Views & insights from a mentee – Terence Koo Commercial Director at SingTel Optus

Acquire established our mentoring programme back in 2014, we now have over 25 mentors (Executives from a variety of leading businesses) on our mentoring panel. We recently sat down to explore the views and insights gained from one of our past mentees. Terence Koo is the Commercial Director, Retail for SingTel Optus, he partners the VP Retail and oversees all financial and commercial operations for a network of over 350 Yes Optus stores across the country.

Terence immediately explained the importance taken to understand his needs; the matching of a mentor was a considered one, which worked well from the start. The balance was also right between sufficient structure to ensure the time spent was right for the investment but also with sufficient latitude.

I explored some of his goals and objectives. It was clear that in Terence instance he had a couple of key objectives around advice for performing his role and his career growth. Having a mentor that provided reinforcement and confirmation that focussing on the people side was the best way to get results in today’s business environment. “My mentor and I are both numbers people, and for us to say our most important role is people, not numbers is counter intuitive but it’s true”

Terence went on to discuss the broad topics he would explore and debate with his mentor. This ranged from everything from setting a strategic vision to his own individual priorities, providing clarity and accountability and even further to either talent or performance management.

I asked Terence about the advice he would offer to future mentees of our programme. He was very clear that first and foremost is the importance to understand what you want out of the relationship. Once clear, as much as possible asked to be matched with someone that can assist you to achieve this, not necessarily the person that looks the best on paper. He concluded it was a great journey and a real support to his development and progression within SingTel Optus.

Note: This is an invitation only programme. However, we welcome enquiries from sponsoring firms and leading executives that are interested in becoming ‘future’ mentees / mentors. For more information please visit: https://www.theacquiregroup.com.au/knowledge/

Contact:
Gavin Houchell on gavin@acquireknowledge.com.au
Martin Pardoe on martin@acquireknowledge.com.au