Today happens to be the International Women's Day. It is the day to celebrate the success of women in all walks of life. Ladies, I take my hat off to you! As a mother, wife, friend, teacher, professional, IT professional, and so on, I don't think you have any parallel!
I have been very lucky to have several female bosses and also interacted with them during my career. The first name that comes to my mind is that of Ms Sarah Benecke at Global Sources, Hong Kong. According to a Forbes' listing she has been a director since April 2000, and, since 1993, was a director of Trade Media. Sarah was principal executive officer from Jan. 1994 through Aug. 1999.
I do remember the tenure when Global Sources went from strength to strength under her leadership. I had the opportunity of rolling out online specification tables for Telecom Products during 1998-99, an exercise that was also conducted by Electronic Components. I did interact very briefly with Sarah, for a project, Reverse Auction, probably shelved later. Nevertheless, it was an experience where I learned a lot!
I had a set of great colleagues as well, notably, Cindy Fung, Helen Lam, Denice Lai, Pauley Wong, Joyce Wong, Jex Balde, Lou Corpuz, Jo Kent, Vanessa, Sue Pace, Mick Lee-Pollack, Len Sangalang, Jen Tuason, Christo Leung, Jesse Ng, Kitty Wong, Phyllis Ng, Gal Roma, Sylvia Gilkes, Jen Calubad, Reche Cuyco, Georgina, Kennis Kwok, Sylvia, Georgia Zhuang, Catherine Yu, Canis Ho, Camelia So, Bertha, Kennis Kwok, Karmei Tse, Michelle Beck, Pamela Yu, to name a few! Of all the editors, Len is still around at Global Sources, and going great guns.
During my later stint at Global Sources, I again worked with several top-notch journalists and other colleagues -- notably, Melanie Victoriano, Doris Yu, Yuri Chon, Amber Ip, Emper Mendoza, Evelyn Berdera, Marianne Carandang, Esther, Jo Kuo, Sofy Weng, Sammy Lee, Allyn Baldemor, Cecile De Veyra, Nina Villena, Lynn Cacha, Rech Tangcangco and Rose Raguindin -- 'murderers' of my beauty sleep ;).
Janice Poon, co-proprietor, Sharper-I, Hong Kong, remains a good friend till date! Holly Au at Fook Tin, is another great manager that comes to mind!
Among other great colleagues at Global Sources, there's Frances Tai, Rosa Chan, Zoe Lam, Agnes Yim, Agatha Chan, Mayo Leung, Elsa Zheng, Deepa Paul, Jacy, Lillian, Maggie Luo, Melinda Hui, etc. I am in touch with all these great folks and cherish their friendship.
Moving on to Singapore, for Wireless Week, US, brought me in contact with Debbie Denton, and Judith Lockwood Purcell, besides my immediate boss, Margeret Liu. Again, it was a delight to work with them. I had several outstanding colleagues too -- Monica Alleven, who is now Editor-in-Chief, Wireless Week, as well as Peggy Albright, Sue Marek, Heidi Jeter -- all outstanding journalists. Am still in touch with Monica, Judy and Debbie after all these years!
At Reed, I cultivated close ties with a lot of women professionals, notably, Selina Teo, Rajika Mitra, Iris Kwan, Serene Teo, Joy Lee, Geraldine Lek, June Tan, Grace Wong, Pauline, Cynthia, etc.
Interestingly, most of these women were/have been in leadership positions! And, what a great job they all did and continue to do!
Closer to home, a talented journalist, who I think can go a long way, is Geetanjali. Keep up the good work! Priya Ramachandran was another great colleague, and remains a friend till today!
At CIOL, I've had the pleasure of working with great folks such as Latha Chandradeep, Sigi Achappa, Priya Padhmanabhan, Usha Prasad, Radhika Nallayam, Ambika Prakash, Deepa Damodaran, to name a few. All hugely talented, with the capability of doing really great in their careers, should they choose to pursue it.
Last year, I came in touch with Aude Borliataux, who is now Chef de Project at Webdesign International Festival, Limousin, France. I've seen the great work she has done and is capable of! Kaye Lim, formerly of Infineon, Shih-ying Tan of Siemens, Genevieve Haldeman of Symantec and Mohd Sidi Norazah at Dumex, Malaysia would fall in the same category.
I interact regularly with India Semiconductor Association's president, Poornima Shenoy! Then, there's Michelle Prunty at SEMICO and Debra Jaramilla at iSuppli, USA.
In the PR community in India and elsewhere, there are lots of names, especially, Pravin Rikhy, Tarana Uthayya, Poornima Chikkananjaiah, Lakeri Raut, Saswati Panigrahi, Shaili Jani, Sharmita, Bipasha, Shakambari, Sanjana, Aditi, Priyanka Kalia, Edna, Iwin, Farah, Gargi, Suhana Basu (the BBS), Deepa I. and Kauser, and so on and so forth! This list is endless! There are so many names I haven't even added!!
There's Puja Bhattacharya at TI, and Angela and Pooja Bhalla at ST, who interact closely with me. Karen Bartleson from Synonpsys, US, is another great friend and a leader. Can't forget Caan Chui from Hong Kong, either!
In fact, when people tell me, hey, women don't make good managers, or when I find them not getting pushed up to leadership positions, I just look back on my career and find all of these names staring right back at me! If only others could know or see these people, and their potential along with the achievements, they'd be compelled to eat their words!
Well done ladies! It has indeed been a pleasure working with and knowing you! Hope you too feel the same.
Showing posts with label Hong Kong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hong Kong. Show all posts
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
What it takes to be a professional? The three Ds!
Yes, everyone loves calling himself or herself 'very professional', and I am no different! What defines professionalism? Let me make an attempt.
One, the ability to do your work in the best possible manner, and to deliver what's required of you, as scheduled or even before! Two, to be highly skillful in what you do. Three, to be very knowledgeable about your line of work. Four, to be very quick at your work, simply because you've become so adept at it -- like it is second nature.
Some others could be: conforming to the work related standards of your job in a highly focused manner. Perhaps, being deeply involved in any activity as a source of your livelihood or career; an example, blogger. Or even, doing performances for a fee, such as tennis or soccer stars. Maybe, even some having great skill in some activity; an example, a Kung Fu exponent like the late Bruce Lee.
Well, what does it take to be a professional. Blood, sweat and tears! Or, the three Ds: discipline, dedication and devotion!!
You've to put in long hours of practice at your profession. There's a saying that goes something like -- anyone should never be concerned about the thousands things that you do, but that person will surely be concerned about that one thing that you do a thousand times! Hope, I've got the meaning right! :)
What does this mean? You become very good at something specific -- for example chess. Or, you are simply exceptional at the trapeze. How did you achieve this? By hours and hours of practice. And, constant practice! They say, practicing is boring! Hey, those long boring hours eventually lead you to great success.
Just take a look at some folks who are experts at gaming. They've achieved this status by constant hours of practice. The gaming industry is thriving because of them. I am reminded of one such friend, Jambi Reyes, my ex-colleague in Global Sources. He is a class act! Wonder, why he's not yet taken up gaming as a full time profession!
Right actions, along with the right approach and attitude, will lead you to success as a thorough professional! And, a leader!!
One, the ability to do your work in the best possible manner, and to deliver what's required of you, as scheduled or even before! Two, to be highly skillful in what you do. Three, to be very knowledgeable about your line of work. Four, to be very quick at your work, simply because you've become so adept at it -- like it is second nature.
Some others could be: conforming to the work related standards of your job in a highly focused manner. Perhaps, being deeply involved in any activity as a source of your livelihood or career; an example, blogger. Or even, doing performances for a fee, such as tennis or soccer stars. Maybe, even some having great skill in some activity; an example, a Kung Fu exponent like the late Bruce Lee.
Well, what does it take to be a professional. Blood, sweat and tears! Or, the three Ds: discipline, dedication and devotion!!
You've to put in long hours of practice at your profession. There's a saying that goes something like -- anyone should never be concerned about the thousands things that you do, but that person will surely be concerned about that one thing that you do a thousand times! Hope, I've got the meaning right! :)
What does this mean? You become very good at something specific -- for example chess. Or, you are simply exceptional at the trapeze. How did you achieve this? By hours and hours of practice. And, constant practice! They say, practicing is boring! Hey, those long boring hours eventually lead you to great success.
Just take a look at some folks who are experts at gaming. They've achieved this status by constant hours of practice. The gaming industry is thriving because of them. I am reminded of one such friend, Jambi Reyes, my ex-colleague in Global Sources. He is a class act! Wonder, why he's not yet taken up gaming as a full time profession!
Right actions, along with the right approach and attitude, will lead you to success as a thorough professional! And, a leader!!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Ignoring ignorance on GPS!
I have been really amused to find that GPS or global positioning systems and navigation are finding their way among the top 10 telelcom and/or technology trends for 2009!
To follow this tribe of enthusiastic analysts, I also mentioned GPS and navigation among the top trends to watch out for in 2009! However, it is really hilarious and amusing to find GPS being suddenly talked about so much!
Unfortunately, the terrorist attacks of Mumbai on 26/11/08 have probably turned the spotlight on GPS.
No matter, GPS is a technology around for close to a decade now. I remember seeing the first devices used in cars in Korea, back in 1998-99. Then, in 2000, I, along with a colleague, Pamela Yu (at Global Sources), were invited by Nokia and Citybus in Hong Kong, to showcase GPS solutions on Citybus. At that point of time, HS-CSD (high-speed circuit-switched data), had just taken its bow! In fact, Nokia was also showing off its HSCSD solutions. Come to think of it, no one even talks of HS-CSD now!
Back to GPS! Citybus and Nokia showed me a wonderful GPS network, which tracked all Citybus vehicles. And well, Nokia even demonstrated how a HSCSD phone could be used with GPS inside vehicles in Hong Kong!
In 2000-01, Japan produced first devices with GPS built in! At 2000 ITU Telecom Asia, I remember discussing with NTT DoCoMo regarding the accuracy of these devices in times of distress or emergencies.
Cut back to 2003, Geneva, ITU Telecom World, and prior to that, CommunicAsia. GPS has been present all the times! Why, if someone even cared to check Global Sources, or even Alibaba, they'd be spoilt for choice.
During several trips to Shenzhen, and also during the various China Sourcing Fairs, I came across GPS, embedded into various devices -- PMPs, MP3/MP4 players, etc. Since it has been in the mobile phone for some time, there's always no doubt of it not making an appearance elsewhere.
In India, I believe, the problem lies more with not having ready, detailed maps of places. However, this is a problem that is being addressed.
Recently, a colleague, a youngster, who's just started his career, quizzed me about GPS, where a client had told him that GPS can't be used in mobile phones! The moment I heard this, it immediately stuck me that this so-called client, who mentioned such a thing about GPS, isn't even aware of the industry, or rather, does not have a telecom background!
This is the Internet world. All the information I've given above, has been available on the Internet for a long time. No excuses, if people can't look it up!
God bless us all from ignorance! ;) Ignoring ignorance? At your own peril!
Wishing everyone a very happy 2009!
To follow this tribe of enthusiastic analysts, I also mentioned GPS and navigation among the top trends to watch out for in 2009! However, it is really hilarious and amusing to find GPS being suddenly talked about so much!
Unfortunately, the terrorist attacks of Mumbai on 26/11/08 have probably turned the spotlight on GPS.
No matter, GPS is a technology around for close to a decade now. I remember seeing the first devices used in cars in Korea, back in 1998-99. Then, in 2000, I, along with a colleague, Pamela Yu (at Global Sources), were invited by Nokia and Citybus in Hong Kong, to showcase GPS solutions on Citybus. At that point of time, HS-CSD (high-speed circuit-switched data), had just taken its bow! In fact, Nokia was also showing off its HSCSD solutions. Come to think of it, no one even talks of HS-CSD now!
Back to GPS! Citybus and Nokia showed me a wonderful GPS network, which tracked all Citybus vehicles. And well, Nokia even demonstrated how a HSCSD phone could be used with GPS inside vehicles in Hong Kong!
In 2000-01, Japan produced first devices with GPS built in! At 2000 ITU Telecom Asia, I remember discussing with NTT DoCoMo regarding the accuracy of these devices in times of distress or emergencies.
Cut back to 2003, Geneva, ITU Telecom World, and prior to that, CommunicAsia. GPS has been present all the times! Why, if someone even cared to check Global Sources, or even Alibaba, they'd be spoilt for choice.
During several trips to Shenzhen, and also during the various China Sourcing Fairs, I came across GPS, embedded into various devices -- PMPs, MP3/MP4 players, etc. Since it has been in the mobile phone for some time, there's always no doubt of it not making an appearance elsewhere.
In India, I believe, the problem lies more with not having ready, detailed maps of places. However, this is a problem that is being addressed.
Recently, a colleague, a youngster, who's just started his career, quizzed me about GPS, where a client had told him that GPS can't be used in mobile phones! The moment I heard this, it immediately stuck me that this so-called client, who mentioned such a thing about GPS, isn't even aware of the industry, or rather, does not have a telecom background!
This is the Internet world. All the information I've given above, has been available on the Internet for a long time. No excuses, if people can't look it up!
God bless us all from ignorance! ;) Ignoring ignorance? At your own peril!
Wishing everyone a very happy 2009!
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