Lai Fong began her career in search in 1998. She was trained in the structured discipline in search process from day one, and diligently applied it in conducting all searches. She has successfully placed roles in senior management as well as technical consulting for companies such as IBM, SUN Microsystems, Lucent, Microsoft, HP, CISCO, as well as Prudential, International SOS, etc. To date she has also added her reach to the luxury goods in the retail, hospitality, voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) and education sectors.
Prior to her Search and Consulting career, Lai Fong was a practitioner in the IT field. She was part of a team to pioneer the automation of the island-wide public service systems for the Housing and Development Board (HDB). Additionally, she was responsible for the IT Plan for SeaLand (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines) to address business needs to reduce cost and raise service qualities. As a Systems Engineer she provided solutions and consulting in IT Application Systems to major IBM accounts, viz., Singapore Airlines (SIA), Housing & Development Board (HDB), Public Utilities Board (PUB) and Ministry of Manpower (MOE).
Since her first Executive Search portfolio, and to appreciate the HR Recruitment functions in an organization, she took several in-house Talent Acquisition assignments. She was engaged to build the first Asia Pacific team of executives for RCI, placements which were located in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. Another was with an education group in the Retail sector – tasked to acquire a new team of leadership for the strategic function in revamping and refreshing the products and services, and embarking on new business expansion.
She is a certified Executive Coach, and Gallup certified Strengths-Finder Coach. A strong advocate in utilising structured leadership assessment tool to facilitate the process of bringing awareness, and uncovering talents in individuals as well as teams. The process also involves reframing perspectives, overcoming barriers and stretching individuals and team potentials to set and reach for higher goals.
The natural talent in connecting people to ideas opportunities and choices makes her a good business partner. She is valued by her clients for her well thought through solutions and strategies to address complex and difficult problems.
She co-founded CoachNetworks Pte Ltd (2008) and Blue Ocean Strategy Singapore (2010), both offering Executive Coaching and Management Consulting services.