Due to my large network of communication and public relations professionals, friends, clients, and contacts frequently reach out to me for referrals when they are on the lookout for such talent. It could be for a very senior position, mid-, or even entry level.
To protect my own reputation, I’m very careful with whom I recommend. I usually consider these few aspects to ensure that the candidate is qualified before recommending them:
1. Reputation – Good work ethic, ethical in general, law-abiding citizen, clean record,
2. Skills required for the new position, both technical and soft skills,
3. Experience – In terms of total years of experience and relevant industry or job scope,
4. Good work track record – Solid work and career achievements,
5. Corporate culture fit – This is a very important factor,
6. Paper qualifications – While this is no longer the number one criterion today, it’s always good to have some paper qualifications or certifications, as it shows knowledge and discipline.
I think most would follow this same list of criteria when filling a position, particularly at director level.
So, I know that I’m not alone in wondering why someone with no work experience in international trade was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of Matrade – the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation.
In addition, the said new director’s family is also currently embroiled in legal issues and making headlines almost daily.
From a public relations and good governance standpoint, we always advise clients to ensure that any new hire, particularly at senior level, has been properly vetted and passed the most stringent of evaluations with flying colours – particularly in this role in international trade, which is so crucial to the nation’s economy.
Even Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, knew well enough to step back from royal duties when his reputation was being dragged through the mud.
Another interesting choice last week was for the role of media and strategic communications adviser to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Many are wondering how someone who was media advisor to a previous prime minister (who, by the way, lost the elections that year and is now behind bars with other legal matters lined up in court) would be selected by the current PM to boost his popularity. Mind-boggling! I mean, his track record doesn’t look that good, does it?
I recall in the run-up to the historic 2018 general election, government-linked companies (GLCs) were requested to host large townhall sessions for the then prime minister to address staff in an effort to boost his personal popularity and earn votes for the party. These events cost a great deal of the GLCs’ communications budget, which could otherwise have been used for actual work-related matters. This is, after all, taxpayers’ money.
The said media advisor and the heads of GLCs at the time (2018) also recorded a song which, to this day, is on YouTube for posterity. Word on the ground has it that the idea was tone-deaf (pun intended!) and not well-received by the public.
This is because the public consider the heads of GLCs and their peers as being in the T20 group – ‘golongan kayangan’, or the elite, people who live in the clouds – while the rest, the man-on-the-street, are ‘golongan marhaen’.
An advertising icon once said, “If you want to sell a fire extinguisher, start with the fire”. Perhaps Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should consider someone from the ‘golongan marhaen’ to advise him, since that is, after all, his target audience and key electorate.
Every year, the government wonders why our top talents leave the country, why Malaysia is still ranked poorly on the corruption perception and good governance indexes, and why the nation is not attracting as much foreign direct investment (FDI) as our Asean neighbours.
Committees and consultants are engaged to study the problem and make recommendations to address these issues. More resources are wasted, which could instead be used to feed the poor, when the average ‘golongan marhaen’ could easily tell them what the problem is.
If only they would listen.