Page 77 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 6 | August - September 2024

Another partnership programme that may
be very exciting for many in the Thai-Indian
community is your partnerships with some
of the biggest international school names
in Thailand’s educational space. Can you
share a little more about that?
This partnership is very strategic as well.
We have an instalment plan product called
‘Wise Pay’ where our card members have
the flexibility to repay in instalments over a
period of time. This is something that we’ve
found a lot of parents who send their kids
to international schools love, and we’ve had
many requests to expand our base to more
and more international schools.

Education is an expense that parents will
generally want to pay, so options for how
they can make those payments are always
welcomed.

You’ve mentioned that the COVID-19
pandemic changed consumer consumption
in many ways, as well as the ways that
companies do business. What are some
learnings that you’ve made during this
period of change, and consequently, the
areas that you hope to evolve in the future?
Speaking from the point of view of someone
who manages the business here, we never
thought that people could work from home
and still deliver on all their work objectives.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting
our colleagues’ safety was priority number
one, so we asked everyone to work from
home. But we also wondered if we could
still operate a business that way. We learned
very quickly how to ensure that we maintain
productivity even when we don’t come to the Having said that, you need to make sure that What are the key priorities and goals for
office. Fast forward to today, we have adopted there’s a strong culture within the company, American Express Thailand in the next five
the hybrid way of working. Believe it or not, and sometimes that requires colleagues to years, and how do you plan to achieve them
our productivity has not dropped, and we come together. When people come to the amidst the dynamic business environment?

have built an even better work culture. office, it’s about collaboration and sharing We’re doubling down on the premium
ideas.
Younger generations come into the workforce segment. We’ve had great traction in the
and have certain expectations of flexibility and On a more personal note, what are your last few years, but we want to keep on going.
freedom. It goes back to what I said before – goals and convictions as Country Manager? We aspire to be the leader in the premium
it’s important who you bring into the company Are there any country-specific changes that segment by making sure we are relevant to
because you want to ensure that they take you hope to bring about within your tenure? the customers in that segment and making
accountability and have commitment. We I have huge dreams for American Express sure our product resonates with them. Once
don’t want to constantly watch colleagues as Thailand! [Laughs] Firstly, I want to reiterate we can do that, I think we can fulfil all our
they work, we want to give them the flexibility that I love this country. I want to make sure goals.

to do the work in the way that they think is that my impact works both ways – it helps Finally, it goes back to our company vision.
most effective, but to make sure that they the company, but it also helps the country. A fundamental part of how we operate is to
deliver. It’s about setting high expectations, The way I look at it, American Express has provide the world’s best customer experience
and all of us must commit to excellence - but a global reach, with over 140 million cards every day. I want to make sure that everyone
how you get there is up to you. You need to around the world. Thailand being a country in our company continues to deliver that
build trust with your team, set expectations, where we rely on tourism, I want to make sure to our customers, and that we do it every
and be extremely clear, because you’re about that American Express has a great network to single day.
to give them a lot of freedom. I’m very pleased bring our card members into Thailand and VIEW VIDEO:
to say that American Express has built this that they enjoy the country, and that will
into our culture. In my opinion, if you really help our economy. And I also want to ensure
focus on business results and the happiness that American Express becomes known as
of your people, there’s no need to have them the most reputable premium brand within
come into the office five days a week. Thailand.

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