Interview with: Pattaravadee Kongcharoenniwat

What has been your greatest achievement, in a professional and personal capability?

PK’s reply: When it comes to success, there have been many tasks that were carried out and completed successfully. So, if you ask me what the greatest success is, it’s hard to answer because I value every task. Personally, I see it as a matter of pride rather than success. Each day, new tasks come in for me to learn from, and when you finish learning one thing, there’s always something new to learn. Therefore, it shouldn’t be considered as success because there’s still much to be done and learned continuously.

So, this pride is present in both my professional and personal life.

(1) Professional Pride: I am proud of the work I do. Looking back from the first day I started working until today, there has been a lot of development, whether in terms of theory, work skills, or management perspective. Plus, keeping clients with us for a long time. The work I am most proud of is sharing knowledge and experience with clients, helping them understand intellectual property matters, and assisting them in strategizing for intellectual property protection. This ensures that their creative works are protected by intellectual property rights. By strategizing and managing the clients’ portfolios to their satisfaction, they feel they’ve received good and effective service and advice from me. As a result, my clients speak highly of me to their friends and acquaintances, and most of them have been using my services for over ten years. My client base, both old and new, is quite stable and trusts my services.

(2) Personal Pride: It comes from using my knowledge and experience to teach or share with new colleagues who are just starting their careers. For example, one team member of mine started without any legal background or knowledge of intellectual property. However, through my guidance and management, I was able to inspire him to pursue further studies in law and work in the legal field. He now has a good understanding of intellectual property. Even though he no longer works with me and has moved on to work in an in-house legal department, he continues to apply the knowledge and techniques I taught him to his work, leading to success and satisfaction with his superiors. I didn’t even know that he had posted a thank-you note to me on social media until I found out later. This made me very proud that I could inspire someone and help him work effectively. It showed me that I could help nurture talent in the field of intellectual property.

 

What do you do differently from your peers in the industry?

PK’s reply: In the legal industry, the core theories are essentially the same, but the differences lie in the skills, perspectives, attention to detail, and the courage to speak the truth to clients directly. Each piece of work is like tailoring a custom-made suit, even though the tasks may seem similar in nature.

 

What advice would you give to your younger self?

PK’s reply: Whether I’m telling myself or advising younger colleagues or those just starting their careers, there are two essential things that must not be overlooked:

1. The mindset that everything is “Can do” because it will allow you to try everything when the opportunity arises.
2. Always put in your best effort and do your best without focusing on the outcome. Whether the result is successful or not, at the very least, you can be proud that you gave it your all and did your best.

Disappointment is something everyone must face, though the timing may vary. However, if you encounter disappointment after doing your best and giving it your all, there will still be pride. This will help you see the mistakes that can be corrected and improved.

 

Can you give me a practical example of how you helped a client add value to the business?

PK’s reply: In the field of intellectual property, many entrepreneurs who are just starting out produce and sell products without any knowledge of intellectual property. In practice, when I meet with such entrepreneurs, it is necessary for me to explain to them that the products they produce, and sell can increase in value and credibility by building a brand. This allows customers to recognize that the products are under their brand. For example, one of my clients runs a beauty salon business and conducted research on hair-related products until they developed a quality product that customers have tried and found effective. Therefore, when I provided advice on trademarks and assisted them in registering their trademark, the products they sell increased in value, both in terms of price and the image of their business.

 

Within your sector, what do you think will be the biggest challenge for clients over the next 12 months?

PK’s reply: The biggest challenge for clients looking to protect their intellectual property rights in the next 12 months often revolves around several key areas:

1. Increased Competition: As markets become more saturated, competitors may attempt to infringe on IP rights, making enforcement more critical and challenging.
2. Global Enforcement: Navigating different IP laws across countries can complicate enforcement efforts. Understanding local regulations and forming international strategies is essential.
3. Digital Transformation: The rise of digital platforms and e-commerce means that IP theft can occur more easily. Clients must invest in cybersecurity and monitor online activity actively.
4. Cost Management: Balancing the costs of IP protection (like legal fees and registration costs) with other marketing and investment needs can strain budgets, especially for smaller businesses.
5. Rapid Technological Change: Staying ahead of trends while protecting new innovations requires agility in both marketing strategies and IP filings.
6. Education and Awareness: Ensuring that employees and stakeholders understand the importance of IP protection can be a challenge, leading to potential internal vulnerabilities.

To navigate these challenges, clients should consider comprehensive strategies that include robust monitoring systems, legal consultations, and employee training, alongside their marketing and investment plans.