Business columns
Bangkok Post business columns
Bangkok Post business columns
The recent rapid rise in inflation rates worldwide has been a hot topic with huge impacts on the real economy as well as financial markets. The surging cost of living has hit all households, especially those with sluggish wage growth, mostly lower-income groups.
Governments in Southeast Asia are floating very ambitious plans to capture a share of the electric vehicle market. And rightfully so.
Consumer demand for gold in Thailand fell 54% year-on-year to 3.8 tonnes in the first quarter, from 8.3 tonnes in the first quarter of 2021, as high prices weighed on sentiment, according to the World Gold Council (WGC).
In discussions with leaders, I have noticed more and more of them coming to terms with the increased demand for powerful soft skills. I have been a strong believer for a long time, and I am glad to see awareness and clarity starting to grow.
I believe that the way organisations in Thailand need to develop their people is at a crossroads. I have been in this game for 30 years and I think more has changed in the last two years than in the 10 years before.
I am frequently amazed at how much digital technology has transformed my work and the work of my people. For me as a senior leader, some aspects are great. It is much easier to communicate with more people inside and outside the organisation. Receiving updates is easier. I can also contribute to things like recruitment more effectively. At the same time, many of the skills I need have been transformed, and some are obsolete.
Critical thinking, problem-solving and related attributes more essential than ever.
Many new challenges and opportunities have emerged in the last two years.
New priority is developing people's skills, not developing people for fixed positions or career paths.
Leaders need to help their managers become facilitators of team success.