When Keng Koon Chee was appointed CEO of Great American Insurance Company, Singapore Branch five years ago, he felt a sense of accomplishment and pride. He had landed his dream job. And with more than 29 years of experience in leadership and management roles such as CEO of QBE Insurance (International), Singapore Branch and as the Marine Regional General Manager for the Asia Region, Keng Koon was ready to lead the newly formed branch within Great American Insurance Company’s 148-year-old US business towards success.
But like any significant change, the title and position came with challenges. “Being a CEO of a new startup is not a bed of roses. Like any career, it has its obstacles,” says Keng Koon. The downsides that arose with the high-ranking position included dealing with challenging situations and managing time effectively. “There is also the issue of dealing with self-doubt and the inevitable task of taking care of the business side of things,” he says. Then, there are the challenges of driving the team, getting them to believe in the company’s values and vision, and working towards building a rich culture.
Keng Koon also had to adjust to the demands and responsibility of being a leader, as opposed to being led. “Being a CEO of the organisation feels different from being an employee,” he reflects. “It feels different from working for yourself. Your words carry more weight than before. Your actions get scrutinised more closely. You are not just accountable for your results but also for the results of others.” How he went on to handle certain situations also set a particular tone for the business. “I am always determined to put in my best efforts to lead and set an example to achieve a strong position,” he says.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2020 من The CEO Magazine Asia.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2020 من The CEO Magazine Asia.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Lito German Is Driving Change And Accelerating Growth For Sandbox
After years in the automotive industry, CEO Lito German is now driving change and accelerating growth for importer and distributor Sandbox Middle East.
They're Pioneers In Enshrining Green Values Into Everything They Do
CEO Chamaiporn Uerpairojkit explains how thai plastics giant tpbi was committed to sustainability long before the government made an industry-changing announcement last year.
Maverick Unicorn
Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek is a textbook example of the startup gurus propelling their companies to billion-dollar valuations.
''Increase The Velocity''
Adapting Camfil’s business model to work at a faster pace was critical for the business to thrive in today’s China, according to managing director Michel Moulin.
Device Manager
Covid-19 tore the world’s tech supply chains asunder, the effects of which are still being felt today. But through steady management and quality of work, malaysian component manufacturer analog devices has managed to thrive during the storm.
Going Antiviral
Chiaphua Industries chief marketing officer and co-founder of Germagic Hamilton Hung has transformed the appliance manufacturer into an antiviral research and development powerhouse. And he has done so with patience and vision.
Risk Vs Return
Add pandemic fallout to a low interest-rate environment and you have a challenge for highnet-worth investors. Where might opportunities lie?
Expect The Unexpected
For lockton philippines insurance & reinsurance brokers ceo vic valledor, providing affordable premiums for the poorest families is vital, especially considering the recent challenges of the covid-19 pandemic.
The Ultimate Investments
With the global economic recovery from the pandemic underway, many analysts are suggesting now is the time to invest – but will whisky, soybeans or bitcoin find a way into your portfolio?
The Future Of Fintech
Covid-19 has accelerated the world’s shift to a digital economy, and airwallex co-founder and president Lucy Liu wants to make sure there are more female fintech leaders with her at the top.