Larry Leung, Principal, Transformidy
Customer experience strategist building solutions to maximize customer lifetime value, engagement, and revenue potentials.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
I like using Instagram because it's a visual social media platform and appeals to my creative mind.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I have a background in IT and business process consulting with a side focus on leadership development. My current role explores the business culture and empowers companies to build better customer and employee relationships.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
My career matches my creativity, technical knowledge, and business acumen well. Since every company has their own unique challenges, I find the work interesting.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
When it comes to building better customer experiences, focus on the pain points and not the successes.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
My curiosity mindset motivates me to improve myself, engage with others, and assist those who seek support.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
I am proud of the life choices I have made so far. I had to make some bold decisions to pivot into different roles.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
While I would prefer meeting people in person, I am equally at ease doing so virtually.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Observation, out-of-the-box thinking, and inclusiveness all contribute to my success along the way.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
Getting a mentor sooner would be beneficial in my career development.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
I admire Steve Jobs. He had a vision for the masses and inspired teams to execute it through imagination, hard work, and determination.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
I like to travel and experience the world. I also like to spend time volunteering at local communities groups.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you been managing it?
Both. The pandemic forced me to reflect on who I was and what my abilities were. I used reflection to build new products and services to assist companies in need. One area I spent time on improving is sleep quality. I went from an early pandemic low of 4-5 hours to 7-8 hours of sleep today.
Do you have a mentor or have you ever mentored anyone?
Yes - both. Mentoring can serve many needs like a sounding board, a support network, and a knowledge database, etc.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Build better observational skills by staying silent, discovering other people's perspectives, and listening.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Overthinking about the outcome instead of the journey.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
It is never too late to start, build, and create.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Apple, Lego, Virgin Group, Starbucks, and NPR.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
I define success as a feeling of making positive changes (whether they are to a person, a community, or a business). Lessons learned: You can make a difference by taking small steps.