3.9 PROACTIVE

It means to make decisions, or take actions, that solve a problem before it arises. The opposite is "reactive", which means to act after a problem has arisen.   Proactive is thinking ahead.   It means to take action before something gets out of hand.

3.9.1   LOH BOON SIEW

 

Figure 1 : Loh Boon Siew

In about 1980, practically 10 motorcycles are on the roads, 7 of which are from Honda  Boon Siew.   Conscious or not the name of Boon Siew Honda motorcycles  this is not coming from Japan but it is the name of the individual responsible for bringing Honda motorcycles  involved to Malaysia, the late  Tan Sri Dato 'Loh Boon Siew. Historically, Tan Sri is an illiterate and cannot read. Although he cannot write or read, but memory Tan Sri is very good and he often relies on his memory and judgment in making any decision.  In addition, he was also a visionary who always go out and be able to anticipate and prepare.  This is the key to success today.

Although Tan Sri is an illiterate and do not have high academic background and formal, it does not prevent Tan from becoming a successful entrepreneur.  This can be seen with the success of Honda motorcycle to become the number one bike in Malaysia until today.  Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew is a person who has a  level of very high memory. With high confidence of success, Tan Sri seen has successfully identified a clear product is needed by the people of Malaysia, namely small and light motorcycles.  When Tan Sri to Osaka, Japan in 1957, Tan Sri had seen a motorcycle that is small in size and light in the streets of Osaka, Japan. And there was Tan Sri idea to try to sell this type of motorcycles in Malaysia.

Figure 2 : Loh Boon Siew with Honda’s  motor

Tan Sri keep in touch with Honda Motors of Japan Limited for the rights to be the sole distributor in Malaysia.  Tan Sri is also seen to generate ideas that by building a motorcycle factory in Mak Mandin. These proactive measures to make sure the bike Honda has managed to keep demand in Malaysia.   With the construction of this plant, it can guarantee the stability of the selling price of Honda motorcycles in Malaysia where factors increase import duties can be minimized because the production of Honda motorcycles manufactured domestically.

Besides active in the field of motoring, was also expanding its retail business in property development, farming and hospitality through its invested of Oriental Holdings Sdn Bhd. Oriental Rubber and Palm Oil Sdn Bhd is a subsidiary of Oriental Holdings Sdn Bhd to develop business ventures in the oil palm plantation sector in particular  to Indonesia in 1994.  It showed Tan Sri is a creative person where he does not want to rely on one business sector ( motoring) only.   Through the above, we can see that the process of creativity is needed to become a successful entrepreneur.   Entrepreneurs do not have to be too creative in identifying products that are marketed.   As Chairman, he just raised the idea during his visit to Osaka, Japan.   Ideas that arise suddenly or "prompt idea 'This has made him a successful entrepreneur.

Figure 3 : View of Honda’s factory

To be a successful entrepreneur is not an easy road to reach. One must be prudent in predicting the right product to market.   The product must be compatible with the socio-cultural communities.  The idea is to get the right product to market also needs to be generated through the process is not long or difficult, but idea arises suddenly can also help a person to become a successful entrepreneur.   As Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew, his idea came suddenly while in Osaka, Japan that is what has made him a successful entrepreneur. With the concept of "Not to reinvent the wheel" that has facilitated his efforts to become a successful entrepreneur.   By simply bringing Honda motorcycles in Malaysia of 15 slave units in the beginning, it has remained in the hearts of Malaysians.  To date, more than 2 million units of Honda motorcycles in Malaysia on the road.