SCG put more effort to prepare talents for business expansion

Amid the changes, increase of workforce movements across the borders is expected, affecting human resources and businesses, from small companies to big corporations, around the region.

Tanawong Areeratchakul, vice president of SCG’s Corporate Administration, recently shared his view on “Mobilising Talents in ASEAN” at the ASEAN Business Forum 2013, held in Bangkok, Thailand. The SCG executive and two top executives from IBM Software ASEAN and the Conference Board suggested business crowds better prepare and project for challenges and opportunities coming along the period of AEC.

“There will be shortage of talent,” Tanawong foresaw the situation concerning the AEC, adding that SCG has already prepared for this issue since 2007 under the company’s vision “Go Regional”.

“We have prepared ourselves for that change and it is not easy. In every acquisition, we get a pool of talent. We have to develop and give them a chance to grow with the company. We believe in the value of an individual -- that is one of SCG core values,” he said.

In the past only few of Thai SCG staff volunteered to work at its oversea offices. Currently about 250 Thai staffs are sent to work overseas each year.

“More and more (local) people are willing to go out of their comfort zone, with our offerings of a package of salary and welfares -- pay mix,” he added.

Tanawong pointed out that SCG was already well recognised in Thailand but not as much in abroad. Thus, on its 100th anniversary this year, SCG and its staff need to demonstrate themselves under its regional brand to gain a better recognition outside the country.

Currently SCG becomes more diverse with more staff from multi-nationalities. Tens of thousands of staff, including around 10,000 non-Thai, work in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. Last year the company acquired another company in Vietnam, adding further diversity to the company.

“Theoretically we have no doubt about more movements of talent. But practically each country in the region still has to tackle certain issues itself or altogether with other ASEAN counterparts. The issues on immigration, work and laws require adjustments at different levels. We need the governments to facilitate that,” he said.

The two-day forum featured intense sessions that focused on promoting ASEAN trade, enhancing the ASEAN service sector, how to mitigate the risks of a more powerful ASEAN and how to maximise supply chain development and mobilise talents. The forum attracted nearly 600 participants including top executives, investors, leaders of organisations from all over the world and ASEAN Secretariat.

SCG, one of the leading conglomerates in the ASEAN region, comprises five core businesses: SCG Chemicals, SCG Paper, SCG Cement, SCG Building Materials and SCG Distribution. With more than 200 companies under its umbrella and 40,000 employees, SCG creates and distributes innovative products and services that respond to the current and future needs of consumers.