--- title: Why MNC Professionals Are Gold In SMEs. How To Thrive & Be Well Remunerated [W&S 127 ft Doreen Heng] description: Join The Financial Coconut for insights on personal finance, investing, and wealth-building strategies. Start your path to financial literacy today! image: https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hubfs/WnS%20127.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-127#main-content) [![Full\_COlour](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Full_COlour.png?width=456&height=80&name=Full_COlour.png)](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/) - [Retirement Marketspace](https://retirementmarketspace.thefinancialcoconut.com/) - [Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) Show submenu for Events - [For Investors](https://tfcmysterymeetup.com/) - [For Business Owners & Creators](https://ipcreatorunite.peatix.com/) - [For Salaried Workers](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/thought-leadership-series) - [TFC Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) - [Shows](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-shows) Show submenu for Shows - [Wise and Shine](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/wise-and-shine) - [The Business Show](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-business-show) - [Chills with TFC](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/chills-with-tfc) - [Blog](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog) Show submenu for Blog - [Work Smart](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/worksmart) - [Invest](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/invest) - [Retire Well](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/retire-well) - [Business](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/business) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Retirement Marketspace](https://retirementmarketspace.thefinancialcoconut.com/) - [Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) Show submenu for Events - [For Investors](https://tfcmysterymeetup.com/) - [For Business Owners & Creators](https://ipcreatorunite.peatix.com/) - [For Salaried Workers](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/thought-leadership-series) - [TFC Events](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/events) - [Shows](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-shows) Show submenu for Shows - [Wise and Shine](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/wise-and-shine) - [The Business Show](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/tfc-business-show) - [Chills with TFC](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/chills-with-tfc) - [Blog](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog) Show submenu for Blog - [Work Smart](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/worksmart) - [Invest](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/invest) - [Retire Well](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/retire-well) - [Business](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/business) - [Contact us](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/contact-us) [Contact us](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/contact-us) Jun 30, 2025, 12:58:14 PM # Why MNC Professionals Are Gold In SMEs. How To Thrive & Be Well Remunerated \[W&S 127 ft Doreen Heng\] ![Picture of The Financial Coconut](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Square%20(2)-3.png?width=50&name=Square%20(2)-3.png) [The Financial Coconut](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/author/the-financial-coconut) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-127) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-127) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-127) [Share this page](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/ws-127) [![Follow The Financial Coconut](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/46975693/interactive-182431637553.png)](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLL2CjCe42iR2RH2MpVX0Ej%2BKJQ%2F3A0Z7pXnUs35To%2Bo6nbKcpBVq9I98X5NUungVEwfs5YCKuM%2FaP97VxIITkTlihT57%2F%2F4XDW9rT3VR4MatSLDi%2BMU5mbQqihfX3LRRz83ij8K19OiD8UXy8sdct4t0Q%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=182431637553&portalId=46975693)   Ever considered leaving the stability of a multinational corporation (MNC) for the dynamic, fast-paced world of a small-to-medium enterprise (SME)? What if we told you that the leap could come with a pay cut, more responsibility, and a completely different company culture? We dive into the real, raw stories behind professionals who’ve made the switch — and what they wish they knew before taking the plunge. Meet Our Guest: - Doreen Heng, Finance Head, Toh Thye San Farm; ex-MNC finance professional turned growth driver in an SME, shares her 8-year journey — from negotiating a major pay cut to leading transformation projects and helping scale a family-run business into a structured, growing entity. - Plus, insights from our host and mindset coach Alex Loh, who breaks down the psychology of SME bosses and why they’re on the hunt for top-tier MNC talent What You’ll Discover: - The real trade-offs (yes, including pay cuts!) and unexpected rewards - How to negotiate your worth and grow beyond your role - The cultural shifts no one warns you about—hierarchy, flexibility, and "family-style" workplaces - Why impact in an SME can outstrip corporate achievements - The one question you should ask yourself before even thinking about the switch - And the truth about SME culture — is it really all about family, or is there a hidden risk? Is the grass greener? Tune in to find out! Plus, we dive into the boss’s mindset: What SME leaders really think when hiring ex-MNC talent. **What We Discuss:** - [07:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO_a7AmgVqQ&t=461s) Where do you find comfort during SME challenges? - [17:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO_a7AmgVqQ&t=1032s) Is reluctance to change the key SME hurdle? - [23:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO_a7AmgVqQ&t=1384s) What was your approach to negotiating your first offer? - [26:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO_a7AmgVqQ&t=1591s) What non-monetary benefits should new hires negotiate? - [29:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO_a7AmgVqQ&t=1744s) How do you spot hires who view the role as a short-term stop? - [35:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO_a7AmgVqQ&t=2146s) Which qualities make someone thrive in an SME after an MNC role? - [37:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO_a7AmgVqQ&t=2260s) Do pre-hire workload discussions help both candidates and employers? **Episode Resources:** - [Spotify](https://linktw.in/edPfPC) - [YouTube](https://linktw.in/ZOwaGG) - [Apple podcast](https://linktw.in/msglJa) New episodes every [Monday](https://www.thefinancialcoconut.com/blog/tag/wise-and-shine)  Share us your thoughts on this episode and let us know what do you want to hear next. 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