“Appetite for innovation.”
Inspired by his dad, Cllement Tan honed his business skills at an early age. “I have always looked up to my father,” he says. “He was the one who taught me that it is always better to strike out on your own. He also instilled a strict work ethic in me.”
The top executive, who holds a Bachelors’ in Information Technology from Queensland University, also inherited his father’s philosophy which said that hardworking people would always succeed.
RAMSSOL Group, which the dynamic innovator helms, is the first in Malaysia to introduce an employee engagement app, called Feet’s (Formulating Employee Engagement and Talent Strategy). “Feet’s is a first-of-its-kind mobile application that will assist an organization in nurturing their employees’ sense of belonging and creating an engaged working environment,” he gushes. “We are also a very forward-facing company and have the passion for revolutionary solutions. We feel our ability to look to the future gives us the drive to search out innovative initiatives.”
RAMSSOL Group, which currently employs a hundred staff, had its own share of growing pains as a company. “While we are in the human capital management sector, there was a point in our journey when I realized that we were not engaging our employees as well as we should have, ” Tan reflects. “It was then that I decided we needed to focus on our staff first before exploring other organizations.”
The company, whose clients include RHB Bank Berhad, CapitaLand Berhad, AmBank Berhad and UEM Group, to name a few, has also ventured into countries within the region like Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. “We have also moved into our new office as this new location fits our vibrancy a lot more.”
Tan shares his insights on the meaning of real success and true leadership by saying, “For me, a person’s talent or ability must be nurtured, as this will lead to that individual’s personal as well as professional success. Thus, aside from doing well financially, I feel a person’s growth must be taken into account,” the young CEO opines. “This is why employee engagement is important, as this will ensure the employee feels a sense of loyalty and belonging to the organization, resulting in a win-win situation for both, employer and employee.”
Tan subscribes to a hands-on approach, as evidenced by his recruitment priorities. “I will always pick the younger candidate or the more ambitious candidate. This is because in my opinion, younger people have the drive and the hunger to succeed and this is what I need for RAMSSOL Group,” he says candidly. “Also, I work very closely with my leadership team, as I travel to all our regional offices on a weekly basis. Once they have better footing, I just sit back and watch them grow the company.”
The businessman, an avid golfer, says the game allows him some quiet time away from the business. “I try to play golf about once or twice a week as it keeps me healthy.”
When asked his advice for budding entrepreneurs, Tan said, “My advice would be to always keep working towards your dream. It is my opinion that to be successful, you must always look forward. The future is where it’s at.”
CEO quote: The fact that Tan chose to look at the weaknesses of his own organization before offering to turnaround others’ makes him the kind of leader this century needs.
