Cover Photo: Schroders
Photo: Schroders
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Here's how Jerry Low went from doubting himself to becoming one of the biggest marketing players at Schroders, a top-tier fund management company
There was a point in time when Jerry Low did not believe he has what it takes to have a career in marketing. So it's certainly a surprise that today, he is the Southeast Asia head of Marketing at Schroders, leading teams and driving business strategies for the company's branches in Asia.
“Back then, I didn’t think I fit the profile of my schoolmates from the marketing majors, who were always eloquent and brimming with creativity,” Low says.
He tells us how he went from doubting himself to becoming one of the biggest marketing players at Schroders, a top-tier fund management company.
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“I started my career as a personal financial consultant with a local bank, and it was then I met with different people from all walks of life and in varying financial circumstances,” Low shares. “It paved the way for me to develop my passion for the wealth management industry.”
After graduating from the National University of Singapore, Low took some time to find his path before joining the Singapore arm of Schroders in 2005.
He joined the team as a marketing manager and slowly worked his way up the ladder. In 2018, he was promoted to the role of Head of Marketing for Southeast Asia.
Above Photo: Schroders
Photo: Schroders
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“As the head of marketing for Southeast Asia, I am responsible for setting and driving the overall marketing strategy for the firm’s businesses in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia,” Low says.
“Over the years, I have evolved the team from a traditional support function to a sales enabler, cultivating an environment for us to be a strategic partner of the sales teams, that contribute directly to business goals,” Low continues. “I’ve also ingrained into my team the importance of being commercially oriented in order to bring the organisation quantifiable and measurable value.”
To do this, Low firmly believes in consistently evolving, experimenting and innovating as the finance industry rapidly changes around them.
We sit with Low to find out more about his work ethic, how he builds his team up and how he is making it. Read what he has to say below.
Above Photo: Schroders
Photo: Schroders
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What is a typical morning like for you?
Jerry Low (JL): I am usually awake by 6.30 am. I’d then go through the morning news online and on TV over breakfast, before starting the day properly.
What do you usually have for breakfast?
JL: Six egg whites, an apple and an espresso.
What does a standard work day look like for you?
JL: With my company’s flexible working arrangements, I alternate between heading into the office and working from home, depending on the in-person meetings I’ve scheduled for the day.
Regardless, I usually start my workday by 8.30 am. I try to keep mornings free so that I can spend time planning and strategising, before scheduling any meetings from late morning onwards.
How would you describe your working style?
JL: I am objective-driven and see myself as a laissez-faire leader. I believe in empowering my team members to make decisions, solve problems, and get their work accomplished rather than supervising their every move. I believe my trust, and in turn, their independence allows room for my team to stay creative and motivated.
What time do you usually have lunch? What do you usually have for lunch?
JL: On days when I do not have lunch meetings, I’d usually hit the gym before getting a salad or protein bowl to go.
Free time: overrated or underrated? Why?
JL: Definitely overrated. I believe in finding fulfilment in everything that I do.
How do you achieve a work-life balance? How do you set boundaries?
JL: I believe in work-life integration rather than balance. Because I enjoy what I do professionally, there is no distinct segregation between work and personal time.
I take conference calls while at the gym or enjoy the peace and tranquillity of a holiday to make use of that time to complete a presentation. This flexibility works for me given my objective-driven working style.
How do you chase your dreams?
JL: Just do it. As they say, doing is easy, while thinking makes it hard. And of course, along the way, give yourself permission to fail and laugh before moving on.
Risks: should you take them? Why or why not?
JL: Definitely. It’s better than regret.
How do you deal with your shortcomings?
JL: By choosing my battles, either to work on them or embrace them. After all, no one’s perfect and they’re what makes one unique.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever gotten?
JL: “Love can be communicated in languages beyond words and these languages are just as valid.”
What is an idea/thought that you heard recently, that you thought was interesting?
JL: That the acceptance I have for others directly reflects the acceptance I have for myself.
How do you unplug?
JL: By experimenting with music. I have a home DJ setup as well as music production software and equipment, so I spend a good part of my free time producing remixes.
How do you stay grounded?
JL: Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with; I keep that in mind, but only to make sure I do the opposite. By doing so, I enjoy diverse relationships and connections and soak in perspectives and ideas that are different from mine.
How do you manage stress?
JL: By doing cardio, something I absolutely detest. But nothing clears my mind like a good spin session or a run through Macritchie Reservoir.
How do you stay motivated?
JL: Again by focusing on the end-vision. I have also found textbook methods of tuning out distractions and negativities to be highly effective.
What is one item that has changed your life for the better?
JL: Ted Talks.
Do you have moments of doubt and how do you overcome them?
JL: All the time. Surrounding myself with supportive friends always helps.
What would you consider your greatest accomplishment to date?
JL: Conquering Mount Kilimanjaro. It wasn’t an easy feat and while making the overnight summit, I was hit by bad altitude sickness and almost had to turn back.
Then my buddy made me soldier on by quipping: “Come on so long as we survive this, it’s gonna be an adventure, not a tragedy.”
I never knew I had that amount of determination inside me. Bad decisions definitely make for good stories.
What would you still like to accomplish?
JL: To open a bar which I can call my own, through which I can pursue my twin passions of mixology and music.
What is the last thing you do before you go to bed?
JL: Wind down by catching up on the latest offerings on Netflix.
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Camillia Dass is the digital writer for Tatler Singapore.
