Reprinted with persmission of the San Francisco Business Times. 2001, All Rights Reserved. Powered by ; Reprinted exclusively by Scoop ReprintSource 1-800-767-3263

BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY

Essential business philosophy:
We focus on value creation and a long-term business philosophy. We focus on long-term relationships. It's very much a part of the Asian culture.

Best way to keep competitive edge:
It's important to create a learning culture in the firm. For instance, I encourage my partners to attend trade shows and read a lot especially in this very tricky market. This learning helps you pick the next big wave to ride.

Guiding principle:
My guiding principle is based on honor, integrity and being up-front and fair. I'm a big believer in "servant leadership." By serving you assume leadership. It's a humble approach to leadership that can foster a lot of respect and loyalty.

Reprinted Yardstick of success:
Building long-term business relationships. Our No. 1 priority is to our limited partners and in the process creating essential companies.

Goal yet to be achieved:
To be a tier one venture capital firm globally. I think we're tier one in Asia, but we want to be globally as well.

JUDGMENT CALLS

Best business decision:
My timing has been very good. In 1997-'98 before the Asian currency crisis, we saw it coming so we waited to fund investments. We then had dry power to take advantage of opportunities. Timing is everything.

Worst business decision:
I made an investment in a country where we didn't have a local office, so we didn't fully understand the local culture. I will never do that again.

Toughest business decision:
Being faced with a trusted partner who is no longer growing with the firm. This can be inside our firm or in a portfolio company where the business has outgrown their talent.

Mentor:
One of my biggest mentors has been my mother. She encouraged me to be disciplined and pursue education. My mom tells me I'm a drop-out because I don't have a doctorate.

Word that best describes you:
Humble.

TRUE CONFESSIONS

Like best about job:
Creating value by helping to build companies that generate a sustainable return to be a going concern and have a culture that attracts the most talented to create customer satisfaction.

Like least about job:
Being away from family.

Pet peeve:
My biggest frustration is not being able to squeeze in all the meetings I want to in a day or to read all of my e-mails and listen to my voicemails on the day they arrive. And I'm a very efficient person.

Most important lesson learned:
To be patient and put yourself in the other person's shoes to understand where he's coming from.

Three greatest passions:
New technology, education and helping unfortunate people, especially in developing countries, get back to having productive lives.

First choice for a new career:
Professor

PREDILECTIONS

Favorite quote:
"Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." - Book of Proverbs

Most influential book:
"The Life You Always Wanted," by John Ortberg.

Favorite status symbol:
The successful companies I've backed.

Favorite movie:
"It's a Wonderful Life."

Favorite Restaurant:
Oshu, a Japanese restaurant in Millbrae.

Favorite vacation spot:
Beaver Creek, Colo.

Favorite way to spend free time:
Fishing one-on-one with my sons, 12 and 9.

Automobile:
BMW 750 iL.

RESUME

Name:
Lip-Bu Tan

Title:
Founder and Chairman

Company:
Walden International, the San Francisco-based venture capital firm.

Background:
Tan, a venture capitalist with almost 20 years of high-tech and VC experience, focuses on nurturing startups in Asia and the United States as head of Walden International. He also serves on the board of trustees at the University of San Francisco.

Education:
Master's degree in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; M.B.A. from the University of San Francisco; bachelor's in physics from Nanyang University, Singapore.

Residence:
Oakland.

- Mark Calvey