Ever had a peer who journeyed with you for years, witnessing each other's growth as you both transitioned into different roles?
Two Klookers from our Kuala Lumpur office have a story of their own! After celebrating their 6th and 7th Klookiversaries, Nadisha Mirisse and Sin Yin Tham have shown they're no strangers to career change.
Before joining Klook, Nadisha and Sin Yin worked in the F&B industry. They joined our Kuala Lumpur team just as our chapter in Malaysia was being established. Nadisha focused on B2B partnerships and OTAs, while Sin Yin worked across multiple channels to reach our users.
Early in their Klook careers, they experienced role changes as our company restructured for greater efficiency.
Even with their paths crossed, little did they know they'd connect even deeper much later in their careers when they wound up on the same team.
Nadisha (left) and Sin Yin (right) during their early days at Klook—taken during their first Klook offsite in Phuket, Thailand
Growing alongside each other in a new team
It wasn't until a new opportunity knocked on their doors during the post-COVID era that they collaborated even more often. They were tasked to rebuild our B2B channels. With that, they transferred their learnings into a new team, Strategic Distribution.
"As a team, we focus on expanding our product reach through Klook's distribution channels and connecting with new online travel agencies (OTAs). Also, we consider how our products can effectively support OTAs in addressing their user reach," explained Nadisha.
We asked them if they had any challenges working together at the beginning.
Sin Yin reminisced, "During our early days in the Strategic Distribution team, Nadisha and I encountered several operational roadblocks. We brainstormed ideas and eventually found a solution that best fit the situation. It was tough and could get frustrating, but we reminded ourselves of the ultimate goal and checked in with each other on the support we needed. We exchanged feedback without holding back while serving different clientele."
Despite serving different clientele, they often connect outside of work. They even took a workcation together to Manila with their colleagues. Here they're pictured with Villa Escudero in 2022.
Nadisha commented, "What's comforting is that, when we feel like we have a lot on our plates or need a listening ear, we can open up to one another, knowing we have each other's backs. Sin Yin and I remind one another that we're doing our best at any given moment. When we see the other person needing encouragement, we offer verbal recognition such as 'You did a great job in explaining your thought process' or 'That's excellent work - do you mind sharing how you did that?'."
A few months after the Strategic Distribution team was set up, they needed extra help to manage their daily operations. Then came a new addition to the team. And Sin Yin was tasked with mentoring her given their related job scopes.
Strategic Distribution team striking our signature 'K' pose at our Kuala Lumpur office opening in 2023
Sin Yin: Never try, never know
Sin Yin had never seen herself in a leadership position before that. So managing a new member Hajar (spot her on the right in the photo above) was a milestone for her. She concluded leadership skills can be cultivated through consistent effort and a willingness to learn about the colleague you're managing.
"I never thought of mentoring a junior colleague, evaluating their work, and giving feedback like a manager." She adds, "The hardest part about giving feedback is making sure my junior and I are on the same page about her performance. We must be aligned on expectations."
What has changed for Sin Yin since becoming a manager? "Before, I was often critical of errors, and they even seeped into how I interacted with my colleagues. It was like a shadow, casting doubt and tension. But managing Hajar was a turning point. As someone who had been in her shoes, I realized that mistakes weren't failures but stepping stones. I learned to be more understanding and patient with mistakes over time. We're only human after all."
Making pottery as a way to bond with one another while unwinding from work
Nadisha: Seek help and collaborate with others
Having collected many skill sets, Nadisha has noted down learnings of her own. Other than market research, sales target setting, and deal sourcing, there's a more crucial lesson for her growth. It's "understanding partners, especially their pain points and their goals. I learned to listen to their needs and figure out how Klook can help them succeed."
"Let's say a partner is doing great in one market but wants to expand to another. We collaborate with our Business Development team to assess potential solutions. Sometimes, we may not have all the answers, and here's where we have to get creative. It's all about finding the right solutions to their pain points and making sure everyone wins!"
When asked for tips on dealing with unfamiliar partners, Nadisha said, "Try to understand the partner's expectations clearly from the start, have black-and-white information, do your due diligence on researching the local market demand and supply, be prepared for uncertainties but actively seek help from other colleagues or stakeholders who could support partner collaboration."
Mentorship is key to career progression
Thankfully, for projects they're unfamiliar with or need clarification on, both have a support system that enables them to voice out anytime. "We bounce ideas off each other rather than expect someone to guide us through every step. For instance, I'd ask, 'What would a deal execution look like?' My manager would help me understand the big picture so I can execute it on my own," said Nadisha.
Sin Yin added, "We've been fortunate to have managers who offer flexibility and guidance, which has helped us adapt to new environments quickly. Whenever I'm given a new task, my managers and team members assess if I have the necessary skills. If not, they take the time to walk me through it and ensure I’m prepared."
Nadisha and Sin Yin credit their growth to one of their former managers Stefano, whom they met during their Workcation in our Manila office.
Speak up and stay open to challenges
Their advice echoes what many other Klookers have learned: "Grab opportunities whenever they come your way."
Sin Yin explained, "I've noticed that some people hesitate to voice their interest in internal transfers. If a role catches your eye, check the job description, talk to the hiring manager, and even reach out to the person currently in the role to learn more. Even if your current job feels routine, try to find something new or identify learning opportunities to keep yourself motivated."
Nadisha agreed, adding, "You'll always have guidance as you grow here. When I started, I wasn't sure how to ask the right questions, but I learned to seek feedback and analyze potential risks. Speak up if you have concerns. For example, asking 'How could we do this differently?' helps us all work better as a team."
#KeepLooking: Join Nadisha and Sin Yin in opening a new growth chapter at Klook!
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