Vietnam Business Forum interviewed Ms Dao Thi Bach Lan, deputy director of Tanaka Vietnam Company.
Could you please briefly introduce the development of Tanaka Vietnam?
Tanaka Vietnam Company, Ltd. was set up on July 22, 1995 with total registered capital of US$1.3 million and rented land area of only 2,500 square metres. With the advantages of having stable domestic material sources such as rice and sweet potatoes, and young human resources, the company earned notable profit right from the first year of operation. Over the past 12 years, Tanaka Vietnam has raised its equity five times, with total capital growing to US$10.4 million and leased land area to 10,000 square metres.
The company’s output has increased from 15 containers per month in 1996 to 60 containers monthly this year.
What is the biggest challenge, as the lead beverage business operating in the integration period, when more and more foreign giants have penetrated Vietnam’s market?
Our company is a logistics agent for food processing groups in Japan. Building a strong trademark to become a giant business of the country requires many elements, such as stable high-quality products, business strategy, researching new products to meet the demand of customers, and financial strength.
As mentioned above, our major market is Japan and markets serving Japanese people. As a result, the penetration of giant businesses into Vietnam’s market has not greatly affected our company.
People think the leader of a foreign-invested company has to face great pressure, especially for female leaders. What do you think about this opinion?
The leader of a business certainly encounters great pressure, both for male and female managers. For female leaders, it becomes more difficult because they have to harmonise business work and family work.
I myself don’t want fame, but desire a simple and quiet life, like many other women. I only hope that my work is always smooth, ensuring jobs for me and 100 other workers, that my family members are healthy and can work, and that my children are obedient.
Could you please share your secret for success with readers?
Ancient people said experience can not surpass luck. In order to have success, luck accounts for up to 80 per cent, while personal effort makes up an indispensable 20 per cent. In any circumstance, if we try our best we will reap good result. For me, the effort is always associated with having an inquiring mind, learning from books, superiors, colleagues, and from employees. Learning will perfect your mind as work demand increases.
Luu Hiep
Vietnamese
