Asean Rubber’s Director Le Thi Bich Tram: Success Comes from the Blend of Family and Business Affairs

 

Set up in 2010 as a preliminary processor of natural rubber, Asean Rubber Company was ranked among the Top 20 rubber companies in Vietnam in 2012. In 2013, the company’s revenue reached VND810 billion, nearly doubling from 2012.

 

After many rounds of strict examinations and surveys about the company's capabilities and the executive personnel’s capabilities, Asean Rubber Company was chosen as the key material supplier for world-leading tyre producers.

 

By serving many world-acclaimed customers, Asean Rubber has gradually proven its solid penetration into the tyre material supply market. Currently, the company is exporting its products to over 20 countries and territories around the world, including India, China, South Korea, the US, Canada, France, Germany, Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Malaysia and South Africa.

 

According to the Vietnam Rubber Association (VRA), in 2012, Asean Rubber was ranked among the Top 25 rubber exporters in Vietnam. In 2013, the company was presented many titles and awards like the “Prestigious Exporter" in 2012-2013 from the Import-Export Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the “Business of UNESCO Culture Hall of Fame” and “Excellent Executive Award 2013” from the Vietnam Federation of UNESCO Associations (VFUA), and the Trusted Brand Award 2013 from by the Council of Trade Alliance - Vietnam Enterprise Institute. Remarkably in September 2013, the company’s executives were honoured to accompany President Truong Tan Sang on his visit to Hungary and Denmark. In early 2014, the firm was chosen among 100 exemplary companies and entrepreneurs to represent the business community of Vietnam to attend the Year-end Gala Dinner with President Truong Tan Sang at the Presidential Palace on January 16, 2014.

 

As its business results are appreciated by local authorities, it thus receives a lot of support from various parties - an important driving force for the company in 2014. Despite difficulties forecast for 2014, Asean Rubber is determined to maintain its 2013 revenue and build up sustainable development in 2014 - 2015.

 

Without doubt, the success of Asean Rubber was considerably contributed to by Director Le Thi Bich Tram. With over 10 years of experience, she has led the company through the toughest time of business start-up. Her success in the rubber industry has surprised many people. But for her, this is not a surprise because it is in her belief. Being aggressive in business and harmonious with everyone, she is seen as a multiple personality executive. Director Tram said she did not create such different characters, but she is adaptive to the environment and circumstance.

 

When asked about necessary elements of a successful entrepreneur, she said a businessperson needs a good heart and mind and quick response to market changes to be successful. These elements are very necessary, particularly when the market is opened wide as now.

 

She added that she owed her success in career to her family, particularly her parents-in-law and her husband. Their backing eased her mind and inspired her to devote to the business. She said “My husband is my strong support for my spiritual life and my busy work. He is responsive and caring. He usually reminds me of what I am doing and why I am doing so. Making money is not the key purpose, but knowing my capacity.”

 

To have good support from the family, a woman must balance business and family affairs. For a woman, her role and responsibility as a wife and a mother is huge. Hence, she needs to blend them. Tram said “My business is unique because my customers are mainly from Europe. When I close the office here, they start their business day in their countries and begin to make contact with me to discuss business affairs. Sometimes, I am so busy that I forget taking care of my husband and children.” This concerned her most when she started this business. For that reason, she usually weighs up and down when a customer proposes a new business.

 

She added that "My oldest daughter is just 6 years old while my little daughter is just 2 years old. Currently, I do not need to spend much time on them because my parents can help me take care of them. When they become older, I will spend more time with them because I want to share my thoughts and direct them to right values. The right values that the young director wants to direct their children are the active involvement in social and charitable works. Hence, when Asean Rubber took part in a charity programme called "Staying alongside Vietnamese families" hosted by the Voice of HCM City People's in western provinces like Dong Thap, Ben Tre, Soc Trang and some central provinces, she took them with her.

 

Needless to say, the business success of Le Thi Bich Tram has also demonstrated the entrepreneurial spirit of Vietnamese businesspeople: Using profit taken from the society to again serve the society. Not only that, this spirit is passed on to their progeny.