Today, I want to share my journey with you all, especially the younger folks, about how I, a simple guy with a Diploma in IT from Ngee Ann Polytechnics, became a digital marketing manager. It's been a ride full of learning, fun and many quits, and I owe a lot to the amazing people along the way.
My path took a turn during my army days in Singapore. I was all set to pursue a Degree in IT, but discussions about the future with my friends changed my direction. They convinced me that to really make it big, I needed to venture into business, not continue with formal education. They recommended Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad, a book that completely altered my perspective.
Convinced by Kiyosaki’s insights, I withdrew from university right after my army service and enrolled in an entrepreneurial course. This was my first real taste of business, pushing me to develop and publicly sell my ideas. I ventured into real estate, working tirelessly until a severe car accident from exhaustion made me rethink my path.
Inspired again by Kiyosaki, I joined multi-level marketing introduced by my army buddy, advancing a few ranks before our enterprise collapsed. Undeterred, I started a website agency with friends. We struggled with pricing and eventually had to let go of the venture. I then attempted to create a gaming console business, quickly learning from a venture capitalist that the real profits were in licensing, not the hardware.
Following these ventures, I worked on sales for an event company, a great learning experience but a temporary role. My entrepreneurial journey continued with a van delivery business, which was quite successful but ended due to partnership conflicts.
I also tried a food delivery service during the World Cup, which gained media attention. Despite its success, I realized the food industry was not for me and moved on.
I took a role as a sales engineer at an IT company. It was filled with lessons on client engagement and sales strategies. However, the role demanded too much time, steering me away from my growing interest in digital marketing. I decided to pivot towards digital marketing, a field where I could gain relevant experience effectively.
This decision led me to a multinational corporate environment where I've spent the past 16 years, evolving from managing websites to leading comprehensive digital marketing campaigns. My experiences have emphasized the importance of aligning sales and marketing to optimize lead generation.
Now, as the APAC Lead Generation Manager at Coface and an aspiring public speaker, I focus on sharing what I've learned about maximizing lead generation through effective digital marketing and sales collaboration. Every step and change has been a building block towards who I am today. I am grateful for every experience and for everyone who’s been part of my journey.
Thanks for reading, and remember, the unconventional path can be rewarding when you connect the dots!