Hi there, Joshua Chiu, Senior Vice President and Head of Sales, South-East Asia at NEXT. You’ve just celebrated your first anniversary at NEXT, so now we’re curious to find out what it was that first attracted you to NEXT?
– When Ulf introduced NEXT Biometrics to me, shortly after he had become the new CEO in August 2023, I was immediately impressed and intrigued by the fantastic technology, Active Thermal®. As Ulf also shared his vision for the company with me, I started to look forward to the adventure that lay ahead of us.
How long have you been with the company? What has your experience of it been so far?
– I joined NEXT on November 1, 2023, so it has been a bit over a year now. As expected, it has really been an adventure for me. We have encountered a lot of difficulties and challenges, but we have also worked together as a team to overcome them, one by one. Today I am proud to see that we have succeeded in turning this company around and believe this is only the beginning!
Joshua Chiu
Senior Vice President, Head of Sales South-East Asia
How would you describe the culture at NEXT?
– Ulf, our CEO, always believes in us. He has a very positive and encouraging approach towards all employees. We also have a very healthy, two-way dialogue on a daily basis. Together, we strive to ensure that all employees are motivated and encouraged in their daily work.
What does your ideal workday look like? How do you plan your weeks to ensure you get as close to it as possible?
– As the Head of Sales for NEXT, proactively driving and closing sales for us is of course the number one priority in my role and something that is always integrated in my daily routine. In addition to securing our sales targets, my ideal workday also allows me to sit down with my team members and properly listen to what kind of support they need from me. The ideal day includes us all working together; enjoying ourselves and getting to see and experience the results of our joint efforts. To ensure we achieve this, I have a weekly meeting on the first working day of the week. During this meeting I review any unsolved issues, and then plan the rest of the work for the week ahead.
Which of your career achievements are you most proud over?
– Prior to joining NEXT, in my previous role at Fingerprint Cards, I worked together with the China team to design in our solutions to all the smartphone manufacturers in China. I believe I will be able to repeat the same success story here, with our amazing team at NEXT.
Your best career tips/advice to ambitious students?
– Work hard, work smart and have fun on the journey.
Finally, working at a fast-paced company can be demanding. What do you do to recharge your batteries? What do you like to do in your spare time to keep your mind off work?
– I exercise almost every day to relax and make sure I have the energy to concentrate on my work. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and travelling.
Thank you, Joshua. And congratulations on your first NEXT anniversary!