Tag Archives: spotlight

On career path, there are various opportunities for self-improvements. Some materialize in the form of overseas postings. Appreciating what he has learned during his stint outside Thailand, Mr. Taninchot “Saam” Polpattanawatch encourages everyone to step out of their comfort zone and embrace emerging opportunities.   SELF-IMPROVEMENT: LEARN, AGILE, AND MOVE TOWARDS “MOBILITY” “I was initially an engineer. But over time, I had also been assigned to handle quite many business-expansion projects. Looking ahead, I thought it would be a good opportunity and interesting challenge to work overseas. That’s why I volunteered for our firm’s project in the Philippines,” Mr. Taninchot said. “My job there was to install machines for the firm’s production-capacity increase. I was keen to go there because I was interested in learning more, as well as in communicating and interacting with foreigners. When exposed to new culture, I adjusted and acculturated. Thai senior staff there also gave me useful advice.” “In Philippines, people communicate in Tagalog and English. So, I got opportunities to improve my English listening and speaking,” he continued, “Tagalog was quite difficult. Filipinos showed appreciation even when I could speak just some basic Tagalog words, though.” “During holidays, Filipino colleagues usually invited Thai staff to join their activities so that we could know more about their culture. People there were friendly and their lifestyle was a lot like Thais’. Valuing their family, Filipinos usually spend their weekend with family members. They also embrace colleagues as family,” he added.   COLLABORATE ON DIVERSITY, OVERCOME ALL CHALLENGES “I am impressed with how everyone worked towards the same goal there. All staff explored various means to achieve that goal step by step, with smaller goals along the way. We learned together in our learning experience. When the first wave of COVID-19 hit, everyone expressed concerns about machine-installing team’s safety. As we collaborated, we could overcome challenges,” Mr. Taninchot said. “At work, I sometimes work beyond my scope of duties so to facilitate work flow. I pay attention to not just my work but also that of relevant staff. “Today, SCGP has expanded its businesses to several countries namely Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Britain, and Spain. This means staff will have more opportunities to work overseas. I would like to recommend that you grasp these opportunities. Working overseas will expand your horizons and expose you to new culture. It is a good way for self-improvements and further learning. As staff become more capable, our organization will become even stronger, agile, and very adaptive even in the face of today’s fast-changing situation,” he concluded.    

In the face of consumers’ changing behaviors, SCGP has constantly developed products, services and solutions. Mr. Karan Tejasen, SCGP’s Chief Operating Officer, Performance and Polymer Packaging Business, has not just witnessed but also actively engaged in such process himself because he has built his remarkable career at the firm. Below are what he has shared with P-DNA.   CAREER PATH & ADVANCEMENT Mr. Karan first joined SCGP in 1988, landing a job at its Ban Pong Plant. At that time, the firm was expanding its business from just packaging-paper production to the manufacturing of printing and writing paper. “I was initially in charge of engineering work. But I was later assigned to oversee the production of high-quality art paper. After eight years under SCGP, I got a scholarship from the Federation of Thai Industries to study paper manufacturing in Scotland for nearly one year. Upon my return, SCG also gave me a scholarship to study at the Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration of Chulalongkorn University. Completing my MBA studies in 1999, I returned to my work and was reassigned to the marketing field,” he said. “At that time, the firm focused on packaging paper because it had just increased its manufacturing capacity for this product. As I was in charge of its marketing and support, I helped the firm expand its business in the Philippines and Vietnam. After carrying out branding for Siam Kraft Industry Company Limited, I was appointed its Marketing Director. I had overseen this business for about one decade before I was transferred to Thai Containers Group, Navanakorn Plant. But just months after the transfer, big flood hit the plant in 2011. Handling the situation and rehabilitating the business in the wake of the flood posed a challenge. But as I managed to put the plant back on track, I was later given a business integration role and oversaw more of the company’s businesses. “In 2015, SCG Paper rebranded itself as SCG Packaging and developed Flexible Packaging business through its partnership with enterprises in the Philippines and Vietnam. We later started developing rigid packaging and high-performance packaging too in line with our vision to become Packaging Solutions Provider. Now, we have expanded our business to medical materials with Spain as our first base in this field. This reflects how we have found new business opportunities for our continued growth,” Mr. Karan continued.   SEEK OPPORTUNITIES & LEARN TOGETHER FOR INNOVATIONS In Mr. Karan’s opinion, the current challenge is about developing innovations for consumers as it takes both vision and keen explorations. “We need to observe customers closely and look beyond customers. The bottom line is consumers. To get new opportunities and innovations, everyone in our organization must contribute, learn more and brainstorm. We must be a learning organization, with our members sharing experiences, ideas and viewpoints. Together, we then will be able to deliver what customers are looking for,” Mr. Karan concluded. BUILD TRUST & ENABLE EXPERIMENTS Entrusted with management affairs, Mr. Karan bolsters the confidence of his team by giving team members opportunities to express opinions and prove their performance. “To empower personnel, we need to foster trust. When staff finds our team reliable and fair, they will be keen to contribute. All are welcome to share and debate. I place a strong emphasis on such culture because when an organization is big, young members are usually prone to listen only. In my team, I have encouraged expression and contributions from all. I have authorized experiments even when concepts are not yet perfect so that my team members can learn,” Mr. Karan reveals.   DRIVE ORGANIZATION AS CO-OWNERS “We are a listed company. All of us co-own our organization. So, I have encouraged staff to work as co-owners. Such approach is important at the time the new generation wants to be entrepreneurs,” Mr. Karan pointed out. “A core element of our culture is collaboration. It always takes time to achieve excellence in a field. It takes devotion, accumulated knowledge and more. So, to get all these elements, our organizations’ members must first have the sense of ownership. “I also seriously encourage our staff to keep learning. Today, there are various sources of information and knowledge that we can access. Apart from training prepared by the firm, you should learn on your own too. Ask yourself why you do this or that because that may lead to better changes. We don’t have to stick to the old way of working. We can adjust for better results,” Mr. Karan concluded.

  “Delicious, Functional, and Affordable” form the key concept of Srinanaporn Marketing Public Company Limited, which has produced and distributed snacks under many famous brands such as Jele and Bento. Boasting quality products, the firm has been growing strong throughout the past three decades, Today, therefore, has conducted an interview with Mr. Thakorn Chaisathaporn, the firm’s Senior Executive Vice President – Business Division 2, to learn about his business strategies and his family business’ path to provide Thais’ favorite snacks.   Transforming Family Business into Thais’ Top-of-The-Mind Snack Maker His family business was initially a wholesaler of snacks based in Bangkok’s Mahanak Market. Within 10 years, the business grew so big that it ranked among the country’s top snack dealers as its customer base expanded across all provinces. Over time, the business expanded to the manufacturing sector as well. It started producing various snacks, including wafers and biscuits. Mr. Thakorn stepped into the firm around the time it began exporting its products to Malaysia and Singapore. “When I returned from my overseas education in late 1990, I thought about producing products for Thai market because we had an extensive network of dealers in provinces. I also noticed that shopping complexes would be a growing market. So, my family decided to found Srinanaporn. Our first brand is Good Good, which features dried fruits. Then, we bought jelly-making machines and entered shopping complexes with Jele brand in 1992. Backed by marketing activities, Jele received quite a good response. After its launch, it became the No. 2 brand in its segment,” Mr. Thakorn revealed. At that time, konjaku was growing popular. Mr. Thakorn thus commissioned his team to add konjaku into the firm’s products and sold them under Jele Light brand based on the concept of “Delicious & Refreshing Snack for Full Stomach”. The firm also added various other nutrients including collagen and vitamins to its products under Jele Beautie brand, which has been the leader in this ready-to-drink jelly product segment. Bento came to the market in 1996, because the firm noticed an opportunity in the fish-snack market. Later on, the firm has also launched various other products such as stick biscuits under Lotus brand, pineapple crackers, coconut juice, black-jelly juice, and herbal drinks under Magic Farm brand. The latest brand from the firm, AQUAVITZ, entered the market in 2020 with its vitamin-containing water. “We have discovered inspirations for business development all the time. Guided by clear policies, we have constantly studied markets and consumer behaviors. Information has been used to develop both our products and distribution channels for customer satisfaction. Today, we have four main product categories, namely 1) Jelly products; 2) Seafood snacks; 3) Biscuits and wafers; and 4) Beverages,” Mr. Thakorn explained. Customer-Centric Approach Drives Growth Srinanaporn’s goal is to establish itself as the region’s leading snack/beverage manufacturer. In pursuit of this goal, the firm has embraced customer-centric approach and environmentally-friendly operations. “Focusing on consumers, we produce delicious and functional products and sell them at affordable prices. Moreover, we pay attention to the environment because we are not just a manufacturer but also corporate citizen. We are doing our best to be eco-friendly,” Mr. Thakorn revealed. “As for packaging, our collaboration with SCGP has led to Green Carton. Friendlier to the environment than the previous version of packages, Green Cartons have curbed paper usage by 30 to 40 percent but have proven as efficient in protecting products. Our Jele packets, through our efforts, have also become increasingly recyclable. At our factory, we have used solar power where we can. Waste is minimized through an emphasis on reuse. All these measures are taken without compromising our quality and standard,” this executive quipped. Solution & Sincerity from Business Partner While environmentally-friendly Srinanaporn demands green solutions, it also looks for sincerity from its business partners in pursuit of sustainable collaborations. “We choose Green Carton by SCGP, because it has good quality with reasonable price. We need to pay attention to cost because we aim to deliver products to consumers at an affordable price as well. SCGP responds to our needs in all aspects – price, quality, functionality, and environmental friendliness. We aim to tap further into the retail market in the future as we have recognized opportunities from vending machines. We believe SCGP’s Flexible Packaging will suit our business plans well,” Mr. Thakorn continued. “We have embraced SCGP as our long-time partner mainly on two grounds. Firstly, SCGP owns a number of technologies and offers various green solutions. Secondly, SCGP is sincere. We have always received great cooperation from SCGP. As the development of our eco-friendly products and packaging continues, we really hope that SCGP will continue to support us in our journey,” he concluded.

  When New Year approaches, people usually come up with new resolutions to change their behaviors, living, and working for the better. Mr. Sompob Witworrasakul, Chief Regional Officer, SCGP and General Director – Vina Kraft Paper Company Limited, is therefore here with us today to share his motivational experiences and ideas that promise to inspire great New Year’s resolutions.   ENGINEER WITH RICH EXPERIENCES Mr. Sompob joined SCGP about 30 years ago as an engineer at the Ban Pong plant of Siam Kraft Industry Company Limited. He would later participate in most manufacturing units. “I worked for the manufacturing, manufacturing support and maintenance. As the company was expanding at that time, I was offered opportunities to take on various roles at Ban Pong and Wang Sala plants. Over time, I had also acquired various skills and vast knowledge,” he recounted. “Then, I got a scholarship to study pulp and paper in the United States. During my time there, I picked up not just new technological knowledge but also English fluency. After I completed my study, I was sent to the Philippines for a three-year stint. I would later come back to work in Thailand for a long period of time, during which I’d seen the overall picture of SCGP businesses. Now, I have moved to Vietnam and overseen marketing and sales operations too,” he continued.   DYNAMIC RESPONSE TO CUSTOMERS’ NEEDS To Mr. Sompob, his current job is quite challenging given his engineering background. Yet, he is confident that his rich work experience has already equipped him with practical perspectives. “While working at the plant, I had also learnt about paying attention to customers. As an engineer, I had to solve various problems at hand and constantly create new things. I considered all internal units I worked with as customers. So, I am well prepared to deal with customers. Feedback from internal units is frank. These internal customers are sometimes even more demanding,” he explained. “Another big lesson from internal customers was dynamics. They sought growth. So, when we had interesting innovative services and products, they eagerly embraced our proposed solutions. Over time, we grew together. Such work process can apply well to external customers too,” Mr. Sompob concluded.   “GIVE IT A TRY!” : BEGINNING OF SUCCESS Today, customers have constantly looked for new solutions. SCGP, therefore, has dynamically explored new things. As an executive, Mr. Sompob has steered the exploration and encouraged new development all the time. “We are always thinking about creating something new. It’s okay if we fail sometimes because failure has at least offered a lesson. Aside, a product that failed to tap into the market may later become a best-seller at the right time later on. When we decided to experiment with solar roofs, we approached government agencies for joint development. When my staff presented an interesting idea, my common reply was ‘Let’s give it a try!’. Such approach has spawned new businesses,” he quipped. “I personally appreciate and encourage a sense of accomplishment. When a product is successfully launched, I inform my team of the small win. It’s a way to motivate and inspire my team. If our new product does not sell well, I teach my team to accept the results and see what we have learnt. Success does not necessarily mean impressive sales only. We can learn from our experiences and keep experimenting,” he explained. As an executive, Mr. Sompob has also found a way to manage cultural diversity and generation gap. Even though members of different cultural or age groups may not fully understand one another, they are nudged to embrace diversity and find ways to connect. “I have used various tools to handle generation gaps. I cannot act like young people but I know whom I can assign to manage our young members. Regarding cultural differences, I think we are not that different. This was probably I had worked at a regional level before. All members, regardless of which country they are based, are SCGP people,” he added.   ENDLESS LEARNING, FOCUS ON DELIVERING GOOD THINGS TO SOCIETY Mr. Sompob has encouraged all to create value for themselves, even if the process may take time and hard work. “Our organization has many talents. If you are not sure about something, ask those who know. When you start collaborating with others, you hone your social skills and enhance your own work. This tip applies internally as well as externally,” he said. “On social and environmental responsibility, I would like to emphasize that SCGP focuses on creating better things. For example, many of our projects – if successful – will curb the use of resources or add value to the world. We can be proud of what we have been doing,” Mr. Sompob concluded.  

  In the face of coming change, give yourself an opportunity to try something new.  Today, we interviewed two account executives or AEs who have taken over consumer product accounts. As their new role requires them to get closer to consumers, let’s find out how they are dealing with challenges.   “FEEDBACK IS POWER. LISTENING TO EVERY VOICE.”   “My old accounts were of B to B (Business to Business) type. I sold industrial products to manufacturers by dealing with entrepreneurs or purchasing department. This way, if a product did not suit customers, we could directly discuss with customers and plan improvements. A B to C (Business to Consumer) account is different. It is quite difficult to interact with end-consumers. Marketing communications, therefore, are both important and challenging. I had to change my mindset and many things. “First of all, I became very open-minded as I was stepping out of my comfort zone. When collaborating with other units, we have to focus on common goal which is customers’ needs. We have to listen to others to find the best solutions for customers. After product launch, we get all kinds of feedback. Praise is taken as inspiration. Comments, meanwhile, are used to improve our products further. “I pursue outside in product development through collaboration with other internal units. In my view, a product is like my kid. If I want it to grow well and prosper, I must build solid foundation for it, groom it and provide support as it grows. “Each day, I mainly do two things. Firstly, I collaborate with other units to facilitate workflow for maximum efficiency and speed with minimum mistakes. I have used the catch ball approach. Secondly, I deal with multitasking. On some days, I may face disappointment. But I look for small wins in each day so as to motivate myself and do my best every day.” Parinyaporn Ssangsuk (Pla) Account Executive – Consumer Product, SCGP     “COLLABORATE WITH SENSE OF OWNERSHIP & SPEED.”   “Just like Pla, I used to handle B to B accounts. When I was assigned to B to C accounts, work became very different. To get close to consumers, we need to do much more than walking into their door. “We need to find ways to communicate with consumers and study promotions. We must learn more and acquire more information so as to make our products more relevant. In challenging work environment, sense of ownership and flexibility mean a lot. Consumers can today buy products anytime. Consumer-behavior study reveals purchases are now mostly made during the night. So, we must be ready to service them and close deals during those hours. If we have a sense of ownership, we will be ready to serve anytime. “Speed is also very important. Consumer behaviors are changing fast. We need to keep pace and have the courage to make a decision based on accurate information. Marketing activities must be catered to impress consumers at the right time. “My goal is to deliver a product in response to consumers’ needs within a proper timeframe. To achieve this goal, I serve as a key mechanism to foster the collaboration of various units. As I cannot do everything alone, I seek to nudge all relevant units to work towards the same shared goals. “My work principle is mainly passion. If we have passion for our job, we will be ready for any challenges. We will explore various means to get things done. We will wake up and head to work happily every day.”   Surapat Sawaengsak (Deaw) Account Executive – Consumer Product, SCGP    

โลกกำลังเผชิญปัญหาการเพิ่มขึ้นของประชากรอย่างต่อเนื่อง ส่งผลให้เกิดใช้ทรัพยากรธรรมชาติเพิ่มขึ้นอย่างไม่หยุดยั้ง รวมถึงปัญหาสิ่งแวดล้อมที่ทวีความรุนแรงขึ้นอย่างต่อเนื่อง ทั้งการเปลี่ยนแปลงภูมิอากาศ ขยะล้นโลก ซึ่งเป็นประเด็นสำคัญที่ทุกภาคส่วนต้องร่วมมือกันแก้ไข SCGP จึงได้นำหลักเศรษฐกิจหมุนเวียนมาใช้ในการดำเนินธุรกิจ ให้เกิดการหมุนเวียนทรัพยากรและพลังงานในระบบอย่างคุ้มค่าและเกิดประโยชน์สูงสุดทั้งในมิติด้านสิ่งแวดล้อม สังคม เศรษฐกิจ ภายใต้บรรษัทภิบาล เราจึงมุ่งมั่นสร้างความเข้าใจ ร่วมจุดประกาย และส่งเสริมความร่วมมือ เพื่อสนับสนุนให้เกิดการเปลี่ยนแปลงทั้งในกระบวนการผลิต เพื่อลดการใช้ทรัพยากรธรรมชาติและสามารถนำกลับมาหมุนเวียนใช้ใหม่ โดยเฉพาะการจัดการวัสดุเหลือใช้ในครัวเรือนซึ่งเป็นดูแลแก้ไขตั้งแต่ต้นทาง และป้องกันการเสียโอกาสในการนำไปรีไซเคิล   แนวทางปฏิบัติตามหลักเศรษฐกิจหมุนเวียน การใช้ทรัพยากร (Resource use) การใช้วัตถุดิบที่ได้จากการรีไซเคิลและการใช้ซ้ำ หรือการเลือกใช้ทรัพยากรที่มาจาก Renewable Resources ในการผลิตสินค้า และการใช้พลังงานทดแทนในกระบวนการผลิต  การออกแบบ (Design) เพื่อให้มีความทนทาน และมีอายุการใช้งานยาวนานขึ้น สามารถการแยกชิ้นส่วนเพื่อรีไซเคิล หรือใช้ซ้ำ หรือผลิตภัณฑ์ที่ใช้ทรัพยากรน้อยลงแต่คุณภาพยังคงเดิม การผลิต (Produce) โดยใช้ทรัพยากรอย่างมีประสิทธิภาพสูงสุด และการใช้เครื่องจักรอัตโนมัติ เพื่อเพิ่มความแม่นยำในกระบวนการผลิต ซึ่งส่งผลให้ของเสียจากกระบวนการผลิต การใช้น้ำและพลังงานลดลง การขนส่ง (Distribute) ส่งเสริมระบบขนส่งที่เป็นมิตรต่อสิ่งแวดล้อม และใช้ระบบการเช่าสินค้า และ Sharing Platform เพื่อให้การขายและขนส่งมีประสิทธิภาพมากขึ้น รวมถึงการใช้เทคโนโลยีดิจิทัลรวบรวมข้อมูลเพื่อให้เกิดการ Optimization ในขั้นตอนการขายและขนส่ง การใช้งานผลิตภัณฑ์ (Product Use) จากการออกแบบที่ทนทานมากขึ้น และง่ายต่อการแยกชิ้นส่วน พร้อมด้วยการบริการซ่อมบำรุง ทำให้การใช้ผลิตภัณฑ์เกิดประสิทธิภาพยาวนานมากที่สุดตลอดช่วงอายุการใช้งาน การกำจัด (Recycle) ผลิตภัณฑ์ที่สิ้นอายุจะผ่านกระบวนการจัดการที่เหมาะสมเพื่อหลีกเลี่ยงการส่งของเสียไปยังหลุมฝังหลบ เกิดการหมุนเวียนวัตถุดิบจากผลิตภัณฑ์ที่สิ้นอายุให้อยู่ในวงจรการผลิตและบริโภคให้นานที่สุด โดยประยุกต์ใช้กระบวนการนำกลับต่างๆ เช่น การใช้ซ้ำ การรีไซเคิล การนำกลับพลังงานจากขยะ  

DezpaX sprang into operation because its co-founders have shared the same mindset – pursuing self-development and having fun beating challenges. Recognizing not just customers’ pain points but also ample opportunities in the food-delivery segment, the co-founders started DezpaX by first joining SCG’s Corporate Startup project. As DezpaX has since gone from strength to strength, therefore it is ready for a complete spin-off. Within three years from its start, DezpaX is now also known as Packworks Co., Ltd.   Ready for New Challenges DezpaX focuses on achieving the fastest growth rate. Generally, startups have grown their business by 20 – 30 percent a month. For such big growth, DezpaX will need to rapidly expand its customer base with a perfect team and highly-efficient work system. Moreover, it will need to boost its credibility as it has already made a move to operate independently. To handle such big challenges, DezpaX is determined to promote shared goals among its members and streamline work process. If a problem emerges, brainstorming will be held. Tasks will then be prioritized and implementation will go ahead seriously until problems are solved.   One Stop Service with Customer Insight DezpaX, a total food packaging solutions provider, presents an application or e-commerce website whereby customers can get various forms of quality packages. Its integrated services include designs and logo printing. Offering affordable prices and instant quotes, DezpaX also accepts purchase orders round the clock. It delivers its products nationwide, with tracking system and clear delivery deadline. DezpaX has been the first provider to have combined packaging with printing services in the same delivery platform. This outstanding strength and practical differentiation enable DezpaX to answer well to customers’ needs. Three major customer groups of DezpaX are SMEs, food brands/chains, and street-food operators. DezpaX’s interesting positioning is rooted in its extensive market research, which identified pros and cons of products/services in the market as well as customers’ needs. DezpaX platform is developed for smart and fast delivery of what customers expect. There are even installment-plan options for customers ordering a big lot of packages – something that had never been offered in the market before. Moreover, Dezpax has monitored customers’ consumption behaviors to prepare products/services that best respond to their needs. At the heart of DezpaX operations is its Customer-Centric approach. It, therefore, stands out from all other competitors.   DezpaX’s Next Milestone Today, more corporate customers have ventured into food-delivery industry. DezpaX has thus prepared Corporate Solutions to give them extra convenience. These solutions are designed with corporate customers’ document process and credit terms in mind. For street-food vendors, DezpaX has prepared more offline marketing activities so as to access and serve them with greater efficiency. Packworks Co.,Ltc. (DezpaX) has already got SCGP as its first investor. But it intends to attract more investors so as to bolster its strengths further. For example, if a food-delivery operator jumps in, DezpaX will be able to significantly expand its market. If a bank agrees to invest, DezpaX payment system will be more efficient especially to SMEs. If foreign investors become interested, DezpaX will have more chances to expand across ASEAN region in the future.   ——————————————-   “SCGP members who have some business ideas should not forget that SCG and SCGP have various platforms to support them. There are Innovation or Internal Startup projects for them to join in. While you have to invest your time and energy, you get opportunities to test your ideas with real customers. So, just do it. Don’t worry about what if the ideas won’t work.”  Mr. Patompong Deepanya Chief Executive Officer, Packworks Co., Ltd. (DezpaX)   “The lucky ones are those who are ready when opportunities arrive. If there are stages for you to experiment and get advice recommendations from others, jump in. No damages will be done. There is no risk. Don’t be afraid of trying new things. Don’t worry about changes. Everything in this direction will lead to improvement and development.”   Ms. Passara Pinyopich Chief Operating Officer, Packworks Co., Ltd. (DezpaX)   “No matter what you do, do it seriously. I believe in the Action = Reaction theory. When we devote ourselves to something, we will get something in return. For example, we will acquire new skills, greater prudence, or sharper business sense. In the end, we have got benefits that may be invisible to naked eyes yet valuable. So, I really want to encourage all of you to act on your ideas…Do it and fight on.”   Mr. Settapat Silapasamai Chief Marketing Officer, Packworks Co., Ltd. (DezpaX)

  P-DNA has interviewed Mr. Danaidej Ketsuwan, the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO] of SCGP, to gain insight into his work style, work experience both in Thailand and overseas, as well as his inspiring self-development through the long years.   Changes are Common Mr. Danaidej first joined SCG through a position in its corporate planning office. During his three-year tenure there, he oversaw investment projects, feasibility analysis, and Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A). He was later assigned to the post of Vice President for Finance – United Pulp and Paper Co.,, Inc. (UPPC), the Philippines, under the wing of SCGP. “I had spent three years in the Philippines to manage the firm’s Finance and Procurement unit. When I later returned to Thailand, I was appointed the Business Manager of ‘Idea’ Brand at the time when ‘Idea Work’ was just launched. After two years with the brand, I returned to SCG’s corporate planning office for another two years. After that, I then served as the director of SCGP’s Business Planning Office for five years. In 2018, I flew back to the Philippines to be with UPPC once again. I had been its President and CEO till the middle of 2021, and have become SCGP’s CFO up to now,” he talked about his various work experience.   Embracing Way of Life as Way of Work In the face of geographical, cultural, and lingual dlifferences, Mr. Danaidej considered learning and adaptability the crucial elements for his work in the Philippines. He had no problem working overseas because he was determined not to exert the Thai working style over local practice. “I was aware that tone at the top was very important. As the top executive there, I was responsible for shaping not just business direction but also employees’ engagement. I focused on effective communications and collaboration. “Filipinos are sincere and frank. I integrated their way of life into the way of work to ensure harmony and smooth operations. I also paid attention to their value. Given that Family First culture was prominent in the Philippines, I arranged Family’s Day for staff. As they brought their children to our plant and joined various activities, they could proudly say they were part of our team. They became proud of working for our firm. “I placed a strong emphasis on team building and communicating. Importantly, I never fixated on any specific way of work. While technical know-how and operational protocols are universal and can be implemented both in Thailand and overseas, people management is different. I understand that I needed to learn the Filipino culture so that I knew best how to inspire our Filipino team,” Mr. Danaidej added.   3 Tips to Upgrade Performance During his years in the Philippines, Mr. Danaidej had always actively tackled problems that emerged. He had conducted analyses, executed tasks, and made decisions, accumulating extensive experiences along the way. “In Thailand, I might have many functions to consult on an issue. But when abroad, I mostly had to rely on myself. Such experience enabled me to develop my skills a lot more while contributing better value to SCGP. In a foreign country, we encounter unfamiliar situations which could later be applied to the Thai context. “‘No matter where I work, I have always embraced the following three tips. 1. One Step Above. At work, I always try to look at issues from the perspective of my supervisor. It helps me make better decisions, as it allows me to see the whole or bigger picture. 2. Treating Others with Respect. I equally respect all including those much younger than me. I make sure that I give them complement or advice in a way that would be positive and constructive. I am lucky in that I’ve always had great supervisors who also treated me with respect. 3. To push or to stand back. As an executive, I have learned to push when needed and to stand back when required. Standing back means letting the team be in charge. When the team is doing well and I stand back, they will then have room to make decisions on their own, gain confidence, and grow stronger. Yet, I know that I sometimes will need to actively engage in the work process of the team to help it sail through.”   Knowing Yourself & Going All Out Mr. Danaidej’s self-development is rooted in his awareness of his talents and the capabilities of others. “I look internally to identify my strengths and build up on them. I also look around me to check what others are doing and identify what factors have contributed to their achievements. Then, I plan how I will be able to get all those factors. That’s the direction of my self-development. “From my viewpoint, SCGP is in a strong position with potential to grow further. Not only that it has proven itself a leading packaging solutions provider in ASEAN, but it also looks set to grow in other regions. SCGP employees should seek more experience and knowledge both internally and externally, here in Thailand or beyond, because they are driving the company toward providing customer solutions. Even when you head overseas for vacations, consider including destinations that will enlarge your perspectives on global companies such as the Toyota Museum or Google Office. Go there and be inspired by how they work. “SCGP is committed to inspiring you and enabling you to work happily. When you enjoy working, the output will be great to not only your organization but also yourself. When you feel stressed, find something to add fun to your day,” Mr. Danaidej concluded.

Unbounded Way has sat down with Ms. Minh Ngoc Phan Thi, HR Business Partner, who has been based in SCGP headquarters for five years already. Her interview reflects how she has worked happily despite cultural differences and living far away from her hometown.   “My role is to support SCGP employees in Vietnam. At work, I need to balance things between employees and executives or the company’s direction. My job is quite tough, challenging, and sensitive. I have always been looking for the best solutions for all at each time. When I contact others, I also have to ensure that my communications suit the needs of each person,”Ms. Ngoc reveals. “Importantly, I keep exploring, learning, and experimenting with people I work with. I don’t focus on whether a task is difficult. I focus on how to achieve it. “When I first came to Thailand, I didn’t understand many things. During the first three months here, I was not so sure that I could stay on. Back then, I was not experienced enough to be familiar with the work and the people. Yet, I knew deep down that my job would be useful to me. “‘My supervisor taught me that I will get to know better through observations and that I should show my sincerity. Other staff had not worked with a foreigner like me before. Over time, I’ve realized that not only this job suits but also the working environment.   “My determined mindset is that I have never said ‘No’ to opportunities. I know they will create value for me. Thanks to my job here, I’ve grown a lot personally and professionally. I am now able to take care of, assist, and even inspire others with benefits to employees involved and the firm as a whole. “Cultural difference is not a challenge. Different places and different behaviors are not obstacles. It’s just that they may seem unfamiliar and hard to cope with at first. “When our job is about mindset and behavior, we should set examples and do it with consistency. When Work-from-Home started, I was quite clueless as to how to motivate employees in Vietnam and ensure they could work efficiently. So, I focused on holding daily meetings. At first, many didn’t know how meetings would help. They turned up late or even skipped meetings. But as meetings have been held regularly, their benefits become clear. Employees then keenly join in to share their views and update one another. It’s useful to our work.   “Professional HR officers must lead and initiate. If you believe a certain thing has value, do it. Don’t give up easily. With perseverance and consistency, you will achieve success and deliver value for sure.”