Viola Tam, Director, Mutual Fund Sales at
Principal Global Investors (Asia) Limited
discusses the investment fund industry and the
importance of life-long learning.
What initially drew you to the investment fund industry?
Why did you choose this as a career?
I've been in the fund industry for 13 or 14 years. When I
moved to Australia I joined an American-style investment bank.
And then when I moved back to Hong Kong, I continued working
for that company. My first experience with the fund investment
industry was when I was with the IT division of my company. I
started learning more about banking. When the bank started a
branch here in Hong Kong I had a chance to expose myself to
all kinds of operations. Then I went into the operations team
and then business development up to a more senior role looking
after the region's unit trusts.
So would you say that you plotted out a career path and
stuck with it?
There were a lot of experiences and I was exposed to a lot of
things. When you start off, you need to set up the systems,
you need to get your first clients, then improve the quality
of your services and then you expand your business and get
more new staff. Things change and the career is the same, but
there are a lot of new challenges. It gives me the drive to
stay in the industry. And I still find it very interesting.
What about your job made you
decide to stay in this field?
Well, when I see the industry growing, I think this is very
encouraging. I know a lot of people ¡V many of us, actually ¡V
doing educational projects because the public wasn't really
familiar with unit trusts until five or six years ago. When
you started talking about MPF people were getting more aware
of that and more willing to listen to you. So I see a gradual
change in the industry. The community is more interested in
unit trust investment. And the things that we have had to deal
with, for example the financial markets, starting with 1995
and the boom years and the financial crisis and the tech
bubble, a lot of things have happened. It affects how you
manage your clients, how you manage your business. You have to
learn to react. [Clients] have different demands and they put
their problems to you and ask you to sort them out. This is
the part that is the most challenging. You have to renew
yourself and keep yourself going forward.
How do you think choosing CIIA
qualification has affected your career?
Well, actually I¡¦ve only had it since last year. But in the
past when I wanted to take some courses, I always found that I
was too busy. A lot of business activities conflict with class
schedules, so even if I wanted to, I just couldn't. I tried to
do a lot of reading. But when I found out that this was a
globally recognised certification I thought that this was a
good opportunity. And one good thing is that I didn't have to
attend any courses. I prepared the material on my own and then
arranged a time to sit for the exam. And you can choose to
take all the exam papers on the same day and you get a yes or
no straight away. This is the terrific part about it, I mean
for me, since I have to look after my family and my job.
So you think the CIIAR
qualification is well-suited to the busy executives
Yes, well there are a lot of choices, but this is one way that
I can continue my education. If I took another course I
wouldn¡¦t even have time to attend the lessons. I have to
prioritise my time. I know that the business is the most
important thing.
Would you like to study more?
Maybe in another area, maybe psychology or something like
that. I think if I can have more knowledge of other fields it
would be helpful.
I guess psychology can be
applicable to many different fields. Do you think it would be
helpful in dealing with people at work?
The initial part is that I want to deal better with my kids,
but it could also help in dealing with clients or business
partners. It would be another layer, if I have more knowledge
in that area, it would help.
What are the most important life
lessons you have learned through your work?
Work is part of my life. You need to be honest and be
professional at all times. When you talk to your business
partners or even do small things, people take note of what you
say and how you behave and what kind of things you deliver to
them ¡V whether you are consistent. Principles that apply to
work also apply to life.
What career achievements are you
most proud of?
Well, I like my job. I have met many different kinds of people
¡V different clients, different bankers. It's been a valuable
experience. In terms of achievement, I would say I am quite
well-respected in the industry. I try to do more in addition
to my job in the investment fund industry, I have joined some
club committees and when I have the opportunity, I do some
educational projects. I think this has a positive affect on
the whole industry. Maybe not directly, but at least when you
see the industry growing, you know that you have put in the
effort and you feel very happy about that.
What qualities do you have within
yourself that have helped you to achieve so much?
I think knowledge and experience are important, as well as
ethics and a strong character. These are the things that
determine whether you are long-lasting or just a flash in the
pan.
Has it been more difficult for you
as a woman to progress in such a male-dominated industry?
People who work in this industry are mostly men, but there is
no reason why women can't succeed too. Maybe their focus is
more on family, but I think women now are more independent. I
don't think it is impossible to succeed. You just have to put
in some effort. It really depends on if you like the work or
not. If you enjoy it, things become easier.
What advice do you have for young
professionals who want to follow in your career path?
Well, the most important thing is that you really need to
enjoy your work. Finishing university is just a first step.
When you find your first job you need to develop your skills
before you can progress. I know that all jobs now are very
demanding in terms of the time you have to put in. But you
need to allocate your time efficiently. You have to make
sacrifices. You have to do a few hours of reading every night
so that you can achieve your goals.
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