Agent of digital transformation democratises financial solutions

Maneerut Anulomsombut, the Chief Executive Officer of Sea (Thailand), a leading internet platform provider, has been playing a key role in using technology to upgrade the Thai people's quality of life for years.

Because of her remarkable achievements and contributions to society and the economy at large, Ms Maneerut has clinched the prestigious 2024 Bangkok Post CEO of the Year Awards in the “Impactful Technology Leadership” category.

Sea (Thailand) is focussed on bettering the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology. It has provided them with diverse products and services that are essential to people's daily routines. Its platforms included Shopee (e-commerce), SeaMoney (digital finance) and Garena (digital entertainment).

Over the space of a decade, Sea has been operating its businesses in Thailand while setting its sights on sustainably growing businesses and making a positive impact for society with technology.

Led by Ms Maneerut since 2014, the group has expanded and improved its services for Thai users.

It has also participated in driving the digital economy forward by utilising its resources and business expertise, while embarking on digital education initiatives to help surrounding communities grow together.

Under Ms Maneerut's leadership, the group has taken the first step of expanding its business operations beyond the gaming market by making Thailand the first country to use the digital payment service known as “AirPay”— later renamed “ShopeePay” — to improve the user experience and enable people to do more on digital platforms.

Such leadership has been truly transformative, especially among SMEs because it helped to bridge the digital divide by harnessing their digital platforms to enhance accessibility, income generation, and business opportunities for Thai SMEs, Ms Maneerut says.

Ms Maneerut says that the group has positioned itself as Thai SMEs’ key partner through three main pillars: enlargement, enablement, and empowerment. These so-called “3Es” have helped Thai SMEs navigate the digital disruption in the macro economy and achieve sustainable success.

Through Sea (Thailand)’s e-commerce platform, Shopee, local sellers are given the opportunity to reach a vast, borderless market. Shopee allows SMEs to expand their reach beyond traditional geographical limitations, enabling them to connect with customers anywhere, anytime, she says.

This enlargement of market access is crucial for sellers looking to scale quickly without incurring significant overheads.

“Shopee gives them a platform to sell more with minimal effort, and this helps drive sustainable growth for their businesses,” Ms Maneerut says.

Along with more market access, Ms Maneerut says SMEs must also have the skills to effectively utilise the tools available to them. That's why Sea (Thailand) focuses heavily on equipping its users with the digital know-how they need to succeed, she said.

“We offer a variety of training programs through Shopee University and the Sea Academy, where sellers can learn everything from digital marketing to optimising their product listings,” she says.

The goal is to help entrepreneurs become more proficient in leveraging the digital economy. This not only boosts their sales but also ensures they are well-prepared to adapt to the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Access to capital is a common challenge for Thai SMEs, especially when looking to grow. Ms Maneerut acknowledges this difficulty and highlights how Sea (Thailand) is working to address it. This financial empowerment ensures that SMEs have the resources to scale without being held back by funding constraints, further accelerating their growth.

“Empowerment comes in the form of financial solutions. We help sellers gain access to cash loans and other financial services, giving them the capital they need to expand their businesses,” she says.

Although innovation is the core of the company, she says it would not have proven as successful if the people and the process were not part of this core.

Ms Maneerut says employees are the most important factor in creating successful products and services. Therefore, the company started a culture of trust and allowed team members to express their ideas freely while promoting a culture of transparency and open-mindedness.

She also believes in giving her team members the freedom to take ownership of their work, which helps to foster a sense of responsibility and commitment and drives the company’s continuous evolution.

“When people feel like they own a project, that’s when innovation truly happens,” she says

Looking ahead, Ms Maneerut adds she is excited about the company’s continuous role in driving Thailand’s digital transformation, saying the company would continue to develop new products and services to serve the users’ need.