Interview Rachata Thammarat, the Managing Director of Global E-Community Co., Ltd
Today “ Rachata Thammarat “ or “ Ball “ or everybody knows him as “ Dr.Date of Thailand and the brand “ILikeDate” that will come across the dimension of limitation of time as well as the limited society and the failure to choose companion of the singles in Thailand over than 15 million people. “Dr.Date” and “ILikeDate” will certainly make their dream come true.
Background of Rachata Thammarat
Rachata Thammarat or “Dr.Date” talked about himself that he started his business since the first year in university as he need his life to be secured, starting with being as a dealer for drug and supplementary food company which putting his effort from being as a dealer into investment “bought – sold” acts like a trader. Fortunately, he has knowledge regard to internet during the internet boom period. He uses internet technology for his business until graduated at the 4th years.
Rachata never get supported from his parent while studying. After graduation, Rachata have some saving, his mother is a beauty – loving person and he always being as a beauty consultant for his mother because he graduated in Health Sciences. Therefore he equipped with a good knowledge of supplementary food, medicine and cosmetics. Once his mother asked him that “Ball, I found the exercise machine that just only lying down like you are sleeping and you can get a profit of exercise”. At that time,
“Dr.Date” only listened and thought “how can you do that?’’. He didn’t pay attention on that machine but just gave a word to his mother that he will check whether it safe or not. After 3 months of using the exercise machine, his mother can put on skirt size S instead of size L as she normally does. This point inspired him to research on how does it work and finally he realized that it is an “Oxygen Therapy” by using Oxygen to reduce weight. Then, he found Oxygen concerning the Sport Sciences. By using Oxygen in Metabolism process like doing more than 30 minutes exercise.
However, as we know that Thai people always lazy to do anything continuously more than half an hour. Therefore, he brings new Technology to apply. “Dr.Date’’ has another useful machine called “Dome’’. It help to expand blood vessels and large blood vessel, increasing metabolic rate, this will help to reduce weight by spending only 45 minutes with this machine. Here is the origin of Spa franchise business.
Most people do not like exercise because of their works, some obligations, wasting time, no suitable place. So, he get an ideas to draw customers to the store under the “Sleeping as well as exercising ‘’ concept. It is the best exercise in form of Spa. So, customers requested to buy franchises is likely to increase.
Young Businessman, “Spa, Real Estate, Car Rental business”
“Dr.Date’’ told that after graduated, he immediately open the Spa and gathered all health care product to apply with his Spa business. Later, he started advertising on website and followed by advertising via other Media called “Exercising while sleeping in order to lose weight, modern style of Natural therapy by using Oxygen under the name of “Oxygen Hot Spa Co., Ltd” which Emphasize on Health spa without hiring any Chiropractor, just one person to control the machine. It is definitely cost saving, easy to manage and no need to hire many staffs.
In 2008, he won the 3rd prize in Thai Franchise contest organized by the “Franchise Focus” magazine. The first and second prize belongs to Body Shape and Christy France. Receiving the 3rd prize in this contest can be deemed successful and he was a pioneer for 6 years ago.
“Dr.Date” said he have to slow down the Spa investment as he already have 38 franchises nationwide. Then, he started Real Estate business and invited experienced persons to be his partnerships as well as to be land trading business consultants, he started to build village of 20 units named “Krishna Thip Co., Ltd”. From small project then become large project by constructing 200 units condominium in Chiang Mai for sales. Then, constructed resort which is considered very successful called “Mae Rim Lodge Resort nearby the Four Seasons Hotel. However, he ran this business only 1 year because of the economic crisis. He decided to sale his business as too busy, being betrayed from his partnerships. Even though, real estate business has been successful and at that time he has total asset includes all businesses almost a billion Baht. At that time he owned many businesses such as Diamond showroom, Car showroom, Housing estate, Resort, Office for rent. Also, he also established “Home Car rent Co., Ltd” by taking care both Real estate and Cars rental business, as the Cars rental, we did not offer daily cars rental, otherwise, we offer long term cars rental up to 4-5 years for Public company limited. All of our customers are in executive level. The management of this business is quite simple. This business is currently operated and considered as my third business.
The Fourth Business “ ILikeDate’’
“Dr.Date” continue to talk about the business in the past such as Health spa, Real estate (out of business), Car rental. He gained his knowledge of management from these businesses by using least people but he still consistently maintains customer’s royalty from Spa business and Car rental business. Therefore, he starts the fourth business named Global E-Community Co., Ltd and conducting E-Commerce business, Community business, Foundation, Activities and Events.
This is because of having woman information obtained from Spa business whereas he had a chance to meet many male executives by doing Car rental business and also meet lots of single people. He obtained information of singles up to15 million people. It worth at 5,000 million Bath and there are only 3 companies run matchmaking business in Thailand. His company is considered the longest operate since 2005 and also have lots of connection. So, he saw the potential of Matchmaking business. Some of his friends are foreigners and nowadays he has foreigner friends from over 20 countries. His friends stay both in country and some stay in oversea.
Foreigners who work in Thailand and start work from 8 am. and finish work at 5-6 pm. They don’t know what to do after work and don’t want to go to the pub or hang out at night or wouldn’t look for woman in those places. To organize various useful activities or events to create a chance for the customers to meet each other and also gained all singles who are serious in love together. Therefore, he decided to establish the brand “ILikeDate”. Nowadays, Thai people increasingly accept “Dating service”. Thus, we introduced Dating service since 2005 and now gain popularity among Thais.
What is the nature of business?
ILikeDate is “Matchmaking Company”. ILikeDate is different from Hi5 or other Matchmaking company where you can only sent image, personal information through the internet and then introducing yourselves then starting a conversation. By doing this, clients need to subscribe the internet first. Sometimes they use unrealistic photos when communicate to each other. As you can often see in the news, sometime It seems to be really dangerous and not safe. This pretty seems to be failure rather than success.
ILikeDate likes Matchmaking business. In oversea called this occupation as Matchmaker. They called “Matchmaking”. However, we called “Introducing’’ our clients to know each other. This service is widely accepted in oversea such as in Japan, Korea etc. Once you read our information and you feel interesting, you can make appointment for an interview with us. We will interview you about your attitude, lifestyle, personal habits and your ideal partner. Once the interview process completed, we will match your information with the information of the other party. We will consider the most suitable match for you. Then, we will present the information to both parties. The information obtained will be treated as confidential and we will not disclose your information like happened on the internet. We allow our clients to know other profile 1:1. We guarantee that our currently clients or potential clients have been well inspected for profile, work history. We provide our service with high levels of safety. Our clients must be “single”. After interviewed and all information have been sent, if both parties would like to see each other we will organize time and place then they can meet each other.
In fact, we will help both parties to learn each other until they satisfy approximately 80% then another 20% we will let them learn by themselves when they meet up. The concept “If you can change the social you live… you may find the one that is “right” for you” is our policy that we do in our business. This is because of these days, most people go back home after work. Thus, at work place, if you couldn’t find your right one, it means you won’t get any chance to meet the right person for you any more as your social remain the same, as normally no one always change their work place very often. “Dr.Date” said we couldn’t guarantee for the marriage. We just gather people who are serious about love and looking for the right person to join in the same society. We do our best to match the client’s information as much as possible and we will introduce you to your appropriate match. So, the opportunity to meet the right one and the possibility of success will increase. Record showed that 70% of our clients has been successful and continue their relationship as a couple.
Is it a friend only when you feel lonely?
“Dr.Date” said his business is not only finding a friend when you feel lonely because it is not just talk to each other by phone. On the other hand, “we will help you to find your match’’ then make an appointment to meet up. We will help our members to find the right person. As for the qualification of our members, 80% of our members they are professional workers, high education with very well profile but they have a common problem as lack of time. So, they don’t have enough time to find the right one.
Today, to build a relationship with the stranger will be dangerous. So, it make people did not dare to get involve with others like social isolation. If we have a chance to go in many places, we will have a better chance to meet our companion. It seems like they always change, actually “those people don’t have any problems” otherwise they have a high quality of life.
Time to work and goals
Yes, when you become ILikeDate member, you will need to sign up for package as you choice as follows:
3 dates – we will make an appointment for you and your ideal person up to 3 people (3 times) and the member fee is only 7000 Baht.
Unlimited Dating – you enables to date with unlimited people during 1 year. The member fee is only 12,000 Baht, or you may subscribe for a lifetime membership for 25,000 Baht. You will have date with unlimited number of men or women and also treated you as a VIP member. So, you will be entitled to join the useful activities for free. As a privilege of being VIP member, we offer you something different from the other Matchmaking companies which normally allow you to have 3 dates and then finish. However, our company still allows you to join our activities forever but no more date. Sometimes you can come to meet new friends we called “Love Activity”. The love activity includes hosting party or dinner party, making merit or initiating the activity for public benefit by monthly or weekly depending on circumstance.
The members who apply the 3 date package otherwise they haven’t found the right one. They enable to participate in any programs such as “Love Game Show’’. If you have seen Academy fantasia (AF) or the Star, American Idol or X – man etc. We would like to gather our members who have distinctive features joining love activities and promote through a variety of media. This is because we think that the members who join the program may find the right one. We may produce a reality show in order to turn our ordinary members to be as a celebrity just over the night. We also think about the highlight activities then promote the activity through our media alliance.
“Dr.Date’’ also told us about his “Love magazine”. We will invite the members who success in love to share their experience in our “Success story” section and the members who own any outstanding business also welcome and they can express their thought and their story through our magazine. Sometimes that may cost you a few money, except for the business column that is definitely free.
Member will have the membership card or sign
In fact; most of our clients feel uncomfortable to disclose that they are a member of dating service. Sometimes they feel embarrass. Thus, we will try to keep our clients’ detail highly confidential. We will contact you via E-mail or send you “SMS” about the upcoming events. There is no need to have “call center” as no one call to ask anything. Moreover, we provide “Personal consultant” to take care our clients whenever they have any question concerning to the service which we called “CS” or “Consultant service”. Also, our staff members are highly professional team.
“Dr.Date” describes more about how dating service work, our members are definitely quality people. In the event that you meet the right person, you can say that “a friend recommended’’ It is the same as Mr.Eak-Wara case, we don’t know him but when the interview completed we can said that we know him as well as our other clients, we will know them at the interview day and finally we become friend we can called “Recommended friend to friend”. Dating service is widely accepted among Thai people more and more. Our single members are between the ages of 25-70 years.
What age they began looking for a potential partner?
Everyone look for their potential partner, only just whether they can find or not. You feel good with someone. You don’t have a partner because you feel uncomfortable to socialize or you are social isolation or you love to be alone. Because we confirmed that most of our customers have no weak point, they are good person and good looking. We will be a consult as well as Matchmaker for our 1,000 members. We date people for our lifetime. We run dating service for four years and considered as the longest opened and cheapest service charge. The other dating service company starts from 10,000 – 30,000 Baht.
“Dr.Date” said his job is not easy to do. It required personal capability especially the ability to match information need to be done seriously. The maximum age of our staff is 65 years. The most important for his ability is that he always remembers most of his clients because he interviews those clients by himself. The information of our clients will pop up in his mind deemed as an integral part of his senses.
Mr.Rachata’s income from ILikeDate
His main income from (1) service charge (2) hosting activities (3) commissions (4) income from Speed dating. It is very simple. Speed dating allows members to make an appointment with men or woman up to 20 people within 20 minutes. This is new in Thailand but acceptable in foreign countries and very popular. In foreign countries, people know that on Friday or Saturday where they can join “speed dating” and we will gather 20 male and 20 female to join speed dating activity and also allow them to talk in 5 minute to each member.
At that evening, you can meet up 20 new friends and also have some test and vote. You may keep connection with your new friends if you satisfied. Most of date you can decide whether to keep connection or not at first 90 minutes. This is one of the activities we provide but the main job is a Dating service so you have to register to be a member before you entitle to join with our activities.
Another income from (5) franchises, we have franchise in Chiang Mai. If the potential clients who lives in Chiang Mai would like to subscribe for a membership but they feel uncomfortable to go to Bangkok. Franchise will work on behalf of us. Franchise staff will look after clients on behalf of us. Clients in Chiang Mai will be interviewed and date in Chiang Mai. The service will be as same as Bangkok branch. In case that the clients in Bangkok feel bored, we may recommend our clients in Chiang Mai to clients in Bangkok and provide your information to Chiang Mai branch in order to let them look after you. The information of our clients will be take care seriously confidential by our franchise.
“Dr.Date” told this business seems happened for long time as we called “the arrange marriage’’ or friend recommended friend but it never take into serious operation. Members will have opportunity to meet more people. I think “this business make me feel happy”. It might not the best business because it is business for love and life. Nowadays, some people give us ring and thanks to all staff, write a letter, E-mail to thanks “Dr.Date” and told us his life have been changed and he feel much more pleasant and happy.
True personal profile
We need all detail information which easy for our work. If information too ambiguous, it will be really difficult to work and dating will be difficult. Normally, 3 date package will take only one and a half month with an average of 2 dating per month. Dating only 2-3 weeks you will realize who the most suitable match for you. We will arrange these date after that the clients have to develop their relationship by themselves.
However, we will follow up whether you need to find new date or you want to wait. As we know that it is impossible for a single date that you will find the right person. After each date, we need time to tune your next match and information then we help you to find the right one until you satisfy. We are not recommend you to keep the right person as your alternative as you don’t like first date but like or happy with second date and keep it go on the other date 3, 4, 5 then back to second again.
“Dr.Date” said we will recommend that if you found the right person in second date. Try to develop and strengthen your relationship. Finally, you think that he/she is not the right one for you. You can request us to arrange next date. On the other hand, if you think you found the right one, we are pleased with you because it means you are successful. The success of our company is not measured from the stage that “you must be marriage” otherwise, we will success if we can find the right person for you.
In case that someone who has wife or husband would like to subscribe for a membership
We will focus on the Marriage certificate even though sometimes they will provide the false one. However, with our expertise and experience team members in dating, we can check the marital status of our members easily. Only 2-3 weeks we can identify true information. As for payment method, you are required to make a payment for membership fee before your first date for 2 days. Then, we will make an appointment and arrange time, date and place together with telephone number. During your date, we won’t go with you because normally they are very serious and need privacy.
The definition for this business
We give a definition for our business as “Pot sue or Mae sue” in Thai or people known as “Matchmaker”. Our business provides 5 languages include Thai, English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean. Staffs who can communicate with the foreigners are available. Even though we are not do business all over the world but our foreigner friends said “Thai ladies and Thai people are the best and very nice” and Thailand is the most preferable place they would love to spend their lives. Moreover, nowadays many Korean men are looking for Thai lady to getting married like some foreign women comment that Thai men are “well–behaved”. We would like to use this opportunity to promote that we are now have database of Thai people who looking for their potential partner from abroad .That is the goals and we see the potential of franchise opportunity. Therefore, franchise in China, Japan, Korea and other country are available now.
Will “Dr. Date” back to his Real estate business? Is he looking for the other job opportunity?
Even the Real estate business is the most successful among his previous businesses, he feel very tired. Unlike ILikeDate which not concerns with economic condition. Some local people may say that “I would like to find my life companion. I never care how much I have to pay”. However, the important thing we have to change our idea about this business. It is not to embarrass because we recommended the quality people. When they are happy they always call to thanks us. Now, Mr.Rachata is conducting only 3 businesses but he mostly focuses on ILikeDate because he loves to see the happiness of people more than the wealth. As for other business he is going to do in the future, there are lots of thing he would like to do such as Real estate which made highest profit he may back to do it again. Dr. Date said “I like Real estate, cars and love business”. As for ILikeDate or Love business, it enables him to meet and face with various stories, make him know about various careers, know lots of people and know how to love others. In addition, many people feel very thankful to him. It is very nice that we can change many people life to fulfill with love and happiness. That’s all my life profit I gained from this business.
As a successful young man, what did his parent comment?
Unfortunately, his father already passed away but he got a chance to see some part of his son’s success. Today “Ball” takes responsibility to look after his mother. His mother is beauty – loving person. Even though she is 50 years old but she always look after her health very well. She helps her son to look after franchise and Spa customers also she enjoy beauty business. As for Rachata, he focuses to look after Love business and really happy with his job.
Self – assessment of his success
Only 50 % of success, due to the fact that ILikeDate is not yet widely known and accepted among Thai people. This is because most people think that “people who find their match by using Matchmaking Company is the one who has weak point”. Like he thought when he starts doing this business that people who subscribe for a membership might have a problem of their feature. Actually he found that they are all quality people. Most of them got Master’s degree also have good work and good personality. Thus, he just wants change the perspective of Thai people to help another 15 million people aged from 20 years to find true love. These singles are female more than male. In China, Chinese people use Matchmaking Company to help them looking for their companion since they are at the first year in University and then getting married after graduated. There are many Matchmaking companies in China. So, he sees a potential of franchise opportunity over there. However, he doesn’t want to be prosperous but he just needs stability.
What make him success?
“Dr.Date” said his success may arising from his honest, he work with his heart also give with his heart. He never cheats on anyone, no tricks. This is because he used to disappoint. Fortunately, he has good connection and some support. Today there are some clients come to meet us and cry. They thought that we are their hopes; we can change their lives and give them a good advice.
Not only conducting business but also create life for them. Nowadays, I am still single but I already for my perfectly right person and she is the one I love. As for my financial condition, I am probably in between medium to good. I can do whatever I want.
Actually today I would like to offer franchise opportunity for those who are interested to buy franchise with us. Our business is kind of making happiness for people. You have to think about a chance to help people meet each other. Moreover, this business will make a great profit with low cost investment. Today if you buy ILikeDate franchise, you will become the first franchise in Thailand as well as in the world. As been said that, we can’t collect data all over the world but we can give them a chance for love and make them happy.
Therefore, this is a good chance for the entrepreneurs and this will create a good income for the investor because love is not concerns the economy condition. In the future he plans to open the Institution or center for our members to join and meet each others. This is in the planning stage. However, “Center of Love” will be official opened to soon both in Bangkok area and in provincial area. This business makes good income and brings the happiness.
This is a perspective and vision of the young executives “Rachata Thammarat” or “Ball” or everyone known him as “Dr.Date” also “The Messenger of Love in Thailand” the owner of Mactmaking company in Thailand which promote through media in order to demonstrate themselves that occupation as “Match- maker” is a great professional and bring the happiness to Thais more 15 million people. “Dr.Date” or Rachata and brand ILikeDate will make the dream come true and create a legend of the love business. Love business will be successful or not. Time will prove the vision and how of the young businessman “Dr. Rachata Thammarat” works.
Brand Vision
เรา มุ่งมั่นที่จะช่วยเหลือคนโสดในสังคมไทย ให้มีโอกาสได้พบเจอกับเพื่อนใหม่ๆ ซึ่งจะช่วยทำให้เกิดมิตรภาพที่ดีต่อกัน รวมถึงยังเป็นการสร้างโอกาสที่จะทำให้เจอคนที่ใช่เพิ่มมากขึ้นด้วย และเรายึ่ดมั่นตามสโลแกน “หากคุณเปลี่ยนสังคมที่คุณอยู่ คุณอาจเจอคนที่ใช่สำหรับคุณ”
Positioning
การบริการหาคู่ ที่เน้นความเป็นส่วนตัว ปลอดภัย ตรวจสอบได้ และมีโอกาสประสบความสำเร็จในการใช้บริการสูงถึง 80% รวมถึงมาตรฐานการให้บริการของ Matchmaker ทุกคนจะต้องผ่านการฝึกอบรมจากสถาบันฝึกอบรม Matchmaking College สถาบันสอนอาชีพ ผู้จัดการคู่รัก แห่งแรกของประเทศไทย
Promise
“ทุกๆความต้องการของคุณ คือ เรื่องสำคัญของเรา” We Care You เป็น วัตถุประสงค์ที่เราได้สร้างสรรค์คุณภาพของการให้บริการขึ้นมา โดยความหมาย คือ ทุกๆองค์ประกอบต่อไปนี้เป็นองค์ประกอบสำคัญที่เราจะให้ความสำคัญกับทุกส่วน คือ
ลูกค้า คำนึง ถึงว่า หากวันนี้เรามีลูกๆ เราเองก็ต้องอยากให้ลูกๆของเราแต่งงานกับคนที่ดีและเหมาะสม รวมถึงจะต้องได้รับการยอมรับจากครอบครัว ญาติพี่น้อง และเพื่อนๆของลูกเราเอง ดังนั้นแล้ว เราให้ความสำคัญขั้นพื้นฐานในการคัดเลือกโพรไฟล์คู่ของคุณโดยคำนึงถึงพื้น ฐาน เช่น การศึกษา หน้าที่การงาน ฐานะ ครอบครัว และที่สำคัญ จิตใจเป็นหลัก ก่อนที่จะแนะนำให้ลูกค้าทุกท่านได้รู้จักซึ่งกันและกัน เป็นสำคัญ
พนักงาน ปฏิบัติ ต่อเขาเปรียบเหมือนกับลูกค้าของเราเอง หากบริษัทเติบใหญ่เราจะต้องดูแลพนักงานของเราให้มีความสุขเป็นอย่างดี เพราะว่าหากพนักงานของเรามีความสุขในการทำงานและประสบความสำเร็จในหน้าที่ การงานเราถือว่าได้ช่วยอีกหลายชีวิตในครอบครัวของพนักงานให้ดีตามไปด้วย
คู่ค้า ประกอบธุรกิจด้วยความเป็นธรรมไม่เอาเปรียบ โดยจะต้องทำให้คู่ค้าเราอยู่ได้ในธุรกิจ
ผู้ถือหุ้น สร้างการกับการการดูแลกิจการที่ดี สามารถตรวจสอบได้
ชุมชนที่ตั้ง ร่วมพัฒนาชุมชน สร้างอาชีพ สร้างงานให้กับคนในชุมชน
คู่แข่งขัน ตรง ไปตรงมา มีกีดกันการค้าที่ไม่เป็นธรรม แข่งขันกันด้วยจรรยาบรรณทางธุรกิจอย่างตรงไปตรงมา คอยช่วยเหลือหากคู่แข่งหากเกิดปัญหาที่เราสามารถช่วยเขาได้
ประชาชนและสังคม สร้างภาพลักษณ์ที่ดีต่อองค์กรและสร้างองค์กรให้เกิดการยอมรับในสังคม
Personality / identity
Trust Your Soul Mate
การมาใช้บริการจัดหาคู่ ลูกค้าจะรู้สึกว่า มีความมั่นใจในเรื่องของโพรไฟล์ของคู่เดท ก่อนที่จะได้มาเจอกัน นั่นหมายความว่า ทีมงาน Matchmaker จะ ต้องทำงานอย่างหนักเพื่อคัดกรองคู่เดทที่มีความเหมาะสมมีคุณภาพ ทั้งเรื่องของ บุคลิกภาพ หน้าที่การงาน ครอบครัว ฐานะ จิตใจ ก่อนที่จะแนะนำให้ลูกค้ารู้จักซึ่งกันและกัน
Competency / Culture
สังคม คุณภาพของกลุ่มคนโสด ที่มีความพร้อมทั้งด้าน หน้าที่การงาน อายุที่เหมาะสม เวลาที่จะต้องให้ความสำคัญกับความรัก ความพร้อมทั้งทางด้านจิตใจ ในการที่จะเริ่มต้นใช้ชีวิตคู่กับใครซักคนหนึ่งที่ใช่สำหรับเค้า เพราะเค้าตัดสินใจมาแล้วว่าอยากได้คนที่มีคุณภาพและมีวัตถุประสงค์เดียวกัน คือการแต่งงานและใช้ชีวิตคู่สร้างครอบครัวที่อบอุ่นในอนาคต
