This issue, INNOVATE caught up with Principal Lecturer & Consultant of IT Strategy & Management Practice, Sharon Lau, to find out what motivates her at work as well as her aspirations for the students of NUS-ISS.
Read on as she shares more about her philosophy in life, breaking out of her comfort zone and exploring new territories inside and outside of work, and an item on her bucket list that she hopes to fulfil.
1. Please tell us about your professional background
I have 20 years of career experience in Information Technology (IT), mainly in Retail and Telecommunication industries. In the last decade, I have worked as a regional technology leader in global retail companies such as Nike, Louis Vuitton and Estee Lauder Companies.
I believe a technologist should have a strong business acumen to bridge both worlds together. The ever-changing and adaptive technology is essential for businesses to transform and keep up with the competitive landscape. With this belief in mind, I have successfully helped many business leaders whom I have worked with previously to embrace new technologies with confidence and success by translating the technology value into a clear and simple business context for the right audiences.
I am passionate about educating and enabling business leaders to adopt and adapt new technology solutions to solve business problems or pursue new business opportunities, especially in implementing best practice methodologies, effective change management and continuous improvement programs for corporate organisations.
2. Could you share more about the modules/courses which you teach at NUS-ISS?
I am currently teaching the Business Agility Bootcamp course and working on designing new courses under the Digital Leadership Practice at NUS-ISS.
3. Why did you choose to teach at NUS-ISS?
It is my honour to be part of the NUS-ISS team to nurture and inspire the next generation of digital talent as I share my insights and experiences. I have always been fascinated with delivering the right idea for the right people at the right time in the right place and NUS-ISS gives me a great opportunity for me to do so.
The diverse responses and engagement level from each interaction will teach me something and inspire me to make a positive impact on people in my career. I am excited to embark on a lifelong learning journey with my fellow colleagues and students at NUS-ISS, with our corporate spirit of ‘Always Learning and Always Leading’.
4. What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy building relationships between my known and my unknown from time to time (yes, this is learning too!) and feeling satisfied when the unknown becomes known to me. I wish for all our students to find this joy of learning as well when they experience our programme and teaching.
5. How do you keep up with the industry?
I particularly like to read news on future predictions and new emerging trends from reputable sources online. I do participate in conferences to meet new people in the industry to exchange ideas and build my professional network.
6. What are your favorite activities when you are not working?
I like to travel to new cities, exercise and meet up with friends.
7. Tell us something about yourself that very few people know.
I have never joined any voluntary organisation in my life before but recently I felt a strong calling to sign up as a volunteer for the Assisi Hospice’s No One Dies Alone (Noda) programme. The Noda programme is part of a growing movement here in Singapore to support dying people who have no family or friends to accompany them in their final hours. I am planning to adjust my commitments to fulfil this calling one day and make a difference in the lives of others.
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