The task seems to be challenged but once you push through it, you get well accepted and supported by colleagues and seniors
Interview with Parichat Haehnen
Business Consultant
How long have you been in Germany, and how did you get started working in the country?
I have moved to Germany in October 2019 to follow my husband. I did take some time off to spend time with friends, family and settle in the country.
When my networking know that I become available for an opportunity, I have been contacted by ex-colleagues and networking to work together.
My work is not only limited to Germany, but I can be anywhere based on customer requirements. For example, I have conducted some workshops in Singapore.
What kind of consultancy is it that you provide to people in Germany?
I am a business coach in the area of an agile framework (Scrum), design thinking and leadership development. I also represent 2 companies, one in the UK and one in Amsterdam to expand their business in Germany and Asia.
The company in the UK is Jaan Learning and Development http://www.jaanlad.com/ The company is well established and has a strong reputation in the area of leadership development, communication as well as sales & key account management.
Changeazy Coaching & Consulting
http://changeazy.com/ is an Amsterdam based company owned by ex Booking.com, the company specializes in coaching, cross-cultural management, and mindfulness.
These 2 International companies are currently serving customers worldwide. My focus is to expand its business in Germany and Asia.
What fascinates you most about working and living in Germany?
Germany offers very good infrastructure such as public transportation, safety and the cost of living here is very reasonable. In business meetings, German people are formal and polite, which make meetings and working very effectively.
Did you find any difficulties in adaptation after moving to Germany? How important are German language skills, and have you been fluent in German since living in Thailand?
It can be some challenges but I find it is so interesting and enjoyable. Giving examples of the garbage systems that we need to separate garbage according to type in order to better manage and help us to be considerate and reduce waste.
German languages is a must for living in Germany. I studied German language during my bachelor degree, however I have been using English mainly at work. When I moved to Germany, I started to pick it up again by self-learning and practice speaking. Currently I have a B1 certificate form Goethe and I continue self-study to the next level.
Is it difficult for you to leave your previous job that you had worked in for over ten years?
When I joined Booking.com in 2007, I was the first Thai employee. My last role was a Regional Manager that I managed 9 offices and led more than 100+ people. It was not easy to leave of course.
How did you get into the position of Vice President at the Netherlands -Thai Chamber of Commerce?
NTCC role was a volunteer job and I am very pleased that I have had an opportunity to be on the board. It has been widely my network and my knowledge.
At first in 2017, when I read the NTCC magazine for the first time, I saw a VP of NTCC was a woman and I was inspired. I thought I would love to be on the board and hopefully one day in a few years I will make it to the VP role.
So, I started as a member of NTCC and I volunteered and spoke at many NTCC events in the area of working culture, online hotel reservation and travel trends. Often, I attended networking events and offered support in the area of my expertise.
Then there is an opportunity to nominate myself to be on the board in the year 2018. So, I nominated myself, presented my skills in front of the NTCC members and got selected to be on the board and nominated by the board member to become VP.
It sounds very empowering and inspiring for us women when seeing you as a Vice President at a very young age. What is your technique to be confident and respected by male colleagues and seniors?
Thank you so much and I am glad that I can inspire more women. When I was serving the NTCC, I offered help as much as I could beside my full-time job. I took on some challenging tasks. For example, I did a one-minute pitch at the NTCC award dinner among 1,000 guests in the year 2019, that included some preparations and meetings before the event. The task seems to be challenged but once you push through it, you get well accepted and supported by colleagues and seniors.
We also heard that you are doing business with your friend who lives in Thailand, could you briefly tell us about the business?
Yes, that is right. During my time in Thailand, I have travelled a lot for business and leisure in Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. I saw many women who didn’t have good income use poor quality cosmetics that hurt their skin later. The new lifestyle of fast food, long hours working also puts women at stress and bad health. Therefore, I have a passion to create awareness and promote natural cosmetics and a natural living lifestyle at affordable prices in Thailand and nearby countries.
Together, with Pear Napatchanun, the owner of Inwieang Valley, the organic farm in Chiang Rai with International standards certified by Europe, America and Canada. We are promoting well-being, natural cosmetics, natural home living and organic tea through the brand beauteme and Inwieang Valley.
What would be your suggestions for international businesswomen who are interested in working abroad especially in Germany? What would be a practical preparation and primary consideration before moving to another country, in your opinion?
I really encourage Thai people to work abroad and you may start first wherever you have got an opportunity. It will expand both personal and professional growth.
If you are interested in working in Germany, to start with working with German company based in Thailand will also increase an opportunity to get an assignment or future work in Germany.
There are many opportunities to continue studying in Germany as well such as postgraduate and doctoral degrees. DAAD is a great source to check on Universities and scholarships.
Or if you are freshly graduated, taking the au pair job in Germany is also a great start to learn the language and experience new culture.
For Germany, it is important to have basic German language. Further, practical preparation that I can recommend is to check on several Facebook groups of Thai people who live abroad or a blog to get some ideas of the country that you want to move to.
Do you miss Thailand, and how do you do when missing your hometown? Do you have any plans to visit Thailand again this year?
I do miss Thailand and want to stay in touch with friends and family but more important than that I thought about what I could do to share my experience in Germany to benefit more Thai people.
So, I have started my own Facebook blog page named Chillmom to stay connected with friends and family as well as get public followers. The blog is mainly to share my personal experience of moving to Germany as a mom, the International School system and cultural differences. I hope my page will benefit Thai people and especially encourage women to continue growing, learning and taking new challenges in life.
The world has become much smaller and taking flight from Germany to Thailand is very convenient and affordable. With my current work both as a consultant and owning natural products it will give me the opportunity to travel back to Thailand 2-3 a year.
Of course, I hope to meet and catch up with the DBWT team and their members during my next visit.
Comments are closed.