Jen Nguyen

Director of Corporate Operations

Born:
Saigon, Vietnam

Prior Experience:
ALLS, Inc. - Business Operations Manager
Avacore Technologies, Inc. - Sports Operations Manager
Kalepa Networks, Inc. - Director of Operations

Education:
University of Southern California & San Diego State University - B.S. Business Administration
Golden Gate University - M.B.A. Business Administration

What I like to do outside of work:
What is work? It's is defined as "exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something." SuccessFactors has become more than a place of employment, but has become my passion, hobby and pastime as well. I am an adrenaline junkie. I'm attracted to activities and sports that challenge both my mental and physical abilities. I love the discipline and sweet science of Muay Thai. Nothing compares to stepping in to the ring against an unknown fierce competitor and facing your fears head on. When I want to tone it down a notch and I am in the mood for a non-contact sport, I enjoy playing tennis! Is there really a difference between working hard, playing hard? You better love what you do.

Q: Where in your background did you learn the most?
A: I've been a competitive athlete for most of my life and that has taught me "sport smarts" as compared to "street smarts." I truly believe that you develop life and professional skills through sports. You learn to compete and adapt under strenuous circumstances when you aren't prepared, when you aren't at the top of your game, or when conditions are far from ideal. You learn to quickly assess the situation, to develop a strategy, and to strategically execute. You learn composure under pressure and graciousness upon defeat. Losing is easy, but winning is hard. You need to ask yourself if you are willing to sacrifice and put everything on the line to achieve excellence and performance. This is the standard that I live by and I don't compromise for anything less.

Q: If you could meet one person in history, who would you meet and why?
A: I have been most fascinated and intrigued by ordinary day to day people and their life experience, struggles, and personal history whom I have crossed paths with during the course of my life. That is the real deal.

Q: What's been your biggest surprise during your time at SuccessFactors?
A: Experiencing the super accelerated growth since joining the company and we haven't even taken off from the starting blocks yet. Everyday at SuccessFactors is an exciting adventure. When you cross the threshold into SuccessFactors, there is no antidote that will prevent you from being infected by our contagious culture, our passion, and our energy.

Q: If you had 20 seconds to tell a new client about why they should use SuccessFactors, what would you say?
A: Organizations exist and are defined by people. SuccessFactors is the competitive advantage to maximize and exceed that human capital potential. (Not only was that 20 seconds, but it was 20 words!)

Q: Why do you believe in the promise of Performance & Talent Management?
A: Generally, it is human nature to compare and benchmark ourselves and others against specific data whether we have an interest in sports statistics, individual results, peer recognition, organizational accomplishments. Performance & Talent Management is more than collecting raw data; it is the tools and ability to understand the results: why we win, why we lose, what got us there, how we can do it even better. It is all about Kaizen.

Q: Do you have a story or memory of how P&TM has helped you in your career?
A: SuccessFactors is its own customer success story. We are the pure pay for performance organization and P&TM has given us the competitive advantage to tap in to the mindshare and potential within our organization, to effectively manage and develop our human capital, and to provide our people with clear visibility to results and meritocracy.

Q: Why are you proud to work at SuccessFactors?
A: It is an honor and an inspiration to be working with such a talented group of people who are the best in class in the industry across all functions. Collectively, we continue to raise the bar. You will never find an organization that is more relentless and committed to achieving excellence, innovation, and service. Our work is never done and we will never accept mediocracy.