Page 16 - MASALA LITE ISSUE 81 | JUNE 2017

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SAHIL GUMBER, 25
Growth Hacker & Business Expansion (Global) at GetLinks
Chandigarh, India → Bangkok, Thailand

How did you fi nd your job?
Up until fi ve months ago, I was working for Xerox Corporation in Noida, India
and freelancing on the side for digital marketing projects. I was asked to travel
to Vietnam for a project, which is where I fi rst came face to face with the start
up world of Southeast Asia. There, I met Djoann Fal — CEO and co-founder of
GetLinks — at a networking event. He saw my passion for working in the start-
up ecosystem, and off ered me a three-month contract job in his company. After
a successful three months, I started a full-time job in GetLinks and have been in
Bangkok ever since.
What do you like about the Thai lifestyle?
A big draw to the Thai lifestyle for me is the tropical climate and exotic culture. I
love to experiment with Thai dishes, learn about the culture and meet new people
here. I am also able to fulfi l my love for travelling and often explore northern
Thailand with my friends.

What diff erences do you see in the Thai style of working compared to India’s?
With regards to the working environment, the mornings here are quite slow and
less effi cient compared to in India. In India, we would typically start our mornings
by waking up early and spending time on personal development, fi tness or studies.
As for technology and products, I would say India is more advanced. But I like that
the Thai start-up industry is more open to mingling and networking with other
local and international companies.

Do you see the start-up industry
growing in Thailand?
Defi nitely, the start-up ecosystem
has just started here, and it is to Bangkok?
Any tips for people who move
growing rapidly with the support • Be cool hearted.
of the government. To work in • Don’t neglect your
such a positive and motivating responsibilities.
environment is great. We want to
“A big draw to the Thai lifestyle for build useful products that will help remember to have fun!
• Enjoy every moment —
me is the tropical climate and mankind in the future, and with
the aid of local and global markets,
exotic culture.” the end goal is to make a unicorn
(billion-dollar start-up).

CHAITANYA CHERUKUMILLI, 31
Head of Operations in Thailand at ANZ Bangkok Group Limited
India → New Zealand → Melbourne, Australia → Port Moresby,
Papua New Guinea → Bangkok, Thailand

Has the language diff erence ever been an issue for you?
Not particularly. I have been here for 18 months so far, and throughout my stay, the
Thai people have been very friendly. Eventually, you get your message across to them.
Though, I have to admit, I did use Google Translate a lot in my fi rst few weeks.
What major lifestyle change did you face?
The Bangkok traffi c! I use public transport a lot more now. Thankfully, the BTS and
MRT system is well organised, and the motorbike taxi gets you to short distances
quickly. I don’t feel the need to visit a theme park any longer, when I can just hop on
the back of a bike.

Do you see the banking industry growing in Thailand in the next 10 years?
Banking, ultimately, is a leveraged play on an economy. I am ultimately optimistic
about the growth prospects of both Thailand and Australia. As two major trading
economies, they are well positioned to take advantage of a more interconnected
world — notwithstanding any bumps we may have along the way.

Are there any benefi ts to working in a bank in Thailand, compared to other
parts of the world?
Bangkok in particular is growing in to a world village. It’s hard to understate how
‘cool’ that is, especially with its grand old culture. There are not many parts of the
world that allow you to immerse yourself in a deep culture and be a citizen of the
world at the same time.

Would you recommend your friends to move to Bangkok?
Absolutely! I’ve had the fortune of living in eight cities across emerging and
developed economies — and Bangkok is among one of the most incredible places “Bangkok in particular is growing in to
I’ve had the privilege of living in. My suggestion is to be a ‘yes’ person. Bangkok has a world village. There are not many parts
lots going on, no matter your scene. The trick is to fi nd out the local way to indulge
in your passions. You can only do that by saying ‘yes’ to absolutely everything that of the world that allow you to immerse
comes your way in the fi rst few weeks, until you fi gure out how you would like to
spend your time. yourself in a deep culture and be a citizen of
the world at the same time.”

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