There’s something poetic about getting lost on your first day of work.

On his first day with us, Ron Asraff found himself standing bewildered in front of the wrong building – a still-under-construction QI Tower in Malaysia.

After a brief moment of confusion and a quick phone call, he discovered his actual destination was just two kilometres away, at our logistics facility.

This mishap, which unnerved him back on his first day in 2011, is today a fun anecdote he likes to regale the newbies with. It marked the beginning of Ron’s transformative career journey with us.

Before joining the QI Group in 2011, he had tried his hand at various roles – from promoting medical memberships at health sanctuaries, managing his father’s travel agency, and even working temporary positions at Hasbro and Colgate.

When a recruitment agency he reached out to mentioned a part-time opportunity in the Quality Control team at QNET, our wellness and lifestyle entity, he decided to give it a go.

“When I finally made it to the right location, my first task was inspecting a Bio Disc 2 (one of QNET’s wellness  products),” Ron recalls, his eyes lighting up at the memory. “Learning that it was priced at a premium sparked my curiosity. I wanted to understand how QNET could successfully market such premium products, and, more importantly, how I could contribute to maintaining their quality.”

Ron’s transferable skills from his previous, varied experiences allowed him to have the right mindset to tackle the role. Each day brought new learning opportunities, and each challenge was a chance to prove himself. His colleagues remember him as the one who would always stay a little longer, ask one more question, and take on one more task.

“I still remember Abdul Muhaimin, the senior QC inspector with QNET, taking me under his wing when I first started,” Ron shares, his voice warm with gratitude. “He showed me the ropes and taught me nearly everything I know about QC. That’s the thing about working at QNET – people here want you to succeed.”

Two years of dedication earned him a permanent position, but it was what he did with that opportunity that truly set him apart. Under the mentorship of his manager, Ms Winnie Leong, Ron began to see beyond just inspecting products. He recognised the potential for building systems, improving processes, and leading others to ensure our products met the highest standards.

QNET’s QC department evolved from a modest operation with limited resources into a well-structured unit with a proper QC room – one that Ron helped design himself.

A defining moment in his career came when he was sent to Dubai for the launch of QNET’s HomePure Zayn, a high-end air purification system. Tasked with training the local team on QC processes, Ron found himself far outside his comfort zone. “Standing in front of an international team, sharing knowledge I had built over years – it was terrifying and exhilarating,” he admits.

Today, he applies his expertise beyond work to help his wife’s food business that specialises in layered cakes originating from Sarawak, Malaysia, also known as Kek Lapis Sarawak. He helps test flavours and ensure high quality standards before they reach customers.

Looking ahead, he is excited about QNET’s expanding product line and his role in maintaining its quality to ensure every item that reaches our customers meets premium standards.

To those just starting their careers at QI, Ron offers wisdom born from experience: “Sometimes the best journeys start with a wrong turn,” he reflects. “What matters most is what you build along the way.”

Ron Asraff is the Quality Control Team Lead at QNET, our wellness and lifestyle subsidiary and is based in Malaysia.