Mitihoon – Thailand’s percentage of female executives ranks among the highest in the world. Of all executive posts in the country, 32% are in the hands of women. This figure is higher than the world’s average, which stands at 27%, and Asia-Pacific’s average, which hovers around 26%. Still, if one looks at the fact that women account for 59% of the Thai labor market, one will recognize that it is very challenging for women to climb to the highest echelon.
To celebrate the International Women’s Day, True Blog met a key woman behind True Corporation’s ongoing transformation into a telecom-tech company. Serving as the company’s chief human resources officer, Sarinra Wongsuppaluk has proudly sat in the C-Suite alongside several men. Under her care are more than 10,000 staff. Her employer, after all, is a giant in the industry.
Life is a Test
Born in Bangkok, Sarinra received both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the Assumption University’s (ABAC) Faculty of Business Administration. Loving challenges and full of energy, she applied for participation in the Unilever’s Management Trainee Project when she was just 21. The global company chose her over more than 1,000 other applicants. Once Sarinra officially entered the project, she found that all four other management trainees in the same batch as her received overseas education and had an impressive profile.
“It was of course very difficult to get into the project. But surviving there was much more difficult,” Sarinra recounted.
Every six months, Unilever reviewed its management trainees’ performance. If reviews showed any of them failed to deliver based on key performance indicators (KPIs), he or she would have to leave. When Sarinra first joined the project, she was assigned to handle mom and pop stores in Thai provinces. About three decades ago, those provinces were still very rural with limited infrastructure and facilities. Answering the call of nature alone was difficult for a young Sarinra back then.
Sarinra also had to deal with sexual discrimination in the old days. So, she strived to prove that she was truly qualified as a supervisor in rural provinces. Often, subordinates challenged and tested her abilities. Sarinra was undaunted, though. Rain or shine, her market surveys lasted from 7am to 9pm every day.
Sometimes, she found rat droppings and cockroach bodies in local stores’ cabinets. But this didn’t deter her. By showing that she was determined, those around her started showing empathy.
Overcoming Sexual Bias
At Unilever, Sarinra was later entrusted with several big projects. For example, she was in the company’s regional team that formed marketing teams for the Chinese and Vietnamese market after her employer bought Best Foods, also a giant in fast-moving consumer goods. Sarinra was the only Thai in the regional team because only the crème de la crème of Unilever staff in 14 Asian countries could land a post there.
Sarinra said working in China’s Shanghai and Vietnam was full of challenges. Not only that she had to overcome language barriers and cultural differences, but she also had to deal with patriarchal systems there. Most employees there were male. So, candidates considered for interviews were usually male. In the face of male dominance, diversity was lacking. Her male subordinates, moreover, accepted her only after she worked extra hard and proved her capabilities. In Vietnam, her merchandise project was considered Best Practice and used as a model for expansion across the region.
“In societies where sexual bias exists, tolerance, patience, and resilience are key to your career success. When you notice an opportunity, grab and magnify it. Work hard with determination. You can also use women’s common characteristics such as being humble, approachable, and courteous to your advantage. They can help bring you to success,” Sarinra said.
After 17 years at Unilever, she had a brief stint at SCB for a year before moving to True Corporation as responsible for retail shops.
When she walked into her first meeting at True Corporation, she was surprised to find herself the only woman in the room. Everything discussed there was also new to her. The company’s business, structure, and terminology sounded unfamiliar to the point that she asked herself, “Will I make it?” However, she soon later discovered that True Corporation’s work environment is very welcoming. Executives and colleagues are open-minded and dedicated to their job. Sarinra was able to fit in and shine.
Daughter’s Duty
For their family, many women in Thailand have given up their career advancement. They are expected to perform their motherly duties. But in Sarinra’s case, she was a dedicated daughter. Her mother had been through a lot to raise her from the age of two after her father’s death. Sarinra was thus more than willing to shoulder the heavy burden of taking care of her bedridden mother for six full years while her career path was going upward.
In her mother’s final years, Sarinra had already been transferred to human resources management function. Not only that this post was a new field for her, but it also meant the number of people under her care would rise significantly. While she struggled to focus on her new job responsibilities, she also needed to make many decisions on her mother’s health. Often, health emergencies arose and she needed to make a call in the best interests of her mother. With two important roles to play, Sarinra said her only choice was to work harder.
During the last six years of her mother’s life, Sarinra devoted her life to just her mother and her job. At 5am sharp, she got out of bed and prepared medicines for her mother. She left home at 7am to ensure she was in the office by 8am. She usually arrived home around 8 or 9pm, after which she prayed and stayed by her mother’s side. She then went to bed around midnight. Her schedule was fixed, as she was dedicated to both her beloved mother and her career.
“I value passion. I believe that love will bring success. I love both my mom and my job. My passion for both enables me to go all out both as a daughter and as a career woman. I have done my best to ensure I have no regrets,” she said.
Secret of Success
Sarinra has her mother as her role model. Becoming a single mother at the age of 45, her mother had strengths, patience, compassion, sharp wits, agility, and survival skills. Her mother’s style has shaped Sarinra into who she is today.
“To all women, you need to have ambition. If you want success, you must be focused. Don’t lose track. You must believe in your potential and value. Obstacles after obstacles will arise on your path, be it about being a mother, a daughter, a subordinate, or a supervisor. You just need to beat them. Feminine traits can support your pursuit of your goals. Women are generally sensitive, sympathetic, and caring to others,” Sarinra shared.
This petite woman has a big heart. While Sarinra has dedicatedly supported her company’s transformation into a telecom-tech company, she has also spared some time for guiding female youth. Sarinra has been a mentor of many girls for their empowerment. Giving is a goal and value of this iron lady, Sarinra Wongsuppaluk.
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