The post IWTA speaks with Angkana Yukkaseamwong – Head of Global Shared Services, Discova appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Brand TD.
“On the job experiences” remain vitally important as part of the learning process. However, it is challenging work that makes the job more fun. The experience to be able to travel and work with teams in different country has been a critical part for Angkana Yukkaseamwong – Head of Global Shared Services, Discova to deliver excellence in her role.
IWTA Committee connects with her as she shares more about her transition from IT to Tourism, sustained efforts to improve her communication skills with the English language and sharing the new world of tourism with us all.
Q. What advice do you have for young women aspiring to pursue a career in the travel industry?
A. If you are a person who loves traveling and dream of adventure, explore new things, like to meet and talk with both local people and foreigners. Working in the travel industry will give you exactly what you need. You will meet many different people. Learn the culture, the customs, traditions, way of life, including history in each place. You get to understand the lifestyle of people in the local communities. A career in the travel industry means you need to understand customers’ needs and also how tourism benefits the local communities we live and work in. We need to engage appropriately in various places and situations Because we may meet many people, different languages, different nationalities, dressing and positioning ourselves appropriately is important.
Q. How can women support each other in the travel industry to foster a more inclusive environment?
A. In the past, people or organizations, The company will limit gender in work positions such as drivers, tour guides, tour leaders, and leaders in many organizations. Most are men. For the reason that men are the strong, agile gender, able to make decisive decisions. But nowadays it can be seen that our women have potential in many areas and can do everything just like males. In the tourism industry, what is very necessary is communication, and communication here is not limited to just words. But it also means body language, tone of voice, and glances, which I believe are these things. It’s something women can do well. In every position in the tourism industry Communication is very necessary. No matter which title you hold, it is necessary to use clear communication that is easy to understand and to actively listen and be curious about asking lots of questions. We should open the opportunity to consider both men and women for every job. Positions with equality without gender restriction
Women bring extraordinary attributes to our industry. We can endure extremely difficult and challenging conditions, take pregnancy as an example. So, I really believe that women are able to withstand pressure from situations, people, and things very well. We just have to give them a chance to show their potential. And to not limit her ability. In many countries, women are encouraged to have more opportunities to learn scuba diving. That means being in situations where you have to self-help, be focused and understand how to communicate underwater. PADI Women’s Dive Day 2023 will be held over 8 years in 183 countries. These women can lead dive tours in their local area. Earn money to support the family, It is an opportunity for young women to take on challenges. and can also publish underwater locations in residential communities.
Q. What has been the toughest lesson that you have learnt?
A. Working in the tourism industry was very challenging for me, for an IT person who has always been in the Software House line, and even though I had the opportunity to travel within the country and abroad sometimes, it cannot compare to when I had the opportunity to work in this profession fully. When I started my ability to speak, read and write English was not at advanced level. There were some words took a lot of time to learn and remember. So, it has taken a lot of effort to understand. and practice in the beginning. Probably the hardest thing is communication. Because I graduated in IT and have always worked in the IT field, communicating with people in the same field was easy. But when working in the tourism field, new industry and also in addition to that, encountering new vocabulary, I had the opportunity to meet many people from different countries, different languages, different times, and different cultures.
The challenge is when I want to communicate change. From what they do on a regular basis It’s a new way to do it. That is a difficult thing, what to do, how to say it, to make them see that what I present is something better. Plus learning the process of working in the tourism industry that I never knew before. for a limited time and people who need to talk to each other in different job positions It has been difficult and challenging until now. I had to try to think of ways to communicate, draw pictures, explain, and give examples. And that communication must be a 2-way communication, listening, collecting information, understanding, developing and designing again.
Every time I talk to people in different positions and countries, I find it challenging and fun. Some things I have learnt from them. and understand their actions. I learned from service providers in communication. Writing an email and talking with employees at various levels. Even speaking and dealing with difficult conversations like a complaint, still with a smile on my face, that’s amazing, I’m excited to have something new to offer as a leader and know people can learn from me as I can from them..
Finally, I would like to say challenging work makes the job more fun.
Q. What kind of programs or learning opportunities do you think is important in a workplace?
A. Learning from real experiences is very important in the workplace. That person will get the opportunity to experience real products from various organizations. Work on my part will be able to determine where to understand the product flow, this is important to my role at Discova. I worked at Mercedes Benz Leasing Company as Business Intelligent Manager. I had an opportunity from the company to test drive a Mecedes Benz which is a Luxury Brand in Thailand and have tested many models. It was a super car, the selling price was 17 million baht. It helped me understand the product. When I had the opportunity to work at Discova as Head of Shared Service, I have had the opportunities to join tours in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. I remember the Street Eat Tour in Thailand. That time was the first time I walked into the flower market and Tha Phra Athit Road. Even though I was born and raised in Bangkok. But that time was the first time. In addition, I had the opportunity to work abroad. Met colleagues with whom we communicated online. Had a chance to see and learn new things. The experience to be able to travel and work with teams in different country has been a critical part for me to deliver excellence in my role.
I believe these things are my motivation that makes me want to wake up and go to work. Create understanding and collaboration in the organization Understand the product Understand the working characteristics of colleagues in different countries Like I’ve heard people say. “How do we know that food is delicious? If we never eat it”
Q. What does success mean to you?
A. Each person’s success is different. For me, success is seeing everyone are happy, thriving in what they do. And I’m happy to see my ideas or suggestions being implemented. I can see the value my team has where it improves efficiencies for stakeholders. That is something I consider me being successful. It also drives me to think of new things to help people. Success to me is when I feel I bring value and that makes me believe in myself even more.
If you know of any female leaders or up and coming superstars in the Travel and Hospitality industry you would like to nominate, please visit our page and complete a nomination form!
The post IWTA speaks with Angkana Yukkaseamwong – Head of Global Shared Services, Discova appeared first on Brand TD.
