Bangkok--24 Dec--Bangkok Bank
Bangkok Bank, in partnership with Bangkok University’s Creative Entrepreneurship Development Institute (CEDI), today launched the ‘SME Family Enterprise Health Check’ survey aimed at helping Thai entrepreneurs ensure their businesses thrive under the leadership of future generations. The survey will be a valuable source of information about Thai SMEs’ current strengths and weaknesses, leadership styles and their readiness for business transition.
Bangkok Bank Executive Vice President Virasak Suthanthavibul said the survey will be conducted by Bangkok Bank together with Bangkok University’s CEDI which has developed the survey methodology and will analyze the results. The university will train bank employees who will meet with SMEs nationwide. This survey will help identify the key success factors of a thriving enterprise and help Thailand businesses flourish well into the future. The bank wants to see Thai family enterprises that make up at least 70 percent of all Thai enterprises pass on their knowledge and leadership skills to future generations.
“The partnership reflects Bangkok Bank’s commitment to SMEs — the bank has been running programmes and courses for SMEs for more than 12 years. This project blends practical experience with academic excellence which will ensure optimal benefits for Thai SMEs. Therefore CEDI is an ideal partner for Bangkok Bank because it focuses on helping family enterprises in Thailand with insights developed by US-based Babson College, a world leader in entrepreneurship and family enterprises at every stage of business — including start up, expansion mode and succession stage — with an outstanding research foundation. This knowledge which can be applied to businesses in Thailand and elsewhere in the world,” Mr. Virasak added.
Bangkok University’s Creative Entrepreneurship Development Institute (CEDI) Chairman of the Executive Board Vichate Tantiwanich said the survey is a collaborative venture between Bangkok Bank and CEDI which aims to strengthen the businesses of Thai entrepreneurs and help them achieve sustainable growth so they can thrive well into the future.
“Bangkok Bank’s large customer base, extensive networks and long-term customer relationships make it the ideal partner to carry out this research. The survey results will reveal the key characteristics of successful Thai SMEs, including management and leadership styles, so that Bangkok Bank and CEDI can design the most suitable and useful activities for their further advancement. The survey will be carried out in early January and the results will be announced in March.”
In addition to its SME products and services, Bangkok Bank provides information about business opportunities, trade and market conditions, as well as networking opportunities and support for its customers.
Bangkok Bank was recently chosen by Alpha South East Asia magazine as the Best SME Bank in Thailand. Alpha South East Asia praised Bangkok Bank for its unrivalled commitment to SMEs, including a 12-year history of providing training and support, its Partnership of Innovation and Knowledge — promoting best practices among SMEs - and its extensive range of products and services.