Meet Neena Manalo, Our Native Teams Business Development Director From The Philippines

 

At Native Teams, we are fortunate to have a team of dedicated and passionate professionals who drive our mission forward every day. Today, we're thrilled to introduce you to one of our key team members, Neena Manalo, our Business Development Director based in Manila, Philippines. 

With an impressive career journey that spans various industries and a commitment to remote work efficiency, Neena brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to our team. Join us as we delve into her story and learn about her aspirations both within and beyond the business world.

 

Hi Neena! How are you today?

I’m doing great today thank you. Feeling great this morning while enjoying my cup of coffee.

Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and your journey to becoming Business Development Director?

I'm based in Manila and have extensive experience in sales in various industries. I began my career in the FMCG industry, transitioned to a property tech company and later on to the SaaS Industry. Throughout my journey, I've had successful stints in these industries, allowing me to hone my sales skills and steadily move up the ranks.

Given the crazy traffic conditions in Manila, I used to spend up to four hours a day stuck on the road to and from work. Burning a lot of hours in a day on traffic just reinforced my belief in the efficiency of remote work. I chanced upon Native Teams and was impressed on what they do and its potential to positively impact freelancers and remote workers. This led me to join the team and further my career as the Business Development Director.

 

What made you decide to join Native Teams?

I was actively seeking an opportunity to work remotely, and Native Teams offered exactly that. Two crucial factors for me when joining a company are : the company culture and the relevance of its product to clients.

During my interviews with Daniela and Jack, they provided an insightful overview of what Native Teams does and shared the company's vision. Both the culture and the product resonated with me, and I was really impressed. Since then, I have been looking forward to becoming a part of Native Teams.

What do you find to be the most unique or interesting aspect of working in our company's business development (sales?) team, especially in the Asian market?

Coming from different industries, I've found that this industry is unique in a fascinating way. In particular, I've noticed that even when it seems like we've lost a client, months later, after they've conducted their research, they often return ready to sign up with us. This is a testament to the strength and appeal of our product offerings. It's a great feeling to see how our product and service stands out and meets the needs of clients in the Asian market.

 

Can you walk us through a typical work day? How do you structure your day to maximise productivity and well-being?

I always start my day with a good cup of coffee! ☕️💕

First, I organize my meetings and emails for the day. I begin by catering to the Australian market, as they are a few hours ahead of my time zone. Once that's sorted out, I shift my focus to the rest of SE Asia. In the latter part of my day, I handle internal coordination and attend to any clients based in the CET timezone. This structure helps me stay productive and ensures I can effectively manage my workload across different regions.

Do you have a favourite work ritual or habit that helps you stay focused and productive?

Before my work day ends, I always set my to-do list for the next day. Having this list keeps me on track and ensures I know exactly what I need to accomplish. Without it, my day feels chaotic, and I often get sidetracked by different tasks. 

 

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your role, and how have you overcome them?

The biggest challenge for me so far has been starting the business from scratch and identifying the right set of clients to reach out to. It required a significant amount of effort to establish a foothold in the region. Fortunately, our marketing team has been incredibly supportive and (special shout out to Eniola), and together we've been able to slowly but steadily break into the market.

 

Looking to the future, both personally and professionally, are there any specific goals or aspirations you're excited about pursuing?

Professionally, I see great potential in the SE Asian market for our services. We've barely scratched the surface, and I'm eager to expand our business even further. My goal is for us to become the leading provider of EOR services in the region.

On a personal note, I'm looking forward to travelling, experiencing different cultures around the world, and even living in another country while working towards my professional goals.

 

In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of working remotely?

I’ll start with the pro’s: 😀

• I can work from anywhere, which means that I don’t need to get stuck in traffic! 😅
• I can work in my PJ’s 

Cons

I don’t see much of my colleagues ( not sure if this is a pro or a con? 😀), but seriously sometimes I miss the face to face interactions. 

 

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

Trying to balance my personal goal of travelling with my work goals. I ended up taking meetings at 3am while on a trip to make it work! 

What’s on your bucket list?

Visit all the countries in the world! 

 

What advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career with Native Teams?

Just do it!