Mar

Meet The Dasher: From A Multinational Corporation To A Coliving Start Up

Strolling onto the rooftop of Dash Living on Mackenzie, one of Dash Living’s Singapore properties, surrounded by the bustling city sights of Little India, our newly minted Regional General Manager (Singapore & Australia) Keefe Tan, sits with ease on the outdoor swing letting us in on being the chosen one. He casually recalls how it all started with his interview with Founder & CEO, Aaron Lee and team, his experience operating a coliving space, and his leadership style from his Army days.

Taking a leap of faith, Keefe left CapitaLand to embrace his red sabre (if you know, you know) and take on the arduous task of building up Dash Living Singapore.

What made you (in the words of Aaron) join the “dark side”?

Keefe (K): Both sides have pros and cons, but freedom, which also comes with a lot of responsibility, was what drew me to the “dark side”. In a big company, there are many levels of approval that hinder the decision-making process. At Dash Living, with the flat hierarchy and emphasis on efficiency, I am empowered to make decisions and in turn, enable my teams to execute quickly. This flexibility has allowed Dash Living to grow rapidly in multiple locations across the Asia Pacific despite the pandemic and the fluctuating rental market.

It has been a challenging and exciting journey with Dash Living over the past year. Not only was I presented with many growth and progression opportunities, I was also able to celebrate successes with the teams in Singapore, especially when we launched 2 new en-bloc properties in a short span of 6 months.

All in all, it is indeed rewarding to have this level of ownership to grow the business in Singapore and now, in Australia too.

What is it like walking into a world that is all so familiar (Hotels) yet so different operationally?

K: When I was with CapitaLand, I had the chance to be part of the team that conceptualised a coliving brand and went on to open and manage a property with more than 400 rooms and 3 floors of social spaces. This experience allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the coliving industry and the unique challenges and opportunities it presents.

As I continue my journey with Dash Living, I am excited to share the lessons I learned, commit to adapting to new ways of doing things and conquer new challenges with my teams. Combining my knowledge of the strong processes of a big company with the flexibility of a startup, I hope to help Dash Living achieve the best of both worlds.

How would you describe your first year with Dash Living?

K: Fast & furious. My experience in Dash Living is akin to the thrill of driving at breakneck speed along a wide-open highway, with the wind in your hair and the rush of adrenaline coursing through your veins, while upgrading the engine and changing the wheels at the same time! In just one year, we grew our headcount substantially, more than doubled our revenue and turned profitable in Singapore. I am proud of the outstanding efforts of each and every team member in Singapore who has played a pivotal role in our achievements.

How do you define yourself as a leader?

K: I practise servant leadership, which means that I prioritise the needs of my team members. I strive to provide them with the support they need to succeed in their roles, whether that means offering resources or guidance. I also value open communication and encourage my team to share their thoughts and ideas with me freely. By doing so, we can work together to achieve our goals and overcome any challenges that arise. I believe in empowering my team members to take ownership of their work and make decisions that benefit both themselves and the organisation as a whole.

Through my servant leadership approach, I aim to create a positive and productive work environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to do their best.

What would your Army days self think of all this?

K: Back in the army, I specialised in building bridges to get troops across water bodies. It’s no different now, where I’m the bridge between multiple teams that are working collaboratively towards achieving a common goal. Whether we’re operating in hostile territory or navigating through challenging circumstances, my experience has taught me that survival is just as crucial as our offensive tactics to get everyone safely across the finish line.

Looking ahead to the future, what headspace are you in about this new role with Dash Living?

K: I’m thrilled to expand our presence in Australia by leveraging support from our Regional teams in Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as our remote team in the Philippines. This allows us to operate efficiently in an exciting new market, where our accommodation solutions will propel the growth of Dash Living in the Asia Pacific region.

In the end, it’s all about the people. My thoughts revolve around how I can help them to achieve better work-life integration, while also providing ample opportunities for growth and advancement by growing the business regionally. My ultimate goal is to create a workplace culture that is both dynamic and supportive, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

By fostering a positive and inclusive work environment, I believe we can achieve great things together. Whether it’s through ongoing training and development, our flexible Work-From-Anywhere arrangement, monthly team-bonding activities, or simply taking the time to listen to feedback and ideas, I am dedicated to supporting every member of my team.

Lastly, any words of advice for all our Dashers?

K: There is a very bright future for our company with lots of resources to grow our footprint & more importantly ourselves. During my recent trip to Hong Kong, I got the opportunity to learn from many Dashers, which highlighted the value of knowledge sharing and how all of us have a key role to play. Let’s continue supporting each other as we soar to greater heights!