Jetsetting with QlikView's Terry Smagh

SINGAPORE — As a business intelligence company, QlikView basically crunches big data into consumable nuggets. This information is used by clients as diverse as fishermen in Peru (who use the software to predict the best time to head out to sea), and fashion brand H&M, which uses the data to determine what items in its inventory sell better.

With the number of cities under his care, Terry Smagh, QlikView’s Vice President for South-east and North Asia literally has to travel every week for work.

“It has recently changed a bit because I have a little boy, so I try to be home three and a half weekends a month,” he said. “However, I also try to make it a habit to take some time off for leisure. I am not a city guy, so my holidays are about pristine white beaches and blue waters — the Maldives or Langkawi.”

Soon though, he will be making a trip for charity. To raise awareness and funds for HOPEHIV, a charity focused on helping African orphans and young people impacted by poverty and Aids, 10 QlikView employees — including Smagh — will be embarking on a five-day cycling tour through Malawi next month. JEREMY GOPALAN

Q: What do you look for when you travel for leisure?

A: Cold beer and good food — this to me is relaxation because I already travel every week and have been to every city in the region.

Q: What do you always have with you when you travel?

A: I live out of my suitcase and it is never emptied though I replenish it before every trip. I always pack extra, and it is always business attire. I actually streamlined my wardrobe to make it easier. Back in the day, I had more flamboyantly coloured shirts but now it is whites and blues all the way. It is simply easier to match. I also always have my gym gear — I actually feel that I am healthier when I travel than when I am in Singapore, because I get up early to go to the gym for 45 minutes at the hotel before work.

Q: How do you deal with jet lag?

A: For long trips, I never sleep upon landing. I will have a hot shower and then go to the gym. For short flights (anything five hours and below) I absolutely will not have alcohol because usually upon landing I will have to go straight to meetings. For long flights, I might have a couple glasses of wine to relax and get a good sleep. But with alcohol you need to rehydrate, otherwise when you land you’ll feel the effect.

Q: Tell us about this Malawi trip.

A: HOPEHIV is something QlikView has been cannoning for four years now. We do a charity ride every year and this year we start on Oct 9. Apart from cycling, we also do handy work around the schools and clinics and spend some time with the kids. It is purely about charity and volunteering.

Q: Why this charity, in particular?

A: It is very focused on helping kids who have been abandoned because of Aids. HOPEHIV is a global outreach, but because it is not a local charity, you don’t get a buzz about it here.

Q: What are you bringing on this trip?

A: We already shipped a lot of things prior to this trip, but I will have to bring my own bicycle. It is not a fun leisurely ride, and we won’t be living the life — in fact, we will be camping.

Q: Have you done anything like this before?

A: No. To prepare for this, I have embarked on a strict training regime and have lost about 3kg so far. The personal challenge is also to get into the best possible shape I can. I have always had a personal trainer but never took it seriously because I travel so much. But now my sessions are three to four times a week.