Travel is a combination of the personal and the emotional.
Booking travel is not like shopping or groceries or booking a restaurant. It's much less frequent, so understanding what works just takes a lot more time.
I am a woman, and I am proud to say that I work in technology. But I also recognise that the combination of those two facts puts me in the minority.
Not only do we need more women in the technology sector, we also clearly need to refocus energy on improving gender equality in the global economy.
As a company powered by technology and digital innovation, Booking.com believes strongly in ensuring equal access and opportunity for all within the technology sector.
I've always been curious and taken many risks, but that is quite atypical for a woman. On the other hand, I think that's the only way to grow beyond yourself.
We found we were able to create better, customer-centric product features more quickly with a more diverse product team.
China's domestic travel is increasing, and that's why we are building our teams here in China.
We want to make sure that we have the right products for Chinese people.
I'm a master at getting as much in a day as possible.
Typically, I get to the office around eight o'clock. I have a very mixed schedule, and I always try to keep time for things that are not planned. You need time for whatever might pop up in the week.
If you run a global business, it's so important that you understand what happens in each place, and you can't do that remotely. I don't want to go anywhere and leave and not have seen the people who work for us. That doesn't feel good.
I travel very light. I never want to check a bag. My only standards are a few sets of clothes, my white sneakers, my blue backpack, and my laptop. I don't have any special things otherwise.
Traveling changes you as a person. If you buy something, it's so different than if you put your money into traveling.
Traveling is an experience that you can always carry with you. It makes the world come together more so we understand each other better.
And as a woman, you need to take risks. Don't stay too long in your own swim lane.
The culture of Booking.com has been very good for me because it's a culture where you're allowed to fail. When you think about taking risks, if it's OK to fail, you actually do a lot more. And you learn a lot quicker.
If you're afraid of failure or getting it wrong, you'll never truly innovate or disrupt the market.
Many people think we are a technology company, but we are totally customer-led.
My mother was from an entrepreneurial family and very creative. She always pushed me to take risks, to do things I wouldn't have thought of.
