Hafeezah Kamal: A Champion of Continuous Improvement

We are proud to feature Hafeezah from ASW Malaysia, one of ASW’s outstanding Culture Champ awardees. She’s a great example of how learning on the job can create a solid foundation for career growth. Discover how she managed her most memorable challenge at work and the Malaysian proverb that guides her work ethic.

1. How did your career journey begin, and what led you to ASW Global?

I started as a secretary at an insurance company, where I learned the basics of administration and application form submissions. I shifted to a receptionist role, which significantly improved my communication skills as I interacted with staff at all levels.

Following that, I became an insurance underwriter, diving much deeper into the technicalities of processing applications and reporting. Unfortunately, in 2024, I was laid off due to the closure of my department. However, this closed door opened a new one when I applied and was gratefully accepted to work here at ASW Global!

2. Can you tell us about your role in Client Support Services and what a typical day looks like for you?

My current role is focused on Client Onboarding, which perfectly utilizes the experience I gained from my previous jobs. In Client Support Services (for client partner Koda Capital), a typical day involves preparing specific reports requested by advisers, conducting Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks, and managing various administrative tasks to ensure everything runs seamlessly.

3. Congratulations on your Culture Champ award for Continuous Improvement! How do you demonstrate this value at work?

Thank you! For me, continuous improvement is about consistently finding ways to enhance my work to deliver top-tier service to my clients. I demonstrate this by always aiming to complete my tasks well ahead of the set deadlines.

I am also very particular about accuracy—I always double-check my work to ensure no small details are missed or incorrect. If I am ever unsure about a process, I make it a point to consult my Team Leader or Manager rather than just making assumptions.

4. What advice would you give to someone trying to build a mindset of continuous improvement?

My best advice is: “Never Give Up.” Whatever challenges or heavy workloads you face, especially in critical or high-pressure situations, stay focused on completing the tasks assigned to you. Approach your work patiently, calmly, and without complaining. A clear and composed mind solves problems much faster.

5. Can you share a memorable challenge at work that helped you grow?

It happened at my previous job during the fasting month of Ramadan. It was the cut-off date to submit client applications, and I had to work from 9:00 AM straight through to 3:30 AM the next day to get everything finalized. It was incredibly exhausting, but I received special recognition from the company for providing the best support to my teammates during that crunch time. It taught me the true value of resilience and teamwork.

6. How do you practise work-life balance? What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I make sure to clock in and clock out right on time. After work, I usually spend a little bit of time catching up with friends before heading home to spend quality time with my husband. Once I log off, I completely disconnect from work thoughts unless there is a true emergency.

On weekends, my time is fully dedicated to my mother and my extended family. To balance this out at the office, I actively join ASW events and activities so I can mingle and bond with my colleagues during work hours.

7. What’s one thing on your bucket list you hope to achieve someday?

My ultimate bucket list goal is to travel and visit every single country in the world!

8. What Malaysian saying or proverb best reflects your work ethic?

“Yang berat sama dipikul, yang ringan sama dijinjing.” This beautifully translates to: “Heavy burdens are carried together, light burdens are carried together.” It reflects my work ethic because I strongly believe in teamwork and solidarity. Whether a task is incredibly challenging or just a simple daily chore, we achieve the best results when we support one another and work as a united team.

9. If your career journey were a movie title, what would it be?

“The Pursuit of Happyness.” I absolutely love the resilience Will Smith’s character showed in that movie, struggling and overcoming odds to be the best father and provide for his family. It reminds me of the perseverance needed in our own career journeys to build a good life for the people we love.