Partner Success Associate and Japanese native, Kaho Okajima has traveled around the world for her career and is now based in our Subang Jaya, Malaysia, office as part of the Lodging Competitiveness and Agility Team in Asia Pacific.  
 
We caught up with Kaho to find out what life is like at Expedia Group Malaysia and how she’s enjoyed immersing in the different culture and experiences relocation has offered.

Kaho Okajima, Partner Success Associate, Subang Jaya, Malaysia

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Tell us about your team.

I am a part of the Agility team and we are focused on providing the best rates to travelers, at all times.

We approach hotels to grow our business, while negotiating with them to secure the best rates and availability on the Expedia app and website. If we find that we aren’t as competitive on prices, and availability, compared to other OTAs, we contact the hotels to find the best solutions to address these gaps. This way, we are ensuring that our travelers will have the best rates. 

Our team is new, and that offers an exciting opportunity for us to continuously learn different approaches and learn from our conversations with hotel partners. We have also grown recently to provide support in additional languages, including Mandarin.

Tell us about your role as Partner Success Associate.

In my role, I support the Japan market by reaching out to properties that have the potential to improve their visibility and performance with us. What I enjoy most about this role is the opportunity to engage with hotel partners across Japan. I help enhance their visibility and increase revenue by driving more bookings through Expedia, creating a win-win relationship for both the hotels and Expedia Group. 

In the office, I kick off my morning by grabbing coffee from our barista, which is one of my favorite things here, it helps set a positive note for the day. My typical routine begins with preparing for calls, checking a high priority list of properties, to identify the most pressing conversations with partners. I then reach out to discuss their current needs and offer solutions to address any BML (Beat Meet Lose) challenges, and to create more business opportunities. I also have meetings with colleagues from the Partner Growth and Agility and Market Management teams.

What is it like working in the Subang Jaya office? And why did you decide to relocate there?

The Subang Jaya, Malaysia office is one of the main hubs in Asia Pacific. Nearby, there are numerous food options of all cuisine types. The office is situated within walking distance of one of the largest shopping malls in Malaysia, as well as Sunway Resort – a theme park, a water park, and has beautiful natural surroundings. I love this location because it offers plenty of opportunities for hanging out and gathering with colleagues outside of work.

The main reason why I moved here was because of the job offer I received from Expedia Group. I wasn’t specifically looking for a job in a particular city, but I felt excited about the idea of moving to a new place at that time. Before coming to Malaysia, I had worked in Macau and Bangkok. My experiences in those two cities really broadened my perspective and helped me see the world in a new way, rather than staying in Japan. I was also interested in getting to know a country with such a rich diversity of cultures and religions. I also appreciate the convenience of traveling around Southeast Asia. Looking back, I feel that it was one of the best decisions of my life.

For people interested in working in another country, I would encourage you to do it, and step out of your comfort zone. Changing your environment is one of the best ways to expand your opportunities. In particular, here in the Malaysia office, we have colleagues from many different countries, especially across Asia. I’ve had the chance to work with a diverse group of people, and I’ve made many friends along the way. This is one of the things I love most about this office. Many Japanese people working here also came for similar reasons, which has helped us form strong connections.

What are some of your interests outside of work?

What is Expedia Group’s culture like?

Here is how I would describe our amazing culture:

Diversity & Collaboration: colleagues are from various countries and backgrounds, this fosters an environment where we can learn from, and respect, one another. We leverage our varied skills for collective growth.

Respect: our open culture emphasizes mutual respect, creating a comfortable working atmosphere. 

Global Presence: with offices around the world, we get to connect with colleagues in different regions. This unique setup allows us to experience work in other countries, which is great.

Career Opportunities: The global nature of our offices provides numerous opportunities for career advancement within EG.

Why would you recommend a career at Expedia Group?

I would highly recommend this company because it offers a wealth of opportunities. We can grow our careers based on our decisions and willingness to take on challenges. The environment here is supportive, with direct managers who are committed to our development. We regularly have one-on-one sessions with our managers to discuss our present and future goals. Ultimately, everything is driven by our own choices, but being surrounded by talented and respectful colleagues, who are ambitious and motivated, inspires me to pursue my own growth even more. 

From a career opportunity perspective, I actually was able to transition from the Operations team to the Market Management team, gaining valuable experience and building on my previous expertise. This is the first company where I’ve expanded my career in this way. I previously worked in the hotel industry and was fortunate to join this company. As a new hire, I initially struggled with the IT environment and communicating with partners, but I received strong support from my team leaders and managers, which helped me adapt from my previous role. Since then, I’ve been able to transition into a sales position, which is another new challenge for me. I truly believe this company provides the best environment for career growth and offers ample opportunities for me to realize my potential.

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