Gina Wong

Nature abhors a vacuum. In Asia, advanced technology adoption is filling the voids created by industry disruption and born in the cloud companies.  To survive and compete in the digital era, companies look to self-build, outsource or a combination to acquire and deploy the latest, greatest innovative technologies.  

 

7 months ago, following my departure from Big Blue, I set out on a new mission capitalising this vacuum - a journey of imagination and design began…  Buried intensely in early stage incubation activities, this blog had to take a backseat…

 

Fast forward, this week, we officially launched our new brand and company ! Say hello to LEAP - the latest AI adoption company in Singapore.  At LEAP, we deliver measurable business outcomes for our customers using AI and cloud to digitally transform their businesses.  Find our first online presence here.

 

Blogging from my departure at Big Blue - this is my greatest career leap forward and outward - out of US global MNC to a local firm - out of comfort zone to “DIY-everything” - from predictability to a world of ambiguity (& suspense), from planned execution to designed invention. 

 

In the last 4 months, I have interviewed more candidates than I have in last 4 years.  I often get asked this question:

Why did I move out of MNC, especially doing well in a great role ? 

 

Exploit good risks, you miss 100% of the shots you didn’t make. This is a darn good shot to make in my and my mentors view (you know who you are :)) Born in Asia for Asia, a Singapore homegrown startup with a big ambition, well-funded, pioneering team…. All the upside to a Yay!   All of us know - to pivot 1% in an global MNC takes eternity.  At a startup, a highly-empowered environment with a supportive and encouraging board gives ample opportunities for ideation and collaborative decision making.  

 

Joining LEAP takes “making history” to another level.  We are on the precipice of something spectacular.  I believe in the company’s vision, I am all-in to get there together with a talented crew.   When I wake up or go to bed thinking: what will we become one day? -  I know this mojo in me has some kick-ass business @LEAP…

 

To my friends out there who knew I have joined some unusual startup, you asked:

How is it working for me ? 

 

Well, 3 words summed it up. 

 

Exuberance

 

Once nicknamed as the Energizer bunny @Avaya, I am now a multi-magnified heavy duty version - I think it is infectious!  In my first 6 weeks, I looked in the mirror and was shocked that I had more white hair in 6 weeks than last 6 months *jaw-dropped*..  When they say ‘with more power comes more responsibilities’ - that also means aging faster!  Despite this, you know it is all worth it contributing to a company you have a stake in.  We are what we built this company to be, so we want to build the best.  My HR recently shared a Forbes article on Super Powers and told me my super power is the energy to ignite action and life at work :) I am feeling HIGH !

 

Congruous

 

There are 3 areas of harmony between me and the company/job.  First, the room of creativity and imagination opens up the little “entrepreneur” in me.  Second month into the job, I asked myself why didn’t I become an entrepreneur earlier! *sob*  Then, on hindsight, if I didn’t have my cumulative MNC experience, I wouldn’t have built the knowledge, skills and network relationships to help me add value here. Second fit was my love for technology.  From helping customers on cloud-first, cloud-only strategies, now I can help them be AI-powered ! Lastly, this job align well with my longer term career aspirations.  This is important - as I invest and excel, I can chart my development path with the right sponsorships.  Being at the right job, at the right time, with the right sponsorship - that’s where I am.  (Grateful…) 

 

Furtherance

 

Headhunting, hiring, brand and culture design, shopping for office space, training, conducting surveys, presenting to Board, office design, merchandising … these are the various multiple-hat activities in the first few months.  This job had not only given me the chance to discover hidden talent but to reinvent and ‘stretch’ myself.  Every day is a new day, new adventure, learning and building something new.  The best part is reflection time - of what was achieved, learned and adapted.  Refine, repeat.  With all good things, comes the bad and ugly too.  Like in any company, there are frustrations and challenges.  But it is learning from these experiences that helped me get better and wiser.

 

Finding autonomy, mastery and meaning at work is key to happy days.  Especially important when work and life blurs, soon, if not already happening.  

 

I am confident the company will become a global brand, starting with phenomenal Asia success - I am very excited to be part of the pioneering team to make that happen.  Through this journey, I look forward to quality time spent with LEAP’s team of super-powers, supported by some cool customers, investee companies and partners!