Editor's note: In today's A Day in the Life interview, Tricia Koh (pictured), Commercial Director for Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, Allianz Trade, shares how a recent experience of leading a cross-functional project enabled her to grow professionally and her typical work day.
FutureCFO: What does a typical day look like for you?
Tricia Koh (TK): As a routined person who likes getting up early, I always start my day with a cup of coffee and workout. I would then take my daughter to school and head into the office.
My work day usually starts with meetings to get an update on strategic initiatives, business development, and client management. I work closely with my team, which spans across Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, to ensure that we are meeting our targets and objectives.
As commercial director I oversee different aspects of our operations and I provide guidance, support, and leadership to ensure that everyone is aligned with our goals.
A significant part of my day is dedicated to interacting with customers. Together with my teammates, I enjoy meeting with prospects and customers to understand their business strategies, address their concerns, and provide tailored solutions to meet their specific needs.
Staying informed about market trends, competitor activities, and regulatory changes is crucial in the insurance industry.
I allocate time to review market research reports and analyse data to make informed decisions. Building relationships with key stakeholders such as brokers, financial institutions, and industry associations is essential. I attend networking events, conferences, and industry forums with my teammates to stay connected and explore partnership opportunities.
The insurance industry is dynamic and constantly evolving. I invest time in continuous learning by attending training sessions, workshops, and industry seminars to stay updated on best practices and emerging trends.
Overall, my days are fast-paced, challenging, and rewarding as my teammates and I work towards driving growth, delivering value to clients, and maintaining Allianz Trade’s position as the global leader in trade credit insurance.
Caring for animals in need fosters empathy, compassion, and altruism—qualities that are essential for building meaningful relationships with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.
FutureCFO: What excites you the most when you work with CFOs and finance functions ?
TK: Collaborating with CFOs and finance directors brings about a multitude of exciting opportunities.
The interaction with these key stakeholders not only allows for a deeper understanding of the financial intricacies of businesses but also presents a platform for strategic partnerships that can drive growth and mitigate risks effectively.
One of the most exciting aspects of working with CFOs is the opportunity to engage in strategic decision-making processes.
By aligning trade credit insurance solutions with the financial objectives of the organisation, my team and I are able to create tailored risk management strategies that support business growth while safeguarding against potential credit risks.
Trade credit insurance plays a crucial role in protecting businesses from non-payment risks, insolvency, and political uncertainties. By working closely with CFOs, it allows me and my team to design comprehensive risk management frameworks that ensure financial stability and resilience in the face of market fluctuations or unforeseen events.
Working closely with CFOs offers the opportunity to build long-term relationships based on trust, transparency, and mutual success.
By understanding the unique financial needs and goals of each organisation, this interaction allows my team and I to tailor our services to deliver maximum value and support sustainable growth over time.
This partnership approach fosters a sense of shared responsibility in managing risks effectively while seizing opportunities for expansion and diversification.
FutureCFO: Can you share an experience which was key to your professional growth?
TK: A recent experience which was instrumental to my professional growth was when I took on a cross-functional project leadership role which required me to collaborate with colleagues from different functions, geographies and divisions, each bringing their unique expertise to the table.
As the project lead, I had to effectively communicate the goals, delegate tasks and ensure everyone kept “their eyes on the prize” and on track towards achieving our objectives.
I gained a deeper understanding of how to leverage the strengths of each team member to maximise our collective output.
By successfully leading this project to completion, I not only enhanced my professional capabilities but also earned the trust and respect of my peers and senior management.
This experience taught me the importance of adaptability, resilience, and continuous learning in a dynamic work environment. It also highlighted the significance of teamwork and collaboration in achieving successful in complex projects.
FutureCFO: Is there anything outside work—such as a travel experience, a book, participation in a sport event or any volunteering experience—that serves as an important inspiration to your work or life? Can you tell us more about it?
TK: For me, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance and overall well-being.
In my personal time, I like trail running, playing tennis and volunteering at an animal rescue. These activities provide me a sense of fulfilment, motivation, and perspective.
I love trail running for the physical and mental aspects of the sport. The connection with nature, the challenge of navigating terrains, and the solitude of the trails can be incredibly inspiring.
I enjoy the feeling of a sense of freedom, clarity, and peace while I am out on the trails. The discipline needed to train often mirrors the dedication required to excel in professional endeavours. Setting goals, overcoming obstacles, and pushing limits in trail running can instil a sense of achievement and confidence that carries over into other aspects of life.
Tennis is a sport I've played since childhood and a great way to stay active. It's also an opportunity to practice strategic thinking and decision-making under pressure.
I believe the mental resilience developed through playing tennis can be beneficial in professional life as well. Handling wins and losses gracefully, staying composed under pressure situations, and continuously striving for improvement are qualities that can contribute to success both on the court and in the workplace.
I often volunteer at an animal rescue. It provides me a sense of purpose. Caring for animals in need fosters empathy, compassion, and altruism—qualities that are essential for building meaningful relationships with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.
Moreover, volunteering at an animal rescue helps me put life into perspectives and allows me to give back to the community. This experience serves as a humbling reminder of what truly matters in life and inspire me to approach work with a greater sense of empathy and social responsibility.
