Purpose may point you in the right direction but it is passion that propels you. With over a decade of experience working in Frasers Centrepoint Singapore, Donna Oh, Centre Manager of Bedok Point, lets us in on what motivates her in her career.
Donna Oh, Centre Manager of Bedok Point.
"I started my Frasers journey as an Operations Personnel at Valley Point in 2007. After about 4 years there, I was transferred to take on the Assistant Centre Manager role at Robertson Walk.
The role at Robertson Walk prepared me well for my current position at Bedok Point. It was a pivotal moment in my career where I got the chance to familiarise myself with the daily responsibilities of managing a centre – from preparing and ensuring the smooth opening of the mall, to fostering and maintaining relationships with tenants."
A welcomed change for growth
"Though my overarching job scope has remained almost the same over the years, the varying shoppers’ profiles at the different malls meant that a few things have to be adjusted to give them the best shopping experience. This reminds me of the start of career at Robertson Walk where I realised that my passion lies in providing shoppers and mall-goers the best customer experience possible.
On a regular day, Bedok Point sees mostly families and after-school students socialising in the mall.
"Bedok Point was one of the first suburban malls in the Bedok District before I joined. We often hold events and activities to engage our shoppers at Bedok Point's open plaza. It also happens to be my favourite part of the mall.
We recently held an event at the mall, a live gameshow called "Frasers Word Dash". The word puzzle challenge, which is a take on the popular Wheel of Fortune TV game series, is one of many Frasers initiatives where shoppers are able to participate and win prizes. These activities attract families and friends to visit our malls and have fun together. It is nice to see how our activities and spaces are catalysts for them to bond over an enjoyable time.
The tenant mix at Bedok Point is predominantly food and beverage outlets, and we continually push to attract interesting tenants that are exclusive to our mall, especially within the Bedok area. We want to in still top-of-mind awareness in our shoppers, so that they will think of Bedok Point when they are looking for certain brands. For example, we are proud to have Teo Heng KTV Studio and GYMMBOXX open their only outlet in the Bedok district at our mall.
Experience hones instinct and courage
As a small team of six, it is imperative to align our objectives with the company's goals. Together, we have open discussions where we brainstorm ideas on possible tenants to approach, or activities we can hold in the mall.
Donna sharing a light-hearted moment with two team members.
"Every team member's input is valued and taken into consideration. No one person should say that their idea is the best. Experience has taught me that instinct and courage is best honed by experience. Success is usually derived from a combination of good instinctive decisions and luck. By sharing experiences, we can learn from each other’s mistakes and find an easier path to success."
A team that eats together stays together; Donna with two of her team members tucking into a meal at Bedok Point.
"I am proud that we have created our very own family here at Bedok Point. This contributes to a positive and supportive work environment, and allows us to all work hard and play hard together. Besides the satisfaction gained from securing tenants for the mall, my team fuels the passion that I have for my job. There are also times when we would indulge in the occasional karaoke session!"
Hanging out after work helps to bring the team closer.
Life's delicate balance
"Working in the service industry may sometimes be stressful, which is why I feel that it is important to have a healthy work-life balance. I love cooking and it is somewhat a therapeutic process for me. I usually prepare a traditional and simple Chinese meal – three dishes and one soup for my family once a week.
Aside to that, I believe a healthy body helps maintain a healthy mind. Outside of work, I surround myself with friends and families to retain positive energy. We usually enjoy cycling and food adventures together.
Adapting to the only constant in life — change
The only constant in life is change. We must take it upon ourselves to upgrade our skills to prepare us for the future. With every role that I have taken up in my career, I realise there is always something new to learn. No one will say that they have already attained all the skills necessary in life. For that reason alone, I am always open to opportunities that will help me hone my skills and I encourage those around me to do the same."
Find out more about what Bedok Point offers here.