| |JUNE 202519practices collectively define our commitment to excellence and innovation.You have always been known for your in-novative approach. What are the different aspects of your innovation culture today? The heart of our innovation culture is a simple yet effective organizational structure. As the CEO, I work closely with my wife, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Kathleen Tham. Together, we have built a team of eight to twelve department heads, most specialists taking on additional managerial responsibilities. Beyond the leadership team, we have diverse specialists, including support specialists, delivery specialists, technical specialists, and refurbishing specialists.We firmly believe in recognizing the potential of every individual and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration. Our philosophy orbits implementing daily best practices and accumulating collective monthly efforts. To reward these efforts, we track performance daily and ensure monthly payouts through a unique, hybrid compensation model. This approach allows our team members to earn above market average, creating a dynamic and motivating environment. By combining this with our emphasis on innovation and accountability, we aim to cultivate a workplace that empowers individuals and drives excellence.Tell us more about your leadership approach and the guiding principles or methodologies you follow.I deeply admire Dr Ichak Adizes' leadership methodology, particularly his insights from the book `Managing Corporate Lifecycles and Mastering Change'. His framework of four distinct personality types, namely Producer (P), Administrator (A), Entrepreneur (E), and Integrator (I), resonates strongly with me. I believe in embracing these differences, even though departments aligned with these characteristics often face natural clashes due to their diverse roles. For instance, producers drive results, administrators manage structure, entrepreneurs innovate, and integrators unite teams. I also appreciate Dr Adizes' corporate bell curve concept, where the corporate lifecycle assigns each phase to a different leading role, reflecting the dynamic nature of organizational growth. This process mirrors team sports, where every individual plays a unique role, responding to various situations and challenges as they arise.Another guiding force in my leadership approach is GP culture. By quantifying every action and output, we design personalized compensation plans that reward staff effectively. Finally, I strongly uphold flexibility within the organization. Recognizing that most people aspire to be their own boss, we actively encourage our staff to take on greater responsibilities and even initiate their own ventures within the company. This approach fosters innovation, empowerment, and a sense of ownership among our team members.What would be your advice to budding leaders trying to build a subscription business in the tech domain?Business is often like martial arts. Both require discipline, dedication, and a gradual progression of skill, you begin as a white belt and advance to becoming a black belt. Similarly, in business, you refine your skills, identifying your strengths and weaknesses. You can leverage your expertise in areas where you excel, while it's essential to seek support for areas that require improvement. Just as in martial arts, the journey in business is continuous, rewarding those who persist and adapt.Give us a sneak peek into the future of Smart Rental and Buynow.We are currently preparing for a NASDAQ listing, an exciting milestone for our company. Simultaneously, we are strategizing to expand across Southeast Asia through joint ventures. Our plans include establishing partnerships in neighboring countries such as Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Thailand. We aim to strengthen our presence in these markets by leveraging local collaborations. By the end of this year or early next year, we will likely initiate several new joint ventures, marking a significant step forward in our regional expansion efforts. The heart of our innovation culture is a simple yet effective organizational structure
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