Conversations with Nelson Liu

By Caleb Thien

Nelson Liu is Lead Trainer for Data Analytics courses at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). He graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS) with a Degree in Information Systems, and continued with a postgraduate education at the Singapore Management University (SMU) focusing on Financial Services Analytics.

What does your work entail and what is your role in the firm’s everyday operations?

The trainer role in BCG is a newly created position that requires dual competencies. Firstly, it requires me to have strong technical knowledge in the implementation of data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) in projects. Secondly, it requires proficiency in training other working professionals from different industries to do likewise. As such, I must exhibit both trainers’ and practitioners’ competencies.

When I am not training others, I may be involved in personal upskilling projects to understand the latest digital initiatives and what use these industries have on them. I may also go for courses to get myself qualified before teaching others or integrating them into lesson plans.

My target audience tends to be adult learners, for whom I conduct part time courses. At the same time, consulting teams may have clients looking for such upskilling courses, in which case I would work with these teams to deliver a more bespoke training package to meet BCG’s existing clients’ needs.

What attracted you to data analytics and information systems?

I started off by learning about Information Systems in school. Information Systems is a good balance between Information Technology as a discipline, and implementing it for businesses. Subsequently, I joined the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in the IT department as an associate working on project management. There, I gained exposure to different IT projects, such as application development, deployment and server management.

As the position was intensive, I desired a change in environment. As such, I then took on the position of a lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic to teach a Diploma in Financial Informatics. This was a natural progression as my experience at MAS was very relevant in the area of financial services and the technology involved in it.

While teaching, I realised that I was drawn to data analytics and fintech, or financial technology, where the latter began to trend. As such, with the support of my line managers, I was sponsored to further my studies in data analytics at SMU. This deepened my interest in the subject of predictive analytics and machine learning to add value to businesses. From there, my training focus switched to data analytics, leading to the development of various courses at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

Now a trainer at BCG, my current challenge is to teach with a practitioner’s experience, while balancing theory.

What attracted you to teaching?

I gain a sense of satisfaction teaching young adult learners, particularly polytechnic students, as their backgrounds tend to be unique; not everyone is solely concerned about their grades. I find that their desire to enjoy their youth while pursuing the knowledge and skills required for their career makes them interesting to teach.

What were the key lessons from your previous positions that you felt best prepared you for your current role in BCG?

Firstly, managing projects at MAS sharpened my communication skills to be more strategic and tactful in a professional environment. For example, with experience and maturity, it has become easier for me to repackage information in different ways for the appropriate target audience. Depending on the target audience, the level of information may have to be more detailed or abstract.

Secondly, as a lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, my ability to manage stakeholder interests has improved. With career progression and seniority comes managerial responsibilities. Managing stakeholders involves managing ‘upwards’ (School directors, principals and ministers) and managing ‘downwards’ (team members). To do well in managing stakeholders, I have learnt to accurately portray situational demands in order to align motivations and expectations of both upward and downward stakeholders. If not, conflicts and misunderstandings are likely to occur.

What are some key pointers for young professionals to take note of when communicating with stakeholders in a professional way?

It is important to place ourselves in the shoes of management to understand their concerns. In so doing, one would be better able to communicate one’s needs to management in a way that aligns with their priorities. Try your very best to show to management that you can do what they want, but still communicate to them your operational limitations and constraints. Ask for their assistance when possible.

Is it challenging for you to maintain your mastery of a developing knowledge domain?

Indeed, the runway for converting what I had learnt from SMU’s data analytics course into a course at Ngee Ann Polytechnic was very short. Even today, I am constantly learning something new about machine learning that I had missed out on earlier.

If upskilling is a concern for learners in my class, it is much more critical for me. As such, on days where I am not training, I deliberately research and learn on platforms like Kaggle, GitHub, Udemy and Linkedin Learning to augment my technical competency.

Another related challenge is helping adult learners to implement what they have learnt to their current roles immediately. This is especially pertinent as the learners in my class are usually functional managers who are expected to translate what they have learnt in class into tangible results for their organisation. To do so, I have to be sufficiently exposed to the ways in which machine learning is applied in companies.

From the perspective of a trainer, what are some increasingly in-demand skills that data-related graduates should adopt before entering the industry?

Firstly, one should adopt the mindset of a problem solver by having critical thinking and logical thinking skills. Programmes are only algorithms formed by lines of codes that can solve problems sequentially. As such, it is much more critical for a programmer to understand how a problem can be solved, rather than how to code.

Secondly, one should be comfortable with programming concepts as they tend to be similar across different programming languages. With good problem solving skills, along with strong programming foundations, you can now choose the domain you want to specialise in such as data analysis, cybersecurity, etc.

Along with problem solving, creativity seems to be a big part of your work. Is creativity important? Can creativity be honed?

Creativity is definitely important. Although I think creativity is innate, it also depends on how you define creativity. If you define creativity as taking concepts and past knowledge to solve problems in different contexts, creativity in problem solving can be honed.

What are some values or dispositions that a person hoping to enter a data related role should have?

Firstly, one should be adaptable as technology is one of the fastest moving industries, particularly cyber security and machine learning.

Secondly, one must have the ability to continuously learn. Whereas in previous years one may survive by relying on old competencies, such an age is past. The technology used in a company and its business processes are constantly changing. As such, one must be able to continuously keep up with these changes. As one rises in seniority, understanding the changing unique selling proposition of a company will also be increasingly important.

With increasingly widespread use of AI, there has been a view that junior consultants would become obsolete. What is your opinion of this?

Consultants are by themselves highly talented individuals who are able to produce insights and solutions for their clients. With the use of AI, some of their work processes, such as the developing and structuring of PowerPoint slides for their clients, can be done more efficiently. AI can make the jobs of junior consultants easier, but they can never be entirely replaced.

In that case, with the use of AI, how might the role of a consultant change?

Consultants are increasingly incorporating generative AI into the solutions that they sell to their clients. This is to differentiate themselves from their competitors as much as possible.

What are some professional or industry challenges that you have seen or experienced in your work?

Ironically, working with people is the most challenging. My class is usually composed of a myriad of professionals on the spectrum from fresh graduates to senior professionals and ex-C-suites. The challenge of a trainer lies in modifying my delivery to accommodate the learning expectations and career aspirations of everyone in the classroom. For example, those who find the lesson too technical may bemoan the lack of applicability, while those who find the lesson too applicable may consider the lesson unsubstantial in technical content.

For someone looking to enter a data-related position, what are some skills and dispositions one should equip himself with?

One must have the interest and passion for data to sustain oneself through his career. Although the industry pays well, workload can be quite overwhelming if one does not have any other motivations. Hence, it is not enough to be solely interested in programming or AI, one must be self-motivated to learn of the new trends in technology and digitalisation.

Additionally, one should consider the career progression beyond the current job role that one is applying for, and whether these available positions align with one’s interests.

As a trainer, what is something that is always on your mind?

I constantly ask myself “how do I enhance my training delivery?” After every lesson, I would instinctively reflect by reviewing the comments left by adult learners. These comments change according to the demographic of the adult learners, and provide valuable perspectives. Hence, I consider all comments, especially when I receive negative feedback even after delivering a class well.

What is something that you do deliberately on a day-to-day basis?

I focus on my mental wellbeing. At the age of 40, I can feel the strain of working continuously everyday. This might not come across as pertinent to youths who have the energy for the day, but giving myself 5 to 10 minutes of mental rest to focus on nothing can make a big difference. I do so early in the morning or in the afternoon before my classes begin.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?

With maturity and a level of interest and passion, your future will eventually work out. Thinking back, the CCAs and interests I had in school had nothing to do with data analytics, and yet I am happy with where I am. As such, I advise everyone to go out and try as many things as possible. Ultimately, learn fast, fail fast, rebound fast, and start again.