THE JOURNEY Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia
THE JOURNEY 978-967-18971-0-2 ISBN January 2021 Edition One Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia Datuk Othman Yusoff Thinking Eyes Datuk Seri Abdul Jalil Hamid, Bazuki Muhammad Printer Forum Press Sdn Bhd Publisher Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia Unit 3A 07, Block C, Phileo Damansara 1 Jalan 16/11, Seksyen 16, 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Printed in Malaysia © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any other information storage, and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia.
WHAT’S INSIDE 03 Welcome 04 What We Do 06 As We Look Back 08 Past & Current Presidents 10 The Trustees 14 Executive Committee 2020 16 Special Message from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former prime minister of Malaysia & Club Patron 18 Senior Management Development Program & ASMDP 20 REFLECTIONS PART I 22-25 The President Speaks I Prof Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang 26 As I Recall, by Datuk Sulaiman Abdullah l Founder President 28-35 Club Activities in Photos 36 REFLECTIONS PART II 38 Quotes by Malaysian & Singaporean Leaders 40-55 Viewpoints by Past HBSACM Presidents 56 REFLECTIONS PART III 58-65 As We See It, by HBS Professors 66 Harvard MBA Alumnus Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian 68-71 Feedback from Alumni 72 REFLECTIONS PART IV 74 Studies undertaken by HBSACM 76 Harvard Business School l An Overview 78 Tips on Applying to Top Business Schools 80 The Secretariat
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12 The Foundation
WELCOME
On the cover : SPB Yang di-Pertuan Agong XII Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail (C), HBSACM President 2001/02, Prof Dr Syed Abdullah Almohdzar (3rd L), and other past presidents at the 25th HBSACM Anniversary Dinner at Carcosa Seri Negara in 2002.
Regarded as the most active HBS alumni club outside Boston, HBSACM has indeed touched the lives of thousands of people directly and indirectly. The list of those who have walked through the doors of the Harvard campus in Boston and here in Malaysia via HBS-inspired programs runs like the Who’s Who of the Malaysian corporate world. Backed by a team of dedicated corporate leaders, who work tirelessly to educate middle and senior managers on cutting-edge business ideas, HBSACM remains connected to industry and business while establishing an inclusive community that focuses on enrichment not only of the individual but also of the world outside the classroom. This book aims to chronicle the successes and the struggles of the pioneering team of this Malaysian chapter of the Harvard Business alumni club in bringing the best of Harvard education to Malaysia, and in helping to inspire thousands to climb the corporate ladder. What is more important, this book also serves to inspire young, bright and talented Malaysians to challenge the conventional wisdom that MBAs from Harvard and other top business schools are only for a select few. In this book, we share the successes of Malaysia’s own Harvard DBA and MBA alumni and others who pursued continuing executive programs in Boston. In addition, the HBSACM programs in Malaysia, which are run by the HBS professors, are also equally attractive to corporate managers looking for better career development or as a stepping stone to Harvard or elsewhere.
VERITAS | THE TRUTH
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For more than four decades, the Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia has been synonymous with executive business education in this country.
Since 1977, the Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia (HBSACM) has been active in fostering social and fraternal association among HBS alumni in Malaysia. The number of HBS alumni in HBSACM has grown substantially since its inception. They include the “Who’s Who” of the government and corporate sectors. The Club serves to enhance the professional standards, management and practices of the Malaysian business and corporate sector. A key goal is to generate interest among senior management personnel and promising university graduates in management positions to further their management training. In promoting the advancement of education in business, the Senior Management Development Program (SMDP) was held every two years since 1980. The programs were organized in collaboration with HBS Senior Faculty Members. Participants in these programs are CEOs and senior managers from both the public and private sectors. The program is open to participants from the Asean region with the first Asean Senior Management Development Program (ASMDP) organized in 2005. ASMDP is now held on alternate years. The ASMDP / SMDP is a one/two-week residential program modelled on the HBS Executive Education Program in Boston. It uses the Case Study Method to accelerate learning and develop the thinking skills and potential of practicing managers for advancement to higher job positions. The total number of graduates from these programs from 1980 to 2019 is more than 2,600. The 97th SMDP was held at Hotel Bangi - Putrajaya from July 14 to 21, 2019. Other activities organized for members include
anniversary dinners, golf tournaments, corporate visits, family outings, seminars, luncheon and dinner talks. To meet its corporate social responsibility, HBSACM under its Foundation provides funds to universities for specific studies. It also donates books and computers to schools and awards MBA scholarships and Gold Medals to the best university student in MBA and BBA studies. The Club’s activities, such as the SMDP, the Manager of the Year award, the dinners, seminars, luncheons and golf tournaments, have consistently drawn good support from both public and private sector organisations. We also run a Trust Fund, which we set up in 1984. The main aim of the Trust Fund is to promote and disseminate knowledge and education in business studies and other related fields. Various sums of money have been donated and/or subscribed to the Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia Foundation. The Foundation carried out various programs, such as the awarding of scholarships to pursue post-graduate degrees in local and foreign universities, and funding of various studies such as on wage trends and wage systems in Malaysia. We have also set up a reference library for members of the Club. The Library contains the latest on technology, corporate financial management, marketing, organisational behaviour, corporate strategy and human resource management. Internationally and regionally, the Club is active in attending Harvard Business School Alumnirelated meetings across the Asia-Pacific region. The Club’s active involvement in HBS Alumnirelated meetings not only complements Malaysian government efforts but also enhances the Club’s credibility within the HBS fraternity.
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WHAT WE DO
10th Asean Senior Management Development Program July 14-21, 2019 | Bangi Resort Hotel, Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor
By all accounts, the Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia (HBSACM) is considered a venerable institution in Malaysia. Not only its past and present Club leaders comprise the “Who’s Who” of the Malaysian corporate and business world, the country’s Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, and most of the Prime Ministers, Deputy Prime Ministers and Finance Ministers have somehow also been involved with the Club by attending many of its activities as speakers or as guests of honour. The Club’s royal touch and the prestige and reputation it gained over the years have made it one of the most successful foreign business school alumni in the country. It is not only one of the most active alumni groups in Malaysia but is also regarded as the most active Harvard Business School alumni East of Suez. The Club is also proud of its special relationship with the Harvard Business School, which enables it to run its flagship Senior Management Development Program (SMDP) here in Malaysia in conjunction with HBS faculty members who fly in every year to Kuala Lumpur. The Club’s history can be traced back to 1976, when Tun Hussein Onn was the Prime Minister. The Club was officially registered on July 19, 1977, as a result of the initiative of several people the year before. The pro-tem committee held its first meeting at Wisma MISC, Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lumpur. It was attended by Dato Sulaiman Abdullah, Tan Sri Jamil Jan, Tan Sri Saw Huat Lye, Mr Tan Koon Swan and Mrs Lilian Too. The committee was responsible for drafting the Club’s constitution and by-laws and for the submission of the application for registration by the Registrar of Societies. The first annual general meeting was attended by Dato Sulaiman Abdullah, Raja Tan Sri Mohammad Alias Raja Mohammad Ali, Datuk Alladin Hashim, Mr Ng Sing Hwa, Datuk Mohamad Jamil, Mr L.C.
Coutts, Dr Stephen Goh, Mr Samuel Wong and Haji Mohamad Yusof Talif. The meeting unanimously elected Dato Sulaiman Abdullah as President, Raja Tan Sri Mohammad Alias as Vice-President, Mrs Lilian Too as Hon. Secretary, Mr Ng Sing Hwa as Hon. Treasurer and Haji Mohamad Yusof Talif as Director of Activities. At the first formal gathering of the Club, an inauguration dinner held in 1978, the then Deputy Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, as Patron of the Club, reminded members that they should play their role in nation-building. In 1984, the Club established the HBSACM Foundation which awards scholarships to students pursuing Master of Business Administration programs in local universities. In line with the Club’s objectives to enhance the professional standards, practices and management of Malaysian businesses, it also organises the Senior Management Development Programs (SMDP). The program was initiated by a few people, including Tan Sri Saw Huat Lye, who went to Boston in 1978 to meet with Daryl Wyckoff and Prof Warren McFarlan to obtain their agreement to start the Program. The Program served to fill the glaring gap in business management education in Malaysia then. The first SMDP was held in 1979 with 72 participants, led by Wyckoff, McFarlan and Michael Porter. The Club was also the first to recognise the contribution and achievement of CEOs in the country. The Manager of the Year Award was the Club’s way of encouraging and promoting excellence in professional business management in the country. The first recipient was Mr Gerald Fox of Esso Malaysia in 1984. Other recipients include Tan Sri Khoo Kay Peng of MUI (1985), Tan Sri Abdul Aziz A. Rahman of MAS (1986), Tan Sri Azman Hashim of Ambank Group (1996) and Tan Sri Shamsuddin Abdul Kadir of Sapura Holdings (1997).
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AS WE LOOK BACK
Perdana Leadership Foundation, December 6, 2013.
PAST & CURRENT PRESIDENTS
Dato’ Sulaiman Abdullah (1976/77) Raja Tan Sri Muhammad Alias Raja Muhammad Ali (1977/79) Tan Sri Hashim Aman (1979/80) Ng Sing Hwa (1980/81) Lillian Too (1981/82) Tan Sri Dato’ Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman (1982/83) Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Mohd Rashdan Baba (1983/84) Dato’ Mustafa Md Ali (1984/85) David Leong Choon Chiang (1985/86) Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Mohd Noor Ismail (1986/87) Gen (R) Tan Sri Dato’ Zain Hashim (1987/88) Datuk Alladin Hashim (1988/89) Dato’ Abdullah Mat Zaid (1989/90) Tan Sri Saw Huat Lye (1990/91) Dato’ Ng Cheng Kuai (1991/92) Tan Sri Datuk G Gnanalingam (1992/93) Tan Sri Dato’ Alwi Jantan (1993/94) Dato’ Dr Mohd Shahari Ahmad Jabar (1994/95) Tan Sri Datuk Zainal Abidin Sulong (1995/96) Tan Sri Datuk Seri Tay Ah Lek (1996/97) Datuk Othman Yusoff (1997/98) Mohd Yusoff Talif (1998/99) Mohd Nizar Idris (1999/2000) Tan Sri Dato’ Adam Abdul Kadir (2000/01) Prof Dr Syed Abdullah Almohdzar (2001/02) Raja Datuk Sharifuddin Abidin (2002/03) Tan Sri Datuk G Gnanalingam (2003/2015) Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Zaini Ujang (2016 - present)
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01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.
THE TRUSTEES
Martin Giles Manen
Dato’ Abdul Rahim Osman
Dato’ Khamis Mohamed Som
Datuk Raja Sharifuddin Abidin
Dato’ Abu Kassim Tadin
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Dato’ Mustafa Md Ali
THE FOUNDATION
To pursue this goal, the Trustees established the Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia Foundation. Various sums of money have been donated to the Foundation and/or subscribed to since then. Under the aegis of the Foundation, various activities are carried out, such as granting scholarships to pursue postgraduate degrees in local and foreign universities, and research on relevant areas.
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The Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia established a Trust Fund by a Trust Deed on March 26, 1984. The main aim of the Fund is to promote and disseminate knowledge and education in business studies and other related subjects.
Patron Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad President Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Zaini Ujang Vice-President Anuar Hamdan Datuk Hisham Hamdan Hon. Secretary Ahmad Rosdi Mohd Razali Hon. Treasurer Azizan Abd Rahman Director of Activities Datuk Othman Yusoff Committee Members Wong Heng Wooi Abd Aziz Manan Nyeow Chin Hock Tan Chun Chee Manivannan Rethinam Ex-Officio (Past President) Tan Sri Datuk G Gnanalingam
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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2020
From left : Ahmad Rosdi Mohd Razali, Nyeow Chin Hock, Manivannan Rethinam, Anuar Hamdan, Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Zaini Ujang, Datuk Othman Yusoff, Azizan Abdul Rahman, Abd Aziz Manan, Tan Chun Chee.
MESSAGE FROM PATRON Successful corporations require a pool of high-calibre managers in respective fields. As Malaysia strives to climb the economic ladder, this workforce is critical in the country’s endeavour to develop and sustain an economy that is sustainable, competitive, dynamic and resilient. I acknowledge the active role of the Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia in organising senior management development programmes in Malaysia that are conducted by the Harvard Business School professors. As Patron of the Club, I find your efforts in guiding young and middle-level managers commendable as it opens up an avenue to sharpen their thinking skills in the area of business and management strategies, based on actual case studies of other established companies. However, the Club must be fully committed not only to providing training in the field of management of business and finance, but also in the areas of ethics, morality and values. Ethics in business and government are important. Wealth without work, knowledge without character, and business without morality leave a trail of scandals and failures that we can only be ashamed of. Members of the Harvard Business School Alumni Club comprise those who had served or are serving in the Malaysian government and the private sector at senior levels. You have a common interest. You should contribute and share your expertise and knowledge in business and management with the younger generation. The future leaders in business and government are the youth of today. They must be given ample opportunity to acquire knowledge, gain experience and explore new things, especially in this Digital Age. The graduates of tomorrow should also aspire to be job creators, not mere job seekers. The advent of the gig economy, the sharing economy and the K-economy demands a thorough overhaul of how things are taught in classrooms and on campuses. The Harvard Business School alumni should take the lead by sharing the ethics, relevant ideas and useful feedback with policy-makers and other stakeholders in reshaping our education system to meet the fast-changing pace of the Digital Age. Former prime minister of Malaysia & Club Patron, TUN DR MAHATHIR MOHAMAD
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SENIOR MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM & ASEAN SENIOR MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Senior Management Development Program The Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia (HBSACM) Senior Management Development Program (SMDP) is a fully residential two-week program organised since 1980. Based on the Harvard Business School model for its Executive Education Program conducted in Boston, the SMDP uses the Case Study Method as the medium for learning and involves full participation of the students in a real-case scenario. Four senior professors from Harvard Business School, Boston, USA, will conduct the program covering four modules. The SMDP has successfully trained more than 2,500 senior managers and contributed to the professional development of the practising managers, who have potential for bigger responsibilities.
The Case Study Method The Harvard Business School case study method encourages participants to assume the roles of the managers involved, as they analyze and discuss management challenges. This learning by analogy challenges conventional thinking and maximises the takeaway value for the sponsoring companies. Under the faculty’s guidance and probing, participants will learn to appreciate the different issues affecting the various cases. They learn, analyze facts and situations, define problems, formulate solutions, compare options, commit to an action plan and sell the merits of their respective positions to their colleagues. All case studies are written and selected to encourage in-depth examination of the critical issues addressed in each course. A single case, for example, might involve operating policies, accounting methods, marketing strategies and management styles. Cases also involve a vast range of organisations. Participants The selection of participants ensures that the group of men and women involved in the Program are from diverse industries and professional backgrounds to provide them with the opportunity to draw from each other’s experiences. The Program is designed to actively engage the participants and sustain a high level of stimulation and involvement. To ensure in-depth discussions, participants would have reached a fairly high level of seniority in management within their respective organisations. Group Interaction Every facet of the Program from the selection of participants to the design of living groups to team-building activities is purposely structured to promote dynamic interaction among participants. This constant interchange not only produces a rich pool of knowledge, but also allows participants to share their business and professional experiences, challenges and motivate one another and provoke new ways of thinking.
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Asean Senior Management Development Program The HBSACM Asean Senior Management Development Program is a one-week fully residential program facilitated by two senior HBS professors. It is designed to emphasize the broad elements of business and to provide key tools and concepts for competing in a global economy. This program is purposefully structured to promote dynamic interaction, sharing of thoughts and experience among participants with significant managerial experience and professional backgrounds in diverse industries both from the public and private sectors.
REFLECTIONS PART I
Also, the Club’s founding president Dato’ Sulaiman Abdullah recalls his time at Harvard University in Boston in 1964 and 1973 and why it matters to bring the Program to Malaysia. Photos of the Club’s activities are shared here too.
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Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia President Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Zaini Ujang shares his views about the Club and its signature professional development program. “We are targeting highpotential people,” he says.
DATO’ SERI IR DR ZAINI UJANG President 2015 - current
Dato’ Seri Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang, dubbed Malaysia’s “water icon”, has been the President of HBSACM since 2016. Dr. Zaini, who is also the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Environment and Water, has said growing up near rivers had given him an appreciation for water quality issues. The country’s youngest vice-chancellor at 43 years old, Dr. Zaini was the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) from 2008 to 2013. He joined UTM as a lecturer in 1988. After graduating in chemical engineering from UTM, he took inspiration from his childhood surroundings and branched out into environmental engineering. He completed his Master of Science (Environmental Engineering) at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK. He continued on at the university for his PhD, completing it in less than three years. He also attended Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program in Boston in 2009. Recalling his Harvard experience, he said top universities such as Harvard and MIT opted for case methods in the teaching process. They cover wide areas of studies such as business, medicine, law and engineering. He has published more than 250 technical papers, 35 books, chapters, monographs and technical reports on environmental engineering. He and his co-workers have registered 21 patents and copyrights, and he received an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Newcastle University in 2018.
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“You must have determination. If you want to do something, do it. Don’t think small.” ~ Zaini
On the HBSAM program This is a signature high-level CPD program in the country. When HR managers read our document, they know it is a high-level CPD (continuous professional development) programme. We are not targeting general managers but high-potential people and they go up the (corporate) ladder. We can trace them. Some CEOs and Chairmen are also attending the programme such as the Executive Chairman of Top Glove Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai. They also include ministry secretaries-general and vicechancellors of universities. What are the other benefits of this program? Besides being a high-level CPD program, it also offers networking. This is one of the two biggest contributions of this program. Also, some people attend our program because they want to sample a Harvard Business School program prior to their departure to Harvard in Boston. We serve as a feeder to HBS. On Harvard Business School’s teaching method HBS is fully case methods. Some schools like MIT Sloan School of Management also have case studies but 80 per cent are lectures and 20 per cent case studies. Professors are free to design their class, so they don’t obey any instructions from departments for each subject,
[In January 2011 Dr. Zaini, the then Vice-Chancellor of UTM, announced that UTM would use the Harvard Business School case studies in related subjects. According to him, the implementation involved students from all levels of study and the case study would be conducted every semester. His had a vision in which our graduates would become the leaders of companies, industries or even the country in the very near future. Therefore, he wanted to embed this HBS case study as one of the professional soft skills in our engineering students.] On helping to get more Malaysians into top business schools This is something that we have to do, maybe as a project. Top schools are very important because it is not what you learn in that particular school. It is exposure and networking. Imagine if you were together, with the future belonging to Amazon-like companies, and you are Malaysian. You already have the connection. Because he was your classmate. When I was there, the CEO of Coffee Beans was in my class.
“The Harvard Business School SMDP provided a summarised yet wide-ranging insight into global management trends, experiences and best practices from leading business organisations. The SMDP also provided a great platform to exchange and expand ideas as well as networking opportunities.” ~ Participant Marzida Mohd Nor, Senior General Manager, IT at Malaysia Airlines.
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for example, finance. But in Harvard, the philosophy of Harvard Business School is case methods. (90 per cent are case methods.)
DATO’ SULAIMAN ABDULLAH Founder President 1976/77
HBSACM founding president and Negeri Sembilan-born Dato Sulaiman Abdullah had served the country in many capacities. He joined the civil service in 1959 upon graduating from the University of Malaya (Singapore) with an Honours Degree in Economics. He had worked in the Federal Treasury, Negeri Sembilan State Secretariat and the Economic Planning Unit. He went to Harvard twice, the first time in 1964 when he obtained his Master of Public Administration (Economic Development) and the second time in 1973 for the Advanced Management Program (AMP). He served MISC as Executive Deputy Chairman, Pernas as Group Vice-President and Chairman and was a director of a few companies associated with MISC and Pernas.
When asked what spurred him to form HBSACM in 1976, he said: “I was the second Malaysian, after a long while, to have entered the Advanced Management Program (AMP), the first being the Chief Justice of Singapore, Yong Pang How, when he was with MSA.” “I had the choice of pursuing a PhD but opted for the shorter but much more marketoriented AMP as the programme exposed me to new fields of knowledge beyond economics.” “When I returned, I recommended that the PSD send more officers to the programme, especially those dealing with finance and development corporations, so that they could manage their idle resources far effectively.” But the Club went on to organise the SMDP, which is the local version of AMP. The attendees are now in various positions in the private as well as the government sectors. “As the number of staff with the required knowledge grew I thought that a club of likeminded people would help to advance knowledge to a lot more middle-level staff and we could organise courses locally. That is how the Club was formed.” “But along the way, the process of giving the opportunity became a means of rewarding people before they retired. So it defeated the purpose.” “SMDP was well thought out. In fact, for the past 40 years the basic core program has remained intact. We also gave out scholarships to deserving business students.”
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He also sat on the council of Universiti Pertanian Malaysia and MARA.
Gold Medal and Scholarship Award at UiTM, 2003.
Prof Richard Vietor delivers lecture.
SMDP class by Prof Warren McFarlan at Hotel Equatorial Bangi.
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With HBSACM President 1995/96 Tan Sri Datuk Zainal Abidin Sulong (center in dark suit, wearing glasses, holding paper) at Awana Resort, Genting Highlands.
SPB Yang di-Pertuan Agong XII Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail (C) participated in the HBSACM-Westports Golf Invitation at The Mines Golf Club, 2003.
HBSACM meeting with HBSAC Indonesia in Jakarta, 2009
HBSACM delegation to Russia led by Club President Dato Dr Mohd Shahari Ahmad Jabar (2nd L), June 1995.
Family outing at Felda Residence Sungai Klah Hot Spring, Perak, 2014.
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Prof. Kasturi Rangan.
Prof. Rakesh Khurana, 2018.
Sime Darby Convention Centre, 2020.
Kuala Lumpur
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Kuala Lumpur
Prof David Collis delivers a lecture at 2nd ASMDP in Bangi, 2007.
With Prof Theodore Levitt (4th L) in Kuala Lumpur.
Eleasha Chew Sue Yuen receives the Achievement Award from HBSACM in September 2014 for her admission to Harvard University.
Gold Medal winner, Jamaliah Abdul Thahir of Universiti Islam Antarabangsa, receiving the award from Club President Tan Sri Alwi Jantan, 1995.
HBS Global Alumni Conference, Hong Kong, 1997.
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Presenting computers at SK Tanah Putih, Kuantan on April 23, 2014 by HBSACM representatives – Aziz, Ahmad Rosdi and Nyeow Cin Hock.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad (R) arrives for a dinner talk in Kuala Lumpur, May 2001.
REFLECTIONS PART II
This book also features 10 of the Club’s past presidents, whose zeal and determination have made the Club what it is today. They talk about the Club’s successes and challenges and the way forward.
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Many top leaders from Malaysia and even Singapore have addressed some HBSACM events since the Club’s inception. Here are some of their quotable quotes.
Abdullah (L) with HBSACM President 1987/88 Gen (R) Tan Sri Dato’ Zain Hashim in Kuala Lumpur.
Lee (L) with HBSACM President 1987/88 Gen (R) Tan Sri Dato’ Zain Hashim in Kuala Lumpur.
“Good corporate governance must be pursued doggedly. Doing business in Malaysia must increasingly adhere to a transparent, rules-based system. There is now little or no tolerance for cosy collusion and bamboo networks.”
“To Singapore, there is no question that taking our relations with Malaysia as a whole, the pluses far outweigh the minuses. Our is not a zero-sum game, but a game of synergy, in which by cooperating both sides can win.”
TUN ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI, Deputy Prime Minister representing the Prime Minister, in his speech at a HBSACM/Amchem dinner on May 23, 2001.
LEE HSIEN LOONG, Singapore Prime Minister, then Trade and Industry Minister, in his speech at HBSACM dinner talk on July 20, 1988 in Kuala Lumpur.
“The advent of IR 4.0 calls for a paradigm shift which means less business regulation in order to spur entrepreneurship. Building a vast network designed to nurture entrepreneurs – the so-called ecosystem – requires more than financial support and office space. It also entails a commitment to developing a culture that encourages young people to challenge themselves and a networking within and beyond the Malaysian shores. Harvard Business School, through its programs in the U.S., or via its Malaysian alumni club, should continue to help young and bright Malaysians pursue their dreams and excel in the corporate scene or as successful entrepreneurs.” DATO’ SRI MOHD NAJIB TUN RAZAK, former prime minister of Malaysia
Anwar (R) accompanied by HBSACM President 1993/94 Tan Sri Dato’ Alwi Jantan.
“We will do everything to promote growth. With growth, we can embark on policies to realise distributive justice. Growth without distribution is unjust; but distribution without growth can only mean one thing: the distribution of poverty.” DATUK SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM, then Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, in a speech at a HBSACM dinner in Kuala Lumpur on October 18, 1994
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Najib (M) presents 1998 SMDP certificate during the graduation dinner at a hotel in Genting Highlands.
Preamble | Raja Tan Sri Muhammad Alias was born in Negeri Sembilan in 1932. From a very young age, Raja Alias was drilled in the values he espouses religiously until today, that is: “Work hard, lead an honest life, care for people, assist them when they need your help and never betray their trust.” A graduate of University of Malaya, Singapore, he joined the government service in 1958 before being seconded to the Federal Land Development Authority or FELDA in 1966. He attended the Harvard Busines School Advanced Management Program (AMP) in 1975. Raja Alias was with FELDA for 35 years from 1966 as Deputy Chairman until his retirement from the post of Group Chairman in June 2001. He remains active in plantation development through various public listed companies, notably as the Chairman of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd.
On Harvard Business School We went to the program in Boston earlier. We were very impressed with the program. There was so much to learn. The place was a repository of knowledge. The men and women you met there were high-level people in various industries. The contacts with those people were very useful. It was an eyeopener to us. When I came back, I told the government to send a lot of people from the government service to this program. Unfortunately, they sent people who were about to retire. Our concept was to send the younger people between the ages of 45 and 50 who would serve the government for at least another 10 years. But gradually a lot of local companies also started sending people. That was useful. On HBSACM programs It was not easy to bring the program over here. Harvard was not prepared to operate in other countries but Malaysia was one of the countries it was willing to work with. The demand from here to go to Boston was quite big but the cost was very high. So it was better to bring the lecturers to Malaysia and have more people benefit from the program. We got more middle-level people to participate in this program. I think that was a very good move. We managed to bring Harvard here. It was well recognised and well supported. Some 2,700 people have gone through the program. They have contributed to the development of the country. We like to continue the program so that more people will be trained. Strategy is an important area. In my days, we never talk of a strategy officer or director. There was none. I see the standard of (corporate) management in the country has improved. We have made progress but it has taken us more than 60 years. We need a Club like this to support this program to build up more people. “I do not regret going there” The exposure to the program was very useful. When I was there I used to sleep after 2am because there were so many things to read. I was very young then. And I thought, if I could go there, there was no reason why others should not go, too. I do not regret going there. I learnt a lot and I was very grateful to Felda for sending me to that program. When I was in a position to recommend others to do the same program, I did it willingly and happily. And that was how Felda was built. They are the pillars of Felda which we built.
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RAJA TAN SRI DATO’ SERI UTAMA MUHAMMAD ALIAS RAJA MUHAMMAD ALI President 1977/79
“Most of the alumni of the Club are very successful leaders in their own field, industry or organisation. So with their vast experience and expertise, they are able to impart their knowledge to their managers. This helps develop Malaysia in terms of nationbuilding and turning it into an advanced economy.”
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NG SING HWA President 1980/81
LILLIAN TOO President 1981/82
Preamble | Lillian Too is an author, television personality and feng shui practitioner from Malaysia. She has written more than 200 books on feng shui, which have been translated into more than 30 languages. Her books have sold more than 6 million copies around the world. An MBA graduate from the Harvard Business School in 1976, Lillian embarked on a career in the corporate world and became the first woman in Malaysia to head a public listed company. In 1982, she became the first woman in Asia to be appointed CEO of a bank (Hong Kong’s Dao Heng bank). After her stint in banking, she worked with prominent Hong Kong tycoon, Dickson Poon, as executive deputy chairman of his group of companies.
On Harvard Business School Harvard Business School has been consistent in the quality of education that it offers. The case methods are original and something that we have to spend some time on to explain and discuss. Case methods make Harvard Business School very unique. It is the only business school in the world that fully uses case methods. What I feel is missing There are things we wanted to do that we didn’t succeed in doing. For example, we never managed to get more people from Malaysia to go for the Harvard MBA program. I feel like a failure. I wanted to push more Malaysians to take the MBA program. We have to teach them how to apply. There is a method to get into these top schools and there is a method to get into Harvard Business School. Malaysia is a great country but why aren’t we getting more people into top schools? What Harvard MBA has taught me It made me think global. 40 years ago, I didn’t think just of Malaysia or Asean. I was thinking global. Whatever I was going to do, I would do it global because you get the worldview when you go to Harvard Business School. Also, it makes you feel that you can achieve anything because it is empowering. Harvard Business School makes you feel really special. The graduates became CEOs, founders and entrepreneurs and they built big businesses. The aspect of helping people is always there. Harvard graduates do these things. And we have a very strong alumni network through Harvard Bulletin, where we keep up with what our classmates are doing every month.
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On the role of HBSACM The alumni of HBSACM, especially those who went for the AMP, every single one is in an executive position either as managing director or chairman, running key institutions in Malaysia in the last 40 years. The Club’s own SMDP attracts key middle-level and upper management people every year. This has been going on since 1980, and we didn’t even get a grant. It is a significant achievement.
DATO’ MUSTAFA MD ALI President 1984/85
Once you go to Harvard, you listen more to your subordinates. That’s what I found out. Before that, I was very dominating. When you return from Harvard, you listen to other people’s views and you work together as a team.”
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“I attended the AMP in 1978 for seven weeks and 1979 for six weeks. I was the vice-president in 1983 and that was the year we organised a very big training program in Genting Highlands. The following year, when I assumed the presidency, we set up the Harvard Business School Alumni Club Foundation. We have more than RM1 million in the Foundation and occasionally, we do award scholarships to deserving students.
TAN SRI DR MOHD NOOR ISMAIL President 1986/87
“Structurally, the strong members of the Club have kept it going for 43 years. The desire to strengthen the fraternity is great. Most presidents were corporate leaders who could contribute a lot to the Club. This is in line with the Harvard Business School’s mission of developing corporate leaders into entrepreneurs. We are solutionoriented rather than problem-oriented as heads of various organisations. We are ahead of change, rather than managing change.
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DATUK NG CHENG KUAI President 1991/92
“When I went for my AMP 102 and I linked up with a lot of professors, I built my own network. One of the things that was significant was I wrote a letter to Tun Dr Mahathir (the then prime minister) and Tun Daim (Zainuddin). In subsequent years, many government scholars went for the AMP. Harvard has a very powerful worldwide network and we must learn how to optimise it.”
“Taj Mahal was not built by Shah Jahan, it was built by the workers.” ~ G. Gnanalingam
By all accounts, the success of Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia can be attributed to a strong foundation laid by “Tan Sri G” or “Super G”, as he is fondly known. Tan Sri G. Gnanalingam, the co-founder of Westports Malaysia – one of Asia’s biggest ports – has been a staunch supporter of the Club. He went to Harvard Business School in 1982/83 when he was with the Malaysian Tobacco Company to attend the Advanced Management Program (AMP). And he himself helmed the Club twice in 1992/93 and 2003/15. That made him the longest-serving president of the Club. Tan Sri Gnanalingam is the current executive chairman of Westports Holdings Malaysia Bhd, one of Malaysia’s leading port operators. But it was business education that was close to his heart and his Harvard Business School stint had been useful in growing his port business. He once explained in an interview how he turned diverse challenges into resounding successes. “Go to Harvard Business School. When I was there, we used to do case studies on different industries every week, and at the end of 200 cases you realised that there are only a few things that matter. One is people. You do not have the right people, you can forget about the entire thing.” Even Westports used the Harvard model. “We enlisted the help of two professionals and did it Harvard Business School-style. We did a lot of research on why our boxes are going to Singapore, what it’s offering them and what our customers want.” “We had a simple concept – that we could be competitive by showing our customers how they could cut down on costs by using Westports,” he told Bernama. “There is no question about the Harvard faculty, the alumni, the students and the benefactors of Harvard having used their powers to improve the lives of people here and around the world,” he told the Malaysian news agency. How do you see the role and contribution of HBSACM and its members in nation-building? Even though the Club has 200 members who went to Harvard Business School, it has contributed to the development of 2,200 senior managers through the Senior Management Development Program (SMDP). That is a very important contribution as it develops young leaders who will lead the nation in the future. What do you think of your main achievements and initiatives of HBSACM under your leadership? Introducing free membership and no annual subscriptions. This is because we were confident that we would be making enough money from other activities. Introduction of the Asean SMDP on alternate years and with a week-long program duration. How has Harvard Business School shaped and influenced your world outlook and your career? I believe that HBS has taught me how to become a leader not only in terms of working life but also in my personal life. HBS has taught me how to be comfortable in becoming a leader and also taught me the importance of business decision-making skills as a leader. I strongly believe in the HBS program. Westports has contributed six participants to the program yearly. To date, 220 members have attended this program.
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TAN SRI DATUK G GNANALINGAM President 1992/93 & 2003/15
DATUK OTHMAN YUSOFF President 1997/98
The Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia (Club) was established on a strong foundation by its founding members on July 19, 1977. Under the leadership of the present President and 26 past Presidents, together with the Executive Committee, members and the Malaysian community at large have benefited significantly from the Club’s educational programs, social and recreational activities. I am humbled and fortunate to have been in the Executive Committee since 1985 to witness the success of the Club’s Executive Education Program, sanctioned by the Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts, in building professionalism in business management in both Malaysia and the ASEAN region.
These Programs have also attracted participants from ASEAN member countries, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Namibia and others. The Club also hosted Dinner and Luncheon Talks to share the knowledge and experiences of distinguished speakers like the Honourable Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister of Singapore, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tun Daim Zainuddin, Prof Ted Levitt, Jack Welch, Prof Richard Vietor, Prof Warren McFarlan, Prof Sunil Gupta, Prof Mihir Desai and many others. The Club continues to promote the Executive Education Programs at the Harvard Business School in Boston. Many participants, upon completing the SMDP and ASMDP, attended AMP, OPM and other Executive Education Programs at the Harvard Business School. Utilizing funds from the Club’s Foundation, the Club awarded Manager of the Year, MBA scholarships, a Gold Medal to the Best Student from local business schools, computers and books to schools and made donations to charitable organizations. The Club owes its continued existence to the passionate Executive Committee and enthusiastic members who support the educational, social and recreational activities.
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The 28 Programs, Senior Management Development Program and ASEAN Senior Management Development Program, which have spanned 35 years, helped to nurture and develop more than 2,700 senior managers in their careers and accomplishments.
MOHD NIZAR IDRIS President 1999/2000
“I think the Harvard Business School alumni have contributed to the development of Malaysians in multinational corporations (MNCs). I actually went to Harvard from England. I was a candidate from England. I learnt a lot and that helped me in my job. It opened up the company’s eyes to the possibility that Malaysians “Boleh”. We opened the eyes of many and we owe that to Harvard. When you go to Harvard, you realise that your playing field is global. So you get rid of the local mindset. As far as the Club is concerned, we have done a lot to educate Malaysians, directly and indirectly. But we also have to raise the standard of business education in Malaysia.”
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RAJA DATUK SHARIFUDDIN ABIDIN President 2002/03
“The biggest contribution by the Club to the nation is the SMDP with more than 2,500 attendees. These people are the core group and you know where they are right now. We developed them when they were younger. We have also organised ‘The manager of the Year’ award to recognise the best in the corporate world. We also initiated studies on specific topics.”
REFLECTIONS PART III
Other key HBS faculty members also share their experience teaching in Malaysia under the Club’s flagship program. This section also features some Alumni members of the programs in Boston and in Malaysia.
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“As I look back on my career, one of its most satisfying things was the creation of the 43-year relationship between Harvard Business School and the Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia.” Harvard Business School’s Prof Warren McFarlan recalls how the HBS program took root in Malaysia 43 years ago.
As I look back on my career, one of its most satisfying things was the creation of the 43-year relationship between Harvard Business School and the Harvard Business School Club of Malaysia. I will never forget that first program at Fraser’s Hill where Daryl Wyckoff, Sam Hayes, Mike Porter and I ran the first two-week HBS education program in Malaysia. It was an exciting experience in a part of the world I had never been in. The flight was long – Boston-London-Paris-Kuwait-Kuala Lumpur. It was a very different Malaysia with 95% of the economy being palm oil, rubber and tin mining. I was personally anxious to start the relationship because of my work in Information Technology. I wanted a long-term relationship in a country that was English-speaking (so I could readily understand what was going on), not well developed but rapidly emerging with great prospects for growth. Malaysia fit the bill. Over the years, first I and then Dick Vietor were able to attract the best of the HBS faculty to Malaysia. Always an important part of the program was using the opportunity to pick faculty who wanted to write cases and do research in the region. The program was always much more than simply an education program and as such, it endured. For more than 20 years, it was one of the most exciting things I did as I saw a country literally grow and change before my eyes. When my responsibilities at Harvard ultimately took me elsewhere, I took great care in finding a faculty member to replace me who would find great intellectual payoff in working with Malaysia. I congratulate you and all the leaders of the HBS Club who made this possible. HBS is much enriched by your steadfast support.
59 McFarlan (R) with the then President Mohd Yusoff Talib.
WARREN McFARLAN Albert H Gordon Professor of Business Administration Emeritus
“I have now been directing the SMDP and the ASMDP for about 14 years....This has been one of the intellectual highlights of my professional life. Every year, in summer, I get to go to Malaysia – either Genting Highlands or Bangi – and meet and teach a group of interested and enthusiastic Malaysian professionals – either business or governmental leaders. It has been a fantastic experience. Not only do I get to teach an in-depth version of my course (Business, Government and the International Economy – or BGIE), but I also get to socialize and talk informally with a knowledgeable group about Malaysia and Southeast Asia generally. Among other things, this has afforded me the opportunity to write three cases on Malaysia, to consult with the government and to visit a number of states in Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak. As a result of these contacts, I feel much more comfortable in my knowledge of Southeast Asia, and much more competent. The SMDP and ASMDP have been key to my development as a political economist!” RICHARD VIETOR Baker Foundation Professor of Business Management at the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.
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“The Malaysia Club is the most active and most successful alumni association outside the United States. The Malaysia Club is the one and only Harvard Alumni Club in the world that organises an executive program. No other Harvard Alumni Club in the world is allowed to run an executive program because we can’t give the faculty.” PROF EMERITUS SAMUEL HAYES Harvard Business School in an interview in the New Straits Times on August 21, 1992.
“I taught in the SMDP program in the early part of 2000. I wish I could have continued longer but the several years I did, have been one of the most memorable in my career at the Harvard Business School. First of all the people, the participants, the club officers, the organizers and everybody there in Malaysia are genuinely warm, welcoming and friendly. The organization of the program itself was superbly professional. I still recall the opening session where along with all the best of Malaysian food, the club leadership (all AMP alumni) would walk participants through what preparation would be required to get through the week. As anxious participants hurried off after dinner to get through their preparation, the effects would be evident in the classroom the next day. The insights and participation were of high quality. And for the subject I taught – Marketing, there was always mutual learning as the participants brought their unique country and cultural/ethnic perspective to bear. The program leadership took pains to replicate all the key learning aspects of a typical HBS senior management program, living groups, discussion groups, name cards, seating arrangement, and every small detail that add up to a great learning atmosphere. The first two days of the program usually had the tension and stress of hard work and the rapid-fire learning by the case method, but once that ice was broken, the eagerness of the participants to get to know the faculty was as affectionate as it was inquisitive. The dinners were packed with great conversation, great fun and great friendliness. Over and above the three key ingredients, the participants, the club officers, and the faculty, the program was an ambassador for a powerful fourth dimension – a global perspective on how business principles applied to any domain or culture can indeed lead to a lot of good for society. The West and East have a lot to learn from each other. Congratulations and best wishes on your 43rd birthday.” Prof V KASTURI RANGAN Malcolm P. McNair, Professor of Marketing at the Harvard Business School, was the chairman of the Marketing Department (1998-2002), and is now the co-chairman of HBS’s Social Enterprise Initiative.
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“The annual SMDP & ASMDP programs in Malaysia, which have now been in session for 30 years, demonstrate the absolute commitment of the HBS Club of Malaysia to improving the quality of management in the country. There are few, if any, comparable programs on offer anywhere in the world – least of all supported by an alumni club. The value alumni place on continuing education for the executive suite is a credit to the country and their belief in the HBS case method approach to teaching. As a faculty member, I have always appreciated the support of the alumni and their gracious hospitality during my stays. I also enjoy interacting with participants and seeing how they benefit from the program. Above all though, I must thank Othman and Rose for how carefully and effectively they manage arrangements for the class to make it seamlessly easy to make the trip and negotiate the visa requirements!” DAVID COLLIS Thomas Henry Carroll Ford Foundation Adjunct Professor
“I’ve been impressed with the caliber of the leaders who participate in this group. We engage in challenging conversations that strengthen our leaders’ capacities to lead teams, organizations, and themselves.” RAKESH KHURANA Danoff Dean of Harvard College, Marvin Bower Professor of Leadership Development, Harvard Business School, and Department of Sociology.
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Prof Samuel Hayes delivers a lecture during 6th SMDP at Melaka Village Resort, 1990.
Dean of Harvard Business School, Boston, Dr Kim B Clark, Kuala Lumpur.
Preamble | Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian is the Chief Executive Officer of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK). He is the second generation of the Lee family. KLK was built by his late father, Tan Sri Dato’ Lee Loy Seng. The company traced its roots to some 114 years ago as a rubber and oil palm planter.
How has Harvard MBA changed my life? I did my education all the way in Malaysia. In a way, we were quite insular. I graduated in 1974 from the University of Malaya. I was encouraged by my parents to apply for the MBA. I was very lucky, I got accepted there. Harvard opened a whole new world to us. From functional teaching mainly in agriculture, suddenly it opened up to the new world of business, corporations, and different skillsets that we didn’t have, such as accounting, marketing and production. MBA is a very rounded education. Initially it was a shock because we had to adapt to a foreign land with an international group of friends. Harvard helped develop your thinking process besides exposing you to the wider world of business. Your view on HBSACM? The Club has done very well. It has been able to hold the group together for 43 years. The program is consistent. (eds: Only three HBS alumni clubs are allowed to run the program – Malaysia, Australia and India.) The strongest part of Harvard Business School is the alumni. You can approach another alumnus in the same business for help. You have access to the whole directory of people, and they are ever willing to help you and to share with you. I hope through the Club, we can strengthen our alumni and that will enable the whole Malaysian industry to open doors. And I hope the government can spend some money and send its candidates to Harvard. RM5 million a year will be enough to enable secretaries-general and up-and-coming civil servants to attend and expose them to the three-month program as we used to do. How about the HBSACM program in Malaysia? In the past, the Malaysian government had a very deliberate programme of sending secretaries-general and senior government officers to the HBS Advanced Management Program (AMP) in Boston. It was a fantastic program. It gave them confidence. The Club’s SMDP has benefited a lot of people. The biggest class was 180 people. It was 90 last year. In Malaysia, we have not been exposed to case studies before. Some 14 or 15 KL Kepong staff have attended the SMDP. Their (career) development is much faster. You are able to answer the question why. Sometimes, we tend to be more focused on how, not the why.
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TAN SRI LEE OI HIAN Co-founding member
“Through the early exposure under HBSACM SMDP, I had the opportunity to attend the HBS AMP Program in 2013 at Harvard Business School’s main campus in Massachusetts, US. This further strengthened my attachment to HBS as well as HBSACM. I wish HBSACM the very best in continuing its mission to be a platform for the members and public at large as it has been doing since the Club’s establishment in 1977. The attachment to HBS history is something to be proud of and will continue to be enhanced with the active participation of its members. ” MOHD SALEM KAILANY President / Chief Executive Officer, UDA Holdings Berhad.
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“Executive Education at Harvard was one of the best things that my dad got me into early in my career. Whilst my degree taught me discipline and how the world works, these programs gave me far more practical information about how business actually operates and why great leadership is sometimes the most important part of any business. I thoroughly enjoyed the programs and I would go back for more if I had the time. The professors were great but you really learn so much from your coursemates too.” DATUK EMIR RUBEN GNANALINGAM Group Managing Director, Westports Holdings Berhad.
“HBSACM’s bold step in bringing the Harvard Business School programs and the faculty to Malaysia has helped define executive education in this country. For me, it has been an enriching learning experience. And without doubt, it helped advance my career.” DATUK SERI ABDUL JALIL HAMID Former Chief Executive Officer, New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.
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“I attended the ASMDP organised by HBSACM in 2009 and found that it was a very interesting program and invaluable learning experience. I continue to send my colleagues to the program for them to gain benefits and insights especially into business strategy case studies and to build their network with other participants from various organisations. The program is strongly recommended, to have a taste of Harvard learning experience presented by the esteemed professors specially flown in from Harvard Business School.” DATO’ MOHAMMAD AZLAN ABDULLAH Group Chief Executive Officer, Projek Lintasan Kota Holdings Sdn Bhd.
REFLECTIONS PART IV
The book also provides a brief introduction of Harvard Business School, one of the world’s top business schools. Here, we also provide our readers with some useful tips for applying to top business schools in the world.
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The Club also commissioned and funded some relevant studies. We list a few here.
Studies Undertaken by HBSACM
1. Technology Acquisition and Technological Capability. Development in Malaysia, Role of Multinational Corporations Host Agencies. 2. Financing for Development – External Debts versus Direct or Foreign Investments (with specific reference to Malaysia). 3. A study of Wage Trends and Wage Systems in Malaysia. 4. Life Cycle Assessment in Malaysia Palm Oil Industry (2020). The Harvard Business School Alumni Club of Malaysia (HBSACM) embarked on a study on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in Malaysia Palm Oil Industry: Fast-Tracking the Competitive Advantage. It was a collaborative partnership with experts from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). They were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norhayati Abdullah and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Norasikin Ahmad Ludin. The study, fully funded by HBSACM, was aimed at identifying the status of implementation and perception of LCA in the Malaysian palm oil industry. The industry cannot claim that its palm oil-making processes are 100 per cent sustainable if they are not equally monitored for environmental performance on a daily basis. Thus, a suitable assessment tool is required to identify the whole-chain impact of the processes. Through interviews with Malaysian palm oil industries and industry bodies, this research project intended to identify the actual extent of implementation and perception of LCA in the palm oil industry and to propose possible LCA policy implementation. The Malaysian palm oil industry is a global leader in the development of palm oil production and also to a large extent when it comes to palm oil sustainability initiatives. However, the industry in general still has a long way to go when it comes to environmental assessments and reporting. LCA is the most comprehensive tool available for quantitative sustainability assessment of products. The implementation of LCA is thus a win-win situation for environmental and economic sustainability. But LCA is also very comprehensive and time consuming in the initial implementation phase and it therefore often scares off industries.
• Palm oil certification is spearheaded by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which is leading the market towards environmentally and socially responsible palm oil. As the RSPO meets to renew its sustainability commitments, one major challenge facing the sector is that less than 20% of the world’s palm oil is currently certified as sustainable. • The trends in LCA application in Malaysian palm oil processes started declining which may be the consequence of lack of funds and difficulties in obtaining data transparency, and greater concentration on the oil palm plantation phase due to pressure from environmental advocates and the public on the government over deforestation, land-use change and biodiversity loss. • The palm oil manufacturers and planters are still lacking in knowledge about the advantage of LCA implementation. • The current world perception of the palm oil industry in Malaysia may have long -term and economic implication if sustainable practices in all phases of the industry are not proved by a specific measure. In order to restore confidence and revive the economics of the industry, Malaysia should consider the following recommendations: • Integrate LCA as one of the compulsory practices in large plantation and manufacturing companies that may have the most environmental impact; • Consider LCA as a potential sustainable consumption policy instrument in evaluating a sustainable process and product; • Implement further LCA in downstream processes of palm oil production; and • Fully captured on a large scale, biogas and biomass for power generation in palm oil mills may reduce environmental hotspots.
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Some policy highlights recommended following this study are:
Founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University, Harvard Business School is located on a 40-acre campus in Boston. Its faculty of more than 200 offers full-time programs leading to the MBA and doctoral degrees, as well as more than 70 open enrolment Executive Education programs and 55 custom programs, and Harvard Business School Online, the School’s digital learning platform. For more than a century, the HBS faculty have drawn on their research, their experience in working with organizations worldwide, and their passion for teaching to educate leaders who make a difference in the world, shaping the practice of business and entrepreneurship around the globe. Harvard Business School invites students into two years of leadership practice immersed in real-world challenges. Into a diverse community of colleagues and faculty reflecting a world of talents, beliefs and backgrounds. Into an intense period of personal and professional transformation that prepares you for challenges in any functional area anywhere in the world. To experience the HBS MBA is to go inside the issues that matter – and to reach inside yourself for the strength, skills and confidence you will develop to face them. In every case, class, event and activity, you are asked not only to study leadership, but to also demonstrate it. Each day at HBS begins with one question: “What will you do?” Because that’s the truest way to prepare you for the larger question that matters most, here and in your career beyond our campus: “What difference will you make in the world?” Through the rich case- and experience-based curriculum at Harvard Business School, students build deep general management and leadership skills, setting the foundation for lifelong impact on how they lead. The case method brings leadership to life. Students step into the shoes of case protagonists, real business leaders, and learn to make tough decisions as they are challenged by the diverse perspectives of classmates. Students then apply this learning in experiential field programs and independent studies to practice what it means to become a leader who makes a difference in the world. Each of these learning platforms contributes to a truly global experience, from global cases and protagonists, to international classrooms and project-based experiences. Students graduate from HBS not only with increased knowledge but also more importantly, with grounding and practice in how to make difficult decisions and what it means to assume leadership in a global environment.
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HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL source : www.hbs.edu
Tips for Applying to Top Business Schools source : www.businesinsider.in
About 1 in 10 applicants was accepted last year at the Harvard Business School, the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Wharton, all of them are the top ranked Business Schools in the world. What really distinguishes that one candidate who was accepted from the rest? Can we get sureshot ways of knowing the parameter used in judging candidates during interviews? Maybe not. But we can definitely get closer to perfection if we get an insider’s perspective, basically get to know about the kind of people who study at, let’s say, HBS, their qualities, their background and their personality. So we collated answers from the posts of several Quora users and spoke to some of them, all of whom also happen to be studying or are graduates of HBS, and produced a list of what could help you get into the world’s top B-school.
Here are some key points: Apply by your mid 20’s HBS students are actually younger than the students at the other Top 10 MBA colleges. Richard Ludlow, who started studying at HBS early last year says: “Bulk of students are 24-26 years old and 3-4 years out of school. The sweet spot for applying is when you have around 3 years of experience after graduating. Consulting is the clearest path here McKinsey Business Analysts have a 92% success rate in getting into HBS and Stanford GSB. Richard wrote in his Quora post: “People will tell you that consultants are a dime a dozen and you’re much better off doing something more interesting, but the fact of the matter is 1 in 4 students in the entering class had worked at McKinsey, Bain or BCG.” Write that essay with a lot of love Ben Schumacher, another HBS graduate, keeps it short and simple – Love your essays. “Each essay needs to be a gem that unfolds a new layer about you, further differentiating you from the crowd. Also, if you’re from a traditional background, lean more towards writing about activities outside of work than you initially think.”
It’s a must to get these three things right – talent, passion, purpose Tyler Cormney, an MBA admissions consultant as well as a HBS graduate, says he found three common denominators in students: “They all had talent, passion and purpose. Of course, they were competing with highly qualified candidates who also had talent, passion and purpose. The secret sauce, if you’ll forgive the expression, appears to be the way in which those three ingredients combine to create a compelling leadership identity. The successful candidates proved in their application and interview that they had impressive talents fuelled by exceptional passion and directed by a clear sense of purpose.” Emphasize what makes you a great leader Meanwhile, Richard says: “HBS really does try to select people who will be leaders in business and society, not people who will be great individual contributors. They simply love applicants that show both leadership potential and technical skill.”
A Habit of Leadership “Leadership may be expressed in many forms, from college extracurricular activities to academic or business achievements, from personal accomplishments to community commitments. We appreciate leadership on any scale, from organizing a classroom to directing a combat squad, from running an independent business to spearheading initiatives at work. In essence, we are looking for evidence of your potential.” Analytical Aptitude and Appetite Harvard Business School is a demanding, fast-paced and highly-verbal environment. “We look for individuals who enjoy lively discussion and debate. Our case and field-based methods of learning depend upon the active participation of prepared students who can assess, analyze and act upon complex information within often-ambiguous contexts. The MBA Admissions Board will review your prior academic performance, the results of the GMAT or GRE, and, if applicable, TOEFL iBT and/or IELTS, and the nature of your work experience. There is no particular previous course of study required to apply; you must, however, demonstrate the ability to master analytical and quantitative concepts.” Engaged Community Citizenship “So much of our MBA experience – including the case method, section life, and student-organized events – requires the active collaboration of the entire HBS community. That’s why we look for students who exhibit the highest ethical standards and respect for others, and can make positive contributions to the MBA Program. The right candidates must be eager to share their experiences, support their colleagues, and teach as well as learn from their peers. We want applicants who have these traits, as well as bring a variety of skills, accomplishments and aspirations. In each class, we create a dynamic environment that mirrors the breadth and depth of our world economy. Our promise to our faculty and to every student here is to create a class of 900 students who come from as many different backgrounds and perspectives as possible.”
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While all these opinions really count in applying to join HBS, it won’t hurt to know from Harvard itself, the three things it looks out for in students:
THE SECRETARIAT
Lina Nordin
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Rose Majid
HBSACM office at Phileo Damansara, Petaling Jaya
THE JOURNEY
VERITAS | THE TRUTH
www.hbsacm.org facebook.com/hbs.alumni.club.msia
hbsacm@gmail.com +603 7956 1192
HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL ALUMNI CLUB OF MALAYSIA
Unit 3A 07, Block C, Phileo Damansara 1 Jalan 16/11, Seksyen 16 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
