Business DNA: Perseverance and Profit are Essential to Education
Have a clear mind about what you want and how you will take it to the next level, and never stop learning.
Welcome to Business DNA, a chance for us to delve into the essential make-up of business leaders and their organizations. Our focus is not on the short term but instead on understanding the driving forces behind business. Our guest today is Kelvin Koh, CEO and co-founder of SISB Public Company Limited.
This post is a summary; click below to download the full interview as a PDF.
Leader DNA: Kelvin Koh
Growing up in Singapore, Kelvin Koh Yew Hock would get up very early and help his mom open her food store before washing up and going to school. Sports and Kelvin’s mom taught him perseverance. The same perseverance that had made him stay in Thailand and build his business, even though he had arrived in the country just before one of its military coups.
Kelvin says his perseverance is part of his DNA. You must have a clear mind about what you want and how you will take it to the next level, and never stop learning.
What Kelvin shared:
Education is a business that needs more responsible businesspeople – To run an educational business, you have to be very responsible because you are impacting young lives. You must understand that education is a sacred business. Make sure your teachers understand this, too.
Nothing wrong with making a profit in educational businesses – There is a misconception that educational businesses should not be for profit. The profit allows for improving facilities, hiring better teachers, or increasing salaries to maintain great staff.
Be an accountable decision-maker – Have a clear mind, be tough on facts, be a decision-maker, and take responsibility for your decisions. If you are this kind of leader, people will want to work with you.
Never stop learning – Continue learning, continue improving, and develop. As with any business, when you stop innovation, you go backward.
Human resources are the primary constraint to growth for SISB – There are many opportunities for the business, but the constraint is the human resources. The challenge is how to get good people who share your vision to deliver the outcome.
About SISB PCL (SISB)
In 2001, SISB Public Company Limited (SISB) was incorporated. It was first listed on the Market for Alternative Investment (mai) in 2018 and then moved to the Stock Exchange of Thailand on 23 April 2019. SISB is a provider of international schools in Thailand, based on the Singapore curriculum and specializing in mathematics and science. It follows a trilingual teaching approach with English, Thai, and Chinese. Since its establishment, SISB has expanded to five campuses that provide education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
NOTE: This interview was first published in March 2021. Given its timeless lessons and its focus on the long-term rather than quarterly results, we think you may still find a lot of value in the interview five years later.