Proactive-Ananda Krishnan

Proactive is means that an action and result oriented behavior, instead of the one that waits for things to happen and then tries to adjust react to them. Proactive behavior aims at identification and exploitation of opportunities and in taking preemptory action against potential problems and threats, whereas reactive behavior focuses on fighting a fire or solving a problem after it occurs. It also can be defined as someone who takes an active role in dealing with something before it needs to be taken care of.

The entrepreneur who has this trait is Ananda Krishnan who was born in 1st April 1938. He is a Malaysian businessman and philanthropist and currently he is estimated to have a net worth of US$7.9 billion according to Forbes latest annual list of wealthiest people, making him the second wealthiest in Malaysia and number 129 in the world (“Forbes List of Billionaires 2011", Retrieved 20 February 2012). He is the owner of Maxis Mobile Sdn. Bhd. As an entrepreneur, he has a set of managerial qualities and business practices which he has applied in his bid to become a Malaysian billionaire.

He is proactive in taking preemptory action against potential problems by planning and analyze the current situation, anticipate future undertakings and make appropriate decision to achieve his goals. As a businessman, he determines his business strategic actively and corporate goals together with his shareholders, business partners, employees and government sector in order to deliver strategic values since his ultimate goal is to privatize and globalize the service provider Maxis. He showed that he is a proactive person in business. He takes actions before the threat arise. This decision on privatizing was his alone though he discussed and analyzed with other entrepreneurs and his shareholders. His proactive planning and good decision-making skills will help his business to achieve the goals.

He has ability to apply his result-oriented concept and decision-making skills in identifying problems and resolving them for the benefit of his business. These skills have also directly involved the external environment, namely the Malaysian community. For an example, he decided to privatize Maxis and promote the company globally for its investment benefits.