Lessons from Singapore Towkays
There’s something really precious and endearing about Singapore’s SMEs and their leaders. Most times, they are started by those who’ve always dreamed of starting their own business, but worked hard till they are 40 — a common age marker where they say “it’s time”.
I had the marvelous opportunity of interviewing towkays (local speak for a business owner; boss) across 3 years in my first job. The interview sessions were the among most teachable moments in my career. In this post, I share 3 takeaways that these towkays have “imparted”.
These interviews shaped me. There was so much to learn from them. As a fresh graduate, I was always nervous walking into the offices of these towkays. They never turned me away because of my age or inexperience. Instead, what they saw was a chance to teach and share their journeys, to help me understand their industry, their business and their struggles so I can write the story better.
It was a humbling experience and I walked away with treasured relationships. I still meet some of them over lunch or coffee and the conversations are just fascinating; lots of talk about life and incredible lessons.
(1) The importance of after sales service
Engage, even if you have nothing to sell. In one of my editorial interviews, a Managing Director in the construction industry shared about his emphasis on after sales service — following through even when there is no new job, which he believes to be the key to more jobs in the future. This is something that I tried to consciously practice ever since and potential jobs aside, the results simply cannot be measured. A genuine connection, a business associate turned friend or mentor; engaging and checking in on your business contacts with sincerity goes a long way.
(2) The power of relationship, trust and sincerity
Be sincere, and business will come. A lot of business comes from the building of relationships, which forges this impeccable bond of trust. Do a good job the first time round, show you are sincere, and the next time they need help, they will always call on you. They also recognise the value of what you have to offer and the trust/rapport is priceless to them.
Why are relationships so important? While this could possibly trace itself back to culture, most of these towkays’ businesses start off with the help of someone else; with a little push from someone who believed in them — a mentor, an ex-boss, a client. One shared with me that all you need to do is to pass this on, extend that opportunity to someone else, so they have a chance to try their hand.
Fun fact: If you’ve attended one of the galas where towkays gather or a local SME’s “dinner and dance” (company parties), you’ll notice that karaoke is a very popular in the programming. Songs in Chinese dialects about ‘friendship’ and ‘brotherhood’ stir deep emotions within them. Often, they will embrace each other as they sing their hearts out, thankful for the friendships and reminiscing the old times that they’ve pulled through together.
(3) They always stay true to their values
The deal breaker. I was traveling in a car with a towkay who’s in commodities trading and the topic of values and respect came up. A potential client he was in talks with had clashing values, demonstrated in the way they handled themselves in the exchange. He said to me, “this kind of business, we will not do.” Regardless of how wonderful the opportunity is, a clash in values and lack of respect are clear deal breakers.
The kampung spirit. There is much to the kampung spirit that these towkays grew up with. This manifests itself in the family feel of the company’s culture and how they watch out for their people. A story that often gets shared is how they’ve extended help to their factory workers in overcoming personal problems. As many of these workers are foreigners, the towkays see themselves as having a role to play in helping their staff feel at home, with a second family at work.
I documented this to share the invaluable lessons that these generous towkays that continue to influence how I see businesses, culture and to be mindful of how I treat others. I am thankful for the opportunity that my first employers gave me and for the big hearts of the towkays I have had the pleasure of speaking to and not be afraid of being myself around.
Have you had a mentor or senior share invaluable lessons with you? I’d love to hear your stories!
In the meantime, should you like to read the interviews, while they’re no longer available at Experian’s Singapore 1000 website, I’ve saved some favorites here .
