How to become CEO?

[jacky]

Im just curious. how do people become CEO of some big companies? e.g. Sembcorp marine, DBS, OCBC, Keppel.
What kinda education? (just a degree or master) Local or Overseas?
If so, so many tom dick harry got degree and experience..
Or is it something that is simply out of reach for those without connections/network?
In this economy, no more those kinda admin officer climb through the ranks and become some manager.
Im just curious. Hopefully can hear how different industry works.

[blackswan]

Originally Posted by jacky

Im just curious. how do people become CEO of some big companies? e.g. Sembcorp marine, DBS, OCBC, Keppel.
What kinda education? (just a degree or master) Local or Overseas?
If so, so many tom dick harry got degree and experience..
Or is it something that is simply out of reach for those without connections/network?
In this economy, no more those kinda admin officer climb through the ranks and become some manager.
Im just curious. Hopefully can hear how different industry works.

Most big companies the CEOs rise through the ranks, but at a faster pace.
They need experience. More often than not, a degree is enough , sometimes when u r in senior mgmt (or going to) they will likely send u to study MBA.

However, some GLCs the CEOs might come from govt, either admin service or some SAF generals

[jacky]

Thanks!
Are they earmarked e.g.those under scholarship?
I sort of understand there are those Management Associate programmes or scholarship which enable them to climb up faster.
How about companies that do not have such programmes or scholarship?

Originally Posted by blackswan

Most big companies the CEOs rise through the ranks, but at a faster pace.
They need experience. More often than not, a degree is enough , sometimes when u r in senior mgmt (or going to) they will likely send u to study MBA.

However, some GLCs the CEOs might come from govt, either admin service or some SAF generals

what's wrong with SAF generals taking on leadership positions in non-SAF organizations?

The easiest way to become a CEO is to start your own company. Ng teng fong started far east. Olivia lum started Hyflux. Sim wong hoo started Creative. Ron sim started Osim. Charles and Keith started their namesake.

You have a good chance if

1/ Can talk and present well
2/ Know the business well
3/ Have a good track record
4/ Feel comfortable mingling with the big boss
5/ Willing to jump from company to company and know how to write good CV

Most CEO of non GLC started at the bottom. They rise fast due to the factors above. Either get promoted fast or jump ship to a higher position once they have accomplished something / made a name in the old company.

You need a degree for a start else you will join the company at admin level making it harder to rise fast. Most do not rely on connections unless it is GLC then I'm not sure. You can join MA programme but if you cannot talk or cannot perform then you will get stuck at a certain level and won't go up anymore.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

what's wrong with SAF generals taking on leadership positions in non-SAF organizations?

They have ZERO practical "outside" experience. Would you let a Bus Captain steer a ship?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

They have ZERO practical "outside" experience. Would you let a Bus Captain steer a ship?

Wrong. They have strong leadership qualities. The fact that they can do well in an elite organization like SAF shows that they are highly capable of doing equally well if not better in public service too.

Further to my post above, look at Lee Hsien Loong, Teo Chee Hean, George Yeo, Lim Hng Kiang - all generals from the armed forces and doing extremely well in public service. LHL is prime minister, TCH is deputy prime minister and the other 2 are full ministers.

Sorry to bust your bubbles peeps...

the reason why they can "do" so well in SAF becos they can control the Chief of Staff who runs all the show...They dont run the show themselves

Much like a CEO controlling a GM