F REIGN TRADE - 中国国际贸易促进委员会

James and Leeshan took further measuresto competitively differentiate theirapartments through renovations andservice improvement. For example,many of their apartments are equippedwith the highest internet network speedpossible, which attracts high quality andprofessional residents. They also spendsignificant time in shaping the apartmentenvironment, including speciallandscape design and bold, bright paintcolors on the buildings. The differentiationworks well, catching people’s eyesas they drive by and clearly distinguishingtheir properties from the masses.Other thoughtful changes alsomake a difference. To better matchresidents’ preferences, Leeshan installedceramic tiles and laminate wood floorsin the apartments, instead of carpet, asthe latter is often thought to be harderto clean, hot and a source of allergies.These improvements helped to dramaticallyincrease the properties popularity,competitiveness, and most importantly,their occupancy rate.The economic slowdown also ledto higher unemployment rate, and manypeople living in the Birneys’ apartmentslost their jobs, finding it hard to paythe rent. Leeshan was sympathetic tothe residents’ predicaments and workedhard to try and create job opportunitiesfor her residents. She opened up morepositions within the company and usedher network to help residents find jobs.She also worked with several charityorganizations to help apply for rent subsidiesfor the residents when they qualified.For those new immigrants whodo not speak English, Leeshan wouldfind ways to provide jobs that need noEnglish knowledge, like mowing grassor painting. Leeshan also hired aroundthe-clocksecurity guards, to improvethe security of residents returning homelate at night. As a result of these efforts,she won the “Golden Lantern Award”from Asian American Family Services.Noting that people’s needs werechanging, Leeshan adjusted the closingtime of the work day to 7pm in the highrental season in summer, to help clientswho need to rent houses after work. Shealso studied the financial reports to cutunnecessary costs when maintainingthe housing quality. Moreover, takinginto consideration the instability of theSelected Press Reports on Leeshan Chuang Birney* Chinese21.com – Outstanding FemaleChinese- American Entrepreneur(2012)* S-B-S.Net & China.com – Entrepreneurand Role Model Award, US PortraitPostage Stamp and Post Card – LeeshanC. Birney issued by US Post Bureau(2011)* Asian American Family Services –Golden Lantern Award (2011)* International Leadership Foundation– International Leadership Award(2011)* World Chinese Venture Model Association- World Chinese Top 10 EnterprisingModels / World Chinese Model CelebritiesPortrait Stamp issued by China StatePost Bureau (2011)* World Chinese Model EntrepreneurAssociation - The Title of Chinese Star Top100 (2011)* Chinese21.com – Outstanding ChineseEntrepreneur Award (2011)* International Leadership Foundation– Regional Leadership Award (2010)* The State of Texas – Yellow Rose ofTexas (2010)* Chinese Community Center – TheExcellence of Community DevelopmentAward (2009)* Texas State Representative – Commendation:SW Houston and ChinatownImprovements (2009)* Chinese Professional Club – CorporateImpact Award (2008)* University of Houston Law Center- Arrivals Awards for Immigrant Achievement(2007)* The New York Times – “A Real EstateMogul’s Unusual Path” (2005)* Houston Chronicle –“Stone MountainBreathes New Life into Area ApartmentCommunities” (2009)* Chinese Fortune – “RenownedSouth US ‘Apartment Empress’ LeeshanChuang Birney” (2010)Awards of Leeshan Chuang Birneycurrent economic climate, Leeshan cancelledthe 6-12 month contract system,to offer more flexible short-term leasesto dwellers. She also provides temporarycorporate housing that includes homefurnishings and extra services.Always an entrepreneur, Leeshandiversified her investments into* Chinese Community Center – Saluteto Asian American All Stars Family Award(2006)* OCA (Overseas Chinese Association)- Honors outstanding Asian Americans(2006)* State of Texas Governor’s Award –Global Business Achievement Hall of FameRecipient (2005)* Asian Chamber of Commerce (Houston)Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2002& 2005)* Mayor Bill White Award for publishingCrime Prevention Booklet in Chineseand English (2004)* Global Federation of Chinese BusinessWomen (GFCBW) – the Top 10Chinesebusiness women in the world. – Taipei,Taiwan (2001)* American Association of UniversityWomen International Fellowship, 2 years* NYU-GBA Research Assistantship;NYU-GBA Tuition Academic Scholarshipother areas during the financial crisis,including mineral water projects inChangbai Mountain, China. Also thereputation of her enthusiasm for publicservice has helped Stone Mountainto withstand the financial crisis andmarch on towards a path of furthergrowth.69