“It's been QUITE A RIDE.”

WEARNES AUTOMOTIVE MANAGING DIRECTOR VICTOR KWAN BELIEVES FUN, MENTORSHIP AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT ARE THE KEYS TO CAREER LONGEVITY.

- ANASTASIA PRIKHODKO

Victor Kwan has always had an interest in connecting with consumers. This is what led him to the car industry, a sector he’s been part of for the past two decades. “A car is one of the most integral parts of consumer consumption,” says the Managing Director of Wearnes Automotive, a luxury car dealership in Singapore.

Victor has been with Wearnes for 12 years. “It has given me many opportunities,” he says. “I have been involved in every single brand in our group’s portfolio. It’s been quite a ride.” The ride he’s referring to has consisted of many ups and downs. “Like many other industries, the automotive trade can be challenging and stressful. I have seen many young and experienced managers get stressed and burnt out.” To decrease his chances of experiencing the same fate, Victor regularly likes to remind himself to have fun at work. He adds, “Find some joy, some fun, and you need to have a lot of intrinsic satisfaction in your work.”

Victor sees this as critical to remaining in a business with a history of 114 years. “If you don’t find intrinsic satisfaction beyond just money in your job and role, then you won’t last the pace,” he says. “I try to inject some fun. I may not pull it off every time but I still try.” The other point Victor highlights, while making it clear that it might not be for everyone, is that he was given significant opportunities in his late 20s. “That had an impact on me,” he says. “And because of my experience, I believe in providing an opportunity for the young ones.”