Previously, we focused on Patrick and Lily in our Life@Oi spotlight, who demonstrated opportunities for career growth within our company.
In this instalment, we are highlighting Thuy Lam, one of our Vietnam Merchandising Managers who continuously personifies our values through her work at Otto International and her pursuits outside the office.
Thuy has a wealth of experience in the garment industry. After working at various companies in Vietnam, she joined Otto International in 2015 as a merchandiser and in a short time rose to Sourcing Officer. During this time, she became more acquainted with the Vietnam sourcing scene and was one of the youngest people in the local management team. In 2023, she became the merchandising manager for two of our primary customers. While her primary role is with them, Thuy has consistently searched for ways to develop customers’ reach in the Vietnam market and supported our Business Development team in their endeavours.
Thuy exemplifies our motto of ‘It Starts with Me,’ seeking opportunities to develop her capabilities and those around her. Her passion for learning and sharing knowledge is evidence of her dedication to leading by example, underscoring the essence of Life@Oi.
Expanding her knowledge
Her drive to push her limits stems from her belief that ‘everyone should try to constantly grow towards their next step.’ With this principle in mind, Thuy pursued a master’s in business administration while working at Otto International, equipping herself with the necessary skills to better manage various areas of our business. She believes that ‘everyone’s knowledge is limited. If we have the opportunity to learn more, we should take it.’
Balancing work, studies, and family is undoubtedly challenging. However, Thuy emphasises that Otto International’s flexible working arrangements made this balance feasible. The mutual trust cultivated between Thuy and her managers played a crucial role, providing her with the confidence to manage both work and academic commitments. When there were tight school deadlines, Thuy felt comfortable to speak up: ‘I could ‘openly discuss my challenges with my managers, who would listen and collaborate with me to ensure I met my academic deadlines while fulfilling my work responsibilities.’ The supportive environment allowed Thuy to seamlessly incorporate her further studies into her work routine.
The impetus for Thuy to study a master’s degree was the ability to put the skills acquired from her courses into action. Her studies not only enhanced the practical skills she employs in her day-to-day tasks, such as developing her research skills for new customers, refining her analytical skills, and finetuning her ability to read financial reports, but it also expanded her strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities. Thuy likens her approach to problem-solving to that of a doctor: She explains that “During my master’s programme, I had to ‘identify the symptoms of a problem within an organisation and find the cause for those symptoms.’ Thuy carries this mentality into her daily work, finding solutions for the root of the issues she finds rather than solely treating the symptoms.
Passion for teaching
While she remains dedicated to her role, and constantly learning, Thuy also has a deep passion for teaching. Her ‘It Starts with Me’ mindset motivates her to seek opportunities where she can fulfil both her desire to be a student and a mentor. Over the past year, Thuy has been a guest lecturer at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, teaching globalisation and sustainability. Her aim is to share practical knowledge from the sourcing industry and provide real-life examples of practices that Otto International has implemented. Additionally, Thuy participates in the Vietnam Alumni Mentoring programme, guiding one student through their undergraduate years at her alma mater.
Thuy’s inspiration to pursue mentoring opportunities arises from her desire to ‘bring something to the younger generation.’ During her time at university, she remembers that I didn’t have the chance to meet with people directly from the industry, and such interactions are a valuable experience for both students and teachers.’ As such, she wants to both teach and learn from students, as she believes they will ‘raise new ideas that help support CR topics and can be implemented into our organisation.’
Moreover, Thuy lectures while working at Otto International to lead by example, encouraging her peers to ‘push their limits and do more.’ Her team members are aware of the extensive scope of her responsibilities inside and outside the office, keeping her motivated to continuously enhance her capacity and perform her best. When her peers approach her about how to learn more about the organisation and take on additional responsibilities, Thuy eagerly transitions from manager to mentor, offering guidance and feedback to help them excel. Her mentoring philosophy is to ‘encourage them to do everything with passion – if you love what you do, success will follow.’
Thuy is a proponent of the proactive culture that Life@Oi aims to cultivate. Her inquisitive nature pushes her to expand her knowledge and inspire others to push their boundaries. She is only one example of the kind of spirit our organisation represents, where at the core we encourage our people to be their own leader.
Check out our News page and LinkedIn to read more about our culture and Life@Oi.
