CAREERS: Q&A with ... Anna Hsu, marketing director, Asia-Pacific, Calvin Klein Asia

<p>Name: Anna Hsu </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Age: 30 </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Job title: marketing director, Asia-Pacific, Calvin Klein Asia </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>What would be your dream brand to work on and why? </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>My dream brand would be my own brand. Starting something new is </p><p>challenging and having full autonomy can be rewarding. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>What would you do if you weren't in marketing? </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Starting something up myself. There are always opportunities in the </p><p>marketplace - it is just a matter of identifying them. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>What was your big break? </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Landing the job at Calvin Klein, as I have no previous experience in </p><p>fashion or business knowledge of the markets in the region. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Who was your mentor and how did this person influence you? </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>A close friend of mine in the early years of my career told me about the </p><p>'bumble bee' analogy. Though it is a cliche, it is very true in life, </p><p>and it does not just relate to career. Anything within reason is </p><p>achievable if you set your mind to it, but always remember it comes with </p><p>a price, in whatever form. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Is there a secret to your success? </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Success is relative and I do not consider myself successful. It is more </p><p>important that I am happy with what I am doing and that there is balance </p><p>in my life. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>However, the one element which I believe has helped me get where I am </p><p>today is the ability to take risks, and to live with the decisions </p><p>made. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>If a wrong decision is made, learn from it and take corrective measures </p><p>to steer back onto the right track. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>How do you handle difficult clients? </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>All clients can be difficult at times. The key is twofold: to understand </p><p>why they are being difficult; and to address their issues and </p><p>concerns. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>As well as people skills, it requires the ability to read their </p><p>characters. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>It is vital to be objective and not to take things personally, although </p><p>of course that is easier said than done. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>What advice would you give to the next person to do your current </p><p>job? </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Be flexible and adaptable, as it is a dynamic environment. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>What are you currently reading that will help you in your job? </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>I used to read books on lateral thinking, such as Edward de Bono, and </p><p>the strategy of war. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>However, lately I enjoy reading biographies. It is interesting to learn </p><p>from people's life experiences - we should all set goals in life which </p><p>will shape and define our career path. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>