Sunway: Turning a wasteland into a wonderland

This week we gets thoughts and views from Sunway Theme Parks Senior General Manager Calvin Ho

How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?
Our experiences shape us and make us. I come from a close-knit working-class family and was brought up with fundamental family values of perseverance and being kind to one another. I believe that these values have never left me. Treat people the way you want them to treat you, that is really important. As a business, you are only strong as your team. The key to success is persevering and learning from your mistakes. When I joined Sunway, I was honoured to have a Chairman who inspired me to excel in whatever I’m doing, supported my ideas and also provided the needful guidance which has made me the leader I am today.

How has your previous employment experience aided your current position?
Coming from a large theme park resort background, we had challenges of making the business profitable and coming up with innovative ways to achieve this. Hence, it’s important that you keep bringing in new areas of expertise and innovative ideas, so the business can keep moving forward.

What have the highlights and challenges been during your tenures at Sunway Theme Parks?
My biggest challenge is creating a star talent from an ordinary performer and to develop champions within the organisation. I think the highlight is the proven track record of turning companies into a successful business.

What advice can you offer to budding entrepreneurs/women/youths who wants to start their career/own business?
I can honestly say that choosing a mentor and learning from him is crucial in any startups. Perseverance is another key driver and understanding the pitfalls before embarking on any career move or business.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date and why?
Of course, it’s Sunway Group’s Chairman, Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah. He is a visionary and inspiration to many. Tan Sri has successfully articulated his vision into a reality making a wasteland into a wonderland. He also walks the talk as a leader and does not fail in walking the park regularly. At times, seeing him pick up trash during his walkabout is shows his level of humility.

What do you want to accomplish in the next five years?
To be able to open and operate another theme park for Sunway Theme Parks.

Most admired business leader? Why?
Jack Ma, founder and Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group. His business philosophy is practical and proven. He focuses on the skills and attitude of his employees and hiring people with the know-how to carry out the company’s vision is an important pillar of any great company. His philosophy of people being our greatest asset is proven.

How do you stay abreast of issues affecting your industry?
By being well connected and informed of any changes or issues affecting the theme park business and innovating. Keep coming up with new ways and ideas to move the business forward.

If you could have an hour with any thought leader in the world, who would it be and why?
Jack Ma. To spend an hour with such an inspiring entrepreneur whose devoted work ethic has made him one of the world’s leading e-commerce web portals, would be a great privilege. As one of the world’s richest men, he has not let success cloud his vision for the future or his acknowledgement of where he came from. Jack Ma’s keys to success are true and inspiring for everyone from aspiring billionaires to owners of the smallest businesses.

What was your biggest failure and how did you learn from it?
My biggest weakness and failure is not listening enough and making time for my team and colleagues.

What was the most outlandish business proposal you have ever heard of?
I don’t believe that there are any outlandish ideas. Ideas can be explored and you may never know, it may be one of the best ideas ever.

What man-made innovation confounds you? Why?
Computer Technology. The latest Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Robotics etc. I think these will shape the future of theme parks.

The biggest challenge you've faced?
My biggest challenge is creating a star talent from an ordinary performer and to develop champions within the organisation.

Malaysia's greatest brand.
There are many iconic Malaysian brands out there but being a true Sunwayian, I believe that the Sunway brand is a great brand. Its purpose, vision and mission are synonymous throughout the group with a solid foundation on three core values: Integrity, Humility and Excellence.

Blue or red ocean strategy? or neither? Why?
Blue, as we need to have innovation and invention to evolve in how we manage our business. It is no longer about competing with one another but rather complementing one another.

A must-read for every business owner/manager?
7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a must and highly recommended to be read. A business and self-improvement book written by Stephen R. Covey in 1988. It is thought-provoking, inspiring and empowers us as individuals. The principles are universal and can be applied to any aspect of one’s professional and personal life. At Sunway, we embrace, practice and even discuss these habits in our daily interactions.