When I joined AdEasy back in November 2016, the thought of an internal transfer never crossed my mind. Simply because the role I was initially hired for was in my field of expertise, and my goal was to just excel in a new environment. I guess life doesn't always go according to plan.
Here’s the backstory: I started my tenure at AdEasy as a Media Strategist. From a traditional media agency to an adtech startup, it was an exciting career switch for me. As Team AdEasy was still growing then, I was tasked with building the Media team from scratch. Two years later, our Media team was complete when we recruited a Media Executive.
You’ve probably read about the clichés surrounding the startup culture - young, fast-paced, innovative, open communication. These characteristics ring true. I found myself thriving in this environment. Not only does it foster creative idea-sharing, it also encourages collaborative learning. As my teammates come from diverse professional backgrounds, it’s refreshing to see things from different perspectives. I consider myself lucky for landing a career that I enjoy.
I levelled up as a Media Manager in February 2019. I was at the top of my game. Then, the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak happened in early 2020. Needless to say, it affected everyone - including me. I had to adjust to the “new normal” at work. In-person meetings were replaced with Google Meet and Zoom calls. Working-from-home became a fixture. The adoption of remote work also changed our work dynamics.
As an extrovert, I was struggling mentally and physically. I got stuck in a rut. Perhaps it was due to stress, or a change of scenery was in need. I had discussions with my direct manager about my concerns. An opportunity came knocking at the end of 2020, when the company was setting up an Operations team. Our COO, Therine Goh offered me a position as Operations Manager, and I seized it.
With a new role, comes new responsibilities. I took it as a personal challenge with gusto. As I eased into my new function, I realised that these transferable skills I gained during my stint in the Media team facilitated in making the transition smoother:
1. Attention to detail
Not to be confused with nitpicking, being meticulous is necessary. In media execution, for instance, there would be multiple campaigns running concurrently. When mistakes happen along the line, the workflow will be disrupted which would affect budgets, campaign deadlines, and more.
How it helped:
Part of my job as an Operations Manager is to implement frameworks and processes, as well as vet through tons of paperwork and classified documents. Hence, having a sharp attention to detail ensures no crucial step is missed, and no information goes unnoticed. It’s a skill that I could easily apply to different scenarios.
2. Big-picture thinking
Being able to see the big picture enhances decision-making. When you get a grasp of a situation as a whole, you’ll be able to visualise ahead, pinpoint potential issues, anticipate risks and opportunities, then come up with creative ideas to address them.
How it helped:
One of my core tasks is to improve AdEasy’s current operations to maximise our efficiency. For example, automating our onboarding and offboarding procedures, and creating an effective internal communication process to make sure everyone in the team stays updated and connected. The ability to think two steps ahead helps me to foresee the long-term feasibility of a particular initiative prior to implementation.
3. Communication
During my time in the Media team, I was required to liaise with not only the internal teams, but external parties too. Having strong communication skills is imperative to working effectively and harmoniously with multiple stakeholders to move projects forward. Transparent and regular communication is key to building trust and nurturing strong working relationships.
How it helped:
I truly believe that employees are a company’s most valuable assets. I’m passionate about supporting our team’s overall well-being at work. My goal is to create a conducive work environment, where every member of Team AdEasy feels valued and unafraid to speak their mind. One of the Operations team’s ongoing initiatives is monthly 1:1 sessions between HODs/managers and their respective subordinates. By doing so, our team members have a safe space to voice out their thoughts and concerns without fearing any repercussions.
One year on, I still have a lot to learn. But these skills have helped me tremendously in navigating my current role. My advice? Don’t take the skills you acquired from your current job for granted. You’ll never know when you will need them.
