Computerworld Philippines :: BPO Career Watch

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KNOWLEDGE CENTER

Woman on Top

By Jenalyn Rubio
Computerworld Philippines

In a world still significantly dominated by male leaders, Accenture top executive Beth Lui, was among the first few women who have managed to prove that IT is, indeed, also a woman’s world.

Although gender is no longer an issue in this type of work nowadays, Lui shares that her manager back when she was just starting her career told her to “be better than the guys to clearly stand out.” “The advice worked because I learned to aim higher,” the IT veteran discloses.

A certified public accountant (CPA) by profession, Lui graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Sto. Tomas and has been in the IT industry for more than 20 years now. Right after taking the CPA board exam, Lui applied with the audit division of what was then Arthur Andersen (what is now the IT and outsourcing firm, Accenture) and was offered to join the management consulting division. She started as a software developer and eventually moved up the ranks to designer, team manager, and senior executive.

Today, Lui is the country managing director and concurrently the lead for technology of Accenture Delivery Centers in the Philippines, overseeing the overall delivery of technology services such as systems integration, application outsourcing and infrastructure outsourcing.

NO MAGIC FORMULA
According to Lui, when she started her career, she never imagined that she would someday be the country managing director of a giant IT and outsourcing firm like Accenture, sharing that she just took each challenge one day at a time.

“I do not think there is a sure route or magic formula for success. When I started working, my manager told me that in order to stand out; I should strive to be the best. And some 20 or so years later, I still continue to strive to be the best in everything that I do,” Lui says, adding that even in her current position, she still looks forward to learning new things.

According to her, the opportunities to find solutions to problems, to meet, interact and learn from people, and to experience life in various situations are what inspire her to get up each morning and go to work.

Her biggest challenge professionally, the veteran shares, is to constantly look for ways to do better. On the personal side, meanwhile, she says it would be striking a work-life balance. The executive also acknowledged that without a steadfast commitment to client service and a great team to work with, she would not be where she is today.

“At Accenture, we tell our people that there is great power in our personal expectations – we achieve what we believe we can achieve. It is also very important to have a work-life balance so that we can sustain the time and energy commitment to achieve high performance, everyday,” she further shares.

Looking forward, Lui says she wants to continue growing Accenture in the country, for it likewise continues making significant contributions to the outsourcing industry and the Philippine economy.

Asked what legacy she wants to leave behind, Lui says she wants people to realize that Accenture is capable of achievements and industry leadership in the Philippines. “I would like to be remembered as a leader that demonstrated a ‘can do attitude’ and this is something that I would also like my colleagues to espouse. For the industry, I hope that one day, the Philippines will become the globally preferred location for IT and BPO outsourcing.”

SIDEBAR
Favorite Technology: cellphone and laptop (Both allow me to stay connected while allowing me to stay back.)
Favorite non-work pastime: Traveling, playing piano, and being with my pets (of course in addition to my family and friends)
Philosophy in a nutshell: Embrace change. Because change signifies a new beginning.
Something people don’t know about you: I still have to think about this.

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