| Thais and Planning: A Management Case Study |
| February 2001 |
During this period of time, many organizations are busy finalising business plans. Most started the budgeting and business planning process during August or September and finalized it during November - December.I remember one Westerner who has lived in Thailand for many years, commenting on why Thais don't adapt so well to the planning process...(less planning, wait and see, easy-living etc.). His theory was based on the sociological aspects of Thailand culture. He felt that this lack of respect for planning could be traced to Thai history and that Thailand was a rich and plentiful country with a highly liveable environment and natural resources. Further, the climate was also hospitable all year round (though some of you might argue that it is too hot in the summer!). In the old days, we used to have the saying... "..In the river has fish, in the farm has rice…." Food was usually available right in front of our house. Why bother to do the inventory! Furthermore, natural disasters like earthquakes or severe changes in seasons like snow in the winter do not occur in Thailand. People did not have to plan for anything. In the morning, we went out to the farm and river and got something to cook for the day. We did not have to plan ahead to fight with nature as in many Western countries, where planning ahead is a must. Among Thais, we also have a joke about "Planning". "Ning" when pronounced in the Thai language means "Unmoving". When Thais say "Plan-ning" it sounds like Plan! - and do nothing (just plan and don't move, so nothing happens!). Would you still plan and ning? However, at present, natural resources are not so abundant. Additionally, we do not live near by the river and farm anymore. If we live with that kind of attitude, we may not be able to survive in the new economy. We must also think about planning for effective implementation, not just for the sake of plan. I have a food for thought for any one who would like to challenge their brain. Please read the scenario below and sending your comment to my email address at the bottom of column. I will select the best suggestion to publish in following issue. Scenario: Consider a previously 100% owned Thai company, that after the Asian crisis merged with a foreign partner. The management increased the number of Expats in the organization sourced from the overseas partner. The new Operations Director conducted his first operational meeting last month. He was an American who had just come to Thailand for the first time, and the job was his first assignment overseas. At the end of meeting, he said that he would like to institute having month-end reports. The report should include, a review of what was happening each month, difficulties, issues, concerns and the plan for the next month. He asked for any questions or concerns regarding preparation of this report. There were no questions or concerns raised and he noticed that everyone nodded their heads from time to time during his brief. Assuming that his subordinates were good listeners and had captured all the content that he just communicated, he thought to himself that Thais were quite easy to manage. They were obedience, humble, nice (smile all the time), willing to adapt to new thing and don't ask too many questions like his former staff back home! By the 5th of this month, he called an urgent meeting and asked why none of his six Thai managers had submitted theur reports. His body language and tone of voice reflected anger and frustration. The managers replied that firstly they didn't know how to do it. "...What should be the format of the report in the English language?", they asked. Secondly, they thought that since there was no specific target date, they thought it was flexible. They were quite shocked with the boss's reaction, who became very upset and walked out of meeting room immediately. What would be your advise to this gentleman?
Kriengsak Niratpattanasai (This column will also appear in the Bangkok Post later this week.) |
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| ...from Kriengsak Niratappanasai's Thailand Tales |
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| Kriengsak Niratpattanasai Thai Danu Bank Bangkok Thailand |
| Kriengsak was one of the Asian Business Strategy & Street Intelligence Ezine's earliest columnists and continues to provide some of the most savvy advice on the Net on working in Thailand. His down to earth advice from years of working with falang and locals mixed with local folkstories continues to delight and inform. Click on Kriengsak's picture to learn more about our great friend and colleague. |
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