5 mins with Mia Tsai

Why did you come back to Asus?
Asus is a great global company with many career opportunities and with my Australian business experience I believe I can help Asus to continue to grow in Australia and New Zealand. It's hard to stay away from a challenging role in a dynamic company!

How important was it for you to be one of the first women to be hired by the vendor?
It's a great honour and I am confident I can perform well. IT is a dynamic and growing industry and I'd encourage women to look at it seriously for their careers.

What's your role there?
I am the managing director of ASUSTek Computer for Australia. I am also the business development manager of Asus open platform products of the Australian and New Zealand market.

If you weren't in your current role what else would you be doing?
If I wasn't working for Asus I would probably be running my own business and perhaps starting another new business with my husband. We launched our own business more than four years ago and it was both challenging and rewarding.

How do you start your day?
I like to get up early so that I have time to enjoy breakfast at home with my family. We always make time for a chat and even if it's only 10 minutes it means I always leave for work with a smile on my face.

What don't you leave home without?
I never leave home without a positive happy mood and my mobile phone.

What can't you live without?
I'd have to say my Asus laptop!

What's your favourite holiday destination?
I've always loved travelling to New Zealand. The scenery is just so beautiful wherever you go, and it's a great place to unwind and relax. It's also a fantastic place for a skiing holiday in the winter.

What's your favourite time of year?
Christmas is my favourite time of the year and a time that I love to spend with family. It's also the best time of year from a business perspective because it's when we set our new targets and get ready for the fresh start of the new year.

What don't your clients know about you?
I love skiing and swimming and enjoy discovering and trying out new skiing destinations. I'm also a pretty good table tennis player, even if I do say so myself!

Who do you look up to in life?
My mother. She is a very positive and energetic person who loves to learn new things. I always try to make sure I bring these qualities to my own approach to life.

If there was a book written about your life what would it be called?
"A journey filled with surprises."

How did you get involved in the automobile business?
I was helping a good friend of mine with some research on the Australia automobile market. As I learnt more about it I began to see business opportunities and thought it would be a great market to get into.