Strumming the right chords is more than just art
Performance on-stage and on the balance sheet require discipline and practice. Find out how Jean manages to hit the right notes.
Your relationship with music goes a long way back. How much of your free time do you now devote to practice and why?
I do have a strong love for music! My journey started in primary school where I was playing the flute as a member of the symphonic band and this continued all the way to junior college days. What I enjoyed most was playing alongside the other band members. Delivering high quality performance was hard work - we constantly practised together and received feedback from seniors - but it was all worth it.
I'm also familiar with playing the keyboard and to this day, I continue to play these instruments to unwind in my spare time.
What is a typical day as part of the Investment & Asset Management (IAM) team? What is your favourite aspect of your role in the team?
My team oversees the performance of shopping malls owned by CapitaLand Retail China Trust. As the properties are all located in China, I’m given the opportunity to learn about managing retail properties in an overseas market. With the on-ground team based in China - and my team in Singapore - we communicate with one another regularly, which helps to build rapport and improves collaboration.
I enjoy working in IAM as much as I enjoy making music. I believe they're both a science and an art as the job scope requires attention to detail, precision and accuracy to perform well. In IAM, it's more than just knowing your numbers. You've got to be able to see things from different angles and come up with strategies that resonate with investors. In a band, everyone has to play their part and stay well-coordinated to bring the best out of a music piece.
How does the saying, “teamwork makes the dreamwork” hold true with your team? Yay or nay to the company’s culture and why?
To say teamwork is very important would be an understatement. To manage over 10 shopping malls, as well as to process each mall's performance data and operating metrics every month, my colleagues and I divide and conquer by handling specific regions in China where the malls are located in.
Nonetheless, my colleagues often check in on me and readily offer their assistance, which is very thoughtful. I’m also ready to provide a helping hand when they need it and will step in to cover where possible. Definitely a ‘yay’ to CapitaLand's nurturing culture!
What would you say to someone who is unfamiliar with real estate to help them stay woke?
The real estate industry has been adopting consumer-centric initiatives to provide value-added solutions beyond the traditional brick-and-mortar model. For example, CapitaLand is developing the ‘office of the future’ which combines conventional office space with flexible space to meet changing demands. They're also committed in future-proofing its offerings with digital initiatives like retail rewards programme CapitaStar and Ascott Star Rewards, the world's first serviced residence loyalty programme.
Looking back on when you were graduating and had to decide on your next move, what made you join CapitaLand’s Graduate Development Programme and why?
The Programme is designed to allow for job rotations, so I know I’ll be eventually exposed to different parts of CapitaLand’s business. In the process, I get to expand my domain knowledge of real estate to better specialise down the road.
I’ve been fascinated with real estate for as long as I can remember – getting to see the properties physically, gaining access to the inner workings of their operations, and the motivations of their occupants such as tenants and shoppers. CapitaLand is a reputable company and a fast-growing one, especially following its combination with Ascendas-Singbridge, making my decision to sign up for the Programme even easier.
Despite the sheer size of CapitaLand, I expected some form of hierarchy, but was pleasantly surprised to find that the structure within my team is quite flat. This facilitates open communication from within and promotes a problem-solving mindset. They're also a family-oriented bunch and are caring to each other's needs.
Despite the sheer size of CapitaLand, I expected some form of hierarchy but was pleasantly surprised to find that the structure within my team is quite flat. This facilitates open communication from within and promotes a problem-solving mindset. They're also a family-oriented bunch and are caring to each other's needs.
How much do you think you’ve developed since joining CapitaLand? Were there any surprising revelations, personally or at work?
Due to the fast-paced nature of the job, I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone many times. For instance, when it came to liaising with colleagues based in China, I switched from writing them emails to calling them directly as the latter is more efficient. By overcoming my initial apprehension, things got done faster, and this developed my confidence to approach and build rapport with them even if it meant communicating for the first time. What’s more, they’ve been nothing but accommodating and helpful!
While we handle a lot of numbers on a daily basis, the value we provide to the company is evaluating them critically with a business mindset - identifying what works well, what can be improved on, and ultimately devising plans to generate better returns for our investors.
If you had to pick the most memorable part of your journey in CapitaLand's Graduate Development Programme, what would that be?
That’s easy – on group-wide projects and presenting the findings to and having meaningful discussions with senior management. The process was intense yet exciting as we interviewed group department heads and gained insights that newcomers like myself won't normally have access to, highlighting the perks of this Programme. This was also the first time where I got to work alongside other graduate trainees across different disciplines. Sure there were late nights, but we had fun as a group, and those times went quickly by.
The process was intense yet exciting as we interviewed group department heads and gained insights that newcomers like myself won't normally have access to, highlighting the perks of this Programme. This was also the first time where I got to work alongside other graduate trainees across different disciplines. Sure there were late nights, but we had fun as a group, and those times went quickly by.
We've all heard "life is like a box of chocolate." Which quote inspires you at work?
“It always seems impossible until it’s done” by Nelson Mandela.
Whenever a task seems daunting, I believe it’s critical to stay calm, understand the requirements and work on them systematically. Talking to my supervisor and colleagues has helped me identify where to retrieve relevant information and who to liaise with. It's important to have faith in yourself and know that you aren't facing the issues alone.
How realistic is it to "work hard, play harder" since you've started work?
It's achievable that's for sure! Being new to the team, I expected to work late, especially to quickly learn the fundamentals. With time, however, I've come to realise that my team advocates maintaining a healthy work-life balance. My team believes that it’s the quality of work that counts, not the numbers of hours you clock at work.
What advice would you wish you had to better prepare you for joining CapitaLand?
Keep an open mind while inculcating a learning mindset. Voicing opinions is encouraged and doing so tactfully via the right channels can achieve desired outcomes. For example, I brought up an issue about an existing process and suggested ways to make it more efficient. My team lead was very receptive and we were actively streamlining the process. I’m happy that actions were taken and improvements made.
Keep an open mind while inculcating a learning-mindset. Voicing opinions is encouraged and doing so tactfully via the right channels can achieve desired outcomes.
SHOP JEAN'S LOOK AT FUNAN
- Individual Wardrobe by Love Bonito
- Group Wardrobe by Beyond the Vines - The Crew Collection
- Shoes by JD Sports
- Hairstyle by Starlight Salon
- Makeup by Adeline Ariel.L Hair & Makeup
- On location at lyf Funan Singapore
- Photography: Hosanna Swee