先輩社員紹介
In sync with the company’s mission and a group of like-minded colleagues, continue to support SMEs sector and bring happiness to more families.
Ong Daphnie
Nihon M&A Center Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
入社年：2020年
TOPIC 1
Started to venture into M&A from the thought of helping SMEs better
I used to be a regional manager of an international bank heading more than 30 headcounts offering SME loans. For many years, I saw many SME clients were facing numerous challenges. Such as short of fund for expansion; lacking international exposure to extend their business opportunity to overseas; slowly closing their business due to no successor & etc. In fact, SMEs support many families in Malaysia. They are also the pillar of large corporation as well as country’s economy. However, the needs of SMEs are to a certain extent neglected by the banking system. So, I started looking for ways to help SMEs better. In year 2017, I came to know about M&A. I thought this was the future trend as well as resolution that can solve various needs of SME owners. I decided to quit from SME loan business and starting off my M&A journey.
There were countless challenging moments in my 1st M&A deal as a seller advisor. Moreover, my opponent was Nihon M&A Center (NMA). At the negotiating table, NMA team made me feel the professionalism and good cooperation as a team. Of course, it caused great pressure on me as an opponent of them. I was murmuring to myself: “That would be great if I belonged to a professional team like them”. At the same time, I am also very curious that I spent about 18 months for a M&A project while NMA could do more than 600 cases in year 2017. After completed the first M&A deal, Mr Yusuke Ojima (Managing Director, Nihon M&A Center Malaysia Sdn Bhd) invited me to join NMA. I accepted the offer without hesitation and appreciate a lot for having trust in me and providing me flexibility & opportunity to grow independently. Furthermore, Mr Masahiko Otsuki, our Director from the board of HQ Japan is also providing a lot of guidance, support and opportunities to us.
TOPIC 2
M&A profession is kind of new in Malaysia and not well-known yet
Some of the SME owners in Malaysia just started accepting M&A as one of their solutions when they need capital for expansion or there is no successor. However, not many people know well about M&A advisory. Also, Nihon M&A Center has a low name recognition in Malaysia. I think we still need to do more publicity & dissemination, not only for Nihon M&A Center but also M&A industry in overall.
TOPIC 3
Ladies in the working environment in Malaysia
We just moved to the new office officially in early June. It is a modern & minimalist office with a sense of design & fabulous scenery. The office gives a warm feeling and now is like a home for Malaysia Team. At the time of this interview, our team has more ladies than the gentlemen. However, there is no communication barriers and we could share experience and exchange opinion freely. I don’t feel the gender gap since Day 1 I started working in Malaysia. Men & women always have the equal chances getting promotions. For example, salary increment & promotion are mainly decided in terms of ability & suitability instead of gender. There are a lot of lady entrepreneurs. For instance, we closed 3 deals successfully in year 2021, out of the 3 deals, 2 of the deals are lady CEOs. We are impressed by their high level of energy and admire their spirit & strategy to build a good company. I think the characteristic of a great entrepreneur is same regardless of gender.
TOPIC 4
Continue growing together with a group of like-minded colleagues and dynamic team
In the established impression, the top management of Japanese companies are basically Japanese men. However, I don't want to limit myself just because I work for a Japanese company. As our company provide the same opportunity for oversea lady employee, I will strive hard and looking forward to seeing which extend I could achieve. Perhaps, my strength alone is small, but in sync with the company’s mission and a group of like-minded colleagues, I have become more confident now. Hope we can continue to support SMEs sector and bring happiness to more families.
