Fly on corporate wall

Reporters gathering at Siam Cement Group’s “Thailand Sustainable Development Symposium 2011” were treated to a surprise. As they waited for a news conference with the company’s executives, they saw a small, thin man strolling slowly into the room. Wearing a pair of slacks and a T-shirt, he had short hair and big, dark sunglasses. At a glance, he looked like a Hong Kong actor.
Just before everyone thought they were in the wrong conference, he took off his sunglasses. It was Kan Trakulhoon, president and chief executive officer of SCG.
“I just had cornea-transplant surgery. My eyes are now highly sensitive to light. I have to put sunglasses on and off,” he said, revealing his puffy red eyes.
Corneal transplant is a surgical procedure to replace part of cornea – the transparent, dome-shaped surface of the eye that accounts for a large part of the eye’s focusing power – with corneal tissue from a donor. The transplant can restore vision, reduce pain and improve the appearance of a damaged or diseased cornea.
We all know it would be hard for the leader of a big conglomerate like SCG to take a long break just to rest his eyes. He has to meetings day in and day out as the company builds up its empire amid signs of recession. The good news is that Kan’s eyes are recovering well and he knows the true meaning of “sustainability”. After the surgery, he had his secretary read all his mail and news to him, and he still brings along the sunglasses wherever he goes.
For corporate sustainability could be shaken if the leader’s health cannot be sustained.

Tour-guide talent
During a recent media trip to a coal mine in Indonesia, Banpu CEO Chanin Vongkusolkit proved that he could have a bright future if he decides to open a tour company.
He remembered the itinerary by heart and was ready to brief all participants of the next destinations and how they should prepare themselves. At a restaurant, he ordered for everyone, with confidence that the dishes would satisfy tour members.
He also did not tire of explaining things, such as why a chartered flight was necessary reach the remote mine. He stayed with the tour participants as they waited for their luggage, remaining until everyone had left the airport, to make sure no one got lost.
He would surely win the “Best Amateur Tour Guide” award, if there is such a thing.