You might not have the particular natural gifts or talents that enable you to achieve each and every goal, but always strive to be your best and keep improving
Interview with Roxana Matei
Managing Director
Home & Office Antares Leasing Ltd.
Your working experience as a lawyer
Before going to university, I didn’t necessarily know that I wanted to be a lawyer. However, I really enjoyed studying law and the work experience I made was important too. It was definitely a step-by-step process.
After graduation, I began working as legal advisor for one of the most active companies in the management of performing and non-performing loans in Romania. As a legal advisor, I had to handle the entire process of tracking customers from the issuing of payment obligations, monitoring the receipts of payments, to the collection of receivables that exceed maturity, as well as representing the company in court and tribunals.
Few years later, I joined a Romanian company engaging in packing, micro-packing, and acting as distribution partner for major international pesticide producers. During my time here, I was actively involved in the day-to-day legal tasks, regulatory compliance and litigation.
All these years, helped me gain a strong background and understanding of financial and general corporate law.
Your challenges at Antares Advisory
One of the biggest challenges has been moving to Thailand and accepting the Marketing and Business Development Manager position with Antares Advisory, a Bangkok-based full-service law firm.
I had to adapt, because my role has certainly changed from the one I had before as a legal advisor. I have become responsible for maintaining strong client relationships and creating new ones across all service lines, help the company expand into new markets and drive new businesses. Since it is mostly based on Thai law, I do less drafting and legal research.
Shortly after joining Antares, I discovered what exceptional results an effective marketing could deliver, especially in this competitive Thai legal market.
I have quickly decided to go back to school and study Digital Marketing Management and I start being involved in the marketing business development work.
Quite often, lawyers have told me that they feel frustrated when marketing professionals don’t understand their practices.
Having an expertise and experience in the legal field has given me a competitive advantage and one that I utilize every day in helping my company achieve its objectives. I know exactly what the lawyers are doing and how that fits in with the clients’ demands.
Yes, you might say that the practice of law and legal marketing are different in many ways. However, they are both demanding and intense. Success in either of these two domains requires talent, applicable skills, drive, and determination.
One of my challenges as a Marketing and Business Development Manager is how to differentiate our practice from others, especially in legal environment where some competitors are trying to compete on price. I always strive to deliver exceptional customer experience and create long-term relationships.
Beside this, legal marketing and business development are evolving rapidly, so I need to constantly update my skills and re-think strategies to achieve our business goals while engaging in efficient marketing.
Your advice for people who are interested in Marketing and Business Development, especially a woman
To become successful in any business area, not only Marketing and Business Development, women should combine the ‘feminine’ behaviors of being empathic and asking open-ended questions with the ‘masculine’ behaviors of confidence and self-promotion.
Women are often thought to be skilled at interpersonal relationships. Additionally, they tend to be perceived as more trustworthy than men, and trust is essential to gain new business opportunities. Female clients may prefer to take their business to firms that promote women. So, let’s take the opportunity and use the gender to our advantage!
Inspirational quote
Work hard and make it happen! Constantly find ways to learn and grow. You might not have the particular natural gifts or talents that enable you to achieve each and every goal, but always strive to be your best and keep improving. And don’t forget to always respect people along the way!
