Tell me about yourself and your experience at Nortel?
My current assignment is to work with the country sales teams and product groups locally and in North America to formulate the go to market strategies and messaging around product and solutions in the Asia Pacific region. The road to this assignment has been exciting and full of diversity including starting at Nortel in 1997 as a channel account manager and through achieving a series of targets and development milestones, progressing through to managing the channel strategy for Asia Pacific. Other assignments included a stint as operations prime, leading a sales team in the eBusiness division and prior to accepting my current role, being responsible for the field marketing organization for the enterprise business in Asia Pacific.

How did you end up working at Nortel? Why did you choose Nortel?
I was recommended by a couple of existing employees who I worked with selling Nortel equipment to customers while I was in the integration channel. I decided to accept the position at Nortel while my wife was in hospital ready to deliver our first children (twins)! While the timing was far from ideal, I knew that the opportunity to work for a company like Nortel didn't come every day and so I grabbed it with both hands.

What is most inspiring in your job?
Being able to work with people who really want to make a difference for themselves and for Nortel. I have the great pleasure of working with a number of very motivated people and something very exciting happens when you get a group of people who are all determined to improve things for the company they work for.

How do you describe Nortel as an employer?
It's no secret that Nortel has experienced some pretty turbulent times over the last years. During this time, the welfare of the individual has always remained as Nortel's number one priority. This is what I think sets Nortel apart from many other companies. The desire to do the 'right thing' for its employees sets a foundation that drives people to give 110% and ultimately that's good for the company's well being which in turn means that people are looked after. It's a self fulfilling circle.

What values are important to succeed at Nortel?
I think the values needed to succeed are universal: integrity, customer and accountability are the three that I believe in the most and look for in the people I want as part of my team. Without these three, decisions are made that invariably comprise either people or the company you work for. Long term success is built on making decisions for the right reasons.

How would you describe your work life balance?
For me, balance is about giving my job everything I have, striving to be the best I can personally and for my manager, but always keeping an eye on my relationship with my family. The minute I see my relationship and ability to communicate or relate to my family being affected, I know I have the balance wrong.

What would you say to someone who is considering joining Nortel?
Just do it! It's a great company in one of the best industries in the world. The scope to experience multiple jobs in multiple countries and learn from the many cultures is reason enough. Add to that, the quality of the people and it's a slam dunk!

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