Personal Traits
As an open-minded strategic thinker who is ambitious and goal-oriented, Charles, the oldest brother, loves to motivate and inspire by creating teamwork and shared goals. Keith, being more artistically inclined, possesses creative and innovative traits. However, both were adaptable and persevered through the adversities in their journey to success. They see challenges as opportunities. For instance, the brothers started their own shoe label and ceased becoming a retailer at their mother’s shop by eliminating the dependency on wholesalers. The thin profit margins were a problem and they were just like any other ordinary shoe store in the neighbourhood selling shoes from the same wholesalers as its competitors.
As an open-minded strategic thinker who is ambitious and goal-oriented, Charles, the oldest brother, loves to motivate and inspire by creating teamwork and shared goals. Keith, being more artistically inclined, possesses creative and innovative traits. However, both were adaptable and persevered through the adversities in their journey to success. They see challenges as opportunities. For instance, the brothers started their own shoe label and ceased becoming a retailer at their mother’s shop by eliminating the dependency on wholesalers. The thin profit margins were a problem and they were just like any other ordinary shoe store in the neighbourhood selling shoes from the same wholesalers as its competitors.
Visionary leader with a Democratic leadership
style
Charles believed that as a leader, he needs to make his employees believe in what he is doing - a unity of direction. He sets realistic goals, providing specific measurements and tools at the same time to motivate everyone to achieve it.” One of the ways he engages his staff is enrolling them for motivational courses by renowned gurus and incentive cum research trips to fashion capitals. "This will help staff return to work with renewed vigour." Charles mentioned in an interview. Communicating to his employees with transparency in his leadership, he places great emphasis on his people. He encourages employees to grow on the job and be promoted. He values individuals who practice self-initiative, forward thinking, stepping out of their comfort zone and aiming for higher goals.
Charles believed that as a leader, he needs to make his employees believe in what he is doing - a unity of direction. He sets realistic goals, providing specific measurements and tools at the same time to motivate everyone to achieve it.” One of the ways he engages his staff is enrolling them for motivational courses by renowned gurus and incentive cum research trips to fashion capitals. "This will help staff return to work with renewed vigour." Charles mentioned in an interview. Communicating to his employees with transparency in his leadership, he places great emphasis on his people. He encourages employees to grow on the job and be promoted. He values individuals who practice self-initiative, forward thinking, stepping out of their comfort zone and aiming for higher goals.
A visionary leader who
adopts a democratic leadership style, Charles encourages all employees to voice
out their opinions by conducting inter and intra department meetings frequently
and constantly emphasizing on teamwork and unity. By having regular sharing sessions,
employees are able to share the difficulties they face in their job and thus
improve on their working conditions and boost productivity levels. Leading by
example, he practices listening skills and pays attention to the needs of both
his customers and employees. Moreover, he values the opinions of every
employee, believing that every idea could lead to a positive change for the
organization. Such a leadership style helps break down organizational silos.
Focus
& Evolutionary Innovation Strategy
Charles, as a strategic thinker, did not see much of a future in this business model. Charles always engages in a well thought out and planned process to develop a mental image of realistic goals to pave a credible and attractive path for the future of the organization as a whole, including every single employee. Despite the desire to sell men’s shoes since the early phases of the business, they only launched the Pedro Men’s label a few years ago. They wanted to ensure that they do not end up having too much on their plate – with so many brands but none of it well managed; They were cautious about introducing new aspects, be it the accessories or the Men’s label, making gradual changes. Designing their own shoes with matching accessories is the key focus for their business and it is what they are good at and they will continue to focus in this area. Right from the beginning, they focused on improving the existing business, adopting evolutionary innovation as their main strategy with continuous and incremental advances. Over nearly 15 years, Charles and Keith have embodied the importance of clarity of thought and execution. They did not move away from the domain they understood better than anything else – completely vertically integrated from design to retail.
Charles, as a strategic thinker, did not see much of a future in this business model. Charles always engages in a well thought out and planned process to develop a mental image of realistic goals to pave a credible and attractive path for the future of the organization as a whole, including every single employee. Despite the desire to sell men’s shoes since the early phases of the business, they only launched the Pedro Men’s label a few years ago. They wanted to ensure that they do not end up having too much on their plate – with so many brands but none of it well managed; They were cautious about introducing new aspects, be it the accessories or the Men’s label, making gradual changes. Designing their own shoes with matching accessories is the key focus for their business and it is what they are good at and they will continue to focus in this area. Right from the beginning, they focused on improving the existing business, adopting evolutionary innovation as their main strategy with continuous and incremental advances. Over nearly 15 years, Charles and Keith have embodied the importance of clarity of thought and execution. They did not move away from the domain they understood better than anything else – completely vertically integrated from design to retail.
Life-long Learning
The society of today is progressing forward so rapidly and in order to keep up, Charles and Keith are constantly on a relentless quest for knowledge and experience. He sees it as the building block for self-improvement and progression. From participating in trade exhibitions in foreign countries to observe and learn from the finest European shoemakers to visiting their own factory in Malaysia to superintend their employees, both brothers embody adaptability and continuous learning in their leadership, setting an example for their employees. Throughout the years, they have been seeking ways to improve the standard of their products. Charles stressed:" We have been travelling to countries such as Italy, Germany and England to be inspired in ways shoes are designed including materials used as well as the various modes of shoe making." From the quality time spent analyzing other companies' models; he is to be able to learn from people's experiences, i.e. the reasons to failures and the many formulas to successes in business.
The society of today is progressing forward so rapidly and in order to keep up, Charles and Keith are constantly on a relentless quest for knowledge and experience. He sees it as the building block for self-improvement and progression. From participating in trade exhibitions in foreign countries to observe and learn from the finest European shoemakers to visiting their own factory in Malaysia to superintend their employees, both brothers embody adaptability and continuous learning in their leadership, setting an example for their employees. Throughout the years, they have been seeking ways to improve the standard of their products. Charles stressed:" We have been travelling to countries such as Italy, Germany and England to be inspired in ways shoes are designed including materials used as well as the various modes of shoe making." From the quality time spent analyzing other companies' models; he is to be able to learn from people's experiences, i.e. the reasons to failures and the many formulas to successes in business.
His strong dedication
to continuous improvement does not stop here. Charles believes that what drives
him to achieve his business goals stems from personal development. He embraces
lifelong learning, going for courses such as Anthony Robbins’ ‘Unleash the
Power Within’ seminar. Till today, Charles learns to implement personal
development strategies and to utilize tools for achieving goals and to overcome
any obstacles that held him back. He sees personal development as the fundamental
catalyst to professional success. Charles recalls, “It provided me with a lot
of self-programming tools that enabled me to believe certain things. For
example, do you believe that you can become a 500-people company or a company
with 1,000 headcount? The course taught me that if I believe it, I can get it
done. Not only is it crucial to adapt to rapid change, the ability to solve
problems and make the right decisions is needed to continually improve and
reinvent ourselves while striving for excellence every step of the
way."
