Introduction: Terence Choi’s GCX Journey

For over 23 years, Terence Choi has been a key figure in the telecom industry, contributing to GCX’s growth across China, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia. With his extensive experience and deep understanding of the market, Terence has played a vital role in building GCX’s presence and thriving through industry challenges.

“Over my 23 years of service for the company, I’ve witnessed its evolution through challenges and significant transitions, and I’ve seen how it continues to thrive even in difficult times”.

Terence Choi, could you share some insights into your background and how you came to join GCX?

My career journey can be delineated into two halves. The first half was spent in the fast-paced computer industry, where I managed volume channels for the Chinese market, working to meet demanding business objectives and challenging sales targets. Driven by my ambition for career advancement and diversification, I moved to the telecom industry, marking the beginning of the second half of my career and the start of my two-decade-long tenure with GCX.

When I joined the company (FLAG Telecom), it was still a young global carrier, yet already highly multicultural and full of professionals of high calibre. Over the years, I’ve grown and developed alongside the company. Joining GCX was right for me, as it allowed me to steer my career path to align with my passion and life goals.

What motivates you in your role at GCX, and how do you maintain your inspiration?

Over my 23 years of service for the company, I’ve witnessed its evolution through challenges and significant transitions, and I’ve seen how it continues to thrive even in difficult times. My own sales performance has experienced its share of highs and lows as well. I recognize that every company faces constraints and limited resources, and I find motivation in learning to adapt and achieve goals within those limits. Maintaining a positive outlook and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset are central to my drive and inspiration.

 

Is there a specific project or achievement at GCX that you are particularly proud of?

As a country head, my performance is predominantly measured by the sales targets assigned to my territories. I’ve developed the business for my territories from the ground up, particularly in China and Hong Kong. This success is a result of consistent sales efforts and the strong, long-term relationships I’ve cultivated with customers and partners, which have helped me to meet or exceed targets in most years. Furthermore, I’ve closed several high-value contracts, such as Spectrum sales, which have made a significant impact on the region’s financial performance. These accomplishments are something I take great pride in.

Terence Choi, how do you approach challenges and overcome obstacles in your work?

I face two types of challenges in my work – external and internal.

External challenges quite often stem from competition or resource constraints. To prevent these challenges from becoming obstacles, I try to do better preparation and pay enough attention to the details, maintain transparency within the company about external factors, and foster interdependent relationships to reduce the impact of challenges. If an obstacle does arise, I will not give up easily. I manage it by escalating internally when needed or seeking external support. I find that creative problem-solving can also provide valuable insights in such situations. However, if a challenge proves unresolvable, it is important to move on and focus on other opportunities rather than wasting time.

Internal challenges typically emerge from constraints, conflicting agendas, or differing KPIs. Building mutual understanding, consideration, and cooperation is key to fostering resourcefulness and overcoming even the toughest obstacles.

Terence Choi, what role do your colleagues and team members play in your success at GCX?

Teamwork and the expertise of my colleagues are vital to my success. Sales Support helps to take care of many tedious tasks, while technical consultants and other support teams, such as Customer Service, Provisioning, and Operations, ease my concerns during both presales and post-sales processes. Their efforts allow me to stay focused on selling. I am deeply grateful for their support and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone.

Are there any mentors or individuals who have had a significant impact on your career here?

I learned a lot from my former manager, Fabrizio Civitarese, who served as the Regional President of APAC at GCX. We worked together for two decades and became close friends during that time. His leadership and empowerment gave me the space to grow and develop. Fabrizio tragically passed away in an accident a few years ago and I deeply feel the loss and continue to miss this wonderful friend.

How has your role evolved since joining GCX, and how have you grown as a professional?

I was initially hired for a channel development role for APAC, at the time when channel partnership was a relatively new concept in the carriers’ world 20 years ago. Despite this, I successfully onboarded the first channel partner within my first month. However, my efforts were disrupted when the company voluntarily entered Chapter 11 in my second month. Remarkably, the company walked out from Chapter 11 within just 9 months. Following this, I transitioned into a sales role for Hong Kong, which eventually expanded to include China and Southeast Asia as part of my territory.

What advice would you offer to new employees or those striving to excel in their careers at GCX?

Always maintain a positive attitude, a can-do spirit, and a customer-focused mindset. By broadening our perspectives and considering others’ viewpoints, we can continuously learn and develop, enabling us to adapt more effectively to the ever-changing and competitive business landscape.

In case you missed our previous Employee Spotlight, we invite you to explore another inspiring journey by clicking the following link: Previous Employee Spotlight. Discover more about the exceptional individuals who contribute to GCX’s success and embody our commitment to excellence. Stay tuned for more Employee Spotlights in our ongoing series!