Editor’s note: In today’s A Day in the Life, Peter Wong (pictured), Chief Financial Officer, FUJIFILM Business Innovation Singapore shares with FutureCFO why spending time with his family is important and his experience of spearheading a digital transformation journey.
FutureCFO: What does a typical day look like for you?
Peter Wong (PW): A typical day for me begins with a commute on public transportation, during which I listen to podcasts to catch up on the latest topics in technology, leadership, management skills, and sustainability.
At FUJIFILM Business Innovation Singapore, I oversee all financial aspects of the company, from budgeting to credit and collection, customer administration, leasing, risk management, business transformation and legal functions, ensuring the smooth operation of our backend processes.
My role involves developing key financial strategies that enhance business performance and support the company's long-term growth and sustainable objectives.
On an average day, I spend most of my time with my team, driving projects on digital transformation and innovation. We focus on identifying and implementing technologies like Power BI, robotic process automation (RPA), and generative AI to streamline our operations.
This includes automating our sales processes, order booking, and more, giving us full visibility of each touchpoint and allowing us to eliminate bottlenecks and unnecessary processes to better serve customers.
To help connect the dots across the organisation, I meet with business unit leaders and stakeholders across various departments to ensure our strategies align with business objectives.
I also dedicate substantial time to support people development, ensuring our members are continuously upskilling and learning new skills, and coach the next generation of leaders within the organisation.
As digital transformation is an on-going journey without a one-size-fits all solution, we have to constantly challenge ourselves to think out of the box and be relentless towards our goals.
FutureCFO: What excites you the most in your work?
PW: The dynamic nature of my job means no two days are the same. I focus on managing costs effectively and optimising backend operations.
The rapid evolution of industries indicates we need to innovate continuously and be at the forefront of this change. Therefore, we must allocate resources wisely and maximise our capabilities to achieve efficiency and productivity.
In essence, we need to walk the talk and adopt digital transformation within our organisation, to be in line with the solutions and services we provide to our customers in their transformation journeys.
Witnessing the positive impact of these implementations within our organisation and for our customers is incredibly rewarding.
I also believe that fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement is critical. I encourage my team to think creatively and challenge the status quo as this helps us stay competitive and be resilient to changing market demands.
This forward-thinking approach not only enhances our internal processes but also strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional value to our customers.
Family time helps me recharge and maintain a positive outlook, allowing me to stay focused and driven in my professional endeavours.
FutureCFO: Can you share an experience which was key to your professional growth?
PW: A significant experience in my professional development was spearheading the digital transformation at FUJIFILM Business Innovation Singapore.
This company-wide initiative digitised and integrated over 18 operational functions across the Opportunity to Order to Cash Process (O2O2C), transitioning from paper-based to digital-first processes.
This shift improved operational visibility and saved approximately 900 man-hours by eliminating unnecessary approvals and wait times.
Since 2022, we've also initiated 60 employee-led digital transformation projects to enhance efficiency and customer experiences as well creating new opportunities.
As digital transformation is an on-going journey without a one-size-fits all solution, we have to constantly challenge ourselves to think out of the box and be relentless towards our goals.
Through this experience, we gained valuable insights and learnt the importance of adaptability, resilience and agility in a dynamic work environment.
Embracing change, thinking creatively and good governance have been pivotal in my career growth.
Previously, as the Head of Regional Internal Audit at Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific Singapore, I oversaw the internal audit function for sales subsidiaries and established a region-wide internal control framework for the Asia Pacific and Oceania regions.
Thereafter, I also had the opportunity to work in Fuji Xerox Philippines as the CFO to turn-around the company into a profitable and self-sustaining operation.
Essentially, it's a multitude of exposure—rather than a single experience—that has equipped me with a diverse skillset and deep understanding of business operations.
This series of experiences has propelled my career forward and enabled me to contribute meaningfully to the company.
FutureCFO: Is there anything outside work—such as a travel experience, a book, participation in a sports event, or any volunteering experience—that serves as an important inspiration to your work or life? Can you tell us more about it?
PW: Outside of work, I spend most of my time with my family, bonding with them through various activities.
Family time is incredibly important to me as it provides a sense of balance and grounding. It helps me recharge and maintain a positive outlook, allowing me to stay focused and driven in my professional endeavours.
I have had the opportunity to be in various countries throughout my life, spanning over 22 years across the Asia Pacific region, including China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore.
This exposure has provided me with diverse life experiences and cultural insights. It has given me a deep appreciation for diversity and the importance of understanding local contexts.
Each market is different in terms of organisational culture, market dynamics, and customer requirements. These markets presented unique opportunities and challenges, requiring me to adapt and grow both personally and professionally.
These experiences have broadened my perspective on leadership. Learning to navigate these differences has enhanced my ability to manage people effectively and foster strong, collaborative teams.
It is important to know how to motivate and support my teams in ways that resonate with their values and professional expectations.
