Jaclyn Chan, Country Manager of Technogym Singapore, on Emphasizing a Comprehensive, Impartial Management Approach
- LingJie Tuang
- May 8, 2024
- 5 min read
As the country manager of Technogym Singapore, she is dedicated to cultivating a workplace culture that is equitable and assembling a team of individuals that contribute to the culture based on objectives rather than merely conforming to it.
With over 15 years of experience, Jaclyn Chan has engaged with numerous esteemed lifestyle and luxury companies both domestically and internationally. She has held positions in leadership consultancy and has also been involved in managing property ventures. Her focus on the wellness and fitness sector significantly fueled her enthusiasm to participate as a certified spin and yoga instructor. Her present position as Country Manager for Technogym Singapore has facilitated her professional advancement. Her dedication to personnel development and cultivating a culture of kindness, humility, and respect among her colleagues has enabled her to spearhead this esteemed exercise equipment firm.
As Singapore's country manager for the Italian luxury wellness brand Technogym, she is consistently focused on making a positive influence on her team and colleagues within her domain. She aims to cultivate individuals' optimal qualities while maintaining a focus on outcomes. She asserts that essential attributes for a modern woman to thrive in today’s business environment include confidence, which she defines as an understanding of one's own worth and the ability to contribute value through certain skill sets. Confidence is fundamentally your capacity to strive diligently to attain your objectives.
Jaclyn considers self-awareness in identifying prejudices essential, as bias is ubiquitous among individuals and organizations; thus, an organization's culture has a crucial role in shaping or reinforcing these biases. “It is essential to instill this self-awareness within the team,” elucidates Jaclyn. Furthermore, engaging in challenging discussions necessitates courage to address inappropriate behaviors and to steer the dialogue towards a constructive outcome.
Jaclyn asserts that women can effect change in the fitness sector dominated by men and achieve feats that men cannot. She underscores that the fitness and wellness business has significantly evolved, with an increasing number of women assuming leadership and influential roles. For many, fitness is synonymous with muscular guys engaging in weightlifting at the gym. The fitness spectrum has significantly broadened, extending beyond the confines of physical health. Individuals now have a broader array of options for their fitness endeavors, ranging from HIIT activities to Pilates. Women have increasingly established their presence in these domains as well. She aspires to observe a trajectory of equity for women in the fitness sector as leaders or influencers.
Jaclyn asserts, “I also deliberately remind myself and other leaders that achieving diversity transcends merely fulfilling an arbitrary ‘inclusion’ target ratio.” The method should involve selecting the most qualified candidate through a stringent and impartial selection procedure, fostering a fair workplace culture, and assembling a team of individuals who contribute positively to the culture rather than merely conforming to it.
What unique contributions can women offer that males cannot? She asserts that employers ought to acknowledge that women can contribute equally to males. Their mindsets and exemplary attitudes should be acknowledged and celebrated irrespective of gender. She asserts that women have been portrayed as excessively empathic, sensitive, or even 'soft.' However, it is now evident that categorizing qualities by gender presents an overly simplified and generalized perspective. She emphasizes the need of acknowledging individuals for their identities and the perspectives they bring to the workplace, which can enhance the organization's dimension and worth. This is applicable to all genders.
In response to inquiries regarding the younger generation's potential to transform the workforce while managing job and familial responsibilities, Jaclyn confidently asserts, “I believe it is feasible to maintain both a career and a family.” The conventional mindset, possibly rooted in an Asian value system that retains elements of patriarchy, posits that women are inclined to choose family before profession. In my experience, this choice affects all genders to differing extents.
She emphasizes that the paramount need is for both women and men to comprehend the finite nature of time and its intrinsic significance. Opportunities arise for each life objective, and proficient time management facilitates a balanced allocation of these priorities. She is aware of a managing director accompanied by five children and guys who have relinquished their employment to prioritize their families. She contends that a progressive workforce ought not to be constrained by office hours; rather, it should prioritize results and objectives. All genders deserve respect while balancing employment and children, as it is a challenging endeavor. Individuals may want to regulate their time whether working remotely or in an office setting; nonetheless, the focus should be on the results of their labor.
She also incorporates vital skills and qualities that contemporary professional women should possess, including the embrace of reliability, relentlessness, resourcefulness, and respect for themselves and others. In the absence of these attributes, no individual, irrespective of gender, can assert themselves and demonstrate their genuine value.
Every woman must cultivate an attitude of inquiry, a passion for personal development, and implement tangible actions, rather than pursuing growth for its own sake. Act in accordance with your best interests given your current circumstances. Occasionally, being stationary and reassessing yields greater transformative progress.
Regarding the appropriate counsel for women striving to leadership roles in the workforce, Jaclyn underscores, “Permit yourself to experience, accept the pain, shame, and anger.” It is our obligation as humans to experience emotions. However, it is crucial to remain vigilant about prolonged immersion in such condition. Rejuvenate, reassess, release, and progress.
Jaclyn emphasizes several crucial health guidelines pertinent to contemporary fitness for busy professional women. She advocates for women's physical activity, emphasizing that mobility is vital for health and a key component of graceful aging. Physical activity is essential for a healthy lifestyle and is seen as a form of medication for our bodies, minds, and overall health. In alignment with its objective, Technogym offers customized training regimens accessible via equipment consoles and the Technogym App, even for individuals confined at home during the epidemic.
Jaclyn cites her friend, Victoria Campbell, as the type of woman she admires. She was not only a triathlon champion, a swimmer for Germany, and a Nike-sponsored athlete, but she also became her closest friend during that time. Jaclyn states, “In one competition, she was obstructed by two male swimmers in open water.” Rather than veering left or right and decelerating, she opted to accelerate and maneuvered between them. In the triathlon, she secured first place overall, surpassing both male and female competitors. She exemplifies the essence of perseverance in the face of adversity.
The country manager envisions Technogym Singapore becoming the benchmark for workout equipment and wellness solutions within the next five years. She states, “I desire for our customers in Singapore to acknowledge the brand's credibility and reliability stemming from its exceptional innovation and design, which are brought to fruition through the positive collaborations fostered by my team.”
I contend that every prosperous organization is supported by its personnel, and my objective is to empower clients to distinguish us from our competitors through a genuine, efficient, and innovative business methodology. Technogym, with its distinctive ecosystem including interconnected smart equipment, software, and applications, is the sole brand capable of providing a whole wellness experience, encompassing both equipment and digital content.
Comments