise, he is magnanimous and honourable. The Chinese would say he has "no poison in his heart".
In mian xiang, the main source of one's wealth is seen in the nose tip, while nose wings typically show one's ability to amass wealth through multiple streams. As Fernandes' nose wings are wide, he will flourish in his other ventures, although his core business will continue to make the most money.
You will notice that his eyes are small and long - they appear as two streaks of light peeping above his chubby cheeks.
Well, these eyes have it. They show that he is capable and determined - give him any task and he will complete it to the best of his ability. They also "speak" of his foresight when it comes to planning ahead.
Fernandes' eyes also reveal a touch of cunning. But this should not be viewed negatively; one could even say that this characteristic has helped him make AirAsia the best budget airline in the region.
Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Genting Group
The late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong took seven years to complete the construction of Genting Highlands Resort, which opened in 1971. Four decades on, the Genting Group has evolved into a multibillion ringgit gaming entity, with operations in Malaysia, Singapore, Britain and the United States.
Its latest project is a resort in Miami, which came after the company won the bid last August to build a video lottery facility at the Aqueduct Racetrack in New York City.
At the helm of the Genting empire is Lim's second son, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay. What is it in the latter's face that shows the group will continue to flourish?
The answer clearly lies in Kok Thay's eyebrows. He has what is termed "double eyebrows", which are very rare. On a leader, they are an assuring sign that he will succeed in whatever he sets out to do.
Kok Thay will be 60 in 2012, or 61 in Chinese years. The age point for 61 is the centre of the lower lip, also known as the Cheng Jiang.
Kok Thay's position 61 is smooth, with no indentations or scars. Furthermore, it is complemented by a very wide mouth; that alone works in his favour. Furthermore, his lips are thick and have clear borders.
These physical attributes confirm what is already evident - he is influential and has the required skills to take his organisation to the next level.
His big mouth also indicates that by nature, he is energetic and ambitious, and sets high targets for himself. More importantly, he has the stamina and passion to drive his aspirations.
Anyone with such a large mouth would surely want to be in control. In Kok Thay's case, he is likely to succeed. We say this because he has an extremely strong chin, which is not only broad but protruding, and a very favourable Wealth Palace; his nostrils are covered and his nose tip dips downwards.
Thus, we are convinced that Genting's plans to become a much larger entity are rock solid.
Faces of Fortune: The 20 Tycoons To Bet On Over The Next 10 Years will be available at Joey Yap's 'Wealth & Destiny' seminar in Kuala Lumpur on July 31, and leading bookstores from August. Visit masteryacademy.com or call 03-2284 8080.
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