Where women are stronger and more successful than men, is using their intuition, social- and emotional intelligence to make good decisions.
Interview with Marc Watzal
Director API Production
BACHEM AG
Khun Marc, you are one of the greatest independent people we ever knew, is it hard for you to always stay confident, believe in yourself, love yourself and not to focus on what other people think?
That’s a very good question and it’s linked to how you appear to people, your external perception, but as well what’s up inside of you? Always strong and confident would be quite unnatural for someone who’s open minded and self-reflecting. There are natural ups and downs following your daily business- and private life. I am working with the up’s and the downs by self-reflecting them and trying to control myself. So far I was successful and for me the secret is sport, friends and my family in the work life balance. That keeps me in a way I feel good.
What are the advantages of being independent in your opinion? What would you suggest to the younger generation especially a female entrepreneur, how to be independent, motivated and inspired like you?
Independence give you happiness. Love yourself as you are. If you don’t love yourself you will never be happy and through that not successful. Reflect yourself, care about the opinion of POSITIVE people in your social community. Take feedback into consideration to the extend you feel good with. Consider other peoples opinion but don’t get crazy about it. Try out things, make lots of mistakes and learn from them. Never stop learning. And that’s gender neutral. Where women are stronger and more successful than men, is using their intuition, social- and emotional intelligence to make good decisions.
What have been the biggest challenges in your career?
Definitely, being not patient! Things couldn’t go quick enough. Applying my own standards and expectation to others. This in personal and business life. In my professional career, I was as well challenged by disrespectful and reckless people, there I have learned to apply the 24 hour rule. If someone stresses you to a max, sleep about it before you respond, stay objective and friendly.
As you have been living and working in Thailand for many years, what are the most obvious differences after moving to Switzerland, with regards to the working environment and culture?
Back living in Germany, working in Switzerland, life, attitude of people and most of all weather conditions are very much different. Germany and Switzerland are two of the safest places in Europe. But here as well, things are how you deal with it. People interact with you as you interact with them. It’s to a huge extend up to you.
The only things you cant change are the weather conditions…
Did you find any difficulty with settling into a new culture in Switzerland, and how did you handle it? Do you still like to travel to Thailand?
No problems at all, I love Switzerland, the values, the people, my colleagues, just wonderful but nevertheless I miss Thailand so much. No other place can be compared with Thailand and the people there, it’s unique and that’s why I am back at least two times a year to meet my wonderful friends there.
What are the diverse aspects between working with women in Switzerland when compared to working with women in Thailand? Is there a huge difference in terms of working style?
Difficult to say. Europe (not Switzerland in specific) is driven by gender discussions and quotas to a high extend. In Thailand I felt that there is a natural good distribution and less discussions about that topic. Thailand has so many strong women and specifically thinking back to my plant in Rayong, I had the pleasure to have so many strong women that managed the business in all areas.
What are your best and worst experiences in working with women?
I can’t tell you positive or negative experiences because I never made any differences with all my folks.
Is Switzerland a diverse country? At your workplace - Bachem, are many international employees working there? How do you feel being a man who is working abroad?
BACHEM AG is an amazing company with an very international workforce, gender, race, religion, e.g. doesn’t play a role. Just passion and commitment to the companies mission.
We heard that you like doing Thai boxing, what makes you fall in love with Thai boxing? Do you still do the boxing after moving to Switzerland?
I love Thai Boxing and all kind of martial arts. I was falling in love with thai boxing in Thailand because you get in touch with so many local people and they appreciate if you value this cultural part of Thailand. You are very quickly part of the family. And yes I still do Thai Boxing in Switzerland as there is a huge community and appreciation to that sport.
Do you have any other preferred defense sports or outdoor activities? Why do you love this kind of activity, and what would you advise to women who are interested in these activities/sports?
Of course back to Germany and Switzerland, winter-sport is a wonderful thing. I love skiing, snowboarding and riding my motorbike in the wonderful swiss mountains and that’s something that keeps my head up when I miss Thailand. And again, no matter to gender, everybody will enjoy the sports activities here. Try winter-sports, hiking in the mountains or riding on a bike up and down the serpentines of a mountain, that’s amazing for anybody.
If you were a woman, who would be your role model?
Within my community definitely my superstars are Dr. Monpilai Narasingha and Khun Patinya Sinlapapakdee!
But not to forget and not limited to them Khun Somnuk Yodnil, Khun Anja Heck, Khun Sarintra Senawat, Khun Thidarat Phuangngam, Khun Pim Khwan See-on, Khun Prapawadee Phothipraisiri, Khun Patcharaporn Korbuakesorn and so many more wonderful role models.
