I love the process of getting to know an organisation, understanding what it wants to achieve, and go-to-market strategy that covers defining a customer value proposition, recommending next steps, creating a compelling market positioning and message, and formulating improvement strategies.
I believe that the right market positioning, using the right distribution channels, and collaborating with the right partners are some of the important steps to take to successfully go to market.
Critical thinking skills, research skills, analytical thinking skills.
Knowledge of the go-to-market consulting methods.
Connecting with people and managing relationships.
Collaborating.
Connecting the dots and seeing where the opportunities are.
Crafting the messaging and positioning for companies.
Cultural skills.
Learning and rapidly applying newly learned concepts.
Entrepreneurial skills and mindset.
Lifelong learning.
To see more of my skills, check out the 'Skills' page.
My purpose is straightforward:
Add value to the organisation I work for to add value to New Zealand's economy and society.
I seek employment in a local New Zealand company. I am committed to creating positive impacts for the NZ economy.
Bringing the skills I acquired working in the go-to-market consulting industry in Malaysia where I learned the method and process from an expert, worked with international companies, conducted research, and assisted with writing up proposals and presentations.
Using the connections I have made internationally, especially in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea, major cities in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK, and the Netherlands, to connect people to opportunities.
Utilising my cultural skills, gained through interacting with international companies and people of different cultures, I can assist with navigating through cultural differences and minimise misunderstandings, or at least salvage the situation!
Connecting your organisation with potential partners to develop new capabilities and enhance existing ones.
Securing international business, especially in Asia.
Enhancing or creating a go-to-market capability within your organisation to realise the possible impacts listed below.
Crafting a compelling market position and message.
Access to target markets, especially overseas markets.
Access to local partners and therefore their capabilities in local markets.
Market presence.
Increased market share.
Business growth.
Business expansion.
Inbound and outbound opportunities.
Export revenue.
My journey started off in Malaysia. I started my career in Malaysia working in Guo Market Advisory, a go-to-market consulting company. Through my work as a partnerships manager, I experienced first-hand the advantages of organisations working together towards a common goal, the capabilities that can be shared, and the outcomes that would not have been achievable otherwise.
As a secondary job, I started a language centre with my Dad. We developed a unique teaching method to teach English that was unlike what was taught in schools. Our mission was to teach the language for communication, to encourage critical thinking, and to build our students' confidence in speaking and expressing themselves. All three mission goals were not effectively pursued by many schools back home.
Having run a language centre and worked for a go-to-market consulting company for two years, I decided it was a good time to explore other opportunities and other places. So I decided to further my studies in another country.
Destination: New Zealand. More specifically, Dunedin.
Dunedin was a natural choice. I grew up on my Dad's stories of his time as an Otago University student in Dunedin in the 80's. We are both now proud alumni of Otago University. I decided to venture into tourism because tourism management was something I wanted to get into. And, what better place to learn about tourism than New Zealand?
That was 2019. Amid the pandemic, plans have had to be changed. I have been supporting myself with a minimum wage job as a tea barista, while looking for work that will allow me to use my professional skills, particularly my go-to-market consulting skills. I have tried designing my own ventures. These were critical exercises as they allowed me to learn and rapidly apply concepts, be they unfamiliar or something I came across years ago. Among them are: Design thinking, antifragility, platform play, branding, risk management,
The overarching uncertainty the pandemic has created came with lessons. From this experience, I learned to be more resilient and adaptable and to think outside the box to find work. I would like to think that due to these challenges, I have also improved myself.
Adaptability and resilience truly are important skills. Utilising my experience gained working in a go-to-market consulting company and the research skills and networking skills I have developed, in the beginning of 2021, on top of working as a barista, I started a freelance endeavour in go-to-market consulting to (1) gain more experience, (2) build my reputation, and (3) contribute to the country that has created a lasting impression on me.
Throughout my whole journey, I couldn't have done any of it without the support of my wonderful parents and family.
The whole time I've been here, I fell in love with Dunedin city and the country. It's not uncommon to hear visitors say that.
The realisation that I can't be an island (on two big islands) meant that I have made the effort to find my own community here. I have made good friends here and met people with interesting stories. They have made me feel welcomed here and have truly cemented my love for the city and country.
I love the place so much that I want to contribute to the local economy and society. I plan to do that by using my go-to-market consulting experience and skills, my networks with international markets and businesses, and my unique set of skills to create growth opportunities for local Kiwi businesses.