{"id":2963,"date":"2014-09-17T09:14:21","date_gmt":"2014-09-17T02:14:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yup.edu.vn\/?p=2963"},"modified":"2015-09-06T00:02:13","modified_gmt":"2015-09-05T17:02:13","slug":"chuyen-lam-du-lich-cua-mot-cuu-tiep-vien-hang-khong-israel-nguoi-viet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yup.edu.vn\/en\/chuyen-lam-du-lich-cua-mot-cuu-tiep-vien-hang-khong-israel-nguoi-viet\/","title":{"rendered":"The tourism story of a Vietnamese former flight attendant for an Israeli airline."},"content":{"rendered":"

Describing Herself as an Outsider Who Entered Business, Entrepreneur and Former Flight Attendant H\u01b0\u01a1ng Kot Believes Nothing Comes Naturally. To Run a Business, You Must Remain Passionate to the End!<\/span><\/h2>\n
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\"Ms.Ms. H\u01b0\u01a1ng Kot \u2013 CEO of Mekong Vi\u1ec7t Company and also the representative of Israel's airline in Vietnam.<\/span><\/div>\n
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Always set goals<\/strong><\/p>\n

* What drew you to tourism?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013 I began as a flight attendant, so I traveled widely and got to know many countries. I am married, my husband is Israeli, and we have children.<\/p>\n

In 2006, I stopped working as a flight attendant while pregnant with my first child, just as an Israeli airline was looking for a representative in Vietnam.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>My husband encouraged me, and it was indeed a good opportunity, so I wanted to give it a try.<\/p>\n

* People say confidence is half of success. How did you manage preparing to give birth to a baby while also\u2026 giving birth to a company?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013 It was indeed a difficult situation, but I did not overthink it. When an opportunity arose, I seized it. I was also fortunate to have my husband's encouragement, support, and financial assistance in the early days.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, since childhood I have been accustomed to doing everything with a purpose. When beginning this unfamiliar work, I set myself the goal of proving I could do it.<\/p>\n

If I do not know something, I learn it. If something is new, I have to try it. I must do it to understand it and then guide my employees. Without practical experience, the company will fail sooner or later.<\/p>\n

Once my goal was clear, I was not afraid of difficulties or hard work. I even handled the company establishment paperwork myself. Although the procedures took a great deal of time, I eventually obtained the company's license.<\/p>\n

* Is having an Israeli husband an advantage in gaining useful connections to support this new business?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013 Yes, but only half true! He has many friends willing to support and help when needed. However, if I were merely a beautiful woman using existing connections, that would only make it easier to reach customers. It would not be enough to make them buy and use our products and services over the long term. You need ability and differentiation for others to trust you and build lasting business relationships.<\/p>\n

* What did you do to make partners trust your special ability?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013 I returned to work only around 20 days after giving birth. At that time, I had a powerful motivation both to raise my child and lay the company's first foundations. I was clear that I was the director and business owner, so I did not allow myself to be distracted by daydreams!<\/p>\n

I set a practical goal: the company would sell airline tickets first and develop its tourism business later.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0At first, I hired only one ticket sales employee. My employee and I attended classes together to understand how airline ticket sales worked, how to handle the process, and how both the company and customers could benefit\u2026<\/p>\n

I approached travel agencies to persuade them, conducted my own research, compiled information, and promoted the countries and people of Israel and Vietnam with all my enthusiasm. As a result, the company sold 500 airline tickets in its very first year\u2014a figure that greatly surprised even the Israeli airline\u2019s representative.<\/p>\n

* What is your sales secret?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013 Sell exactly what customers need!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I often tell employees that working in the service industry requires meticulous attention to detail and a high regard for customer care. I gained that experience as a flight attendant, when I was always aware that the products and services I provided to customers, especially foreign visitors, also represented the country and people of their destination.<\/p>\n

When expanding into tourism, I also assessed my own capacity: do less, but do it well; target only high-end customers and provide services to match. In particular, mistakes that damage Vietnam's image are unacceptable. We must deliver exactly what we promise customers to maintain our reputation.<\/p>\n

Do not be greedy!<\/strong><\/p>\n

* Entrepreneurs are often deeply devoted to work and money-making opportunities. How do you see yourself?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013 I have passion, and whenever I do something, I set goals, goals, and more goals. However, I know my limits: I only do what I can manage and what I am strongest at.<\/p>\n

* Is that why your travel company focuses only on middle-class customers?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013 When I entered tourism, my thinking was simple: hundreds of large and small companies were already in the market, so I had to choose a different path with as little competition as possible. South America was somewhere I had never explored, full of novelty, so I chose it as my target. I therefore headed straight there.<\/p>\n

I travel widely, meet partners, and seek customers in South America to introduce them to Vietnam. I am Vietnamese; I love Vietnam, and I introduce it to foreign visitors exactly as I experience it.<\/p>\n

I carefully select destinations and cultural and natural attractions in regions I know well to appeal to foreign visitors. I also sell complete tours of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Doing this makes them happier and more interested. All that remains is my commitment to deliver exactly what I have promised.<\/p>\n

* You are so proactive and hardworking\u2026 What gives you such energy when, as you said, the business made almost no profit in its first 1\u20132 years?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013 Well, it is simple.\u00a0When you are passionate, work feels like play. If you work without passion and see no results, you naturally become discouraged very quickly.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Fortunately, I faced no financial pressure from the outset, as my husband supported all financial matters. I could therefore confidently pursue my desire to explore and plunge into business with immense enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

* Is that your advice for new entrepreneurs?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013 That is true. But entrepreneurship needs more serious consideration. I think new entrepreneurs should prepare enough financing for 5 years before starting a business, because weak finances can easily lead to bankruptcy.<\/p>\n

In fact, 5 years is not very long, because the first 2 years are spent entering the market and gaining experience. In year 3, if the business survives, it must find money to pay rent, staff, and other expenses\u2026 In the fourth year, it must keep earning money to cover costs and build its brand. Only once reasonably stable and established does it make a profit in year 5.<\/p>\n

* In your book about Israel, the country with many entrepreneurs and the most startups, you said many Vietnamese entrepreneurs still \u201conly try moderately.\u201d Would you elaborate?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013 I am not saying all Vietnamese entrepreneurs are like that. Many work hard and make enormous efforts. However, what I saw in Israel was small companies and businesses working extremely diligently and efficiently. They work tirelessly late into the night, striving continuously and persistently toward their goals.<\/p>\n

Israel's natural conditions are harsher than Vietnam's, but it is an innovative country with advanced agriculture that we should learn from. Another admirable point is that, although wealthy, they remain very frugal.<\/p>\n

Know your priorities<\/strong><\/p>\n

* You said you prefer a small company run like a family. Have you ever felt driven to break through and grow it bigger?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013 It depends on each business's vision. Personally, I like managing a company that is small but strong. That requires differentiation.<\/p>\n

I also think the more important issue is each person's goals in life. I still want to keep the company like a family. At this point, my 3 children are still young, and I want to spend more time caring for them.<\/p>\n

Work pressure sometimes makes me irritable, short-tempered and impatient with my children. Later, I realize how unreasonable I was. I want business and family to remain in a manageable balance; being too absorbed in work should not spoil the family's happiness. Each person must know their limits rather than take on too much or be overly greedy.<\/p>\n

* From your accent, are you from Hanoi?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2013 That is right. I came to Ho Chi Minh City in 1994.<\/p>\n

* Many northerners who move to Ho Chi Minh City to build businesses succeed. What impression has this southern city made on you?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013 I like the style of Saigon people because I am straightforward too. When I came to Saigon, I found the city wonderful, dynamic, and full of business opportunities.<\/p>\n

As the capital, Hanoi has advantages in developing politics, culture, diplomacy and tourism\u2026 Ho Chi Minh City is better positioned for business and commerce. Whether formerly called Saigon or now Ho Chi Minh City, it remains the economic center.<\/p>\n

I also discovered that Israelis resemble Hanoians in being very hardworking and frugal. They are wealthy but remain very thrifty.<\/p>\n

* Have you ever thought of returning to Hanoi?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2013 I still return to Hanoi for short holidays. But Ho Chi Minh City is where I live and work, where my children and family are. \u2018Wherever you hold dear is home.\u2019<\/p>\n

* Thank you.<\/em><\/p>\n

According to\u00a0Entrepreneur<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

T\u1ef1 nh\u1eadn m\u00ecnh l\u00e0 \u201ctay ngang\u201d ra l\u00e0m kinh doanh, nh\u01b0ng n\u1eef doanh nh\u00e2n \u2013 c\u1ef1u ti\u1ebfp vi\u00ean h\u00e0ng kh\u00f4ng \u2013 b\u00e0 H\u01b0\u01a1ng Kot cho r\u1eb1ng, kh\u00f4ng c\u00f3 g\u00ec l\u00e0 t\u1ef1 nhi\u00ean m\u00e0 c\u00f3. V\u00e0 mu\u1ed1n l\u00e0m doanh nghi\u1ec7p, ph\u1ea3i \u201cm\u00e1u l\u1eeda\u201d \u0111\u1ebfn c\u00f9ng! B\u00e0 H\u01b0\u01a1ng Kot \u2013 Gi\u00e1m \u0111\u1ed1c \u0111i\u1ec1u h\u00e0nh C\u00f4ng ty Mekong […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[134,16,61,10,22,119],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2963","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","category-bao-chi","category-kinh-nghiem-khoi-nghiep","category-nhung-ky-nang-ho-tro-khoi-nghiep","category-tin-tuc-bao-chi","category-top-ten"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yup.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2963","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yup.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yup.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yup.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yup.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2963"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/yup.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2963\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2964,"href":"https:\/\/yup.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2963\/revisions\/2964"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yup.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yup.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yup.edu.vn\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}