Thomas Bleimuth
After completing my master’s degree of Business in Emerging Markets at FH JOANNEUM, Graz, I joined Google in Dublin, Ireland. Given my passion for Southeast Asia, I transferred to the Philippines where I have been working for Lazada (VP, Head of Brand Partnerships) before joining Agoda (Priceline Group) as Senior Market Manager.
Key Data:
Job Title: Senior Market Manager
Company: Agoda (Philippines)
Work Location: Manila, Philippines
Start Date: February, 2017
My contact
What I do
As part of the Priceline Group (e.g. Booking.com), Agoda.com is the biggest marketplace for hotels and accommodations in Southeast Asia.
As Senior Market Manager, I am leading a team of 7 market managers who in return handle up to 500 accounts (each) in order to maximize their performance on our e-commerce platform ‘Agoda.com’. Additionally, I am leading a team which currently starts to build a portfolio of non-traditional accommodations (Agoda Homes) to be available on Agoda.com as well.
Why I love my job
Besides the pleasure of working with incredibly smart and ambitious Junior Managers, I enjoy the humbling experience of living and operating from a dynamic market like the Philippines. Furthermore, my role enables me to travel every 1-2 weeks to exotic regions such as Cebu or Bohol in order to visit our biggest accounts (hotels) and to further analyze and grow their business on Agoda.
Important skills in my job
- Drafting and analyzing commercial reports and big data
- Sales and Account Management
- Mentoring and coaching of team members
- Online Marketing skills
- Negotiation skills
- Presentation Skills
- Intercultural competencies
The best experience in my job
- By the age of 25, I was able to get hired by Google – the ‘best place to work’ according to Forbes.
- As VP, Head of Brand Partnerships at Lazada, I was able to grow the revenue from marketing partnerships with big brands (e.g. Samsung, Nestle, Microsoft, Unilever) by more than 500% YoY.
- As Senior Market Manager at Agoda, I was offered the opportunity to lead 2 teams instead of 1. (7 market managers and the Agoda Homes department)
How I found my current job
Due to my network and achievements during my time at Lazada Philippines, I was able to put my name out there, which is what has raised the attention of Agoda Philippines. Eventually, they approached me and I was offered the role.
What I learned for this job during my studies
Besides the theoretical skills, I value the soft skills and the opportunity of working and studying abroad (1 internship and 3 semesters abroad) the most about my studies. Without FH JOANNEUM, I would have settled for less not knowing about the unique opportunities Southeast Asia has to offer.
Job prospects in my area
E-Commerce in Southeast Asia is ‘THE’ industry everyone wants to be in right now. With growth figures of up to 100% YoY, companies enjoy incredible upside potential, which enables managers to take on huge responsibility in a young age. It’s not rare that CEOs of companies in the industry are only between 30 to 40 years old – or even below.
I am
- Ready to face big challenges
- Ready to take big (calculated) risks (c/o Denny Seiger, Risk Management)
- Extremely interested in Asia as a market and e-commerce as an industry
- Hungry, driven, confident and yet humble
- Rather a coach / leader than a boss
About my job
The combination of holding a leadership position in e-commerce, located in Manila, Philippines, is a very humbling and fulfilling experience. In fact, it’s so enjoyable that not a single day feels like work. Daily challenges (such as poor infrastructure, dynamics of the industry, the tropical climate and the road traffic) don’t leave any room for boredom.
Personally, I believe that this is just the beginning of a very interesting journey, since I have to work hard every day in order to succeed. Also, I will continue to strive for more in order to maximize my career.