Rising to the Challenge: Quan Nguyen

What inspired you to join GE?

I have loved and cared for nature since I was a child, so I wanted a job where I could contribute my skills and knowledge to our community and the environment. When GE launched Ecomagination in 2005, I was particularly impressed by its mission to build more efficient machines that produce cleaner energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the face of rising environmental and sustainability challenges. The alignment of GE’s mission with my values inspired me to start my career six years ago at GE in the Graduate Engineering Training Program.?

Can you tell us more about what you do at GE??

As the Technical Proposals Manager, I am leading the technical and costing analysis in current and upcoming tendering activities in Offshore Services in APAC, acting as the link between the sales department and service team to support the negotiation of long-term service agreements at a later stage, optimizing the strategies to secure a profitable service business in the region. My work begins with receiving and reviewing the customers' bidding packages. After which, depending on project specific factors, such as wave height, wind speed and travel distance from onshore base to the wind farm, I will simulate and customize the service strategy for each offshore wind farm and aim for the highest availability of the wind farm and the lowest levelized cost of energy. My service strategy proposals include human resources, tools, long term maintenance plan and suitable vessels arrangement that help archive sustainability through the 20 years lifetime of a wind farm.?

Why do you enjoy working at GE?

I appreciate that GE spends two years training newly graduated engineers like me. Unlike other organizations where young talents are expected to hit the ground running, I was given the opportunity to sharpen my professional knowledge and soft skills to better understand the world around me. During my first two years, I not only gained specialist knowledge about wind power but also had the chance to explore new cultures and befriend talented people from around the world. I also enjoyed GE’s HR model – a network-based structure known as Matrix. This organizational model allows every individual to be their own leader – encouraging proactive and creative approaches when tackling the challenges at hand.?

In addition, GE’s dynamic environment enables me to constantly learn and be a better version of myself every day. I particularly enjoy the collaborative culture at GE, where everyone is always willing to listen and help one another, contributing new ideas and solutions to drive meaningful impact.?

What do you think are important traits a leader should exemplify??

I’ve always believed that a leader should be approachable and serve with humility. When I was just starting my career, I remember having compassionate mentors who were willing to listen, share, and motivate the younger generation like myself. Now that I’m a leader myself, I strive to exemplify the same traits so that my team members can readily come to me for support without being afraid to do so. This gives them a chance to be heard, learn from others, and ultimately contribute to the team's success.?

What would be your word of the year and why??

Adapt. The world is facing its toughest years with COVID-19, when?we are collectively experiencing travel restrictions and the shift to hybrid working. This is coupled with ongoing trade wars and the energy and economic crises – all of which have changed the way we live and work. In the face of adversity, I find that it is crucial to remain calm, adapt, and move forward.?