THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Strong connections between old and new generations needed to survive under ‘new normal’

Strong connections between old and new generations needed to survive under ‘new normal’

Srithai Superware has started using biodegradable plastic to keep up with sustainable trends.

Strong connections between old and new generations needed to survive under ‘new normal’, says CEO Sanan
Sanan Angubolkul, chairman and managing director of Srithai Superware – the world’s largest manufacturer of melamine ware, believes a link between different generations is key to survival in today’s business world.
“The most important thing is adjusting quickly. Especially in today’s digital economy, which is volatile, complex and ambiguous. The management of everything must be fast and flexible. People in each organisation must be specialised with in-depth knowledge and work well as a team,” he said.
In today’s digital era, technology is a key driving force and the focus is on eco-friendly manufacturing processes.
Given this, Srithai Superware has started using biodegradable plastic to keep up with sustainable trends.
Sanan said the toughest challenge is connecting the old and new generations and getting them to work in the same direction.
He explained that the company, which started as a family business 58 years ago, has experienced senior staff with vast connections and a younger generation armed with knowledge in the latest technology.
“Connecting these two generations will build great power to promote business in this era and create a commercial advantage in today’s world,” the CEO said.
Sanan added that all business leaders should adhere to the “5 E’s of Leadership”:
Empathy: Managing with a firm but gentle hand
Empower: Believing that those who are better than us will strengthen us
Engagement: Working together in harmony
Encouragement: Inspiring one another
Enable: Working together to find solutions for all problems

 

Strong connections between old and new generations needed to survive under ‘new normal’

Sanan also said it was very important for leaders to manage time and not get too stressed with work.
Apart from leading Srithai Superaware, Sanan is the 25th chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and also leads Thailand’s Board of Trade.
Under his auspices, TCC is looking for answers to three questions that will be key to Thailand’s economic recovery. The three questions are:
• Why do local and foreign investors have little confidence in Thailand?
• What Thailand needs to change or improve to attract investment.
• How can the country’s economy be revived.
TCC is also seeking to boost Thailand’s standing in trade and investment, agriculture and food, and tourism and related services.
Sanan added that TCC has been working with Thailand’s top 40 CEOs to come up with a “Connect the Dots” policy, which aims to kickstart economic recovery within 99 days by getting the public and private sectors as well as the public to work together. He said this policy has been discussed with the government, especially the prime minister.
Meanwhile, he said, TCC is also working on elevating the country’s agricultural sector under the “smart farmers” scheme in cooperation with China, where the young generation has built online platforms to support their parents’ farms.
Srithai Superware was founded in 1963 by Sumit Lertsumitkul under the name Srithai Plastic Industry Limited Partnership. The company originally produced household products such as plastic kettles, water tanks and children’s toys, before expanding to produce melamine ware with the trademark “Superware” under the Penguin brand. The business was listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 1991 and became a public company in 1993.

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