MISSION: “EXPLORING NEW OPPORTUNITIES” FOR SCGP

“I joined SCGP as an engineer for the Innovation and Product Development Center. I was in charge of paper development before receiving a corporate scholarship to pursue Master’s and Doctoral degrees in paper & pulp in the United States between 1997 and 2003. Upon my return, I was appointed an analyst at the Business Planning Division. That job was a turning point because it enabled me to see a bigger business picture. I learnt a lot from senior staffs and thus was able to look at investments from various perspectives. When I later returned to the center as a senior researcher, I brought along technical and business understanding. Now at the helm of the center. I have striven to ensure that our researches have greater commercial potential.

“Our work is about exploring new business opportunities or identifying New S-Curve. We are entrusted with this mission because our team has solid capabilities, knowledge, expertise, and tools. SCGP can do much more than packaging. For example, eucalyptus plantations, herbal farming, and extracting Cordyceps for dietary-supplement production. We are confident that SCGP will be able to develop many more new businesses in the future.

“After getting an assignment, we identify goals and draw up innovation & product development plans. Everyone in the relevant department must see the same picture for plan and implementation. The plan must resonate with the SCGP’s vision and business opportunities. Senior executives will oversee the direction and help to allocate resources such as human resources and tools or to fine-tune clear targets from our plans.”

UNDERSTANDING DIVERSITY & EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

“I used to supervise just a few subordinates. But as my team grows bigger and so do my work goals, I need to collaborate with many internal and external units. Communications therefore are extremely important.

“Each customer has different needs. We need to be persuasive to ensure that customers understand the values of what we are doing for them. During SCGP’s ongoing overseas business expansions and increasing focus on specialized businesses, we need to communicate well too to clearly understand customers’ pain points. That’s how we can develop products and services that match their needs and importantly generate returns for our company as well.

“I enjoy taking action because it leads to answers. When we do things, we will know where good points lie and where improvements are needed. People from different generations may have different traits. Gen Y and Gen Z have placed a stronger emphasis on Work-Life Balance when compared with people of the previous generations. So, I try to ensure they can maintain that balance. One of soft skills that I currently apply is empathizing people who work around me. I try to understand people and communicate effectively with them. We focus on goals. If there are obstacles, we address them together. Communications are made at both personal and group levels. But of course, one–on–one conversations usually make people open up more. I try to inspire and energize them. I allow them to unwind or take a break so that they can recharge themselves and come back with better energy.

“On cross-function projects, I understand that each unit has different focus. So, when doing such projects, communication will make all sides see how important the project is and how it will benefit to SCGP and customers. Professional work with strong collaboration within SCGP, in my view, plays a big role in enhancing SCGP’s brand image as top-of-mind brand on a sustainable basis.”

WORK-LIFE INTEGRATION

“I may seem like a workaholic. But in fact, I just need to work harder because I take care dozens of staff. I always try to find time for myself and my family as well. “I always enjoy working and inspire to do my best. I always try to find new ideas and break away from routines. I have hardly had any low points. It’s just that I sometimes want to take a break to do my hobbies. I like gardening, which started during my OptiBreath project development. To develop this product that extends fresh produces’ shelf life, I talked to farmers and farm owners for data collection. I was very much into the things they do. Then, I have come up with my gardening hobby.

“For me, getting jobs done needs two things. Firstly, we should have passion. That’s how we will be excited to go to work everyday. Secondly, we should be knowledge seekers. I don’t think I am good at everything. But I trust that we can build something from what we know and learn. We can create from what we have learned from others. Their ideas may induce our perspectives and boost our creativity. I can exchange viewpoints with team members or others for innovation development.”

“Learning has no bounds. Today, we can access information easily. Specialists are also more willing to share their knowledge. So, if only we have the courage to learn new things, our field of knowledge can be very vast.”