Given where THP stands today, it is hard to imagine how difficult it must have been for my parents, Trần Quí Thanh and Phạm Thị Nụ, in the beginning. It has been their “nothing is impossible” mantra which helps them withstand decades of difficulty to build the internationally successful company that is Tân Hiệp Phát today.
It’s a company built by individuals who are prepared, willing, and determined to set goals, take chances and learn from their successes and failures. From my father’s early days in an awful orphanage environment, to the devastating experiences of war, these experiences taught him to be resilient and gritty. He has trained his entire life to overcome obstacles and make the best of bad situations.
It’s this grit and perseverance that built what is now Vietnam’s largest family-owned manufacturer in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods category. There are several ways my parents taught us how to successfully overcome obstacles. Incorporate the following principles as you effectively face your own challenges head-on:
- Embrace change. In your journey to success, change will be inevitable. Embracing change can be terrifying, but my parents believe there is nothing to fear. They have incorporated this belief into another one of THP’s core values: “Today must be better than yesterday, but not as good as tomorrow.” Progress is never-ending; each day being a little better than the one before.
- Remember what is of true value. It can be difficult to focus on those things that we are truly grateful for in the midst of challenge. Particularly in business when decisions and outcomes can have a significant impact on finances or other areas of life, it’s important to focus on your passion, purpose and fulfillment in what you are doing. Focusing on the why will help you stay focused, motivated, and inspired to overcome challenging times.
- Make it a learning experience. Many come out the other end of difficult situations having learned critical lessons that help them moving forward. As you encounter obstacles, embrace them as learning opportunities; find a way to use them to your advantage and make yourself better both personally and professionally.
When you believe anything is possible – despite adversities – work hard, and with a little luck, there is no limit to what can be achieved. THP’s story is a testament to one man’s vision. The fact that millions of consumers around the world are loyally drinking THP beverages every day is also testament to the execution of that vision by a team of highly motivated individuals.
