10 Best Corporate Leaders in Asia 2024 Mark Johnson

Transforming Business Excellence

Mark Johnson

Head of Business Excellence

Enhance Group

At just 16, Mark Johnson earned his parachute wings, becoming one of the youngest cadets to complete parachute training. This remarkable achievement pushed him far beyond his comfort zone and instilled in him a fearless approach to challenges. “Jumping out of a perfectly good airplane was quite the experience,” Mark recalls. This early experience boosted his confidence and honed his ability to take calculated risks, traits that have significantly influenced his leadership style. With over three decades of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, Mark has navigated a diverse range of roles across multiple countries and regions. His extensive background includes positions in sales, merchandising, marketing, logistics, and warehousing, leading to senior general management and chief officer roles. These varied experiences have provided him with a comprehensive and unique perspective on business operations. As a leader, Mark is deeply committed to datadriven decision-making. He values data, trends, and analysis, believing that any risk taken should be calculated based on previous experiences. Mentorship has also been pivotal in his career, with the stories and journeys of his mentors shaping his leadership philosophy. He emphasises the importance of guiding and developing others within the business, viewing it as an unwritten duty. In his current role as Head of Business Excellence at Enhance Group, Mark leverages his vast experience to optimise, standardise, and track performance across various divisions. He spearheads projects, deploys corporate strategies, and aligns joint vision and mission values. Mark believes that business excellence involves addressing areas needing positive change and driving momentum, especially where traction has waned or employee engagement has declined. Mark’s commitment to business excellence extends beyond improving processes; it includes mentoring the next generation of leaders. His leadership philosophy combines calculated risktaking, inclusivity, and tenacity, making him a powerful force in driving the company’s pursuit of excellence. In an exclusive interview with TradeFlock, Mark shares about his journey and more.

What key challenges have you faced in GCC sales and logistics?

Managing fresh or short-shelf-life food distribution, such as live lobsters from Canada to the UK and dairy products across borders, is highly timesensitive, with operations measured in hours. Upon arrival, efficient distribution and sales are crucial. Detailed analysis and the elimination of supply chain blockages ensure consistent operations. We work tirelessly to adhere to the principle of delivering the right product to the right shop at the right time, ensuring consumers benefit from our efforts behind the scenes.

How is leadership evolving in the GCC, and how are you adapting?

Over the years, my leadership style has evolved significantly. Initially, my love for data and market analysis often led to analysis paralysis or taking on too much myself, causing momentum loss and disengagement. I’ve since embraced the “5 Es of Leadership”: empathy, empowerment, engagement, emotional intelligence, and execution. This approach involves making well-considered decisions, empowering and involving my team, ensuring clear communication, leveraging emotional intelligence, building trust, and focusing on effective execution. This evolution has led to more dynamic and effective leadership.

What advice do you have for aspiring GCC business leaders?

Seek out a mentor who has navigated the GCC market. Mistakes and failures are part of the learning process, but a mentor’s experience can help minimise errors and accelerate your growth. Learn from their insights to navigate challenges effectively.

How do you navigate GCC market diversity in your strategies?

Living and working in various countries and industries within the GCC region has given me a unique perspective. I focus on growing markets and sharing my experiences with a younger generation eager to learn and develop. This is my way of giving back to the countries that welcomed me and enriched my understanding of different cultures. I approach business with a commitment to fairness and dedicate my time to nurturing local talent. Despite economic variations across countries, the core strategy remains consistent: delivering quality products at fair prices. By creating meaningful product plans that resonate with consumers, we drive brand momentum and generate business margins.

What are Enhance Group’s key priorities and future strategies?

Our strategic priorities for Enhance Group involve leveraging advanced tools and technologies to optimise operations, enhance efficiency, and achieve greater agility. We aim to become leaner, greener, and excel in both operational and executional aspects amidst dynamic market conditions.

What are your key strengths and weaknesses that influence your leadership style?

My strengths are tenacity and inclusiveness; I persist through challenges and value diverse opinions. Influential leaders have shaped these traits. My weaknesses include stubbornness and excessive loyalty, which I work to balance by embracing feedback and avoiding rigidity.