Tran Tien Thinh

BUV ALUMNUS PAVING THE WAY FOR THE SUCCESS OF PHÊ LA – TRAN TIEN THINH

Tran Tien Thinh, a 2020 graduate of International Business Management programme at BUV, is currently the Brand Manager at PHE LA, where he contributes to developing the brand around its signature Oolong green tea.

With a strong interest in culinary arts and continuous self-development, Thinh chose to pursue a Marketing career in the F&B industry. His ability to adapt and learn has helped him progress in the field while contributing to PHE LA’s growth in Vietnam’s competitive beverage market.

How BUV knowledge and experience created an advantage in a new industry

The specialised knowledge and experiences at BUV greatly assisted Thinh as he ventured into new territories.

• The analytical and strategic skills gained in the Business module provided him with a comprehensive, profound, and practical view of the market when tackling the challenge of introducing Phe La to a new market.
• The Human Resource Management knowledge also helped him effectively manage, inspire, and enhance the efficiency and productivity of his team members. This aspect is genuinely challenging, and Thinh continues to hone and develop these skills every day.
• Beyond specialised knowledge, critical thinking skills, logical reasoning, and the ability to self-learn are habits that BUV instilled in Thinh and that have contributed to his current strengths.

Learning is never wasted: Make the most of every experience while you are young

In Thinh’s opinion, there is no one-size-fits-all formula. Right from his days at BUV, he gained a wealth of internship experience across various companies and roles. He believes that experience and determination were the key elements that helped him understand what he truly wanted from the start of his career.

Thinh understands that many students may feel uncertain about whether they have chosen the right field. In reality, he considers this part of the experience, as there is always something that can be applied from what they have studied.

Taking his own experience as an example, Thinh came from an IBM background but wanted to pursue Marketing. He started with roles related to planning, strategy, analysis, market development, or project management. Similarly, those studying accounting but passionate about Marketing can apply their analytical mindset to budget planning or market data analysis.

Everyone is a brand: How to nurture your own

Thinh sees today’s young people as incredibly talented individuals. Some impress him so much that he regularly follows them to learn and enhance his own skills. One common trait he has noticed is their ability to build a personal brand.

He advises everyone to treat themselves as a brand and develop it through the following steps:

• Self-awareness: Identify your strengths and weaknesses, much like creating a SWOT analysis for your own brand.
• Long-term planning: After recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, think about who you want to be like and what you want to achieve in 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years. Strategize to conquer those goals.
• Self-reflection and evaluation: After a certain period (for Thinh, it's every 6 months to a year), take a moment to assess what you've achieved, what's pending, and what you need to do to refine your goals for the future.

Every career path is shaped by different choices, experiences, and lessons along the way. Share your story with us at alumnirelations@buv.edu.vn and inspire others through your journey.