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Moving Steadily Ahead A Family-based Transport Business By: Samantha Lee
Voo Choon Ling and Voo Wei Keong, members of the second generation of Woodlands Transport, share their thoughts on joining the family business. Woodlands Transport (WTS) is no stranger to most of us as we would probably have relied on its school bus services in our youth. Started by Voo Soon Sang, Lim Chin Hwee and Sia Leong Bee with only three buses, WTS has now expanded into one of the largest private transport fleets in Singapore, providing bus transport, travel and tours, and construction transport services. Now, the second generation of the three founders, including Voo Choon Ling and Voo Wei Keong, has also sprung into action. Choon Ling is now the Chief Financial Controller of the company while Wei Keong runs the travel and tour arm of the company. Interestingly, they too had to submit their resumes and go through the interview process like any other candidates. “Even if you are a shareholder or family member, it doesn’t mean you will be guaranteed a job in the company,” said Choon Ling. Besides that, they have to apply leave and go through appraisal as well. “I started out with only seven days of leave as per the company’s HR policy then,” laughed Wei Keong. Not only is this one way to professionalise the family business, it sends a clear message to employees that the company is transparent and merit based. Choon Ling acknowledged that with the second generation joining the family business, there are bound to be employees viewing them as a threat. But this has been proven wrong in WTS. Employees who have proven to be capable are taking up important roles in the company and leading certain departments. In fact, Choon Ling has Photo Credit: Leonardo Wong