Imagining, envisioning, projecting and predicting what has not been realised, the futuristic thinker, he is with an ability to look past the events of today and into the possibilities of tomorrow - Dr. Kishu Gomes, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dreamron Group of Companies is a public speaker, writer, actor, music producer, sportsman, TV presenter and a talent show judge.
Q: Could you brief me about yourself?
A: Honantarage Kishu Pradeep Kumara Gomes, that’s my full name. Born at Uyanwatta in Matara and grew up in Moratuwa. I at first studied at St. Servetus College in Matara and concluded my studies at Prince of Wales College in Moratuwa.
My memories of childhood are vivid and vibrant, like any village lad I used to bathe in village tanks to my heart’s content, played cricket in paddy fields after harvest, kite flying was one of my favorite pastimes. Sports are as much a hobby as an interest for me. I was a national schools champion and Colombo district champion for five consecutive years in athletics.
Q: Any comments about your career?
A: After my Advanced Level examination, I joined Coca Cola Beverages Sri Lanka Limited and while working, I studied for the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK qualification. It was a gruelling work-life schedule, yet it paid off handsomely when I qualified as a chartered marketeer.
Another milestone in my life was when a multinational corporation selected me to head Caltex as Chief Executive Officer. It was while I was working here that I obtained my Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Leicestershire, UK. The University of West London conferred me the Doctor of Business Administration.
I had a stint at Sri Lanka Tourism as Chairman of the Tourism Development Authority and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. I was able to revamp operations of both entities and make them strong and resilient with an 80% market share in eight months despite the severity of the Easter Sunday attack in Sri Lanka.
I was the sole Sri Lankan spokesperson at the Arabian Travel Mart in Dubai to take on face-to-face with the international media led by CNN and stoutly defend Sri Lanka and effectively send a powerful message to the international community that the bomb blasts were an outcome of international terrorist activity, a plague that has to be eradicated by the collective effort of the world and that the world has to support us in whatever way they could despite the atrocity of the incident. The message was well accepted by all visiting delegates.
From being yet another hair care product, Dreamron, today has turned into a renowned beauty product, exported to 30 countries and we undertake contract manufacturing for local and global brands.
Q: How do you generate new ideas?
A: Fantasy thinking is a key to generate new ideas. It’s natural to daydream about the things we want but simply visualising a brighter future won’t make it any more likely to happen. Instead we should start making pragmatic plans to accomplish our goals instead of simply dancing in daydreams.
Q: What are your plans for the twilight years of your life?
A: I wish to share my knowledge, experience and expertise I so painstakingly built over the years freely with people who could benefit from it.
Q: What is your message for budding entrepreneurs?
A: Use your head more than your body. If you can’t be competitive enough to be a challenge to others, don’t attempt to be a businessman. It may not be the right fit for you.