Building innovation culture by investing in people - Sai Ponugoti, General Director P&G VN | VI S3E4

TL;DR

Sai Ponugoti discusses P&G's growth and innovation in Vietnam.

Transcript

Good morning guys Welcome to the studio for another episode of Vietnam Innovators. I'm your host, CEO and cofounder of Vietcetera. Much appreciated for tuning in every single week You've been supporting Vietnam innovators for the last year and a half And you know we're in the middle of season three at the moment with some exciting new guests you pr... Read More

Key Insights

• P&G has been in Vietnam for 27 years, significantly impacting societal change and consumer behavior with its diverse product range.
• Sai Ponugoti emphasizes the importance of discipline, devotion, and dedication, which are foundational to his successful 20-year career at P&G.
• Vietnam's dynamic market offers P&G opportunities to innovate and introduce new products, as seen with Downy's high penetration and Ariel's indoor dry technology.
• P&G's success in Vietnam is driven by a localized strategy, leveraging consumer insights and adapting products to meet local needs and preferences.
• The company's culture is built on the 4Ds: Daring, Deliberate, Decisiveness, and Depth, fostering an environment of innovation and accountability.
• P&G is committed to equality and inclusion, focusing on gender diversity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and empowering minorities through various initiatives.
• Sai Ponugoti highlights the importance of external partnerships, such as with the American Chamber of Commerce, to drive diversity and inclusion efforts.
• Future growth for P&G Vietnam includes expanding product reach, increasing consumption, and contributing to society through community programs.

Questions & Answers

Q: What has been Sai Ponugoti's journey at P&G?

Sai Ponugoti has had a fulfilling 20-year career at P&G, starting as a trainee and rising to become the General Director and Country Manager of P&G Vietnam. His journey is marked by diverse experiences across 10 cities and four countries, emphasizing discipline, devotion, and dedication as foundational to his success.

Q: How does P&G approach innovation in Vietnam?

P&G's innovation strategy in Vietnam involves delivering superiority across five vectors: product, packaging, brand communication, retail execution, and value. The company leverages local consumer insights to adapt products, exemplified by the success of Downy and Ariel's indoor dry technology, addressing specific consumer needs.

Q: What role does culture play in P&G's success?

Culture is pivotal to P&G's success, guided by the 4Ds: Daring, Deliberate, Decisiveness, and Depth. This culture fosters innovation, accountability, and a focus on doing the right thing. Employees are encouraged to prioritize people, build capabilities, and maintain a strong sense of purpose and values.

Q: How does P&G promote equality and inclusion?

P&G promotes equality and inclusion through a holistic approach covering gender diversity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and support for people with disabilities. The company engages employees with awareness programs, adapts policies for inclusivity, and runs brand campaigns like Ariel's 'Share the Load' to influence societal change.

Q: What are P&G's future growth opportunities in Vietnam?

P&G sees significant growth opportunities in Vietnam by reaching new users, driving consumption, and entering new segments. The company aims to trade up consumers to better technology, as seen with Gillette, and continues to contribute to society through community programs and partnerships.

Q: How does P&G leverage external partnerships for diversity and inclusion?

P&G collaborates with organizations like the American Chamber of Commerce to promote diversity and inclusion. Events like the panel pledge bring together business leaders to share best practices, challenges, and strategies, creating a movement for change and forming a DEI community in Ho Chi Minh City.

Q: What community programs does P&G support in Vietnam?

P&G supports various community programs in Vietnam, including providing clean drinking water in partnership with Red Cross, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, and contributing to education through scholarships. These initiatives align with P&G's commitment to being a force for good and growth.

Q: Is P&G Vietnam hiring, and what roles are available?

P&G Vietnam is actively hiring to support business growth and organizational needs, focusing on digital, technology, analytics, brand, and sales roles. The company seeks female engineers for its factories and continues to export Vietnamese talent globally, emphasizing training and onboarding to build future leaders.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sai Ponugoti, General Director of P&G Vietnam, discusses the company's 27-year journey in Vietnam, highlighting its impact on societal change through consumer goods. He shares insights on his career growth, emphasizing discipline, devotion, and dedication as key to his success. P&G's localized strategy and consumer insights drive its success in the Vietnamese market.

• P&G's culture focuses on the 4Ds: Daring, Deliberate, Decisiveness, and Depth, encouraging innovation and accountability. The company prioritizes equality and inclusion, with initiatives supporting gender diversity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and minority empowerment. Partnerships with organizations like the American Chamber of Commerce help drive these efforts.

• Looking ahead, P&G Vietnam aims to expand its product reach, increase consumption, and contribute to society through community programs. Sai Ponugoti highlights the company's commitment to being a force for good and growth, with a focus on developing Vietnamese talent and fostering innovation in the consumer goods industry.