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Teddy Liaw, Managing Director

Teddy Liaw

Many of us dream to one day travel the world and make our mark upon it so that future generations will know that “Yes! We were here!” Teddy Liaw, a 27-year-old Managing Director for TEK, is just that sort of inspiring person that we dream to be. Though Teddy might say that he is out there dreaming with the rest of us, it is comforting to know that there is a person out there who is passionate about life and learning, and is bringing those passions to the workplace. Learning about the world’s cultures is learning about good business. It instructs us how to conduct business in a way that is beneficial to both seller and buyer. Read more about Teddy Liaw and in our Young & Professional Profile.

Company

TEK

Name

Teddy Liaw, 27, Managing Director

Hometown

Cerritos, California

Current residence

Signal Hill, California

Education

University of California, Berkeley, Double Major: B.S Business Administration and B.A Ethnic Studies (2001)

Work experience

Levi Strauss and Company, Morgan Stanley (formerly Dean Witter)

Ethnicity

Taiwanese-American

About company

TEK is a leading distributor of CATV transmission electronics and network management solutions in the HFC Broadband, Satellite, and Broadcasting industries.

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?

Manage operations, including product development, sales, and marketing, and customer development and care.

Most notable achievements

Managed over 10 new product launches into North America, including DataMiner solutions, CeQuestra, and Add Tap solutions.

What's your niche?

My niche is my ability to effectively interface with Asian and European developers, manufacturers and development teams, as well as North American and European sales channels.

What's in store for the future?

Continued innovation of new products consistent with our existing products and development strategies for the business, balanced with continued efforts spent on nonprofit work and community service.

Who would you like to be contacted by?

Any one in the telecom arenas of HFC Broadband, Satellite, or Broadcasting – more on the operator and transport side versus content side of the business. Any motivated individual with a new idea. People who are looking for products to be made in Asia and distributed in North Am or Europe.

Unexpected learnings along the way

The different ways that various people around the world do business is intriguing to me and it’s critical to learn these differences as soon as possible. For example, Asians don’t like to say “no” and you have to guess what their really thinking. Meeting at 9am in South America never really means 9am (more like 11am) etc.

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Best way to stay ahead

Ask questions to know where people are at, constantly put yourself in other people’s shoes, and allocate time each day simply to “think” alone.

“Sometimes we just have to look harder for ways for everyone to win. Be shrewd, but fair. Don’t be complacent.”

Guiding principle in life

There doesn’t always have to be a winner and loser. Sometimes we just have to look harder for ways for everyone to win. Be shrewd, but fair. Don’t be complacent.

Yardstick of success

There is no quantifiable measurement, but it’s more of an internal feeling knowing that I’ve done all I can. But typically, I don’t feel like I’ve done enough, so I just keep moving on.

Goal yet to be achieved

Have a happy marriage with a healthy family.

Best practical advice

Meet a lot of people and ask “dumb questions”. Everyone has “dumb” questions inside of them. And it’s just a natural process to get the “dumb” questions out of your system before you’ve learned enough to ask the “smart” questions that will really matter.

Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture

My brother said a long time ago “I know you’ll succeed wherever you are.” Everyone needs to hear that once in awhile to believe it. And once a person believes something, it’s closer to happening.

Most memorable business experience

After a few months of work, saving our bread and butter business from being taken by a competitor, who promised our customer lies that ended up becoming obvious in due time.

Mentor

I probably need more.

What motivates you for success?

Knowing that any day I can die. And I better have done what I can with what I have while I still have it.

Like best about what you do

Traveling around the world and meeting different people, and learning different views about the world. I was in 4 continents once in 1.5 months. Having flexibility to still be able to do non-profit work, balanced with work.

Like least about what you do

I have tons of menial work and paper pushing.

At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I don’t remember. I probably wanted to be Rambo and be in the military.

Biggest pastime outside of work

Non-profit work typically involving youth public service development and community building. Golfing. Spending time with friends.

Person most interested in meeting and why?

Jimmy Carter. What is he more known for…being President of the US or his pioneering work for Habitat for Humanity? The answer probably doesn’t matter. It’s amazing he did both.

Leader in business most interested in meeting and why

Michael Jordan. He is the epitome of making a business out of something he is passionate about. I think some other people are passionate about making money, then found a product. He had the product and passion first, then made the money.

Three interesting facts about yourself

I am fascinated by twins. My head hurts when I laugh too hard so it’s kind of uncomfortable. I can’t eat shrimp, crab, and lobster (and don’t like the taste anyway).

Characteristics that describe you

I am a communication freak meaning I talk a lot, am very open, and also ask lots of questions (aka can be nosy). I’m very extreme – can act like a 10-year-old with friends but a 50-year-old with work.

Three greatest passions

Working with motivated youths. Starting things (like a new organization). Having lengthy talks with anyone.

Teddy Liaw

Credits

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