Be bold, and take risks

What advice can you offer those looking to start their career/own business? My advice to those looking to start their own business is to tap into the many government incentives available, especially for entrepreneurs and SMEs. It is also vital for one to look at the bigger picture while starting small when entering a new career or starting a new business – you must understand the opportunities and challenges that come within your industry well. Only then can you make sound decisions on your career or business moves.

Preparing for the future that is being led by digital transformation is a must to survive in this competitive environment. You should not be afraid to take calculated risks, as long as you have done your homework. You never know what success may come when you take a bold step.

We all know about the industrial revolution, are we in for a technological revolution? Your thoughts. I think many would agree that we’re already in the midst of the technological revolution. Working closely with our customers at UPS, we’ve seen firsthand the impact that Industry 4.0 has had on manufacturing – it’s becoming mobile; it’s shifting from traditional massive facilities and inventories to nimble, on-the-go production and hypercustomisation. The technology to manufacture on-site is already here; and it’s not just impacting our customers. It’s also making us more productive and changing our business model.

3D-printing or additive manufacturing serves as a value-added complementary solution, offering businesses more opportunities and flexibility in production during this transformational period.

UPS started its 3D printing journey back in 2013, and has kept an eye on the progress being made within the industry, and pays particular attention to its capacity to impact our operations, as well as the operations of businesses throughout Asia. Today, with 3D printing factories at the UPS WorldPort in Louisville, we help businesses print at high volume required for commercial purposes.

This is just one of the many ways in which UPS has sought to leverage technology to make our operations better, so we can serve our customers better. As a company that invests US$1 billion annually in technology, we’re excited about the opportunities that technology has brought us.

How has mentorship made a difference in your professional life? Mentorships have had a strong influence in my life, and I have been privileged enough to learn from many inspiring and determined individuals. Many have the misconception that mentors have to be more experienced or senior than we are. I have personally learnt a lot from the people who work for me; whether it be professional or personal.

Anyone and everyone can be a mentor, but it is also up to the individual to reach out and seek guidance from another. As the saying goes, “it takes two to tango”.

What do you want to accomplish in the next five years? I recently assumed the position of managing director for UPS Malaysia and oversee all business aspects including customer management, sales, marketing, and operations. In the coming years, I would like to grow UPS’ market share in Malaysia as I see the potential to expand our reach to serve more customers beyond the metro areas, such as Kuantan or Seremban. My goal is to also increase awareness of the UPS brand, so that more Malaysian businesses recognise the strengths of working with a company that has over 110 years of global trade experience.

UPS is in the business of simplifying trade. When it’s easier to trade, more trade happens. Over 97% of Malaysian businesses are SMEs, and many are hesitant to engage in international trade because they fear the unknown.

To date, UPS, along with public and private partners, has helped train over 3,500 entrepreneurs across 10 Asean countries to prepare them to join global supply chains. We’ve placed considerable effort into capacity building for Malaysian SMEs to help them become more competitive suppliers to multinationals. I’m most looking forward to continuing to enable more SMEs to grow beyond domestic borders by delivering logistics best practices.

Most-admired business leader? Why? One of them would be Tony Fernandes. He has built his business and career based on his passion which has led to his success. He believes in himself, takes risks and that was very evident when he became involved in the car racing and soccer business. His confidence and business acumen are certainly exemplary.

One of his traits that I look up to most is that he does not give up easily.

How do you stay abreast of issues affecting your industry? In this day in age, there are many avenues to gain information. I enjoy reading the newspaper and watching the daily news to keep myself informed. I also maintain good relationships with the customers we work with, who provide me with a better understanding of the market situation. From the trade perspective, I enjoy keeping myself updated on policy changes given the nature of my work within the logistics industry.

In my current role, I have the pleasure of attending many industry-related activities. This provides an opportunity for me to get updates and feedbacks from my peers on what is happening within the industry.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced? And what did you learn from it? The biggest challenge that I have faced is finding balance between work and personal life. I have a responsibility to the company as well as my family. There had been situations where pressing matters occurred at work that led to long hours spent in the office over a lengthy period of time. The imbalance led to my family feeling neglected.

I came to realise that there has to be a clear line drawn between my professional and personal life. No matter how long is spent in the office, there has to be family time allocated daily. Of course this is easier said than done but I have learned to keep my schedules organised, priorities in order and am constantly working to maintain a proper balance.

Malaysia’s greatest brand. Kuala Lumpur is without a doubt Malaysia’s greatest brand. A city is an excellent window to a nation’s culture and socio-economic standing. If you look at New York City, you immediately see the grand scale of America’s consumption or the way Paris gives France its romantic reputation and how Beijing’s rapid growth reflects China’s ambition and capability.

Kuala Lumpur is modern, vibrant, young, and full of potential and that reflects on the whole country. There is so much opportunity and space for growth here. Coupled with our diversity and location, we are well-positioned to attract investors.