With a passion for hiking and exploration, Allstar Nor Atiqah shares the ropes of balancing motherhood, personal interests, and her career as a Senior Manager of Performance Management and Network Control Centre for AirAsia’s brand, Teleport – Southeast Asia’s #1 air logistics provider. Tag along as we put Atiqah in the Hot Seat.

1. You know how we do it, Atiqah – tell us 3 fun facts about you.

• Not many of my colleagues know this, but I’m a big fan of travelling and hiking!

• My family and I are huge fans of nature; we're always out exploring it way more than we are the cities.

• I stick to my motto: never settling for less than what you truly deserve.

2. What kickstarted your career and led you to your current role?

Well, my career journey has taken some unexpected turns. Initially, I pursued mathematics for my Bachelor's and even my Master's degree. But I guess deep down, I've always been drawn to working with data.

I started off as an equity analyst in investment, dealing with pensions — big stuff, you know. But I found myself being pulled towards industries with structured data, like computing, and eventually logistics. The sheer volume and variety of data points to analyse really caught my interest.

So here I am, diving headfirst into performance management at Teleport! Despite only being in the logistics industry for about a year, I've been on this journey for nearly six years now. It's been quite the ride, transitioning from one logistics company to another.

3. What does a Senior Manager of Performance Management and Network Control Centre do?

My role revolves around overseeing the efficiency of our operations. The Network Control Center is the nerve centre where we monitor shipments around the clock to ensure everything runs smoothly.

On the performance side, I analyse data to identify areas for improvement, striving to enhance our service quality for customers. On a day-to-day basis, I focus on optimising performance metrics, meeting service level agreements, and hitting our targets. Given Teleport's growing stage and limited data resources, I've taken on the task of organising and refining our operational data. It’s important that the data is accessible and actionable for our team.

4. What’s a challenging moment in your career that you tackled?

There’s bound to be obstacles, and I embrace the opportunity to tackle them. One such challenge is dealing with messy data to ensure its accuracy and accessibility for all who need it.

I gotta give it to my team as well. It's great working with a team that puts in immense effort to enhance and improve the system infrastructure so we can efficiently track parcels, which is very important in logistics. You could say that I’m confident that we’ll reach our goal of smoother operations and better technology.

5. How has hiking contributed to your personal well-being?

Honestly, It’s a great stress-reliever. I started hiking about a decade ago, and since then, I've found that it helps me maintain a balance in my life, particularly amidst the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur.

It's like hitting the reset button for my mind and body; when I'm on the trails, I can temporarily forget about my to-do list and the pressures of everyday responsibilities. In a way it serves as my temporary escape from the chaos of life.

6. Tell us about your explorations; are there any specific destinations you enjoyed visiting?

I try to go hiking at least once a month, as it's a great way for me to unwind and connect with nature. Now that I always include my kids in my hikes, I need to choose trails that are suitable for them, so I often opt for family-friendly options like the Taman Tugu and Bukit Kiara trails.

The most memorable hiking experience was at Mount Kota Kinabalu, which I visited about nine years ago. The diverse weather changes and stunning vistas left a lasting impression on me.

Another trip that left a mark on me is Budapest. From its serenity to the beautiful old buildings and unique architecture, it was such a memorable experience, especially because it was a trip with my lifelong friends.

7. How do you balance your career and personal interests; all while being a mom?

Balancing a job with motherhood and personal interests is undoubtedly challenging, but I've found that having a strong support system is key. With an understanding husband and supportive family members, I can navigate the demands of work and family life more effectively.

It’s also extremely helpful to have bosses who respect your work-life balance. This allows me to manage my workload without sacrificing precious time with my family. Integrating personal interests, like hiking, into my schedule allows me to unwind and recharge, while family travel serves as a bonding experience for us.

By prioritising open communication with my employer and ensuring that my decisions align with the well-being of my family, I've been able to strike a balance that allows me to thrive both personally and professionally, which I think is a wonderful privilege to have.

8. What advice would you give to working mothers who aspire to excel in their careers while fulfilling their roles as parents?

Parenting is hard. Finding a balance between being a parent and a friend to your children is crucial. It’s important to establish boundaries and earn respect while maintaining a close bond with your children. Reassurance is key; juggling everything all at once can be tough. Sometimes you have to focus on work, but don’t forget to remind them that they are still a priority in your life!

I've found that dedicating quality time to my children, such as cooking for them or engaging in activities together, strengthens our connection and eases any tensions. Additionally, consider reducing time spent on non-essential activities like social media to free up more time for family. It's okay to make sacrifices now for the benefit of your children, knowing that your efforts will pay off in the long run.

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