After bringing satellite operator Thaicom from nowhere to eighth in the world in the fourplus years she was in charge , new Dusit International Group CEO Suphajee Suthumpun is on a mission to put the homegrown hotel group on the world stage . Suthumpun joins Dusit at a time of tremendous growth . The chain operates 29 properties today but has a pipeline of 40 hotels that will open in the next three to five years across AMEA . The target is to sign another 20 hotels this year , she says .
To make even more
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of an impact , Suthumpun ’ s first goal is to make 4,000-plus employees proud and to believe in Dusit ’ s mission . “ If a Thai were to visit , say , the Dusit Thani in Dubai , he or she would be filled with pride that Thailand has produced such a brand ,” she says .
What makes her arrival even more impactful : Suthumpun is the first CEO who is non-family and only the third CEO since the business was founded in 1949 . The founder ’ s son , former CEO Chanin Donavanik , remains chairman of the executive committee .
Suthumpun ’ s other priority is to strengthen
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the foundation of the company to support “ quality ” growth . The pillars center around five key areas : people , process , property and branding , technology and financial capability . If she were to pick two areas as priorities , she would first tighten up the customer relations ( owners and guests ) and communications processes .
Suthumpun is evaluating what investments are needed to optimize the value of owned properties as well as undertaking a branding exercise to study whether the four brands — Dusit Thani , Dusit D2 , Dusit Deverana and Princess — have
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a clear brand promise . As for financial capacity to support growth , she says Dusit will eventually hire a chief investment officer , a first for the company , to explore instruments such as REITS and bonds .
Asked about her style of management , Suthumpun says she has a coaching style yet she is also a pacesetter . “ When you have the passion for something , you want things to move fast ,” she says . “ There is no such thing as being a workaholic ; it ’ s all about work-life balance and the discipline in fulfilling your role , be it as a mother or a CEO .”
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There is no such Thing as being a workaholic ; IT ’ S All AbOuT WORk-lIfE bAlAnCE AnD ThE DISCIPlInE In fulfIllInG yOuR ROlE , be iT as a moTher or a ceo .
– Suphajee Suthumpun
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