ZEISS employee Vivian standing in the office hallway.

ZEISS Stories | Vivian

Resilience overcomes everything

Sales

In her private life, Vivian is a passionate runner, and as a sales engineer at ZEISS in Singapore, she demonstrates ambition and perseverance. She appreciates ZEISS for allowing her to develop professionally in line with her high ambitions. Moreover, she doesn't have to be a lone fighter, as she feels part of a global team where everyone works towards the same goal.

I see this phase of life as an opportunity to fully realize my potential.

Vivian Sales Engineer

ZEISS employee Vivian standing in the office hallway, holding her Laptop in her hands.

Having found the love of her life and with her children becoming more independent, what's next? Some people slow down at this stage. Not Vivian: "I see this phase of life as an opportunity to fully realize my potential." That's why she joined ZEISS two and a half years ago, where she is responsible for sales of devices in Singapore as a sales engineer.

Understanding Customer Needs and Device Portfolio

Her role is demanding, just like the prospects and customers she deals with — industrial users who require high-quality coordinate measuring machines, industrial computed tomography systems, or microscopes. As a sales engineer, Vivian must understand their needs and select the appropriate option from ZEISS's solution portfolio. From Tuesday to Thursday, she is on-site with customers, while Monday and Friday are dedicated to planning and follow-up. Vivian comments, "I like that I can work independently without micromanagement. The processes, from needs assessment to contract conclusion, are varied and challenging."

Challenge Accepted

Originally from Malaysia, Vivian moved to Singapore in her early twenties. After training as an accountant, she studied business administration. Early on, she developed an interest in sales tasks and their challenges. "My life motto is: Resilience overcomes everything. I live for pursuing high goals," says Vivian. "I even applied to the police in Singapore once — with extremely high entry barriers. Although it didn't work out, I'm proud that I passed the physical aptitude test and the IQ test." For many years, she worked in sales at smaller companies but was never completely happy. "I simply lacked development opportunities," explains Vivian.

ZEISS employee Vivian presenting with the help of a TV screen.

Structured Support for Top Performance

Then a former supervisor from her previous job, who had moved to ZEISS, remembered Vivian when a sales position needed filling. Vivian explains, "I am grateful to this day that my supervisor saw an opportunity for me and significantly supported me — that was exactly what I was looking for." To acquire the necessary knowledge, she completed a two-week technical training in Germany and another training in Kuala Lumpur. Additionally, she gained deeper knowledge through self-study and customer interactions. "At ZEISS, you not only have the opportunity to develop, but you are also qualified accordingly," reports Vivian. She was particularly impressed by the fact that the ZEISS spirit can be felt worldwide: "Whether in Singapore or Germany, you feel like part of a global team where everyone pulls together."

Authenticity as a Recipe for Success

Despite all her ambition, she believes that honest and sincere communication with customers is crucial. If she cannot answer a question immediately, she researches thoroughly and provides the necessary information afterward. She values regular contact with customers and ensures that their concerns are taken seriously and addressed promptly. And perseverance pays off: "One of my biggest challenges was a sales process that stretched over eight months. The order required a total of 14 signatures from decision-makers in various departments and countries. The final order came at Christmas— it was the best gift for me."