Unleash Your Spirit: A “Gemba” Experience with Michelle Ling

Through all our corporate pursuits, Suntory seeks to Inspire the Brilliance of Life.

Our values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society unite us to achieve this purpose.

And our people are the driving force behind our business. We believe each of us has unlimited potential to grow, to lead and to positively contribute to society and nature. We encourage our more than 40,000 global employees to Unleash Your Spirit – to be curious, be bold, and be the best you can be. And we instill a Gemba mindset, enabling our people to understand the unique needs of our customers as we continuously look to exceed their expectations. As One Suntory, we strive to make an impact and have fun doing what we love by crafting our future together.

For our employee spotlight series, we’re highlighting Suntorians around the world who demonstrate what it means to “Unleash Your Spirit.”

Michelle Ling, HR Generalist at Beam Suntory, shares her 8-year career journey at Suntory including global assignments, Yatte Minahare examples and opportunities to learn and grow.

Q. What is your best “Yatte Minahare” story – a time where you acted boldly, tackled a challenge, or turned a dream into reality in your role at Suntory?

One of my most memorable "Yatte Minahare" experiences was during a short-term assignment I completed in Thailand six years ago.  I was tasked with establishing a new culture for our headquarters and local business unit. Initially, I faced numerous reservations and doubts – including my inability to speak Thai, my unfamiliarity with the local culture, not knowing anyone, the lack of a concrete plan, and the fact that I had never ventured far from home. Nevertheless, as an individual who actively seeks out challenges, I consciously made the decision to set aside these emotional and mental obstacles and wholeheartedly embrace the opportunity at hand.

Fortunately, my efforts to embody the "Yatte Minahare" spirit yielded remarkable results! In just six months, not only did I succeed in establishing the desired culture, but I also found myself capable of confidently ordering meals in Thai without the assistance of my colleagues. Most importantly, I fostered strong bonds and friendships with many members of the local team. This secondment experience served as a powerful reminder that a potent combination of unwavering passion and a "Yatte Minahare" spirit can surmount almost any obstacle – whether it’s language barriers or being in unfamiliar territory.

Q. What is something you’re passionate about/interested in and how does your role at Suntory allow you to invest in this?

I have always been passionate about trying new things and taking up challenges. Throughout my 8-year career at Suntory, I have had the opportunity to step outside my HR scope and take on other roles. For instance, I have worked as a promoter, selling our products at supermarkets and trade activations. I have also served as an emcee for several conferences and events, as well as events planner for major events.

Working at Suntory is never dull because there is ample space and countless opportunities for exploration and growth. Being an HR professional here doesn't confine me to just HR work. Now that I have transferred to Beam Suntory, it feels like there is a whole new world for me to dive into and another chance to gather new experiences – a fresh Gemba experience! I am thankful to Suntory for continually fueling my passion and providing me with such diverse opportunities.

Q. What learning and development opportunities have been most impactful to your growth, learning, and success in your role at Suntory and why?

A significant opportunity for my personal and professional growth was the transition from Suntory Beverage & Food Asia Pacific (SBFA) to Beam Suntory. Having spent eight years at SBFA, I’d become familiar and comfortable with the people, culture, environment, and business practices. I believed I had a comprehensive understanding of it all. However, my move to Beam Suntory opened my eyes to the fact that each organization operates differently and has its own unique cultural nuances. Consequently, I found myself starting from scratch and needing to relearn many aspects of my role. It felt like going back to school!

During this transition, one of my mentors at Suntory provided valuable guidance, highlighting the significance of embracing discomfort to achieve success. I realized that to adapt to the changes brought about by the transfer, I needed to develop a mindset that embraced the discomfort of the unknown.

With the support of my line manager and colleagues, and through engaging in Gemba sessions, I experienced tremendous learning and growth within just six months at Beam Suntory. I now feel much more confident in my ability to contribute to the unification of Beam Suntory and SBFA, working toward the goal of One Suntory.