Lifeboat strategy

BANGKOK — “Outside one’s comfort zone is where the magic begins.”

This is a lesson everyone should heed — whether you’re an ageing journalist, the highest official of the land, the fair-haired son of a tycoon, or the tycoon himself. This is one of my favorite take-aways from the Mobile

Journalism Asia Conference 2019, a two-day journalism conference held here over the weekend. I’ve heard it before, but it cannot be overemphasized.

It’s a lesson shared by Thai media legend and respected veteran journalist Suthichai Yoon, a man who successfully embraced the changes in journalism.

Before I continue, let me assure you that I will not bore you with stuff that’s only for journalists. On the contrary, these lessons apply as much to journalists as they do to everyone else.

Suthichai, who co-founded Thailand’s The Nation newspaper, retired last year at the age of 71. He did, however, not retire from life, nor did he give up his passion for telling stories.

Staying relevant

In his keynote talk on the first day of the conference, he narrated how changes in technology forced him to get out of his comfort zone and embrace the rapidly changing times.

Big technological changes that happened in the world rammed through his comfort zone as head of a newspaper — the introduction of the digital camera in 2000, the birth of Facebook in 2007, and the introduction of the iPhone. All these things changed journalism in ways old-timers never imagined could even happen in their lifetime.

Today, Suthichai may be a retired newsroom manager, but his presence is very much felt by the Thais and the rest of the world.

While he continues to write a daily newspaper column, Suthichai successfully transitioned into a multimedia journalist by conducting daily Facebook Live interviews with experts and celebrities on various issues.

His page is titled Suthichai Live which he broadcasts daily from the comfort of his own home and with the help of just a smart phone and a reliable internet connection. He has conducted interviews with different personalities — from Jack Ma to Andrew Yang — over Skype. The interviews are broadcasted through his Facebook and YouTube channels.

Finding your lifeboat

Suthichai said he made the bold move of shifting to online when he realized that it was necessary to survive.

At the same time, Suthichai continues to write a newspaper column. Writing, he said, remains a big part of his life.

But he stressed that staying relevant and embracing new ways of doing things is a must.

Journalism, he said, is facing the perfect storm. However, many journalists refuse to leave their old, rickety and leaking boats because it is the only home they know, their comfort zone.

However, Suthichai said this should not be the case.

He told us, the crowd of journalists from all over Asia, to adopt a lifeboat strategy, to leave one’s ageing vessel and have the courage to move to a different but possibly better alternative.

Outside the comfort zone

This is a lesson that applies to all of us. It’s true and fitting not just for journalism and journalists but also for businesses and their businessmen owners.

Jaza said it too

Just last month, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chairman of the country’s oldest conglomerate, stood on a stage and just like Suthichai, also talked about the need to face disruptions.

Institutions are at risk of falling behind if they are not able to transform, JAZA said during a recent forum organized by BusinessWorld.

“Companies that do not innovate are in danger of becoming irrelevant,” he said.

He noted that the “innovation mindset” is what fuels the Ayala’s ongoing digital transformation.

“Here in the Philippines, there seems to be a pervasive mindset that industries may be slower to change or that

disruption will hit us gradually. However, you’ll see these changes are happening here as quickly as they are anywhere else. If one doesn’t accept that, then you really have a good chance of being left behind.”

It’s almost like what Suthichai said, but minus the strong Thai accent and with the trademark boy-next-door Jaza smile instead.

Finding the magic

Over dinner later after his talk, Suthichai advised me to keep on writing, but to also make sure that I go beyond the traditional way of telling stories.

The possibilities are limitless, he said. I could use many tools within my reach to support my stories in the newspapers, he added. I gave him my beer allocation for the invaluable lesson. Thank you, Suthichai!

Jaza and Suthichai are as different as they can be. One is a tycoon, the other is a media legend. Their respective industries are worlds apart, but the lessons they impart are one and the same.

That we should all continuously adapt and transform with the rapidly changing tide. As The Borg said, resistance is futile. Indeed, let’s all get out of our comfort zones, get past the fear zone and live in the growth zone. I’m sure we will find more magic there.

Iris Gonzales’ email address is [email protected].

Follow her on Twitter @eyesgonzales.