Q1: You were the first non-Japanese woman to be President/CEO of two significant–sized, publicly traded companies in Japan for two very visible iconic brands – Levi’s and Starbucks. What advise would you give young people who would like to follow your path? These were the toughest assignments in my career but also the most rewarding. How does one prepare for […]
Entrepreneurship
Q1: Your are part of the Rocket ecommerce group where your business model is about being a ‘Fast Second’ in concept but operate in emerging countries, how better or different do you tweak the original concept to suit the countries you operate? (Note to readers: “Fast Second” is a concept that discussed those who are not the originators but who […]
Q1: Why do you use Chief Evangelizing Officer as your position title in your company? What is your “evangelizing” mission? Your goal is not simply to make a sale today, you want to invite your customers to join you in your cause… your mission. In our case, more fun in the beach with Beach Hut Sunblock or making sure your […]
Q1: You spent a few years with the US Navy when you were in your early 20s. What made you enter the navy and what habits did you get there that you continue to practice today? Pretty much, my life wasn’t anything worth talking about after dropping out of high school. I really didn’t value education yet back then so I guess I […]
Q1: I have known you since the mid 1990’s, when you were a young partner of a struggling start-up. Although it became successful, the map business was eventually dissolved after 5 years, what lessons did you learn from that early entrepreneurial experience? It’s been exactly 20 years since I met you, Josiah, when you mentored me and my friends on […]
Q1. Your company is owned and managed by a group comprising of five friends (including a brother). How has this worked out for all of you — in terms of business relationships and in terms of personal bond. Have you worked together in a previous organization or association before incorporating? Jimmy Thai: Johnny and I informally worked together in a family business, […]
Q1: Congratulations on winning Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012. Previously, the import duty of chicken products was 30% and it went down even further to only 5% in 2007. This was a major concern of your industry since Thailand has relative cost advantage Tell us about how you arrived at the Chooks-to-Go retail store decision? What […]
Q1: Congratulations! You are one of the few Filipinos who have reached a regional president position in a major multinational company. Can you share with us the strengths of Filipinos as marketers? Creativity and the willingness to depart from the conventional way of doing things. I think this comes from a wellspring of making do with what is available. I […]
Q1: Can you share with us the brand DNA of Belle de Jour (BDJ) Power Planner? How does it differ from your Navi Planner? The target market of Belle de Jour Power Planner is the 20-35 year old female working professional. She balances multiple roles in her life. She has a strong desire to achieve and do things in style. […]