The man behind the group that has over 40 restaurants in Singapore, Indonesia, China, Japan and India, Executive Chairman of TungLok Group, Andrew Tjioe says that success is the product of teamwork.
From Most Inspiring CEO to Best Director to Most Promising Young Achiever to Best for Community Contribution, there are countless awards that honour deserving individuals every year. In a country that places high value on success and achievement like Singapore, prestigious awards are a means of recognising talent and identifying potential success tatler_tatler_stories, distinguishing the very best from the mediocre, and providing inspiration all around.
The first significant award is perhaps the most memorable and the strongest affirmation to keep striving and developing oneself. But subsequently, when even your work files start fighting for office space with your growing collection of medals and trophies, what do those awards mean? And conversely, is the well-decorated individual with an unrivalled medal tally really better than one who simply prefers to let his work speak for itself rather than through awards?
Melissa Gail Sing asks notable award winners in society to share their take on the meaning of an award, how they like to celebrate a big honour, and what distinctions they’d like to see given out in future.
Andrew Tjioe
The man behind the group that has over 40 restaurants in Singapore, Indonesia, China, Japan and India, Executive Chairman of TungLok Group, Andrew Tjioe says that success is the product of teamwork. But it is hard to ignore the restaurateur’s list of awards that include the Lifetime Achievement Award by World Gourmet Summit Awards, Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year by the Singapore Tourism Board, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, a China Hotel Golden Horse Award and International Star Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.
You’ve won a string of awards throughout your career. What do they mean to you?
When you gain recognition, naturally, you feel appreciative. An award raises the bar and drives you to scale new heights because you know that what is relevant at that time may not be so in the future. You have to keep changing, not for the sake of future awards but to ensure that you keep improving.
The awards are not mine alone. Without a team, I will not be able to make things happen. The awards are as much my team’s as they are mine. I cannot take them as personal achievements. I am only a representative receiving the awards.
How have the awards helped you/your business?
Depending on the nature of the awards, whether they are industry-related or brand-related, they may help to increase awareness of the restaurants, win more customers, or elevate the status of our brand.
Conversely, if you never won any awards, would that mean you were less successful at what you do?
That’s subjective. I will look at my industry counterparts. If they have received many awards and recognition, and we have not, then perhaps we are not good enough. This will spur us to work harder—not to chase awards, but to ensure that we are doing things right.
Other than awards, what are some other forms of recognition you value?
A healthy business, loyal staff and positive feedback from clients are important. We also value recognition from shareholders and investors. We don’t go looking for awards. Our priority is to ensure that we do our best, keep challenging ourselves and make our customers happy. When they are happy, they will keep coming back, business will flourish and we will see success. And everything else positive will follow.
What’s the best way to celebrate an award?
By sharing the joy over a good “makan” session with the team.
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