THIS IS Life
Sirilak Suteekul, president of Novartis Thailand, talks about Thailand's managerial potential
KANOKPORN CHANASONGKRAM
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| Sirilak Suteekul: ‘‘When you think that you’re already at the top, a higher summit awaits you.’’ |
A native of Suphan Buri, Sirilak Suteekul humbly says that she's a dek ban nork. Her father is a retired civil servant and her mother a caring teacher who was actually awarded Suphan Buri Mother of the Year.
Her mum certainly deserves it, says the Novartis Thailand country president, because she raised all her five children very well to be where they are today. Typically, parents may ask their kids, "What would you like to be when you grow up?" but Sirilak's mum and dad would further ask, "How would you make it happen?"
At the relatively young age of 37, she became the first Thai and woman GM of Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) Thailand and with her previous international experience, especially in China, she took on a greater responsibility as vice-president of BMS in Shanghai. Since March last year, the 40-something is the first Thai to be in charge of Novartis Thailand with 400 people under her leadership.
So how did the humble pharmacist rise to the highest position of two pharmaceutical giants in Thailand? Sirilak believes that besides managerial prowess it's about having the guts to get to the top. Looking back over the 20 years of her career, she also adheres to a strong work ethic that keeps her walking tall. Don't take short cuts to success, she adds, because they can take you to a dead end.
Why did you come back to work in Thailand?
It's exciting to be a part of Novartis, a company with a good pipeline of products and lots of opportunities for personal growth. The move would also give me an opportunity to develop my homeland and our people and that was my biggest motivation to come back.
Since we have a highly-qualified work force, I strongly believe that Thais can go far in the global pharmaceutical industry and we aim to export our managers for overseas positions.
Instead of expats, why are there more Thais at the top?
From my observation, more and more Thais are taking the helm at leading global pharmaceutical companies because we are more recognised as being capable in management.
Over the last 20 years, the country's pharmaceutical industry has developed a pool of competent managers, who have leadership potential as well as the courage to climb up the corporate ladder. In the past, Thais saw themselves as being only No. 2 and this was as far as we could go. However, after seeing the first successful example, followed by the second example, we now have the conviction that we can do the job.
Another school of thought would say that it's a trend to allow locals with a better understanding of the market dynamics to run the business. The rules of engagement in the pharmaceutical industry are changing around the world, patients and customers are better educated and becoming more sophisticated in their healthcare needs. Understanding of country policies and political trends are also critical for executives. Moreover, there's a lesser gap in terms of language and culture which could lead to efficiency.
Will we see more women steering pharmaceutical companies?
In the past, people would draw the line that ladies could only reach a certain level and you wouldn't see a woman as the big boss. Thailand has gone a long way and ahead of many countries in developing female leaders in all professions at all levels.
Here again, I believe it is much to do with the pool of talents. With more female students at pharmacy schools, more women are joining the pharmaceutical industry and that could further bring a breed of female executives.
In my opinion, it's not about being a man or a woman because both genders are equally capable. It's more about constantly grooming yourself for a higher position and seizing the opportunity whenever it comes.
When did your big break come?
It was back in 1996 when my ex-boss David Clark, whom I consider my lifetime mentor, asked me whether I wanted to work outside Thailand. It actually took me half an hour to say 'Yes' because I was bewildered by a job offer of a newly-created position that would base me in Singapore, to develop sales forces in 10 countries.
So opportunity can take you by surprise and you just have to be ready for it. It's also about taking courage to take a bigger job that may bring conflict in terms of seniority and cultural differences.
How did you fare as an expat living in Shanghai?
Shanghai is the most cosmopolitan and open city in China and today it's the New York of China or the Paris of the East. Shanghai was my second home for 5 years where every day was a real-life discovery full of excitement, accomplishment, friendship and delicious xiao long bao.
My friends once advised me that when you live outside the country, you should behave like a local and I fully agree with that. So, on the weekends, I often rode my bicycle to the antique markets, went to wet markets for vegetables, and did whatever the locals do.
Learning the local language is very important and the more you can speak the language the more you will learn about the country, the culture and appreciate it. I eventually learned how to speak Mandarin.
It was essential for work as most customers did not speak English but it was more so to live a quality life after work. Imagine that I could manage to enjoy varieties of Chinese cuisine from different regions by knowing the language to order exactly what I wished to have.
Also, I remember one day, I found myself lost driving in the countryside around Shanghai and that was kind of fun but a little bit scary. It did remind me though that knowing the language can save your life.
What do you value most about gaining international experience?
It gave me a bigger picture of the world and it showed me that you can do things that you didn't believe you could do. In China I was involved in virtually every aspect of commercial operations, which made me more well-rounded in terms of management. Working with people with different languages and cultures allowed me to manage diversity and turn it into synergy to drive the company's success.
The international experience also changed my meaning of success. Beforehand, I thought that after being a sales representative, you would work hard to become a supervisor, then a sales manager, and ultimately the GM. But it's not necessarily a straight line to the top.
Then again, when you think that you're already at the top, a higher summit awaits you.
Right now, Novartis Thailand is only a small part of the global picture and we have big ambitions with a new vision to triple our sales within the next five years.
Does this new vision triple the stress?
Fortunately, I'm a stress-free type. I try to avoid stress by understanding what triggers it. Taking things day by day, I focus on the present situation and when a day is done I don't take any worries home with me. Because my father gave me good sleeping genes, I can easily switch off within 10 seconds and fall into a deep sleep for me to wake up to welcome the next 24 hours.
How do you keep fit for a demanding job?
I keep myself in pretty good shape by regularly exercising. I also do yoga every day for at least 15 to 20 minutes, which helps calm me down.
As a pharmacist, I try to avoid taking medicine as much as I can. Nothing comes without a price and with medication there can be side effects. But of course if you can take good care of your emotional and physical health you wouldn't need to take any pills.
What else is important for a career woman like you?
Moving out of Thailand changed my perspectives of the world but it didn't change my core value about the importance of family. In my case, whenever I have to make a big decision I consult my folks. Instead of suggesting a solution, they would ask me how I feel about it and would support whatever decision I make and be there for me whatever happens.
People may think that when your parents are not pharmacists, engineers or architects, how could you ask them for career advice. To me, it's more about making life decisions than professional decisions and since your parents know you best and because of their love for you, they won't give you bad advice.
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