MANAGEMENT

Thai managers lag behind regional peers in leadership

Pichaya Changsorn

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Thai managers lag behind their peers in other countries in their capability to lead and supervise their staff effectively, says Pichpajee Saichuae, managing director of Tower Watson (Thailand), citing a survey conducted by his consultancy.

The firm's 2012 Talent Manage-ment & Rewards study showed that Thailand trailed behind both developed and other fast-growing Asia-Pacific countries in all areas of "manager effectiveness" as categorised in the survey.

The four categories analysed were: capability of working with subordinates to set appropriate individual performance goals; giving employees regular coaching and feedback on their performance; differentiating between high and low performers; and fairly reflecting performance in pay decisions.

For example, only 38 per cent of participating firms in Thailand said their organisations had satisfied the first category, compared with 67 per cent of developed Asia-Pacific economies and 57 per cent of other fast-growing Asia-Pacific nations, the study showed.

"I could hardly sleep without addressing this issue," Pichpajee told The Nation on the sidelines of a seminar held by Towers Watson to unveil the survey results.

Pichpajee told the seminar that the shortfall in Thai managers' effectiveness had resulted in a high staff-turnover rate.

As reflected by the adage that "staff join because of the company but leave because of their bosses", staff relationships with their managers or supervisors are a top retention factor.

Dr Kongpob Watanasin, CIMB Thai Group's country head of human resources, told the seminar that talent retention was the most challenging issue for his bank, which recorded an annual staff-turnover rate of 20 per cent, one of the highest in the industry. He said this coincided with another, related challenge, "enhancing the capability of our people".

Because of the battle for talent in the Thai banking industry, base pay of CIMB Thai staff is currently higher than the rates in some other countries where the group operates, including at the parent firm in Malaysia.

Asked how to achieve productivity without staff feeling burned out, Kongpob said this was not an easy task because it depended largely on the ability of managers and supervisors in each organisation to communicate and engage effectively with their subordinates, encouraging them tirelessly to go the "extra mile" for the company.

"At CIMB, we think this issue is important because we drive [staff to achieve] targets quite aggressively.

"Some managers don't view this issue as important and simply drive their subordinates to achieve their sale targets. The first thing to do is to train managers on how to communicate the targets. They also need to be trained on the techniques of interviewing and recruiting the right people, and to understand how to build staff engagement," he said.

Nevertheless, the survey showed that the Thai staff-engagement rate was 80 per cent, far exceeding the global average rate of 14 per cent.

-- The Nation 2013-01-21

Thais lagging?" Hard to believe. "Thai staff-engagement rate of 80%? What does this mean?

When jobs are bought or given as "gifts " instead of earned, no surprise here.

Also lack of quality or complaint or retention controls does not help the problem.

From personal experience, I gave my manager an iPhone to make it easier for us to communicate with things like Skype , emails etc.

The first thing she did was download all the free games. 3 weeks later still not even 1 useful app has been downloaded

We're just discovering this? I could have told them 32 years ago if they had asked and there is still a simple solution - get rid of the "family managers" and stop treating the staff as slaves. The way to employ and keep good staff is training and a good reward for good work not (as many companies) no training and a cheap bottle of whiskey if they help make some money!!

Thais lagging?" Hard to believe. "Thai staff-engagement rate of 80%? What does this mean?

Definition of 'Employee Engagement'

A business management concept that describes the level of enthusiasm and dedication a worker feels toward his/her job. Engaged employee cares their work and about the performance of the company, and feels that their efforts make a difference. An engaged employee is in it for more than a paycheck.

Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/employee-engagement.asp#ixzz2IZL5xqS8

Not sure where this reporter found his stats but I find his numbers quite suspect.

In 2005, a survey conducted in Thailand revealed only 12 per cent of Thailand’s employee

population are ‘engaged’, 82 per cent are ‘actively disengaged’ and 6 per cent disengaged.

Similar Gallup studies have found the levels of engagement in Australia, China, Japan, New

8

Zealand and Singapore to be 18 per cent, 12 per cent, 9 per cent, 17 per cent and 9 per cent

Thais lagging?" Hard to believe. "Thai staff-engagement rate of 80%? What does this mean?

56% of statistics are made up on the spur of the moment... so 80% means sod all

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Dont forget the logic issue; there is absolutly no logic in their decisions either

When jobs are bought or given as "gifts " instead of earned, no surprise here.

Also lack of quality or complaint or retention controls does not help the problem.

From personal experience, I gave my manager an iPhone to make it easier for us to communicate with things like Skype , emails etc.

The first thing she did was download all the free games. 3 weeks later still not even 1 useful app has been downloaded

Kind of reminds me of a executive in a big corporation who resigned her job to run for Prime Minister. The vacant position is still open.

I can imagine the encouragement she offered to her underlings.

The higher their status and position, the less they want to engage with "their slaves", neglecting the discipline in Human proper behavior..

Thai's will never beleive you, everything is top notch in Thailand, where Thailand leads the world follows, so I am told. Asean could be a rude awakening.

Thai's will never beleive you, everything is top notch in Thailand, where Thailand leads the world follows, so I am told. Asean could be a rude awakening.

Let's hope so... a healthy dose of reality might be whats needed!

I've worked in the same offices as some Thai bosses. My bosses are foreign and for the most part don't interfere with my work as long as it's done and done well. They also pat me on the back a lot for a job well done. Telling someone 'job well done!' is a very easy thing to do and for the most part motivates the staff. (Cash and prizes do this also)

I found a lot of the Thai bosses to be jobsworths. It's their way or no way. They for the most part wouldn't verbally praise staff and instead looked for ways to put them down. Turn over of Thai staff was quite high.

I like the attitude of "if it's not broken, don't fix it"

I think the attitude with a lot of the Thai bosses I encountered was "If it's not broken, break it".

Edited January 21, 201313 yr by rkidlad

I like the attitude of "if it's not broken, don't fix it"

I think the attitude with a lot of the Thai bosses I encountered was "If it's not broken, break it".

This attitude is called none other than FACE. It makes Thai bosses look stupid to admit fault or giving in to modern changes.

Thai's will never beleive you, everything is top notch in Thailand, where Thailand leads the world follows, so I am told. Asean could be a rude awakening.

Let's hope so... a healthy dose of reality might be whats needed!

Only dose of reality that would work is something that directly affects their pockets.

Lag would be an under-statement by at least a two centuries!

First thing a Thai manager should do is ban usage of mobiles in work time and using Facebook on company computers, that would improve their performance immensely.

Another survey recently showed Thailand lacking behind in English language skills compared to other Asian countries, it was called a contentment factor, where Thai people were content with lives and lacked ambition and had not changed in 30 years, where as other Asian countries had. Thai's I suspect will not change until they have to venture into Cambodia and Myanmar seeking employment.

First thing a Thai manager should do is ban usage of mobiles in work time and using Facebook on company computers, that would improve their performance immensely.

Another survey recently showed Thailand lacking behind in English language skills compared to other Asian countries, it was called a contentment factor, where Thai people were content with lives and lacked ambition and had not changed in 30 years, where as other Asian countries had. Thai's I suspect will not change until they have to venture into Cambodia and Myanmar seeking employment.

do not be crazy if phones and facebook are banned from the work time, no staff will show up to work the following day.

I'd rather say the majority of Thai Managers lack International way of moral and ethics, as well as tolerance towards people with different points of views and creativiy, where as the first one SOCIAL BEHAVIOR comes first

and you wonder why kids are following those role models

Off topic posts have been removed. Another post using all caps has been removed as well. Turn off your Caps Lock button when posting.

You only have to look at the way the degrees are handed out, like bus tickets, with all pomp and ceremony yet the value of the paper is only that. Paper and no credentials attached. Sure the families can claim little Somchai or cousin Lek has a Uni Degree but I am going to be hard here (from experience in employing degreed Thai's) not one would stand up to a decent western university examination paper pass requirement unless the Thai student earned the degree overseas.

Thai's will never beleive you, everything is top notch in Thailand, where Thailand leads the world follows, so I am told. Asean could be a rude awakening.

Don't worry about that, even when they are confronted face to face with the facts, they will still find excuses.

Thailand is the hub of denial.

on thaivisa this topic has come up so many times. ask hotels about this and they will tell privately the lack of quality management is very high. in my experience so many thais apply for management jobs and very few are even remotely qualified.

while job training can help thailands very lack of a real education for its people and the ongoing level of corruption continue foreigners still have to be brought in

as my friend told me if Thai's were as good as foreigners in management we would not be able to be here.

When jobs are bought or given as "gifts " instead of earned, no surprise here.

Also lack of quality or complaint or retention controls does not help the problem.

From personal experience, I gave my manager an iPhone to make it easier for us to communicate with things like Skype , emails etc.

The first thing she did was download all the free games. 3 weeks later still not even 1 useful app has been downloaded

Kind of reminds me of a executive in a big corporation who resigned her job to run for Prime Minister. The vacant position is still open.

I can imagine the encouragement she offered to her underlings.

That's not true, is it ??

Nice little Thai bashing thread and good that the predictable untruth about the PM is still alive., thank you dolly.

Well done you other chaps.........

It seems from the perspective of TVF there are no successful international Thai companies and ineptitude, nepotism, cronyism and outright incompetence are the 100% norm.

Keep it up, pip pip.

Nice little Thai bashing thread and good that the predictable untruth about the PM is still alive., thank you dolly.

Well done you other chaps.........

It seems from the perspective of TVF there are no successful international Thai companies and ineptitude, nepotism, cronyism and outright incompetence are the 100% norm.

Keep it up, pip pip.

dude, it has brought out the worse in posters... i was surprised when it turned to thai university bashing though.

look, the lady is pushing her consulting firm and managed to make news for the nation and post.

although you woulda thought the nation could have gotten her gender right... wonder who's the nation's management ...

You could say of Thai leadership from the very top.

Nice little Thai bashing thread and good that the predictable untruth about the PM is still alive., thank you dolly.

Well done you other chaps.........

It seems from the perspective of TVF there are no successful international Thai companies and ineptitude, nepotism, cronyism and outright incompetence are the 100% norm.

Keep it up, pip pip.

Somewhat naughty, my dear Phil. The truth/untruth about our PM having top jobs in her family owned companies was removed by mods. A bit off topic you know

As for Thai managers, well with 51/49 ownership, connections/relations all important, 'do you know who I am' mentality, life back in Europe seems almost pastural instead

Nice little Thai bashing thread and good that the predictable untruth about the PM is still alive., thank you dolly.

Well done you other chaps.........

It seems from the perspective of TVF there are no successful international Thai companies and ineptitude, nepotism, cronyism and outright incompetence are the 100% norm.

Keep it up, pip pip.

Somewhat naughty, my dear Phil. The truth/untruth about our PM having top jobs in her family owned companies was removed by mods. A bit off topic you know

As for Thai managers, well with 51/49 ownership, connections/relations all important, 'do you know who I am' mentality, life back in Europe seems almost pastural instead

what's this then?

Nice little Thai bashing thread and good that the predictable untruth about the PM is still alive., thank you dolly.

Well done you other chaps.........

It seems from the perspective of TVF there are no successful international Thai companies and ineptitude, nepotism, cronyism and outright incompetence are the 100% norm.

Keep it up, pip pip.

Somewhat naughty, my dear Phil. The truth/untruth about our PM having top jobs in her family owned companies was removed by mods. A bit off topic you know

As for Thai managers, well with 51/49 ownership, connections/relations all important, 'do you know who I am' mentality, life back in Europe seems almost pastural instead

what's this then?

The only true post. Lots of rubbish after let to http://www.thaivisa....p/#entry6038891

Thailand is thus...

Dont make a decision...if its a bad one they lose face big time

If you dont do anything then you cant be accused of doing something wrong

I have met and worked with some great Thai engineers in Thailand but their managers are so inept it defies logic

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app