In Thailand, women-founded companies stand out for their creative approaches to problem-solving, whether it's via using technology to improve regional services or creating goods that take cultural quirks into account. This new generation of women-led businesses promotes a collaborative and mentoring atmosphere where knowledge exchange is valued, resulting in a network of support that promotes resilience and growth. Theresa Mathawaphan launched PEOPLE INNOVATE, which has become a key implementer and connector in Thailand's changing corporate environment.
Theresa has a wealth of management and C-level position experiences, which has helped her to appreciate the complexities of organizational dynamics and the significance of matching strategy to a cultural environment. PEOPLE INNOVATE acts as a bridge connecting government agencies, businesses in the private sector, and research institutes. The company's ultimate goal is to enable businesses to realize their full potential by utilizing creative approaches with local or international relevant solutions. PEOPLE INNOVATE not only solves present problems but also encourages a culture of adaptation and constant improvement, opening the door for long-term success in a setting that is changing quickly.
The company is strategically positioned across four dimensions of operations, enhancing its consulting capabilities. First, it focuses on consulting projects that encompass technology, people strategy, and business transformation, adapting to various clients’ needs. Second, acknowledging the importance of human resources, it prioritizes capability building through partnerships, offering boot camps and seminars to develop both individuals and organizations. The aim is to foster innovation beyond Bangkok by reaching underserved regions in Thailand, creating an ‘innovation pool’ to stimulate local potential.
Third, the company collaborates with international partners to provide essential tools and platforms that facilitate management development and AI strategies. Lastly, it excels in business matching, connecting technology with commercialization opportunities and investment, leveraging its extensive ecosystem relationships.
“In my work within Thailand's innovation ecosystem, I act as a private sector intermediary, connecting various stakeholders, including government bodies,
educational institutions, and businesses, to drive meaningful technological advancements. My passion lies in fostering innovation, promoting innovative leadership, and building systems that emphasize collaboration and inter-connectedness among all parties involved”, informs Theresa Matawaphan, Co-Founder & CEO, PEOPLE INNOVATE.
PEOPLE INNOVATE sets itself apart in the market by adopting a collaborative framework instead of functioning as a lone expert. The company has developed several alliances, assembling a group of experts from both the public and private sectors. This includes both industry professionals with practical experience in technology and management, as well as university professors who offer scholarly ideas and research. PEOPLE INNOVATE offers a comprehensive approach to change consulting because no one organization can have all the required knowledge. This helps the company successfully combine different viewpoints and insights, which eventually results in significant solutions for clients in the public and private sectors.
Optimizing Tech and Operations
According to Theresa, doing comprehensive diagnostics to find organizational gaps is crucial to strike a balance between technical proficiency and operational excellence. “We evaluate if the client is good at technology or operational management because every client has a different level of capability readiness. With this knowledge, we can create solutions that are specifically tailored to the demands of each client”, she adds.
Organizations can maximize their use of technology by concentrating on operational excellence without necessarily having a large amount of in-house technical competence. They might decide, for example, to focus on streamlining operational procedures while outsourcing some technical tasks.
PEOPLE INNOVATE guarantees that technology integration has an impact on the organization by putting people and culture first
Theresa is aware that simply implementing cutting-edge technology is not enough if the workforce is not equipped to use it efficiently. Therefore, the company emphasizes that evaluating and developing the organization's workforce's capabilities must be one of the first steps in every transformational endeavor. This strategy is especially important for clients in government organizations or traditional business sectors, where adopting new tools and systems requires a culture shift toward technology.
Expanding Impact Through Innovation
In the future, the company hopes to expand internationally and open an office in London. Its twin strategy, which acts as a landing pad for foreign businesses entering Southeast Asia and a launching pad for Thai enterprises expanding overseas, aims to develop a dynamic and linked business environment. Motivated by a desire to promote innovation and growth, PEOPLE INNOVATE aspires to create big influence and impact, especially in the Thai ecosystem, making sure that its operations benefit local populations and global market altogether.
Theresa Mathawaphan, Co-Founder & CEO, People Innovate
Theresa is a distinguished leader with over 25 years of expertise in Thailand, excelling in strategic management and business development across IT & digital, e-Commerce, and innovation sectors. A scholarship student and Dean's List honoree with an MS in Electrical Engineering from The George Washington University, she began her career in government research before advancing to senior roles in the private sector. Her latest official role is Chief Strategy Officer of National Innovation Agency (NIA) of Thailand. Recognized for her leadership in GovTech and Innovation, Theresa has managed over 60 international projects, driving transformative strategies and fostering global collaborations.
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