STORIES TO
TELL
Everyone has a story to tell! A story well told
brings back memories of unique individual experiences. A legacy to share that
will keep you alive
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Candid Memories
Candid Memories
Another gold added but not for the SEA games! It is the
achievement of golden years of service to the company. An incredible feat of
more than 50 years of service which span across the old AIA and the new AIA..
The "golden boy" is none other than Tommy Lim. He shares some of his thoughts
on his AIA journey:
I have been with the company for more than 50 years. I
still remember when I first joined in the year 1963, I was working in the older
version of AIA Tower before it was demolished and rebuilt. Mr R J Barth was the
Regional Vice President then, and there were only about 60 staff in AIA
Singapore.
Beginnings in the
company:
I started off as a clerical assistant in the Underwriting Dept.
After about three years, I transferred to Accounts handling payment to agents.
Then in 1979, I moved on to do PR, followed by a couple of other roles before I
finally landed in Agency Dept. I had even served as the company’s union head for
14 years, from 1982 to 1996, where I helped to provide the bridge between the
Management and unionized staff, ensuring they have a fair representation on
their welfare and benefits.
Chief Photographer for the
company?
It’s a long story. When I was younger, I used to enjoy
participating in the organizing committees of company events such as Agency
functions and Christmas parties, because I love getting to know people and I
took pictures of these events for fun. We used to contract a professional
photographer from a shop at nearby Change Alley. However, the photographer
failed to turn up for work on a few occasions, and Mr Gamini S. Korala, who was
the Head of Agency then, made a decision to buy our own camera and get a staff
to do the photography work instead. I volunteered to take up the role without
much experience of handling a camera.
I remember my first occasion was at a prize presentation
ceremony. Due to my slow reactions then, the pictures did not come out too well
and I was disappointed. But that only spurred me to turn to training to brush up
my skills. In 1968, I started picking up photography from my former schoolmate
who worked at a photo studio near the then Cathay Cinema. He taught me some
useful techniques like aperture settings, lighting and exposure. I also enrolled
myself in a photography seminar organized by Kodak, at a small cost to gain more
technical knowledge.
Well, due to the rapid expansion in business operations in the
1980s, we started seeing more events, functions and parties being organized
throughout the year. The schedule was hectic as I had to be at these events,
many of which were held in the evenings and during
weekends.
Besides, there were often times when I had disputes
with some FSCs due to miscommunication in the number of photo-prints to be
produced and payment, but these incidents usually ended in harmony. I used to
have our photographs printed at a Kodak shop along Market Street.
Memorable Moment:
Once, Mr Maurice Greenberg, the former Chairman and Group CEO of
AIG paid a visit to our Singapore branch. He touched down in his private jet,
with a stern demeanour about him and appeared to be a pretty tough guy according
to several other colleagues. I had to cover his reception and I approached him
there and then, asking him if I could take a picture of him. He looked at me and
asked, “Where do you want me to stand?” I pointed to a spot with a good backdrop
and replied, “Sir, you may stand here, please.” He obliged. Later in the day,
one of his assistants complimented me as the first person who managed to “put Mr
Greenberg on the spot”!
Final Remarks:
I don't have any word of gold, but I do share Mr Mark Tucker’s
philosophy of "The best of me is called upon, and the best of me is able to
respond”. It is also vital to have situational awareness at all times so that
you can respond to changes in the best possible manner. Most importantly, be
professional in all situations and do not take things too
personally.
