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For our next Student Startup of the Month, AIT School of Management is proud to introduce one of our recent BADT alumnus, Khun Wanchana (Boe) Virajalabha, founder and managing director of Howtochange, a management consulting firm based in Thailand. Known for his experience on transformation, capacity-building and youth development, we were intrigued and decided to ask him a few questions.
1) Please give us a brief introduction about yourself.
My name is Wanchana “Boe” Virajalabha. I am the Founder and Managing Director of Howtochange, a boutique management consulting firm based in Thailand. With over a decade of experience in human resource development, organizational development, and change management from both corporate and global consulting firms, I support businesses, government agencies, and social sector organizations across the region in navigating transformation including people transformation, digital transformation, and organizational capacity building.
Beyond consulting, I’m passionate about youth development and mentorship. I’ve been actively involved in several international youth programs focused on empowering young changemakers, which I believe is key to creating a better and more sustainable future.
2) Why did you choose to study BADT at AIT SOM? (I noticed that this was during the COVID period)
I decided to pursue the BADT program at AIT SOM during the COVID-19 period, which was a peak moment for digital transformation in Thailand. Many organizations were accelerating their digital initiatives, and as a change management consultant, I saw the need to deepen my knowledge especially in digital transformation, so I could better support my company’s projects in managing digital change management and help guide clients in initiating their transformation journeys.
AIT was one of the few institutions offering a program like BADT that combined a strong international environment with a practical, industry-relevant curriculum. The experience not only equipped me with valuable knowledge but also connected me with classmates from various countries and instructors with diverse professional backgrounds.
3) Tell us more about your company, Howtochange. How and why did you start it? What are you trying to change or achieve?
Howtochange was born during the wave of digital transformation in 2020, when the demand for change management consulting services in Thailand began to rise. I founded the company with the aim of helping organizations drive change in a way that is simple, practical, and creative. On a personal level, my purpose is to empower people to become changemakers themselves, which I believe leads to more sustainable transformation.
Aligned with that purpose, our services are designed to support transformation at both the organizational and individual levels. We work on corporate change management programs, people transformation consulting, and capacity building through interactive workshops and simulation-based learning. Our key offerings include collaboration, leadership, project management, and ESG simulation workshops, crafted to make transformation both impactful and engaging.
4) Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?
I hope to grow Howtochange into a regional change partner known for innovative transformation tools and people-focused consulting, especially in the area of transformative learning. I also aim to expand the impact of our work beyond the business sector, particularly in areas like education, sustainability, and youth empowerment. For me, success means not just driving change in organizations but contributing to a better future for society.
5) Do you have any words of advice for any of our students who are thinking about starting their own company? What kind of difficulties did you face and how did you overcome them?
Starting a company is easy, but maintaining and growing it is the real challenge. My advice is to stay connected to your purpose, not just the money. Your purpose will be the driving force that keeps you moving forward, especially during tough times.
From my experience in the consulting business, some of the biggest challenges were managing client expectations and dealing with self-doubt. What helped me was having a strong support system, committing to continuous self-development, and most importantly, being open to experimenting and learning along the way.
Also, don’t wait for things to be perfect before you start. Learn as you go, and you will eventually grow with your business.
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you the best of luck in your endeavors especially in your passion for youth development and your leadership in people transformation.