LACHUMANAN, Nitthiyanathan

Degree

Master of Business Administration

Graduation year

2011

What are some of your career highlights?

  • Nearly 24 (twenty-four) years’ experience as Professional Marketing Specialist /Strategist / Head of Department.
  • Local Institution Award: Cosmopoint /Masterskill best marketer
  • Known as Marketing Troubleshooter- all problematic branches.
  • Obtained the status of Certified Professional Marketer from Asia Pacific Marketing Federation (APMF),
  • Certified Professional Marketer from Society Business Practitioner UK & Charted Marketer Status from Chartered Institute of Marketing UK.
  • Chartered Manager - Chartered Management Institute UK
  • CIPR Accredited PR Practitioner from – Chartered Institute of Public Relations, CIPR UK.
  • Appointed as a Council Member for ERA FOMCA Malaysia (IMM) [2014-2016].
  • Appointed as a Council Member for Institute of Marketing Malaysia (IMM) [2013-2015].
  • Re-appointed as a Council Member for Institute of Marketing Malaysia (IMM) [2015-2017], [2017-2019], [2019-2021] & [2022-2024] ~Fifth Term
  • Conferred Fellowship by Chartered Institute of Marketing UK.
  • Conferred Fellowship by The Society of Business Practitioners UK
  • Conferred Chartered Fellowship by Chartered Management Institute UK
  • Good relationship with Malaysian Embassy in foreign countries & Foreign Embassies in Malaysia.

Describe the most enjoyable and challenging aspects of your job

I as a leader have encountered many situations which required me to show my inspiring leadership skill. In 2006 & 2007, when I was in my previous company (Masterskill) I was sent to Sabah & Sarawak (East Malaysia of Malaysia) Campus to revamp the branch as the sales was zero and the branch was almost to a bankrupt stage. I did a total revamp, re-marketing and managed to do it, within the time given. The branch then managed to make good sales under my supervision.

In another situation in my current organization, few of my staff quit job at the same period. My team that remained in the department had to absorb the duties of the few that left.  As a result, people were overworked and suffered. At the same time, more mistakes were being made because attention was so scattered. As the Director it was my job to get performance back on track. I scheduled a meeting of the full team to discuss strategies. I communicated my appreciation for all of their hard work during a challenging time for the company. I asked for their assistance in identifying ways for us all to be more efficient, including me! I made it clear that this was a brainstorming meeting to come up with options First of all, the team responded very positively to this approach. They loved the idea of being empowered to help find a solution. Instead of complaining, they channeled their energy in a more productive way once they knew that they would be heard. Right off the bat, we came up with ideas that could be implemented quickly and save us a lot of time. We are now more efficient.

What are your strongest memories while you were studying at Federation University Australia?

During my time at the University, some of my strongest memories revolve around both academic and social experiences. One particularly vivid memory is from my sophomore year when I spent countless nights in the library working on a group project for my computer science class. We were developing a software application, and the sense of camaraderie, coupled with the sheer amount of learning and problem-solving we did together, left a lasting impact on me.

Overall, my university experience was a blend of rigorous academics, cultural exploration, and meaningful connections, all of which have profoundly shaped who I am today.

Do you have any advice about life after study to pass on to current students?

Here are a few pieces of advice for life after graduation that I wish someone had shared with me:

  1. Embrace Lifelong Learning: Graduation doesn’t mean the end of learning. Stay curious and keep acquiring new skills. Whether through formal education, online courses, or self-study, continuous learning will keep you adaptable and competitive in the job market.
  2. Network, Network, Network: The relationships you build during and after your studies are invaluable. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and keep in touch with your peers and professors. Networking can open doors to job opportunities and collaborations.
  3. Balance Ambition with Patience: It’s great to have big career goals, but understand that success often takes time. Be patient with your progress and celebrate small milestones. Your career path may not be linear, and that’s perfectly okay.
  4. Be Open to Change: Your first job may not be your dream job, and that’s fine. Be open to exploring different roles and industries. Each experience will teach you something valuable and help you refine your career path.
  5. Seek Mentorship: Find mentors who can provide guidance, support, and insights based on their experiences. A good mentor can help you navigate challenges and make informed decisions about your career.
  6. Give Back: Whether through volunteering, mentoring others, or participating in community projects, giving back can be incredibly fulfilling and can help you build a well-rounded life.

Remember, life after university is a journey filled with opportunities and challenges. Stay resilient, be adaptable, and enjoy the adventure.