Benedict Yew: Asking Better Questions, Creating Better Outcomes

From Fresh Analyst to Trusted Project Support 

Since joining aAdvantage Consulting in May 2024 as an Analyst, Benedict Yew has spent the past year and a half supporting project leads and directors across a wide range of client engagements.

His work spans research, organisation development and HR transformation initiatives. Responsibilities include setting up surveys and cleaning data, validating findings, preparing reports, and building facilitation decks. Each assignment demands a different blend of analytical rigour and structured thinking, and Benedict enjoys being at the intersection of both. 

Finding Meaning in Moments That Bring People Together 

One of Benedict’s most memorable experiences so far has been helping to plan and execute Away Day 2025.

Seeing colleagues connect in person, relax outside the office, and enjoy the experience together made the behind-the-scenes logistics worthwhile. For Benedict, it was a reminder that consulting is not only about deliverables, but also about building relationships and creating shared moments that strengthen the team.

Another standout project for him was supporting a leadership and board retreat for a public-sector organisation. It offered a rare opportunity to observe and engage with senior leaders, and to see how the consulting work helped to facilitate meaningful discussions at that level. It reinforced for Benedict that the team’s efforts can create real impact, even for highly experienced professionals.

Growing Through Curiosity and Constructive Questions 

For Benedict, asking questions is at the heart of how he works. 

Whether he is clarifying expectations from clients or checking in with internal stakeholders, he believes analysts have a responsibility to ensure they understand what is truly needed, not just what they assume is required. This habit has helped him sharpen his analytical skills, build conversational confidence, and recognise that one does not need to be a subject-matter expert to add value. 

“You can create impact by bringing clarity,” Benedict reflects. “Often, asking the right questions helps everyone see the next step more clearly.” 

Guidance from senior colleagues has reinforced this mindset. Benedict often recalls aAdvantage Director Vincent Ho’s emphasis on bringing value and relevance to every piece of work, even when tasks seem routine. This perspective has helped him reframe day-to-day responsibilities as opportunities to improve processes, insights, or experiences for others. 

Learning from Exposure to Senior Leaders 

One aspect of consulting that might surprise those outside the industry is the level of direct exposure to senior decision-makers. 

As an analyst, Benedict frequently collaborates with the firm’s heads of business and other senior leaders, many of whom have 20 to 30 years of experience. This gives him a close-up view of how seasoned leaders think, structure discussions, and respond to different situations. 

In many other roles, the gap between junior staff and senior leadership can be much wider. For Benedict, this proximity has accelerated his learning: he observes how leaders frame issues, make trade-offs, and communicate decisions, carrying those lessons back into his own work. 

Discipline, Focus, and Looking After the Basics 

Behind Benedict’s calm and structured approach at work is a disciplined personal routine. He typically starts his day with an early morning workout, recharging with a cold shower and an energy drink to gear up for work at 9 a.m. 

On busier days, he uses a Pomodoro-style approach – 25 minutes of focused work followed by short breaks, repeated in cycles – to stay productive without burning out. He believes that setting oneself up well physically and mentally is key to sustaining performance, especially when managing multiple deadlines. 

Small tools also make a difference. Benedict uses mouse macros for frequent actions such as copy, paste, and screenshots. These minor efficiencies add up across a typical workday of drafting, editing, and analysing. 

Just Start, and Keep Learning 

For those just starting out as analysts, Benedict’s advice is simple: 

Bring a growth mindset, be willing to learn, and do not be afraid to ask questions. Curiosity, he believes, is essential to finding meaning in the work. 

“Always think about the value your work brings – whether it’s for clients or colleagues,” he says. “That’s where you find meaning and purpose.” 

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from the people behind aAdvantage and their work supporting clients’ organisational growth.