Tell me about yourself and your experience at Nortel?
I manage the Enterprise channels business across Australia. I am responsible for delivering our business metrics such as revenue, and for managing the relationships with our channel partners in Australia.

What are your career aspirations?
My objective is to continue to broaden by experience across different parts of the business and a variety functions, providing the grounding for a general management position.

Can you describe your relationship with Management?
My current manager is one of the most supportive, understanding and thoughtful managers I have known. I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to work with such a high caliber individual and to be able to learn and develop my skills and experience under his guidance. Nortel has always struck me as a very egalitarian company, minimizing the barriers between the hierarchical levels as much as possible and encouraging open communication upwards, downwards and across.

How did you end up working at Nortel?
I graduated from University in the early '90s. Having had a couple work experience jobs in the telecommunications industry, I had already made up my mind that this was the industry I wanted to be in. By the time I graduated we were right in the middle of a recession in Australia and most of the multinationals were going through some downsizing - so my graduation year was one of the few where many of the multinationals decided not to take a graduate intake. Fortunately Nortel was one of the companies that did! I heard about Nortel and at the time it had a relatively low profile in Australia, so I didn't know much about it until I went along to the recruitment session. Nortel market position has since evolved tremendously.

How would you describe the working environment at Nortel?
As a generalization, I would say that Nortel has a 'work hard, play hard' culture. It's not the sort of place to work if you are looking for a routine, predictable environment! It is demanding at times - but it's the challenge that makes it a stimulating place to work.

One of the major benefits I have experienced in working at Nortel has been the opportunity to progress my career. Despite working for the same company for now several years, I have changed roles every 1-2 years and feel I have had great variety and experience in the various positions I have had over that time. Working for a multinational provides employee with an exposure to different markets and cultures, to different aspects of the business, and the opportunity to travel and work in different locations, no matter where your 'home' location may be.

What it is like to work in a global company?
I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel across North America, Europe and Asia. Probably the most exotic destination I've been to with Nortel was Jamaica! I love travel, so it has been a real perk for me to have had the opportunity to visit so many new places. Thanks to Nortel. Generally these have been short business trips (1-2 weeks), however there are plenty of opportunities within the company to do a longer term placement and/or relocate overseas if you are looking for this.

What values are important to succeed at Nortel?
Customer and Integrity - the two go hand-in-hand. The nature of the business I'm currently working in is that we deal with multiple channel partners - often in a situation where they are competing against each other - on a day-to-day basis. It is so important to act consistently and fairly in this type of situation - failure to do so can break down a customer's trust in you very quickly.

What would you say to someone who would consider joining Nortel?
Go for it!