Helen Yu, CEO and founder of Tigon Advisory
Chief Customer Officer | Board Advisor | Thought Leader | Keynote Speaker | Digital Transformation
| Cyber Security | AI
Helen Yu believes growth thrives at the crossroads of #tech and #humanity. As CEO and founder of Tigon Advisory, Ms Yu helps start-up technology founders accelerate growth while creating deeper customer experiences. Described as “a rare combination of intellect, work ethic, and compassion often not found in C-level executives,” Helen has led multibillion-dollar revenue growth and profitability for early-stage start-ups, pre-IPOs and Fortune 500 enterprises - including Oracle, Adobe and Marketo.
Ms Yu has been named a Top 10 Global Influencer in Digital Transformation by IBM, Global Cloud Top 15 Thought Leader, Top 10 Cybersecurity Influencer and Global Top 10 Marketing Thought Leader by Thinkers360. When she’s not scaling Mount Everest or ice climbing glaciers, you can find Ms Yu on Twitter @YuHelenYu.
Who do you most admire in business?
I admire Richard Branson because:
1. Richard made a mistake in his early life and turned his life around.
2. He breaks the rules, takes risks and creates ideas and businesses that stand out.
3. He respects others, regardless of their status.
4. Richard always gives back.
5. Richard is audacious, gritty, fun and visible.
What companies or brands do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Apple has been voted the most admirable brand for 12 years. The “think different” brand identity makes Apple stand out. The FBI–Apple encryption dispute strengthened Apple’s brand image because consumers feel their privacy being better protected by Apple.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
“You can’t make anything idiot proof because idiots are so ingenious.”
What drives or motivates you each day?
Treating every day as if it were the last day of my life drives me to make every moment counts.
What are your thoughts on the future of social media?
Social media will become more integrated with everyday business decisions.
Do you have a mentor or do you mentor anyone?
I had mentors earlier my career, and I now have sponsors. I mentor upcoming leaders in my spare time.
How do you network?
I network with people via Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, WhatsApp, WeChat and Telegram. I also speak at conferences and events where I network with people.
How did you get into this line of work and What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same line of work?
It was serendipity for me to get into the Technology world. I was a financial analyst who was tasked to lead a financial system implementation at a manufacturing company. That made me realize how tech-savvy I could become and led me to business and technology consulting.
Never box yourself into a field what your degree says. Always proactively explore, expand and reinvigorate yourself.
What you wish you were told when you were young?
You will move in the direction of the people you associate with. It is important to associate with people who are better than yourself.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
The best way of measuring your success is to benchmark your own progress, rather than compare yourself to others.
What’s the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Lack of Growth Mindset is a fatal trait for those who fail. The Fixed Mindset prevents people from continuous learning and embracing other perspectives.
What are you most proud of in your life?
I am most proud of being a Student of Life. I started my career as an accountant, moved up to financial analyst, transitioned to business and technology consulting and management. I expanded myself from finance to marketing, social media and artificial intelligence. Recently I am certified in cybersecurity by MIT. I started my own company two years ago. It has been very rewarding to always learn and expand myself.
How do you define success?
Success is measured by how much positive impact you make on others. I started to wring my eulogy a couple of years ago. I reflect from time to time and remind myself about the legacy I’d like to leave behind: Passion, Curiosity and Grit.
What do you think your unique skill(s) is that has helped you become successful?
Learning from my failure without losing my “grit” has well-prepared me for greater success.
What valuable lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience?
Always embrace your setbacks, learn from mistakes and never give up.
Is there anything new you are working on that you would like to share?
I will deliver a keynote speech “How to Get Cyberfit” for the upcoming Institute of Risk Management conference in Zurich November 26.
Where’s your favourite place?
My favourite place is Silicon Valley, where I find entrepreneurship, energy, ideas and diversity intersect.
What is your hobby?
I love outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking and skiing.
Most embarrassing experience?
I bought gifts to European customers. None was delivered due to my luggage being lost by the airline.
What are you not very good at or what are you good at?
I am not good at drinking. I am good at cooking, hosting a party and having a blast with friends and family.
Which words do you overuse?
Really?
Your social media platform of choice?
Twitter is where I exchange information with my digital community on a daily basis.
When are you happiest?
I am happiest when I am on top of a mountain. Heaven is atop a mountain cabin watching sunrise and sunset with friends.
Your favourite writer, author, movie, singer & TV show?
My favourite TV show is Seinfeld.
My favourite movie is Forest Gump.
My favourite book is Shoe Dog by Phil Knight.
Coldplay is my favourite band, with Chris Martin’s Clock remains my favourite song.
Who do you most admire?
I admire my grandmother the most. She raised me along with nine cousins. Being the only girl and youngest, grandma made sure I grew up strong. Hard-working, straight talk and being kind are the top qualities I learned from her.
A positive phrase you like to share with people.
“Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.”
- John Lennon