"Golden Rose" Nguyen Thi Kim Lien: Quietly Shining

Taking over An Dien Company as it was in the toughest time and after her husband’s death, the responsibilities and burdens on her were very heavy. She confided: “I had burst into tears in the first time I saw tax reports with confusing data and technical terms. It seemed like I had no capabilities to take charge of my husband’s position. However, I had no choice but put my best efforts to uphold the company.” And, after long nights of thinking, she finally found that the answer for her life that was “learn, she has to learn all tasks one by one”.

 

With great determination, she put all her efforts in learning business administration; she learnt through colleagues, friends, family and even rivals in the marketplace. Becoming a member of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), Small and Medium Enterprises Association, Young Business People Association, Women Entrepreneurs Club, Economic Science Association in Da Nang City, more opportunities opened up to her when she participated in professional training courses; seminars and learnt experience from businesses in organisations and associations. Fortunately, she was guided and consulted by people in organisations in accessing and conquering the market. She even went to the US to learn how to launch a product. “Diligence is the mother of good fortune”, she gradually grasped core principles in business strategy development of An Dien as well as expanded the market, lifting the company out of the difficult period, increasing profits and improving workers’ lives. With the dynamic and proactive “Captain” Nguyen Thi Kim Lien and relentless efforts to overcome difficulties of all staff, An Dien brand is no longer strange to Da Nang market or the country in general; becoming the leading organization in distributing automobile tires, batteries, wheels, office equipment and car service across the country. Annual turnover of the company has continually increased 30-40 percent annually.

 

In order to meet market demands, An Dien Company has invested more in modern machinery and equipment for car care services in the best way; at the same time, focused on training human resources and building a professional and prestigious customer care team. Recently, the world’s leading tyre brand Michelin chose An Dien to act as its agent and granted An Dien the MSC certification (Michelin Service Centre). The company has completed construction of "standardised tyre service centre Michelin". This centre is equipped with modern technology machineries to bring customers the best service so they can feel safe, comfortable and secure when driving on the roads.

 

Beginning from a company on the verge of bankruptcy, with great spirit and desire to learn, Ms Nguyen Thi Kim Lien is today an outstanding businesswoman of Da Nang City in the field of economy and society. In particular, she is one of the typical female entrepreneurs of Da Nang receiving honour awards such as Golden Rose award in 2010 and 2013 for outstanding female entrepreneurs, the only businesswoman in the central region being on the top 100 business style in 2012, award honouring enterprises for contribution to the society, promotion and creating jobs for disabled people, top 100 typical intellectuals in field of economy in 2012, Typical female entrepreneurs of Da Nang City in 3 consecutive years. In April, 2014 she received the award honouring representative commercial and service enterprises 2013 granted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

 

Though a woman of firmness on the market, she is still a golden rose of compassion and sympathy to vulnerable people in society. It is clearly expressed through recruitment policies in favour of disabled workers. This is such a unique way of doing charity. Rather than giving money or gifts, she offers them a job so that they can earn their own living. Not only being a model leader, Ms Lien, in the eyes of all staff in the company, is like a mother, a sister and a friend who always encourages, motivates and supports their lives. And with her warm heart, she upholds unfortunate fates in society so that they can live on their own.

 

Apart from supporting and creating stable jobs for people with disabilities, along with other donors, Ms Lien spared no pains delivering gifts or financial supports to people in difficulties in person. She also pioneered in building houses of gratitude for the poor in her region, providing tuition for poor students or hospital fees for poor patients. Whenever hearing of unhappy circumstances, she tries to support them. She is like an unknown soldier who quietly brings smiles and happiness to everyone without waiting for any gratitude.

 

With the aspiration to share the burden of community, in the upcoming time, An Dien Company will expand and develop to make up the best customer services, focus on staff training to open a truck service centre in Lien Chieu District – Da Nang City aiming at creating more jobs for people with disabilities. Particularly, benefits from this centre will be used to support people with disabilities in society as the human purpose – “An Dien Culture” built up by Ms Lien and all staff in the company.

 

Intelligence, strong will and kindness are important factors that help entrepreneur Nguyen Thi Kim Lien overcome all challenges to create such a great achievement. With hard work, creativity, inquiring mind and strong spirit, businesswomen like her will reach more tremendous success in their career, contributing to a prosperous society, a peaceful homeland.