Get Hired 2012 : Through the Looking Glass : CEO Insights

Hi, this is actually my report for the Get Hired 2012 : Through the Looking Glass : CEO Insights forum.

It was a privilege to sit down together with fellow accounting and business students whilst gaining exposure and advice from CEOs of Malaysia's famous companies.The CEOs of the forum were YM Tunku Dato' Ahmad Burhanuddin (CEO of Themed Attractions and Resorts), YBhg Dato' Gan AhTee (Managing Partner of BDO Malaysia), Pn. Zaiton Mohd. Hassan (Managing Director of Capital Intelligence Advisors Sdn. Bhd.) and Pn. Elia Talib (Managing Director of Biz Connection Sdn. Bhd.), and along present with the audience were Ms. Elizabeth Lee (Executive Director of Sunway University), Mr. Teo Ee Sing (Executive Director of Sunway College) and Mr. Lee Weng Keng (CEO of Education and Healthcare Division of Sunway Group).

Themed "Through the Thinking Glas: CEO Insights", I have definitely gained plenty of them. As the CEOs shared their experience on how they started out until the settlement in their current industries, I learnt that everybody was born equal, but it is the mindset and beliefs that they hold on and keep in practice that changed their lives. Taking Mr. Gan Ah Tee for example, he came from a rubber taping background. Since further studies were scarce in Malaysia, he decided to study accounting (ICAEW) in United Kingdom, which he considered it as the cheapest, fastest and "recession proof." From the looks itself, Mr. Gan is a rather optimistic person, though after all he had endured. His affirmative decision in pursuing his dream as a chartered accountant fruited him to be the managing partner of world's top five accounting firms - BDO International.

Pn. Elia Talib exhibited her innovative values in establishing GRADUAN, which its mission is to be the most comprehensive and reliable career guidance and employment resource for Malaysian graduates. Pn. Elia's creativity has helped many graduates in getting employed, especially once she saw the stack of application forms for a post from students through GRADUAN. Despite her today's position and achievements, she still remains humble, which is projected when she said: "I guess it is my turn to share now. Let's hope that I could match with the others (CEOs)." Mind you, Pn. Elia's speech turned out to be as interesting as the rest. Another lesson learnt here: never underestimate people's capabilities, specifically a woman's.

Equipped with 25 years of extensive working experience in senior financial and managerial positions, Tunku Dato' Burhanuddin talked on the importance of effective communication, when a member of the floor asked what qualities do employers look for from the applicants (graduates). Tunku Dato' emphasized that the ability to communicate is crucial in promoting one's self to stand out from the rest. The individual must be able to express his or her opinion, which requires confidence accumulated from experiences. Also, it is through communication that a leader is able to share his or her vision with others and guiding the employees to reach the goal. But, the most important value of all, is genuineness, as being one's self amplifies the honesty towards yourself, therefore earning trust from others. On the other hand, people (the CEOs, too) dislike people who pretends to be someone else and lies.

Pn. Zaiton's speech reminded me of Winston Churchill's simple yet remarkable quote "never, never, never give up", which is exactly what she demonstrated during the 1998 economic crisis in Malaysia. It was during that time she helped to establish a company after her resignation from Maybank and had to confront with one of Malaysia's most disastrous economic downturn. The CEO of Maybank persuaded her in returning to serve Maybank. Pn. Zaiton immediately saw through his motive, where she refused to play along, which is to abandon the company and watching it flounder. Instead, she did not give up on the company and successfully surged through the crisis. This proves another point for Pn. Zaiton, that she loves her employees. Every week, she would have a "pisang goreng" (coffee break) session with their employees and listen to their opinions, feedback and dissatisfaction. Her willingness to listen was her major reason why she is well-favoured and respected by her employees, who cried upon her resignation to set up Capital Intelligence Advisors Sdn. Bhd. (CIA).

We might be curious on what is it so great in becoming a CEO as there are challenging, risky decisions to make, being strictly scrutinised by the company and public. The 4 CEOs shared a common perspective that it is the sense of achievement that keep them striving forward. Mr. Lee of Sunway's Education and Healthcare department quoted: "it is the challenge that got us having sleepless nights, but the results ended up in us having more sleepless nights because of the success."  Pn. Zaiton stated that the CEO plays a crucial part for the community, in such a case that there are 40 families depending on you, who is the boss of 40 employees. It is the perception and values that nurtures a leader, hence making them an interesting model for us to learn.

From 2nd left: YM Tunku Dato' Ahmad Burhanuddin (CEO of Themed Attractions and Resorts), YBhg Dato' Gan AhTee (Managing Partner of BDO Malaysia), Pn. Zaiton Mohd. Hassan (Managing Director of Capital Intelligence Advisors Sdn. Bhd.) and Pn. Elia Talib (Managing Director of Biz Connection Sdn. Bhd.)

The layout for the "Get Hired" career fair at the foyer. 

If you would notice, En. Rauf Rashid was not present.