Reflections with Abraham Thomas
IBM is a global technology company that is constantly innovating and inventing new technology for its clients and for the world, with operations in over 170 countries. Prominent inventions by IBM include the floppy disk, the hard disk drive, the magnetic stripe card, and many more. Mr Abraham believes that the key values of IBM – a dedication to every client’s success; trust and personal responsibility; and constant innovation – have enabled the company to remain relevant in the ever-evolving Information Technology (IT) industry. At the end of the day, he reminds us that we work to live and not live to work, so we should set goals for ourselves and strive for a balance in life.
(At the time of the interview, Mr Abraham was the Managing Director at IBM Singapore. He has since taken on a new role as Vice President, Special Projects, IBM Asia Pacific.)
As the Managing Director of IBM, what does being in this role mean to you?
To come from where I was – as the youngest of six children where my father was the sole breadwinner – to the opportunity that I have today is an honour for me. My parents were always focused on educating us, and went through a lot of sacrifices to send all six of us through the necessary education to ensure we had the best opportunities in the future. Thus, to be given the opportunity to join IBM is already an honour, and currently to be able to run IBM Singapore as a Singaporean is a double honour for me. I am very happy with the fact that, together with my team, I have been able to achieve this goal.
What and how do you feel in being positioned as a leader in the IT industry?
As a leader, my job is to lead the team so that we are able to achieve what we want to achieve for our business in Singapore – it cannot be done just by myself or my leaders, it has to be done by the whole organization. In my leadership position, I must always have that humility to know that success or failure is not just one person’s responsibility. Of course, we all want success and no one wants failure, but success can only happen if everyone works together in one direction with a common purpose and objective. So as a leader, my job is to provide that vision for the rest of the team, and to work together with everyone to achieve the objective that we have set for ourselves.
What would you say have been some of your biggest personal challenges at work, and throughout your working life?
For me, I had the opportunity to work in many different parts of the world. The challenges were different for me throughout these years because I had a young family when I went on my first assignment to India for 3 years – my kids were still very young, with the oldest being 7 and the youngest being just a year old. I also continued staying on for another half a year by myself in order to help the next person transition into the role before leaving. I then went to Shanghai for another 4 years, and from there, left for South Africa for another 3 years.
Moving to a different country as part of my career development was a very big challenge. At different stages of my career, I have had different challenges, but across the board, it is really centred around work-life balance, which is a challenge for most people, whatever job and position they are in. We must never forget that we work for a purpose, and that purpose is to give yourself and your family a good quality of life. We cannot lose that vision and purpose of work; we cannot say that we only have time for work and not for family. Or, we cannot have too much time for family and no time for work, otherwise we would not achieve success at work. The balance is important, so we must never lose sight of the fact that work is a means to an end, and the end should be that you can provide for your family and for whoever else you need to support. The biggest challenge for me is about achieving this balance.
How did you manage work-life balance, especially when you were moving to different countries?
The important thing as a leader is to firstly build a strong team around you. If you have a strong team that you can count on and trust, you know that the job you need to do will be done. If you, as a leader, have to do the jobs of everyone, you will not have time for anything. At the same time, for my leaders, they have to build a team they can count on – it has to cascade down. To make sure that the whole organization has the right balance in place, we also have to be very clear about our objectives, so that people know that their work contributes to these objectives, and that they are not spending their time on things that do not add value to the clients and to themselves.
If you manage your time properly, you will have time to do the things that you have to, for yourself and for your family. You must not also forget that you need downtime for yourself, since there are many things that you are constantly juggling, such as your health, family life, work, and friendships. The minute you are not in balance, something may fall and break, and if one breaks, it will impact something else. It is a constant challenge that everyone who is will face – even homemakers, like my wife, have as much responsibility as I do in the office.
How would you describe your life outside of work? What are some things or activities you engage in, and enjoy engaging in, beyond work?
I enjoy playing golf, and try to get away at least once a week if I can, otherwise twice or three times a month. Sometimes people forget that you need time for yourself, to de-stress. For the rest of the time that I have, I spend as much as I can with my family. I also do reading, for work and outside of work, because I think it is important to have passion for other areas of interest outside of the core skills that you need for work. Of course, you also need to find time for sleep and exercise. If you are disciplined and you stick to a schedule, you can have that balance.
I am quite disciplined in keeping a schedule; I go to bed by 11 pm every night, and wake by 5:30 am every morning. My wife and I take our dog for a walk in the morning, which allows us to spend time together and to exercise. When I go back, I get ready for work. I also try to leave work no later than 7 pm every day, so that I can spend time with my family before sleeping and repeating the cycle the next day. On weekends, I try to keep work at a minimum, and do things for myself and with family. It is a tough thing to do, but it is important to have discipline and to follow a schedule.
If it is difficult to find the time for things like exercise, doing little things help as well – such as climbing the stairs to the office. As our lifespans increase, we also want to be healthy in our latter years, so that we can enjoy life and spend time with our loved ones. That is why discipline is very important, and I make the time and effort to de-stress and exercise regularly.
Given the perspective of the big picture and the view from the top, what would you say are some industry challenges that top-level professionals in your industry face?
If you look at the business environment today, it is very different from what it was many years ago. The pace and rate of change is now a lot faster than in the past. A lot of it is being driven by technology, and the way technology is being used now in organisations, and even in our personal lives. Being at the forefront of the IT industry, IBM has invented a lot of the technology we are using today. Often at IBM we work with clients to help transform their companies as their industries are being disrupted with the use of technology. My focus as the leader is to get the team to firstly find the right clients that we want to work with, who see that we can provide them with opportunities to be successful in the businesses they are in. We then build relationships with them. As with any relationships, there will be ups and downs, and it will never be completely smooth-sailing. Through these ups and downs, it is important for us to never forget our values and what we stand for.
The three values of IBM are: a dedication to every client’s success; having trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships; and finally, working on innovation that matters for our clients and for the world. IBM is renowned as a company that is constantly inventing – we are the company with the most number of patents every year. This is because of our strong focus on innovation and invention, which will make a difference for our clients and for the world. Some of the things that we still use today were invented by IBM, for example the bar code, the technology behind Lasik surgery, and the disk drive. A lot of inventions from IBM have impacted the way that we live today, and the inventions that we produce in the future will continue to help the world move forward. This company has existed for almost 108 years, and the longevity is because we all adhere to the values of the company. Although IBM has changed its business (we used to sell typewriters and weighing scales), the same values have remained throughout our history.
Given your time in this field, how have you seen or experienced its evolution?
The industry that I am in is such a fast-paced industry because innovation and invention are happening very quickly. You have to keep up with that, which is one of the exciting things about being in this industry – you are constantly learning new things, discovering new ways of doing business, and facing new challenges with your clients. These disruptions are happening because of competition, changes in technology, and new organizations entering into this industry. It is important to keep up with these developments and grow with it.
In your opinion, in which direction do you see the future of IT expanding or evolving?
This field will go in the direction that makes sense for our clients. Technological inventions enable companies to adopt new technologies, transform themselves, and position themselves to be more competitive in the industry. You can invent something new, but if it does not resonate with the marketplace, it will become irrelevant and will not last.
If you look at the food and beverage industry, you notice that new food trends and offers become available. The reason why certain companies have longevity is because they keep reinventing themselves and they always give a different value proposition. Companies that have lasted for a long time in this industry are constantly diversifying their offerings, such as by having healthier food options. They have to keep reinventing their business, which is the same with IBM. If we do not reinvent ourselves, we will also become irrelevant to our clients.
In hindsight, what advice do you wish you had been given prior to entering this industry?
When I was studying for a business degree in NUS, I had a bit more levity about which industry I wanted to go into. At first, I was very keen on a career in banking, so I did subjects that reflected my interest in finance, but when I read a book titled ‘In Search of Excellence’, I came across a section about IBM, which I thought was an interesting company, in the IT industry. IBM then came for a campus recruitment, so I put in an application and was selected. 33 years later, I am still here.
Perhaps I could have been a little bit more proactive in taking on newer roles, as I was more apprehensive earlier on in my career. But later in my career, I took the opportunities that I was given, such as the time when I was asked if I wanted to work abroad in India.
What do you think our youth ought to know before entering this profession?
In any line of work that you do today, you will have to deal with technology. You will not find any job in the marketplace today where you will not use technology. So firstly I advise everyone to embrace technology, which should be easier for those who are younger but more difficult for the older ones who are transitioning into different careers and industries. Be as good as you can with technology, because you will have to use it.
Another important thing is to have a passion for learning – learning does not stop after you graduate. On my first day of work at IBM, I was given 15 textbooks and was told that I needed to learn these for the next few months. I remember thinking “I just graduated, but I still have to study?” but this is true in any work that you do: you have to continuously study and learn in order to improve your skills.
I would also advise students today to pick up more transferrable skills. These include using computers effectively and learning how to programme (if you have a passion for that). Communicating effectively, doing presentations and writing good reports are also skills that you can learn and improve. English is the language of business, so pick up good English – both spoken and written, because that can differentiate you from others. Also, learn how to work in a team, especially one that is diverse. We may not really have the opportunity to work with people from diverse backgrounds in university, but in the working world, you may be working with a team where everyone is based in different countries. So, it is important to learn how to work together across cultures, time zones and geographical borders, without the comfort of working face to face – learn how to work in a multi-cultural, multi-dimensional and multi-disciplinary world.
What qualifications are needed prior to entering this field?
In IT, if you want a technical role, you need to have the technical capabilities and qualifications. For example, if you want to become a blockchain programmer, you must pick up those skills. But there are also other roles in IT organisations, such as roles in communications, marketing and finance. These are roles that do not really require you to be technical, although there is still a basic requisite of knowing how to use technology to do your work.
In a company like IBM, we also encourage diversity and do not just hire people from similar backgrounds, because we are looking for people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse opinions. Diversity and inclusion are important for our company, and we select people who are the best.
What values would our youth need that are embedded in this line of profession?
Firstly, I would say that you must have professionalism. Professionalism is really about how you present yourself at work, which includes the way you dress, speak, and groom yourself – you need to be presentable.
Next, passion for what you are doing is also important. If you do not enjoy what you are doing, you cannot be successful in any organisation that you are working in. Bring the passion and the right attitude to the office. Employers are looking for people who are always looking to make things happen, not those who are sitting back and waiting for things to happen. We are always looking for people who are energetic, enthusiastic, positive, ready to jump in and get things done, and those who have a mindset that focuses on growing and improving ourselves and our company.
In the 33 years that I have been working in IBM, I wake up energised and ready to go to work every day. I am excited to go to work, and I do not need to drag myself to work because I enjoy what I am doing. It you don’t enjoy what you are doing, you are going to make your life very miserable. Singaporeans we work very hard, and if you are miserable, you owe it to yourself to go and find something that will make you happy. That is the best advice I can give to any young person who is getting into work. If you find a job that makes you happy, gives you a decent remuneration for you to have your preferred kind of lifestyle, then be happy with what you have. The problem is that we are always dissatisfied with what we have, and we always think that if we work for some other company, it might be better there. And when you leave, you may also be disappointed with the other company. I have seen young people who have applied for jobs with resumes reflecting 5 different jobs in the last 6-7 years. Personally, If I am hiring and I see that, I will have the impression that something is not right, and I will have to think carefully if it is worth investing in someone if they are likely to leave in 1-2 years. Of course, I would definitely understand the circumstances first before I draw conclusions, but my initial impression would be to think that there is something not right.
Young people be very impatient sometimes, always wanting to move ahead fast. It is okay to have that impatience, but also try not to jump at the first opportunity that you get. Think deeply before you decide to take the plunge and leave an organisation that has invested a lot in you. I have stayed on in IBM throughout these years because I see the company taking a genuine interest in my development, and I want to repay that with loyalty to the company as well.
What is one thing that you would want to tell our youth of today about aspiring toward the future?
One thing that I would advise for young people, is to make sure that they understand their responsibilities towards financial management. Good financial management dictates that income must always be greater than expenditure. If you live your life according to that, you will not get into a serious financial situation. It is important for young people to understand the basics of good financial management, and you can learn it from your parents and mentors, as well as from books.
Having experienced what it’s like to have lived life’s journey as you have, at the end of the day, what do you value as the most important in life?
I think that in life, you must have goals. Not just for work, but also for a higher purpose – what is it that excites you about life? Each person will have different things that are important to them, and for me it revolves around my religion, family, and the work that I do.
It is important to determine what you want out of your life, and then chart your course to achieve these goals. There are so many people who spend all their time at work and accumulate so much wealth, but they neglect their health and realize at the end of the day that they are unable to enjoy their wealth. There must be a good balance in life. Remember that we work to live, not live to work.
What values would our youth need that are embedded in this line of profession?
Firstly, I would say that you must have professionalism. Professionalism is really about how you present yourself at work, which includes the way you dress, speak, and groom yourself – you need to be presentable.
Next, passion for what you are doing is also important. If you do not enjoy what you are doing, you cannot be successful in any organisation that you are working in. Bring the passion and the right attitude to the office. Employers are looking for people who are always looking to make things happen, not those who are sitting back and waiting for things to happen. We are always looking for people who are energetic, enthusiastic, positive, ready to jump in and get things done, and those who have a mindset that focuses on growing and improving ourselves and our company.
In the 33 years that I have been working in IBM, I wake up energised and ready to go to work every day. I am excited to go to work, and I do not need to drag myself to work because I enjoy what I am doing. It you don’t enjoy what you are doing, you are going to make your life very miserable. Singaporeans we work very hard, and if you are miserable, you owe it to yourself to go and find something that will make you happy. That is the best advice I can give to any young person who is getting into work. If you find a job that makes you happy, gives you a decent remuneration for you to have your preferred kind of lifestyle, then be happy with what you have. The problem is that we are always dissatisfied with what we have, and we always think that if we work for some other company, it might be better there. And when you leave, you may also be disappointed with the other company. I have seen young people who have applied for jobs with resumes reflecting 5 different jobs in the last 6-7 years. Personally, If I am hiring and I see that, I will have the impression that something is not right, and I will have to think carefully if it is worth investing in someone if they are likely to leave in 1-2 years. Of course, I would definitely understand the circumstances first before I draw conclusions, but my initial impression would be to think that there is something not right.
Young people be very impatient sometimes, always wanting to move ahead fast. It is okay to have that impatience, but also try not to jump at the first opportunity that you get. Think deeply before you decide to take the plunge and leave an organisation that has invested a lot in you. I have stayed on in IBM throughout these years because I see the company taking a genuine interest in my development, and I want to repay that with loyalty to the company as well.
