Dr. Ly-Le Unexpected Entrepreneurial Journey of Overcoming Challenges to Grow a Thriving Business!
Embarking on the entrepreneurial path can be both captivating and rewarding, yet it demands strength, courage, resilience, and a clear vision of success. Despite the potential hardships and moments of doubt, the journey offers life-altering experiences that will fuel progress toward objectives and inspire one to “Never give up.” Dr. Clāra Ly-Le faced an unexpected opportunity, but she embraced the challenge and dove into the unknown with unflinching determination. She committed to mastering the fundamentals of business growth, human resources, and operations, and she worked diligently to make it happen. Consequently, she succeeded in her endeavor.
Despite facing a number of obstacles throughout her journey, Dr. Ly-Le showed tremendous resilience and determination and never gave up. Through sheer grit and perseverance, she was able to triumph over the challenges and eventually reached the top. There were a few setbacks and difficulties along the way, but she ultimately emerged victorious.
Consequently, she is now a Managing Director at ELoQ Communications – A prestigious Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications agency in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In other words, she has proved that with hard work and commitment, anything is possible.
As the Managing Director, Dr. Ly-Le is responsible for overseeing the agency’s operations, driving business growth, and ensuring that the agency’s clients receive top-notch services. Her role is multifaceted, and she works closely with the agency’s team members to ensure that everyone is aligned with the agency’s goals and objectives. Dr. Ly-Le’s expertise in Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications has been instrumental in propelling EloQ Communications to success. Her strategy and business savvy have enabled the agency to become a top player in the communications industry, delivering cutting-edge solutions to its clients and resulting in increased clientele and profits.
From the hardships and struggles to the successes and victories, let us uncover the story of her inspiring journey as an entrepreneur.
Please brief our audience about EloQ Communications, its USPs, and how it is currently positioned as one of the leading PR and IMC value provider companies.
EloQ Communications is a boutique public relations (PR) firm in Vietnam that specializes in serving international clients. Our mission is to act as a local partner for these companies, connecting them with Vietnamese customers and bridging the communication gap. We take a unique approach to servicing foreign customers, leveraging our deep understanding of local business practices, culture, and target audience techniques. As local specialists, we advise our clients on how to tailor their messaging and engage with local media while embracing diversity in all its forms. Our organizational culture values equality and diversity, and we actively promote opportunities for women to advance in the workplace.
Tell us more about EloQ Communications’ innovative services and what impact they are making in the industry.
Our agency offers a comprehensive suite of services that covers all aspects of marketing and PR. From PR and social marketing to digital marketing, influencer marketing, business and product branding, crisis communication, integrated strategic planning, and event planning, we provide our clients with the best of the best in marketing and PR services.
Our skills have gained wide appreciation, allowing us to partner with renowned Fortune 500 organizations, both domestically and internationally, as well as quickly advancing startups. These include the well-known messaging app Viber, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and the top biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.
Our agency is committed to achieving remarkable outcomes by collaborating with our client’s goals. Recently, we partnered with AstraZeneca to create a successful disease awareness campaign during the pandemic, saving millions of lives, as well as assisting tech and hospitality companies to effectively market their services to their customers. Additionally, we provide our clients with superior service, paying attention to their individual needs and constructing tailored strategies to ensure successful results. With our expertise and knowledge, we are able to help our customers meet their marketing and PR needs and further the growth of their businesses.
Please brief us about yourself, your journey in the PR industry, and what inspired you to venture into this sector.
My aim for a long time has been to raise the PR industry in Vietnam to the same level of global recognition as other countries. Unfortunately, the PR sector in Southeast Asia and Vietnam, in particular, is often viewed as backward, leading to an underestimation of our strategic planning and creative skills. Multinationals often hire us to simply implement their pre-set plans, which can cause problems due to cultural and language barriers that are not taken into account.
Despite this, companies remain hesitant to trust local PR practitioners, despite the fact that many innovative ideas originate in this region. My professional goal is to challenge these preconceptions by establishing my boutique PR agency, EloQ Communications, that caters to foreign clients and highlights the creative potential of Vietnamese practitioners.
What is your opinion on the adoption of modern technologies in Integrated Marketing Communications and Public Relations?
For more than a decade, I have seen the industry transform with the adoption of modern technologies. PR and IMC have shifted to include digital tools, platforms, and practices that have reinvented the way we communicate. Technology has made it possible for us to work smarter, monitor performance and hone our PR and IMC approaches. Automation software helps us automate marketing and PR tasks and free up resources for more strategic initiatives. Data analytics tools allow us to track the success of campaigns and assess their effect, so we can modify our strategies. Virtual, augmented, and AI has created captivating experiences that engage our audience in unique and imaginative ways.
As a PR professional, I recognize the vital role technology plays in revolutionizing the PR and IMC industries. Data-driven insights allow us to tailor campaigns and form stronger connections with our audiences, resulting in greater loyalty. To stay competitive and gain an edge in the digital age, I believe it is essential to embrace modern tech. By utilizing the latest technology, we can create more effective campaigns, reach a wider audience, and remain ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
As a leading company, what were the major challenges that you faced while in the initial stages of your business? What challenges do you face now?
Beginning my entrepreneurial journey without warning and with no prior preparation, I had to invest a great deal of time and energy in understanding the ins and outs of business growth, human resources, and operations.
At the start of my venture, I faced a number of considerable issues. Unfamiliar with the sector, I made several missteps, like inefficient delegation, excessive hiring, and making promises that could not be fulfilled. Fortunately, I was able to overcome these setbacks by gaining a better understanding of my team’s capabilities and limitations and allocating tasks accordingly.
To stay competitive and profitable in a rapidly changing market, it is essential to have a strong team. Recruiting and retaining top talent, and managing resources effectively, are key to success. When delegating tasks, new entrepreneurs should be mindful, hire the right staff and set achievable goals for their clients. Achieving success requires effective delegation and collaboration. People are a company’s most valuable asset.
What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs who aspire to venture into the industry?
My advice for budding entrepreneurs is to develop a robust business plan, cultivate a strong network, and remain resilient. A strong business plan is essential for any successful venture, as it serves as a guide to reaching your objectives and a framework for expansion. Additionally, building a strong network is paramount for entrepreneurs to identify potential partners, investors, and customers. Finally, staying resilient and persisting through challenges is essential for success in the highly competitive world of entrepreneurship.
What are your key takeaways in business when you look back at EloQ Communications’ journey so far?
EloQ Communications has learned vital lessons about business through its journey. It has adapted to stay on top of client needs in the digital era, prioritizing quality services and customizing offerings, which has made it a dependable partner. Technology has been used to boost services and simplify procedures, and data-driven strategies have been utilized to assess strategy performance.
EloQ also understands the importance of a strong team with diverse skill sets and invests in employee training and development to deliver outstanding results. Sustainability is another priority, with ethical practices incorporated into operations and support for social and environmental initiatives. By following this roadmap, businesses can ensure long-term success and sustainability while also making a positive impact on the world.
Please give us a few testimonials of your clients/customers and a list of awards/recognitions that accurately highlight your organization’s position in the market.
EloQ Communications has achieved remarkable success in recent years, cementing its position as a premier PR and social media agency. In 2021, the agency was honored with the Best PR Agency Award at the ASEAN PR Excellence Awards, named Best Social Media Agency by TDA, and listed as a Top 10 Social Media Marketing Solution and Top 16 Content Company by PR Expert and BestStartup.Asia, respectively.
The following year, EloQ Communications was named Agency of the Year 2021 by Ad World Masters and was recognized as one of the top Southeast Asia social media marketing companies and startups by Best Startup Asia. Additionally, the agency won three categories in the Tech Behemoths Awards 2022: advertising, marketing strategy, and social media marketing.
