Transforming talent through diversity and curiosity

Recently I visited the Head Office of British American Tobacco, Bangladesh (BATB) to interview the Group Head of External Affairs, Mr. John Clayton. He spoke to me about his career - the kind of work he has been involved in, and his thoughts on talent development at BATB.

Tell me about your career at BAT and your role profile in the group.

I started my career at BAT in 2002. In the beginning, I worked in Japan for two years in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which was a relatively new concept during that time. Next movement was to BAT's head office in London where I worked in International Public Affairs. One of my most remarkable experiences was during the first global harm reduction program that BAT conceptualised in 2006 to launch a new smokeless tobacco product in Japan, South Africa, Sweden and Canada.

After a few more role changes and great work experiences at different divisions of the organisation, I was appointed as the Global Head of External Affairs in 2015.

I learnt that this is your first time in Bangladesh. How do you perceive Bangladesh as a country and as an economy?

This country is full of energy - a mix of youthfulness, positivity and resilience.

According to Goldman Sachs, Bangladesh is classified among the next eleven emerging markets. The country has sustained a steady GDP growth and the recent graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) to middle income country is a testament of remarkable progress.

However, the export earning of Bangladesh is skewed within 82%-85% earnings primarily dependent on the RMG sector. To ensure sustainable development and create more skilled human resources, Bangladesh needs to invest in respective areas. Since you have been in the BAT Group for around 16 years now, can you give us some insights on BAT Bangladesh and the talent here?

I have found BATB to be a great company in terms of size and capability, not just by Bangladeshi standards, but by BAT global standards. The company is one of the first to be enlisted in Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchange and is currently ranked amongst the top 3 companies in terms of market capitalisation. Currently over 50 Bangladeshi managers are holding various leadership roles in various functions and markets like UK, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea etc.

In the past, foreign technicians trained our floor-shop workers. From January 2017, we have sent 15 employees abroad to train technicians in Poland, Singapore and Fiji. The next batch is scheduled to train in Papua New Guinea in October.

We groom talents, which has been at the forefront of developing leaders who continue to serve BAT and other organisations here and overseas.

Those who work at BAT have extreme resilience and a 'can do' attitude. Curiosity is an integral element, as this constitutes an essential spirit to be a successful leader because some questions and complex problems still exist in the tobacco industry.

What advice would you give to young people looking to harness their talent well?

In any company, you must own and drive your own career. Our company and I believe that you get the best when you draw from a diverse spectrum of experiences. So, I advise people to seek diversity.

Successful people manage the critical balance between individual delivery and collaboration very well.  You must, therefore, personalise your role while maintaining a shared vision with your team.

I came across the term "Transforming Tobacco" on the BAT website. Could you elaborate a little on what it is?

We have made significant progress from the conventional tobacco product to potentially reduced health risk products through innovation. BAT wants to be at the forefront of this change.

In our global product portfolio, we are currently trialling a heated tobacco product, vapour products or e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco in number of countries. We understand that all consumers are unique, with different preferences and choices. Our approach to transforming tobacco is to move out of a single combustible product offering and offer a range of products to choose from.

Could you give our readers a window to who you are beyond work? What are the things you enjoy? Are there any principles you follow in your personal life?

I love to travel. In many ways, I have a great job which allows me to experience new countries and cultures. I am an enthusiastic foodie and am very excited to try out some of the street food here in Dhaka. In any country, I love to experience the culture through the food.

Photography is a passion too. I love sports of all kinds. In university, I played baseball. I was a big fan of sumo in Japan. I am yet to feel the same way about cricket but if I stay longer in Bangladesh, that might just change, says John Clayton with a smile.