At Printcious, we believe in celebrating success stories, fostering innovation, and supporting communities that inspire growth. That’s why we were incredibly proud to be one of the sponsors of “The JobStreet Story” — an exclusive sharing session hosted at the AWS Office in Kuala Lumpur.
This unforgettable event marked the first-ever public reunion of JobStreet’s core leadership team on a single stage, offering a rare glimpse behind the curtain of one of Southeast Asia’s most iconic tech success stories.
The star-studded panel included:
Suresh Thiru – Former COO and later CEO of JobStreet
Albert Wong – Chief Technology Officer
Malek Ali – Chief Marketing Officer
Kay Yip – Co-founder of JobStreet
Kwee Bee – One of the earliest investors in the company
The session was masterfully moderated by Chen Chow and Warren Leow, who guided the panel through a captivating 2-hour 40-minute deep dive into the making of one of Southeast Asia’s most iconic tech companies.
This wasn’t your typical tech talk. The panel was raw, honest, and packed with lessons relevant to entrepreneurs, marketers, tech leaders, and investors alike. Here are some of the standout themes:
1. The Unique Culture That Fueled Success
Culture eats strategy for breakfast — and JobStreet’s success is a testament to that. The founders spoke about how a strong internal culture, rooted in mutual respect, accountability, and transparency, helped them weather storms and drive performance. It wasn’t just about KPIs — it was about people.
2. Taking Bold Bets on Tech, Talent & Branding
From early tech stack decisions to aggressive hiring and branding campaigns, JobStreet didn’t shy away from risk. Albert shared stories about choosing cutting-edge (and sometimes unproven) technology, while Malek highlighted the importance of establishing a memorable brand voice in a crowded market.
3. Healthy (and Unhealthy) Disagreements at the Top
Startups aren’t always smooth sailing — and this team didn’t pretend otherwise. They openly discussed internal disagreements and leadership clashes. But what stood out was their commitment to resolve tensions constructively, keeping the company’s mission front and center.
4. The Politics Behind the Curtain
In any growing organization, politics play a role. The panel tackled the "good, bad, and real" aspects of corporate politics — how they managed egos, navigated alliances, and kept communication open, even when the stakes were high.
5. The High-Stakes Sales Negotiations with SEEK
One of the most riveting parts of the session was the story behind JobStreet’s acquisition by SEEK, the Australian job portal giant. From initial conversations to final negotiations, it was a masterclass in sales strategy, valuation debates, and cross-border business dynamics.
6. Aligning Founders and Investors
Not always easy, and rarely talked about. Kwee Bee’s perspective as an early investor brought depth to the conversation. She emphasized the importance of aligned expectations, trust, and knowing when to step back to let founders lead.
7. The Near-Death Moments That Almost Ended It All
Every great company has its crisis moments. The panel didn’t shy away from sharing the times when it all nearly fell apart — from financial crunches to product flops and external market pressures. But it was those moments that ultimately forged their resilience.
Looking Ahead with Unicroach — and Printcious
Why Events Like These Matter to Printcious
At Printcious, we’re not just about printing personalized gifts — we’re about celebrating stories, building community, and empowering creators and entrepreneurs. Sponsoring events like The JobStreet Story reflects our commitment to supporting platforms that inspire growth and transformation in Southeast Asia’s business landscape.
We also believe that gifts are more than just products — they’re vessels of appreciation, recognition, and motivation. And what better way to celebrate visionary entrepreneurs than by being part of an event that honours their journey?
Until Next Time…
A huge thank you to Unicroach for organizing such a meaningful event and to AWS for hosting it. We’re thrilled to have played a role in making it happen — and yes, Printcious is proud to be a sponsor again for the next one!
Here’s to more stories, more inspiration, and more shared success. 🚀
Stay tuned to our blog for more updates and events we’re supporting across Malaysia and the region!
