Phoenix Asia Group - Founder & CEO Sandra Ruei King
Sandra Ruei King: Phoenix Group Asia is a human resource agency that specializes in recruiting foreign teachers to teach English in Taiwan. We recruit, train and continue to evaluate performance to maintain good working relationships with all parties, i.e. employers, teachers, schools, and supervisors in our agency. We are an all-inclusive agency that assists teachers in every aspect while in Taiwan. Our philosophy is to find good teachers, cultivate their skills, experiences and unique talents so that they stand out in a competitive job market. I started recruiting in 2005 and founded Phoenix Group in 2013. Wisconsin is our newest office in addition to others located throughout Taiwan.
RM: What is your vision for the future?
SRK: Many people believe that artificial intelligence is our future, but no AI can ever replace the heart, soul, flesh and blood of a teacher who mentors and loves the students. Like Singapore, Taiwan is preparing to be a bilingual country by 2030. I have faith that my country will succeed in achieving this goal and put Taiwan on the map. Phoenix Group will help contribute to that goal.
RM: Who is your target market?
SRK: We like to have teachers with K-12 teaching credentials fresh out of college, college professors, or international schoolteachers. We are looking for anyone who is positive, open-minded, adventurous, and flexible who wants to make a future for themselves and their students in Taiwan. Like the U.S., Tawain has compulsory education, so our clientele consists of public schools (especially elementary) and institutions.
RM: What problem do you solve for your customers?
SRK: The problem in business and the reason I came here to start this new office is because we have less native English teachers. We need more teachers from the six major English-speaking countries: USA, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
RM: What new challenges do you face in the light of the changes that have taken place over the past few years?
SRK: As a female leader in business, a lot of times it’s hard to be taken seriously. Also, the pandemic affected us greatly because we are helping teachers to go overseas, and travel was not advised. It was very, very hard for us. It was difficult, dangerous, inefficient, and just uncomfortable. We thought we probably would never get through that, but in spite of all the difficulties, we survived and have been thriving ever since.
RM: What offer or call to action would you like to include?
SRK: If you are tired of living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to make ends meet, drowning in debt, and fearing for your family’s safety; it is time to make a change. Experience job satisfaction and fulfilment by teaching English in Taiwan. Taiwan is the place where good, hard-working people like you can not only survive but thrive. Taiwan's expat community enjoys a high standard of living, fantastic affordable healthcare that is second to none. We have low crime, low tax, and low prices. It may seem like a small island, but it has so many adventures waiting for you.
RM: What is most inspiring to you today?
SRK: I would like to share a little story about Taiwanese hospitality. There is a Michigan teacher, his name is Dennis. He travelled to Taiwan about 20 years ago. He didn't speak a word of Chinese. He had to use a notebook to write in English and Chinese. He would flip to a specific page and show people: “I want to go to a train station.” The people would take him or show him how to get there. One time he was asking for directions and this lady that doesn't speak English saw the Chinese description. She went into her home (Dennis had no idea what was going on) and came out with 2 helmets. She put Dennis, a 68-year-old American male, on the back of her scooter, and drove him to the place he was looking for. Dennis had no idea what was going on, but he was cheering. That’s how Taiwanese people are, they treat foreigners like a guest in their own house, and they are not afraid of helping you in every way possible.
Contact Sandra Ruei King: kingruei@gmail.com
Subject: Business Owners Speak Out - Vol. # 170
