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Published on January 9, 2008

 "If you call a person who loves to play golf a 'golfaholic', then don't be tempted to call me a workaholic, just because I genuinely enjoy what I do."

So says Richard Fleming, Asean regional managing director for Goodyear, one of the world's largest tyre manufacturers.

After being based in Thailand for 14 months, Fleming is set to make Goodyear roll better than ever.

He began his professional life in his 20s, as a photographer in his native New Zealand, rising to become managing director of Kodak New Zealand. That achievement entails a long story, one that Fleming enjoys telling.

He recalls how he was turned down the first time he approached Kodak New Zealand for a job. But that didn't get him down. He obtained a list of companies that Kodak had dealings with and sent each one a personal resume designed to grab their attention. Slowly, Kodak New Zealand got wind of the fact that a New Zealander was sending out resumes seeking work with any company that had anything to do with Kodak. So Kodak invited him to join their staff.

Fleming's creative marketing techniques and dedication to his job at Kodak had some surprising results, like when sales of premium Kodak products in India leaped from 3 per cent to 47 per cent.

"The important thing is to stand out from the crowd, to be different enough to outshine the competition, to continuously strive to do better," he says. "It's also very important to be fully dedicated to the job, to give it 110 per cent when you're focusing your attention on something. Multitasking may not be my thing, but I'm capable of focusing all my attention on one thing at a time."

Fleming has previously worked in Singapore, Indonesia, China and India and is familiar with the working styles in the region. However, he says there is still quite a difference between Thailand and elsewhere in the region.

"Eating is a very pleasurable and time-taking process for Thais, whereas Westerners occasionally look at it as a job to finish [as quickly as possible]. The extended family unit is very strong here, and most important is the amazing relationship between the people of Thailand and His Majesty the King," he says.

Much has already changed since Fleming took over as Goodyear's Asean head, and he promises there are many more changes to come.

The company has production facilities in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. Previously, each production facility made tyres only for its own country. This slowed down production, because the machinery had to be halted and adjustments made before the next type of tyre could be manufactured.

Under Fleming's orders, each factory now focuses on a certain type of tyre, and the different tyres are shipped around the region. This allows one factory to specialise in one product, which increases efficiency and creates a synergy between the factories, allowing regional production to run as a cluster rather than as individual units.

Goodyear produces tyres for ordinary vehicles, aircraft and off-road or mining vehicles, as well as commercial tyres.

Being the head of Goodyear's Asean operations means Fleming is often flying around the region opening new branches, meeting new clients and exploring new markets.

"Many might call me a workaholic, because I can do 16-hour days and sleep for only four hours a day, but I definitely have my share of fun, as well. I'm capable of completely switching off from work once I'm out of the office. On the weekends, I indulge myself in all my other passions," he says.

Sleeping only four hours a day is a technique Fleming learned in the early years of his working life.

"My first boss once asked me how many hours I slept, to which I replied: 'Eight.' He told me I slept too much and asked me to decrease the time I spent sleeping by half an hour each day. I finally managed to bring it down to the four hours that I sleep now."

Keeping him wide awake, Fleming is a speed freak. He has done circuit racing and motocross biking. He also owns a high-powered boat and is attracted to just about anything that gets the adrenaline pumping through sheer speed.

The list of fast cars he has owned includes a Ferrari Testarossa, a 500-brake-horsepower Mitsubishi Pajero, a Caterham, a 1968 Mini Cooper and a Mazda RX3. The fastest he's driven is 270kph, in the Testarossa.

In Thailand, Fleming has lifted his game to a whole new level and spends most of his weekends drag racing at the Bangkok Drag Avenue. He owns a Mitsubishi L200 fitted with an engine that produces more than 890bhp and a whole bunch of trick machinery that helps him clock some impressive times as he lays Goodyear's best product down over a quarter-mile of tarmac.

"My motto in life is to be the best you can be. Do it once and do it right. Simply put, there is no speed limit in the pursuit of excellence. But right in the middle of all that you're going though with your life, it's important to have a sense of gratitude for all that you've been blessed with," Fleming says.

"We often see too much negativity in our lives, so when you're feeling down about something, take a look at someone who is not as fortunate. Worrying does not solve problems; it only wastes time. Finding a solution is what we need to be focused on.

Vijo Varghese

 The Nation