Dong - Marketing Manager, Shanghai, China
I was employed as the site manager for a Chinese marine engineer company, and then as marine Superintendent for a Denmark consultancy company.
Location - Shanghai, China
Education - In 1997 graduated from Harbin Engineer University in Shipbuilding Engineering
Date joined LR - In 2002 joined LR as a ship surveyor
What did you do before you joined LR?
I was employed as the site manager for a Chinese marine engineer company, and then as marine Superintendent for a Denmark consultancy company. In 2002, acting as ship owner’s superintendent during vessel docking at Dalian Cosco Shipyard I had a chat with an LR office manager onboard. It was after that I decided to apply to join LR.
How has your career developed since you’ve been at LR?
Joining LR as a ship surveyor in 2002 I worked in North China and Central China areas in the offices in Dalian, Shanghai, Nantong, Jiangyin, Wuhan, Zhoushan and surrounding areas.
In 2007, I was promoted to senior surveyor and in 2010, I was asked to take a one year assignment in Rotterdam port, Netherlands. This experience helped me to realise that the technical skills that I gained in China allows me to work well anywhere in the world. My colleagues in Rotterdam gave me an increased global understanding of the shipping industry. I saw how different countries organise themselves (LR and clients) and I, in return, was able to pass on some of my technical expertise. I gained more personal confidence to work with all people and cultures. It also helped to reinforce in me the respect in which LR is held globally.
Since February 2011, I have joined Business Development Team – China Shipowner Team at LR Shanghai office.
How has LR supported you?
In addition to the essential knowledge and experience obtained prior to joining LR, I have gained enormous and extensive professional knowledge and skills in a systematic and quick way, both technically and commercially. The more knowledge I gained about technical matters from papers, internal resources, available tools, formal training, or during my daily work, the more job satisfaction I would get and I would be more motivated to fulfill my next commitment.
What I have learnt is competence, integrity, confidence, responsibility, team work, job accuracy, communication, influencing clients to do the right thing (not the cheapest way), project management, building excellent working relationships internally and externally, commercial awareness, risk management methodology, etc. I have learnt and improved myself continuously, I can see the changes in myself, in my actions, and I have seen the benefits of this to individuals and to LR.
What are the main reasons you’ve stayed at LR for so long?
Being a surveyor is not an easy job but I can see my contribution and achievements. There are many enjoyable moments; endorsing documents for service delivery, watching a new ship launch, shaking hands with the Owner on completion of a conversion project, wishing the Master well at port after a successful survey and receiving thanks from a Superintendent after a job well done.
In 2004 when I was in my 3rd year working in LR as site surveyor in a remote part of China (it was at the time!), I was surprised to receive an email from the Asia Pacific Regional Director based in Hong Kong at the time, giving me praise. I didn’t know that he even knew about me. I am still grateful to all those emails as achievement being recognised internally by colleagues and company, externally by clients. Yes in this leading classification society doing things does matter, and in this Group everyone is valued.
What do you see as your next role or career opportunity at LR?
Now, I have just started working in the China Business Development team which is a new challenge for me and something that I look forward to. So, I have been trained and continue to expand my technical and management skills and hope that one day; I may see you as a fellow professional, client or as a colleague.