Human Resource Advisory Enterprise
Career-pedia
Aug 27, 2024
Q1: What industry are you in?
A1:Principal Consultant in Buddy Town, a Human Resource Advisory Enterprise, aims to help Hong Kong companies resolve their personnel needs. We have a social mission to bridge the gaps between the companies' demands and the labor force's needs.
In addition to my role as Principal Consultant, I also serve in the following capacities:
Career Coach and Consultant
Career Advisor for a local university
Human Resources Consultant
Visiting Lecturer for local and overseas universities and education institutions
Corporate Trainer
Keynote Speaker
Q2: Can you tell us about your personal work background and career path?
A2: I graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong with a degree in Social Science. After trying a few jobs, I chose to pursue a career in administration and human resources management. I obtained two master’s degree and a professional qualification in coaching and training afterwards.
Over the past 30+ years, my work experience can be divided into three distinct stages:
The first 10 years: I worked as a human resources generalist, gaining solid experience across various HR areas such as recruitment, compensation, training, and employee relations.
The second 10 years: I widened and deepened my industry exposure and management experience, working in both public and private organizations.
The third 10 years: I transitioned to become an independent human resources consultant and career coach. In 2016, I started my own social enterprise, Buddy Town.
My career path has been quite varied, evolving from a corporate HR practitioner to an independent consultant and entrepreneur. I've gone from a generalist to a specialist, and from an in-house management role to a service provider for both corporate and individual clients.
Q3: What are the responsibilities of your current role, and what do you enjoy about it?
A3: At Buddy Town, my key responsibilities include:
Services Delivery:
Career Coaching and Consultation: Providing guidance on career direction, job search, resume review, and interview preparation.
Training and Teaching: Designing and delivering programs on HR management and various soft skills for corporations and educational institutions.
Other Management Responsibilities:
Marketing and Sales: Developing marketing strategies, promoting services, and identifying target markets through social media and digital marketing.
Networking and Partnerships: Building relationships with clients, business partners, and industry peers to facilitate collaboration and business growth.
Financial Management: Handling accounting, cash flow, and financial/tax reporting.
HR Management: Recruiting and managing part-time staff and freelance partners.
Customer Relations: Addressing client needs, resolving complaints, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
Research and Learning: Staying informed about industry trends and best practices to remain competitive and drive business growth.
Community Engagement: Engaging with the local community, participating in community events, and volunteering for social responsibility and good.
I have enjoyed the multi-faceted aspects of my roles, which have enabled me to experience different job functions. This has also provided me with the opportunity to continuously learn new skills, such as accounting, digital marketing, technical writing, and creative writing.
Q4: Could you share a memorable professional experience?
A4: One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is the long-term partnerships I've built with my clients. I have more than a dozen clients (aka “Buddies”) who have been with us for over 5 years, and some for more than 8 years. Many of these clients have also become my working partners.
Q5: What personality traits are well-suited for this profession?
A5: Different personalities can suit this role, each with their own focus. As an INTP and Enneagram No. 5, I am a very introverted person. Yet, I think I fit the job well because my strong research and learning interests enable me to excel at both desktop research and fieldwork execution.
Q6: Are there any considerations or limitations in this profession?
A6: You need to have a strong passion for your job and profession, as you need to upgrade yourself from time to time. As an independent consultant, you need to build your personal brand by contributing your expertise in different arenas, such as giving talks and seminars, receiving interviews, and writing articles for different platforms.
Q7: How can someone enter this profession, and what are the promotion opportunities?
A7:
Continuous Learning and Developing Expertise: Specialize in a particular industry and your own niche area of specialization. Stay updated on industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies through workshops, courses, certifications, and networking events.
Building a Strong and Large Network: Cultivate relationships with clients, industry professionals, and thought leaders to expand your network and create new business opportunities. My extensive personal network (e.g. >20K LinkedIn 1st connection) enables me to have more and better business opportunities.
Seeking a Good Coach and a Mentor: Find a mentor or coach who can provide guidance, support, and valuable insights to help you navigate your consulting career and overcome challenges.
Delivering High-Quality Work: Consistently deliver exceptional results for your clients to build a strong reputation and generate positive word-of-mouth referrals.
Marketing Yourself: Develop a strong personal brand, create a professional online presence, and showcase your expertise through thought leadership, speaking engagements, and content creation.
Expanding Your Services: Diversify your service offerings to meet clients' evolving needs and create new revenue streams for your consulting business.
Embracing Technology and Skills: Leverage technology tools and platforms to streamline your consulting processes, improve efficiency, and deliver client value.
By Steve, Principal Consultant in Buddy Town