Graduate Studies Blog
NANYANG EXECUTIVE MBA
BALANCING BUSINESS GROWTH WITH COMPANY CULTURE – LESSONS FROM A HOMEGROWN FAMILY BUSINESS
The origins of Shalom Movers
During the pandemic, Shalom Movers’ strong foundation was put to the test. Many of the company’s employees faced instability in their personal lives; at the same time, their workloads increased as families and offices relocated around the city.
Amid such turmoil, Gabriel pursued an Executive MBA (EMBA) at Nanyang Technological University to ensure he could fulfil his leadership aspirations. The hands-on lessons taught by Nanyang Business School faculty strengthened his business acumen. They gave him access to valuable cross-industry insights from world-class professors and diverse business leaders.
How to build a strong work culture
A business that grows at the expense of its employees’ well-being will encounter challenges sooner or later, says Gabriel. He points out that this kind of growth is unsustainable; suitable replacements can be hard to come by, difficult or costly to train. Even before joining the EMBA, Gabriel helped lead or develop several initiatives related to employee well-being.
Regular feedback collection
Many businesses are trying novel ways to collect feedback from employees. Shalom is no different. Aside from regular pulse surveys conducted throughout the year, Gabriel and his brother also conduct regular breakfast meetings.
“Many of our employees were never given a chance to express their honest thoughts or opinions,” he explains. Because they are less outspoken, they’re less likely to fill out a form or write a long exposition. One-on-one breakfast meetings have proven to be an excellent way for individuals to open up and share honest feedback.
Career progression roadmap
Their in-house talent specialists include a chief learning curator who comes up with on-the-job training blueprints and career progression roadmaps.
“We find that employees deliver better work when working towards goals they care about. It doesn’t matter whether they’re white-collar, blue-collar, in the trades or not. Humans feel happy when they achieve personal growth.”
Gabriel Lam, Nanyang EMBA Class of 2021
COO, Shalom Movers
One individual nearing retirement age expressed his desire to continue working at Shalom, but physical safety concerns made it difficult for him to remain in the field. Together with the company’s talent specialists, he was able to restructure his responsibilities from physically-demanding packing and loading to warehouse management.
Give employees the power to make decisions
Gabriel highlights the importance of personal autonomy at Shalom. Staff are at the forefront of every major decision, he says. They are encouraged to speak out during the company’s regular town halls. The company’s vision and mission are also co-created and updated by employees.
Lastly, Shalom Day is hosted annually to celebrate the employees and their families. “Their success is our success,” says Gabriel with a smile. “We train, play soccer, cycle, and even go on food trips together.”
Carefully-tailored outreach programmes
Shalom participates in over 30 outreach programmes a year, including events to educate the public about road safety. Beyond this, they also participate in Yellow Ribbon Singapore – an initiative developed by Singapore Prison Services – and provide jobs for inmates and ex-offenders on their rehabilitation journey.
Gabriel points out that, many inmates tend to reoffend because their release does not coincide with a change in environment. He seeks to provide all employees with a healthy community of leaders they can look up to and respect. “We host graduation ceremonies for those who reach certain milestones,” he says.
Making business even better with the help of technology
Gabriel decided to pursue his EMBA at NTU because of its rich history as a technological and research-powered university. The logistics trade is innovating in the face of rising competition and new technology, so Gabriel wanted to discover how he could apply technology and innovation to improve his employees’ day-to-day experience.
“The EMBA at NTU is one of the only places where technology comes together with good leadership,” Gabriel says. One module on artificial intelligence, for example, helped Shalom with the development of an image recognition software that would be used to advise employees on safer, more efficient packing arrangements. Another module gave Gabriel hands-on practice with communication techniques in uniquely difficult situations.
He considers the programme an unrivalled opportunity to learn from other leaders who wish to leave a lasting impact like him.
A healthy business, inside and out
“Moving can be very complicated,” says Gabriel. “There are physical risks involved, and it’s easy to get tired. Trust and teamwork are of utmost importance, and we are proud to have that in abundance here.”
Shalom regularly wins awards every year for its outstanding service and company culture. It has been recognised as one of Asia’s best workplaces and secured the Singapore Quality Class with People and Innovation niches. This is a testament to Shalom’s people-centric and innovative mindset.
“As we explore new services and technology, I want for our company to take each step forward together,” says Gabriel. He is confident that the EMBA has equipped him with the knowledge and network needed to grow Shalom’s employees further while maintaining the strong values and culture it has become renowned for.
