An outstanding entrepreneur

Dr Jannie Tay has been recognised by Monash University for her outstanding achievements in business in Singapore and internationally, for her energetic advocacy for the advancement of women and for her sustained contributions to community causes. ROS WHITE reports.

For an entrepreneurial businesswoman, recognised around the world for her achievements, this year's winner of the Distinguished Alumni Award, Dr Jannie Tay, is disarmingly modest.

Dr Jannie Tay

"Truly, as a graduate I didn't see myself as a businesswoman, let alone an entrepreneur," insists Dr Tay, who, in 25 years, has trans-formed a single watch-retailing shop owned by her husband's family into a leading international retailer.

In 1988, The Hour Glass - a retailer of high-quality timepieces, jewellery and writing instruments - went public and now trades on the main board of the Singapore Exchange.

Dr Tay completed a BSc at Monash in 1968 and an MSc in 1971. Originally from Malaysia, she moved to Singapore with her husband, a newly graduated doctor whom she met while they were both studying at Monash.

"I was newly married, and my only goal was to be a good wife and mother. My choice was made for me. My husband wanted to return to his medical profession, and I had to replace him in the family watch business," she says.

Under her leadership, The Hour Glass has won numerous awards including a Singapore Business Award, the National Productivity Award, and Specialty Store of the Year Award from the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board. Dr Tay is currently president of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Business Forum and the Singapore Retailers' Association.

Mindful of the difficulties for women in balancing a personal, family and professional life, Dr Tay has also dedicated herself to nurturing women in business. Among her many commitments in this area, she is the founding president of the Women's Business Connection, a local network of top women business leaders, launched in 1997.

That year, she was also a member of the Women's Leadership Initiative at the John Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Despite a schedule that would make most people dizzy, Dr Tay has also been a tireless worker for charitable causes. In 1988, the Community Chest of Singapore awarded her the Special Volunteer Award and, in acknowledgment of her entrepreneurial skills, foresight and passion for charity fundraising, Oxford Brookes University in the UK awarded her an honorary doctorate in 1999.

In parallel with her remarkable business and fundraising achievements, Dr Tay has revealed enormous strength in overcoming personal tragedy.

Her firstborn child, Michelle, was born with cerebral palsy and died at the age of nine. After the birth of two healthy children - Audrey in 1973 and Michael in 1975 - and just two months after Michelle's death, she gave birth to Sabrina, also physically disabled.

"It was a huge blow, I just couldn't believe this could happen a second time," Dr Tay says. It led her on a personal and deeply spiritual journey that she believes has made a major contribution to the way she operates in business.

"I strongly believe that if we nurture, share, care about and develop every member of the team to be successful, irrespective of their academic learning, then the company will be successful."

Action

For more information on the achievements of Monash alumni, visit the Monash Alumni website.