Insights

As businesses strive to maximise growth and performance, they must always keep an eye on the changing environment around them. These changes typically occur among their customers or competitors, but regulatory policy can also have a big impact on business operations. The Thai government has recently enacted a number of policies, provisions and regulations to respond to new developments around the business world. These include the Personal Data Protection Act, new merger amendments to the Trade Competitions Act of 2017, and the Cybersecurity Act – all requiring potentially significant action among businesses operating in country.

Ever since the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing has been at the forefront of innovation. New technologies that improve efficiency and productivity have always been enthusiastically implemented, leading to great benefits for both producer and consumer. Today, an important new dimension is at play, as manufacturers find themselves in the midst of the digital revolution. Those who embrace the forces of disruption will prosper, while those who resist the inevitable will fall by the wayside. Digital transformation is the only way to ensure lasting success, and manufacturers need to take every step necessary to ensure it is done correctly. Manufacturers that do not commit to digital transformation will not be able to keep up with competitors who can offer data-based services to their customers. If they do not offer the latest services, buyers will find someone else who does.

Hendrik van den Berg is the Founder and Managing Director at Neos IT Services. Having founded the company in 2005, Hendrik and his diverse team have transformed Neos into a thriving business. I recently met with Hendrik to have a detailed discussion of business transformation and what it entails. The most fascinating insights from the interview revolved around the role of technology and cultural change in the transformation process.

I recently met with Richard to discuss how British businesses can establish themselves and prosper in Thailand. The two most salient points he made were about the imperative of understanding the complexities of the Thai market, along with the need to foster strategic local partnerships.

Most family businesses fail to survive past the third generation. Personal disputes, legal challenges, and other obstacles can tear family businesses – and sometimes entire families – apart. Fortunately, safeguards are available to help ensure a smooth transition between generations. The process of succession can be supported and facilitated before it even begins, with the help of a well-written family constitution.

Conversations in Business is a series of interviews and articles where I discuss best practices and insights with successful thought leaders in the commercial sector I recently had the pleasure of meeting with former Mead Johnson Nutrition CEO Steve Golsby to discuss some of the business insights he has accrued over a long and prosperous career. Steve’s career progression began in earnest during his time as a brand manager at Unilever. His work in the marketing department included two overseas assignments, and led to him taking the role of Country Manager. After 15 years with Unilever, he joined the American pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb as the head of its consumer products portfolio for the Asia-Pacific region.

A company may ‘feel’ more complete when it has its own accounting, admin, HR, and marketing departments – and indeed, many (mostly larger) businesses do well under this format. But for most SMEs, these sizable sections of the company add no value to the product or to the consumer experience. On the contrary: They divert time, effort and attention away from the activities that generate actual profit for the business. There is a reason, after all, why businesses keep going back to the old saying: ‘Do what you do best, and outsource the rest.’

Family-run businesses in Thailand have a combined net worth of approximately THB 30 trillion, out of a total net worth of THB 42 trillion from all Thai businesses. Around 80% of all businesses in Thailand are owned or controlled by families, with an impressive figure of approximately three-fourth of all businesses listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand are family-run businesses.

With 2019 now well underway, distinct themes are beginning to emerge that are likely to shape global economic developments for the remainder of the year. Amid likely slowdowns within some of the major world economies, developing regions such as ASEAN will have a golden opportunity to take the initiative. The question is whether key countries such as Thailand will make the necessary adjustments in order to capitalise on their good fortune.

Thailand’s push toward its 4.0 economic model gained a lot of momentum in 2018, as the government made investments and policy changes in countless areas to smooth the way for business. The way forward is clear on most fronts, and the next decade is sure to be an exciting one for Thailand and the advanced manufacturing and digital economy that is well on its way.

For a country with global ambitions, China has many of the key attributes needed to achieve its aspirations. But the essential lesson holds across world affairs just as surely as it applies to business, or to life in general.

Our own Grant Thornton International Business Report conducts worldwide surveys that poll business leaders across the world markets, and fully 54% of respondents reported feeling a sense of economic optimism in Q2 2018 – far higher numbers than in previous years.

As companies grow in size, the challenge of keeping everyone on the same page becomes ever greater. In the minds of many executives, the most natural solution seems to be an increased tendency toward top-down control.