Zach Chew

I am a highly motivated and results-oriented professional with over 13 years of experience in corporate sales, business development, and client-facing role. With expertise in the local corporate workforce and understanding of L&D demands and trends, I have the capability to communicate effectively with L&D professionals and build mutually beneficial business relationships. My success in reaching out to the education and training sectors of Singapore is attributed to my skills as a sales hunter, enabling me to effectively assess client needs and develop interventions that align with the overall business strategy.

Senior Learning Innovator

Innovation Centre (inlab), Institute for Adult Learning

2016 Nov - Present

Experience

Since joining the Institute for Adult Learning, Innovation Centre as a Learning Innovator in 2016, I have progressively taken on roles of increasing responsibility, culminating in my 2 promotions to Senior Manager in 2019 and Team Lead in 2022. As a senior manager and team lead at inlab, I have gained extensive experience in consultancy services for organisations, institutions of higher learning, training institutions, and L&D practitioners. I have successfully helped clients identify their learning and training challenges and formulated practical learning solutions. In addition, I have been a main driver in sharing the latest learning trends and advocating business transformation through people development, process enhancement, and technology adoption, leading to an increase in enterprise adoption of innovative learning solutions.

Achievement

• Promoted to Team Lead in Jan 2022 and led a team of 4 to implement all inlab's signature programs and initiatives while helping each team member to achieve their respective KPIs.
• Identified priority industry sectors and developed targeted business strategies to effectively engage with key stakeholders through various initiatives. For instance, spearheaded a series of innovSeries initiatives aimed at the Advanced Manufacturing sector and leveraging partnerships with prominent organisations such as Advanced Manufacturing Training Academy, A*STAR, Jurong Town Council (JTC), ST Engineering and Amazon Web Services (AWS). 
• Successfully led the team to achieve all the KPIs set for 2022 and increased enterprises' adoption of innovative learning solutions.
• Successfully rolled out learning innovation initiatives that groom learntech startups and groomed 45 teams of startups over a 3.5-year period. Played an active mentoring role for the startups in the adult learning and workforce training sector.
• Successfully nurtured a learning ecosystem by fostering collaboration with various learntech partners such as AWS, Alibaba Cloud Solution, Venture Capitalists, Startup mentors, and learning solution providers.
• Promoted to Senior Manager in Jan 2019 and took on new portfolio, programs, and initiatives.
• Spearheaded strategic thematic innovative learning approaches and share the latest innovation trends such as Artificial Intelligence, Learning Analytics, Chatbot, Design Thinking, Gamification, Virtual/Augmented/Mixed Reality, Blockchain, etc.
• Initiated and fostered successful tripartite collaboration projects between enterprises, solution partners, and adult educators in developing solutions that solve real-life challenges.

Sales Manager 

Phoenix OneSoft Singapore Pte Ltd  

2015 May - 2016 Oct

Experience

I was responsible for marketing and selling the company’s 3D VR Interactive platform in Singapore and the Southeast Asia region. As the Sales Manager, I formulated effective sales strategies to engage with relevant training companies and tertiary and vocational schools in Singapore and the regions. Throughout the sales cycle, I managed the process from lead generation to closing deals, including contract negotiation and crafting of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Channel Sales Partner Agreements.  

Achievement

• Successfully ventured into Brunei market and clinched deal with Brunei, Ministry of Education. 

Manager 

Mercy Relief Limited 

2013 Feb -2015 May

Experience

I was responsible for managing corporate stakeholders, fundraising and outreach. I have planned and executed fundraising activities for both ad-hoc projects and long-term fundraising initiatives. This includes creating strategies to maximise fundraising efforts and working with key stakeholders to promote fundraising activities.  Through my experience, I have developed the skills necessary to successfully manage fundraising campaigns from start to finish, including planning, execution, and analysis. 

Achievement

• Successfully maintain and build new relationships with enterprises naming SAP, KPMG, WingTai Group (newly acquired), Koi Café (newly acquired), Pastamania (newly acquired) and others.  
• Successfully raised more than S$1.4million for Typhoon Haiyan Relief.
• Main fundraiser for various other disaster relief efforts such as Sichuan Quake Relief, Gansu Quake Relief, Philippines Quake Relief, etc. 

Account Manager 

Lanworks Pte Ltd

2009 Jun -2013 Jan

Experience

As an Account Manager, I managed the sales of Charity Management Solution and other System Integrator (SI) services that required me to provide excellent customer service and support to the clients. I have also taken on the role of a Presales Consultant, helping potential clients to understand the benefits of the solution, and guiding them through the sales process. Furthermore, I have trained users on software solutions, ensuring that they are equipped with the knowledge to effectively use the platform. My experience has allowed me to develop excellent communication, technical and problem-solving skills, which I leverage to drive sales and ensure customer satisfaction. 

Achievement

• Successfully clinch deals ranging from $25k to $75K and maintain a constant healthy sales pipeline.
• Cross-sell other solutions such as accounting systems, System Integration (SI) project management, and hardware solutions. 
• Take on additional roles by being the pre-sales consultant and lead trainer for the charity management software. Conduct training and consultancy services for clients and potential buyers.   

Special Education Teacher 

MINDS Pte Ltd

2004 Jul -2009 Jun

• Train and teach special needs students on life skills.

Administrator

Community Chest – National Council of Social Service

2002 Apr -2004 Jun

• Support ad-hoc fund-raising initiatives and programmes such as Istana Open House, Children’s Day Sharity Programme and Youth Day, Heartstrings Walk, etc.

Diploma in Special Education

Diploma in Marketing