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Interview with Michael Wittmann

In the 21st century, there is really no need to stereotype anymore about which gender fulfills a professional role

Interview with Michael Wittmann
Project Manager & Assistant to the Commercial Counsellor
ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Bangkok

ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Bangkok

Hello Michael, thank you for joining our interview today, please introduce yourself and what are the services that Advantage Austria Bangkok provides?

It’s my pleasure. Thank you very much for inviting me to this interview! My name is Michael Wittmann, I am 32 years old, my mother is Thai, and my father is Austrian. I was born in Austria and moved to Bangkok about 6 years ago to work here at ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Thailand.

ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA is the trade promotion and internationalization organization of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. With around 100 offices in over 70 countries, we provide a broad range of information and business development services for both Austrian companies and their international business partners. One of our main tasks is to organize events in order to connect Austrian and Thai businesses. Other services provided by our offices range from assisting Austrian companies to find importers, distributors, or agents to providing in-depth information on Austria as a business location and assistance in entering the Austrian market. Here in Bangkok, our office is responsible for Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. So, if you are interested in Austria or Austrian products, feel free to contact our office or check out our website www.advantageaustria.org/th

As you are half Thai-Austrian, and fluent in Thai, German, English languages, what made you decide to live and work in Thailand instead of working abroad, like in Austria? Do you think it is important for young people at the start of their career to work in other countries?

I consider Thailand my second home and it was always my dream to work and live here (because of my ability to speak Thai but also because I have family here). It was in fact my parents who encouraged me to apply at the Austrian Embassy/ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA when I was on vacation in Thailand. So, I did, and I got an immediate response from the Austrian Commercial Counsellor, Günther Sucher, who invited me to a job interview on the same day (it was a coincidence that they were looking for someone exactly during that time). Long story short, I got the job, and one month later, I moved to Thailand and started working at ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA. I think it’s a great experience to work abroad, especially in a country with a much different culture than Austria. While working in Thailand, I have broadened my inter-cultural understanding and developed my professional skills tremendously.

Austrian Commercial Counsellor, Günther Sucher

What was your first job experience and most important milestones of your journey until you became Project Manager & Assistant to Commercial Counsellor at Advantage Austria Bangkok?

Before moving to Thailand, I worked in the Marketing Department of a company which is part of the Ministry of Transport in Austria. During my time there, I got to know a lot of people from Austrian companies and learned a lot about marketing and different work processes. The contacts and the knowledge I gained at the Ministry helped me a lot to start my new job in Thailand.

Another interesting thing is that you are also an actor, how did you get into the industry and what are your impressions you like to share with us?

Part of my job at ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA is to attend networking events regularly. During one of those events, I met a Thai movie director, and he asked me if I was interested in being part of his upcoming movie project (a Thai-Myanmar drama). At first, I was a bit skeptical, as I had no acting experience at all, but I tried it anyway. And I am very happy that I did, as it was such an interesting experience, and it opened the doors for other projects for me. After that, I was able to act in another Thai movie, also doing some commercials (e.g., for Thai Airways Austria, Vana Belle Koh Samui Hotel, KTM Motorcycle, …). So, let’s see what the future will bring!

Thai-Myanmar drama

As an Assistant to the Austrian Commercial Counsellor, we often see women working in this role, what are – if any - the different strengths between genders that influence this work, in your opinion?

First of all, it is my personal belief that in the 21st century there is really no need to stereotype anymore about which gender fulfills a professional role. I would say as the assistant to a person with a busy schedule, it is important to have a very good understanding of how to aid that person in the best way possible. For me, I definitely have such an understanding with the Austrian Commercial Counsellor and as a result, there is often a blind understanding about what is needed in a certain situation.

We heard from H.E. Ambassador Dr. Eva Hager before how supportive the Austrian Embassy is when it comes to gender equality and support for female careers. As a role model and example of being ‘diverse’, how do you think Advantage Austria Bangkok manages diversity and inclusion every day in the workplace?

ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA is strongly supporting gender equality/inclusion and female careers, as it is one of our top priorities. We have a lot of female leaders in our organization worldwide. With 5 female and 4 male employees, we have a lot of women’s power in our Bangkok office as well.

ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA is strongly supporting gender equality/inclusion and female careers

How does digitization support your business and why is it important for future leaders?

Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, digitization made our work life a lot easier. With all the information online, working from home was almost like working from the office. With our newly launched CRM system from our head office in Vienna, we are now able to access company/contact details and event information remotely worldwide. Also, in terms of vocational training, digitization helped us a lot to gain knowledge with online courses, being able to learn from everywhere.

How does digitization support your business and why is it important for future leaders?

What would be your advice for young people who want to work and succeed in Thailand?

It was very helpful for me to attend a lot of (young professionals) chamber networking events. There I met a lot of people who have started a new chapter of their lives working in Thailand and they gave me lots of good advice. Also, you will make some good friends and connections there. Another advice from my side, if you plan to stay for a longer time: learn the language. When I came to Thailand 6 years ago, I was not really able to read and write in Thai. Since I have arrived in 2016, I have been constantly improving my Thai reading and writing, which I practice regularly.

Last but not least, what is your inspiring message to the DBWT community?

Get out of your comfort zone and relish the challenges that working in a foreign country brings. It will enhance your personal and professional development enormously!

Interview with Michael Wittmann
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