Raen Lim ─ passionate about using technology to help customers accelerate their digital journey and business outcomes
March 2, 2021 • 3 Minute Read
Raen Lim
Group Vice President, Asia
Splunk
Are you looking for a person who is passionate about using technology to help organizations accelerate their digitization journey and realize outstanding business outcomes? We know the person—Raen Lim.
Raen is Splunk’s Group Vice President of Asia. Based out of Singapore, Raen is responsible for driving revenue growth across key markets in the region. She has more than 20 years of experience spanning sales, market and business development, as well as channel ecosystem recruitment and enablement. In her spare time, Raen is an avid sportswoman, with interests in cycling and brisk walking.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman, Raen Lim.
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
That I’m not a Tiger Mum. Though I’m known in the work circles as a no-nonsense, go-getter, I’m pretty chill when it comes to my children. I believe autonomy breeds independence, and independence breeds accountability towards desired outcomes.
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
A lot. My family used to lose track of which city I am in that week. It was also more likely for me to bump into friends or business associates overseas at airport lounges or hotels than in my home country.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
As a Chinese woman, I’ve been exposed to many different kinds of meats from a young age. I can’t really remember the last time I ate something adventurous really.
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
I was asked to work on a project in a team where none of us had official leadership roles, but had to make it work. This made me realize that it’s really not about the title, but how you lead that matters most.
I tend to think that being a mother has helped me hone my leadership skills in some way. Teaching someone how to fish, allowing someone to fail in a safe environment in order to learn, helping them to understand the ‘why’, encouraging them to try something new - these are things I practice at home and at work.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
I was lucky enough to have a few go-to mentors for different things. One of them gave me a book which got me reading again. Since then, I’ve gained so much knowledge from books that I wished I hadn’t given up on that hobby earlier on.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Seize the opportunity when it is given to you. No one is ever ready to take on a new or bigger role, but the fact that you have been approached means someone saw the potential in you. Have faith, and take the leap. Even if you do not succeed, you have at least given it a shot, and learnt something.
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I never say no to someone who wants to have a chat to get some advice. I have a keen interest in getting to understand what their goals and aspirations are, and give them opportunities to explore and discover themselves where I can.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
I once worked on a project with cross-functional team members across 6 time zones globally over 6 months to come up with a way to help rehabilitate homeless people using technology.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
I have signed myself up for part-time teaching of short courses at a local university which I believe will help me to understand and appreciate the perspectives of the zoomers who are digital natives.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
With meetings increasingly going virtual, my biggest challenge is to build and grow new relationships with customers and partners that I’ve never met in person before.
