The youthful and energetic Marvin Tiu Lim, former VP of sales and marketing of Mega Global Corp., makers of leading sardines brand Mega, has assumed a bigger role in managing and charting the company’s future. He’s now chief of growth and development of the family-run food business founded 45 years ago by his father William Tiu Lim.
“Mega Global’s mindset for the new post is not only for rallying our workforce to focus on improving themselves and the organization from within, but also to send a strong message to the corporate community that we don’t need to fit into any box,” Marvin shares.
If you ask him, the growth and development role is never been heard of before. It was suggested to Marvin by one of his mentors. More than the goal of achieving a heftier bottom line, the job also requires him to be more creative by using his talents and skills to impact everyone in the organization.
“Once we’ve achieved this, we could all help the company grow and develop towards the future. Given the role is corporate, growth and development will not only be limited to sales and marketing,” Marvin adds.
In early March, just before the pandemic spread, Marvin flew to London to study growth strategies for business following a special course exclusive for members of the Entrepreneurs Organization.
“A week in London Business School taught me how to craft a clear strategy for the growth of the organization and how we can navigate changes in the industry now,” he notes of that timely move.
“The importance of shifting my mind from a purely sales and marketing role to developing the whole organization was borne out of our succession strategy. We needed to liven things up to make sure that we lead in a new way,” Marvin adds.
Although his father has done a very good job, Marvin also realizes the importance for the company to continue to stand on its own from hereon. As they train their sights towards the future, it’s also important for Marvin and his siblings to rely on their abilities while crafting their own message in order to earn people’s respect.
“This way, our employees can look forward to something new and innovative for them in the company. My sister, Michelle, is now the COO and my brother, Malcolm, who is an engineer, has been elevated to chief technical and innovation officer,” he says.
It’s no secret that a can of sardines is seen in the Filipino cupboard as a staple, more so with the current crisis. And Mega sardines, together with its roster of canned and packed food products, is top of mind for consumers owing to its quality and affordability.
“We are blessed that we are one of the very few companies that have been positively affected by the COVID-19 situation. Our sales have more than doubled, but our processes and volume have been strained because what’s happening isn’t normal,” says Marvin.
He emphasizes that their products are basic necessities for the Filipino home. Mega Global’s operations include fishing, as they have the largest fleet in the country, all the way to canning. It’s no surprise that the company produces two million cans of sardines every day, as it also has the largest production facility in the country.
With the dreaded pandemic still very much around, it has also become imperative for Mega Global and its officers to embody the culture of Mega Malasakit. It’s a culture that has been in the company’s DNA for 45 years now.
This has inspired the company to launch programs that support its employees as well as the general public amidst uncertainties and economic strain brought about by the series of calibrated quarantines.
“Instead of a mindset of fear, we are cultivating a ‘bayanihan’ mindset for all of our people,” Marvin declares.
“Right now, we are transitioning into a new leadership role,” he concludes. “We hope to bring an air of youthfulness and change to the company so we can take it to the next level and, in turn, bring it to the next 45 years. We feel that this is the best time to effect change in the organization, as our employees are also getting younger. This pandemic has made us rethink how we operate and how the market is changing.”
